Antigua holidays

Things to do

Explore this wonderful island by sea, then moor your boat in world-famous English Harbour. Tour Nelson's Dockyard and enjoy a luxury catamaran cruise. Snorkel among coral in turquoise waters and discover the rising mast of the Andes, shipwrecked 100 years ago. Admire the views from Boggy Peak, which stretch out to the islands of Guadeloupe and St. Kitts, and wander the streets of Antigua's capital, St John's.

Excursions:
* Kokomo Cat Catamaran - Approx. £64
* Estate Safari Jeep Tour - Approx. £43
Please speak to your Representative in resort for a wider choice of excursions, including flights to neighbouring islands and helicopter rides.

Explore your destination

Treasure Island Cruise
Sail around Antigua's beautiful shoreline and out to the uninhabited Green Island, just off the east coast. Here, you'll be able to snorkel with amazing marine life and may even spot the hawksbill turtle, before you enjoy a Caribbean feast.
Prices from approx. £53pp (adult); £26pp (child)

Montserrat Volcano Helicopter Tour
This is the best (and only!) way to see this 3,000ft active volcano, which regularly throws ash and smoke into the air. You'll also be able to see Plymouth, the former capital of the area, some of which is buried in over 40ft of ash.
Prices from approx. £116pp (adult/ child)

Highlights

• Discovering Antigua's lively capital, St John's, on your holiday, with its shops, restaurants and the white towers of St John's Cathedral
• Dancing the night away at Shirley Heights's famous Sunday party up in the hills above English Harbour, with its steel band, reggae music and tasty barbecue food
• Imagining how the other half live as you watch the luxurious yachts that gather in Antigua's marinas
• Escaping into Antigua's tropical scenery on a horseback tour of the island
• Working your way through the island's 365 beaches, but perhaps not all in one holiday
• Catching Antigua's cricket craze, checking out the prized cricket bat of former West Indies team captain Viv Richards at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda in St Johns
• Discovering Antigua's underwater scenery while scuba diving in blue waters
• Nosing around Nelson's Dockyard's elegant buildings. Abandoned in 1889, they've been transformed into restaurants, shops, a market, art centre and nautical museum
• Seeing the natural wonder of Devil's Bridge, a rocky natural wonder created by Atlantic and Caribbean surf crashing together
• Taking a tour of Betty's Hope, Antigua's first big sugar plantation, and strolling around the stone windmills, distillery and visitors' centre
• Taking a swing on Jolly Harbour's 18-hole golf course
• Relaxing on deck as you tour the island's beautiful coast on a boat cruise
• Wandering around English Harbour, once a naval base and now one of Antigua's most popular tourist spots with hilltop forts and museums

Food and drink

On your holiday in Antigua, dine as the locals do, on salted codfish served with tomato sauce: a big favourite here. The catch of the day is always worth a try, with popular seafood including shrimp, spiny lobster, red snapper, shark, conch, cockles and octopus.

Local favourites include breadfruit, barbecue chicken and roast suckling pig. Juicy fresh fruit is everywhere, from extra-sweet black pineapple, green figs, mangoes and papayas to melons, oranges, grapefruits and bananas.

If you want to drink like the locals do too, Antigua's favourite tipple is rum, which you'll find in tasty punches and daiquiris.

Evening Flavour

By night, Antigua has a fun holiday flavour. You'll find a chilled-out vibe and brilliant live Antiguan music.

You can try your luck at the island's great casinos, like those in St John's and the newest and most extravagant, the Grand Princess Casino in Jolly Harbour, which also has a sports bar, fine dining and a dazzling new nightclub, perfect for all you partygoers.

On Sundays, don't miss the famous parties in Shirley Heights, where you can combine the fun with stunning views.

Shopping

You'll find the best of Antigua's shopping in St John's, with everything from duty-free goods to handmade knickknacks; such as hand-printed fabrics, shell and straw crafts, ceramics and the famous rum.

If you fancy trying some homegrown foods, take a trip to St John's fruit and veg market on a Saturday morning to try the Antiguan black pineapple, the juiciest thing you'll taste on your holiday in Antigua.

Another good spot for retail therapy is English Harbour, where you can pick up gifts in pretty surroundings.

Local weather

Information

Language: English. Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar. Tourist Office: 15 Thayer Street, London W1U 3JT. Tel: 020 7486 7073. Fax: 020 7486 1466. www.antigua-barbuda.com

For essential information on visas, departure, vaccinations and other issues please click on 'info' at the top of the page.

Travel money

Eastern Caribbean Dollar

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.

Useful phrases

Hello	Hola
Goodbye	Adios
Please	Por favor
Thank you	Gracias