Antigua sightseeing
With its balmy temperatures and friendly locals, Antigua is the place to visit if you dream about days lounging on the beach, drinking cocktails and dancing the night away to the beat of calypso music and steel drums.
However, there’s a lot more to Antigua than the beach. From historic Harbour Towns to ruins, tree-top adventures and even a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with stingrays, there’s no shortage of sights and activities to keep you entertained.
Beaches
In Antigua you can spend days lounging next to the warm waters on the soft sands, just relaxing and taking in the peaceful atmosphere. Galley Bay in the North West is ideal for surfers and joggers, while Halfmoon Bay is popular with families. Beautiful Rendezvous Bay in the South is a bit more remote, but well worth a visit.
Stingray City
Stingray City is an attraction that no visitor to Antigua should miss. A boat will take you to where the docile Southern Rays gather. Here you can touch the stingrays, swim with them and even feed them. Antigua’s Stingray City is currently ranked number 1 out of 61 other attractions in Antigua on TripAdvisor, with many visitors stating it’s truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Yacht cruising
Antigua lies in the path of trade winds that make the coastline perfect for yacht cruising and racing, and the island hosts key yachting events throughout the year. Most notable among these are the Yacht Regatta that takes place in April and the Antigua Charter Yacht Show, held each December.
Explore the coral reefs
Explore the beautiful reefs and shipwrecks by diving or snorkelling in Antigua’s warm waters. Experienced guides will take you to the best spots, keep you safe and offer you insights into Antigua’s fascinating underwater life.
Whizz through the trees
An exhilarating zip line tour through Antigua’s rainforest is highly recommended. With 13 lines, there’s no shortage of adrenaline and you’ll be able to experience the rainforest from a unique vantage point.
Antigua on foot or 4x4
Go for a hike to one of the vantage points from which you can view breath taking landscapes that offers amazing photo opportunities. To explore more of the island, book a 4x4 tour and experience the inland scenery. Many of the tours include lunch and it’s a great way to see the island alongside an experienced guide.
Helicopter tours
Take a helicopter tour and see Antiqua and its surroundings like the birds do. There are a few different tours to choose from, but one you should probably consider is a flight from Antigua to Barbuda. This tour lasts about 4.5 hours and includes landing on a beach in Barbuda and enjoying a delicious meal. This is also a great option for birding enthusiasts – a visit to Barbuda isn’t complete without a visit to the Frigate Bird breeding sanctuary.
Eat, drink, shop
Antigua offers many fine dining and shopping opportunities, as well as a good mix of nightlife – from laid back to highly energetic.
St John’s is the place for all things retail. Enjoy duty-free shopping at selected stores and pick up locally made craft items to remember the island by, as well as spices and fresh produce.
Antigua boasts a number of good restaurants, offering a range of cuisines. Highlights include traditional Antiguan dishes and the island’s mouth-watering fresh seafood and fruit. For panoramic views of English Harbour, head to Shirley Heights, an 18th-century restored fort that has been converted into a restaurant. For the past 30 years it has hosted a popular Sunday barbecue, with live reggae and steel drum bands. Some of the best steel drum orchestras in the world play here.
Once the sun starts setting, you can sample the island’s famous rum before hitting the town for a night of dancing; relax and laugh with the locals at a beachside hangout or even try your luck at a casino.