Planning your trip to Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua is mostly marketed towards travellers who prefer luxury, all-inclusive hotels. However, yours truly travelled independently. We stayed at the Antigua Yacht Club in Falmouth Harbour, a (B&B style) hotel and location which I think mostly caters for modern day yachties (which we are certainly not) and thoroughly enjoyed it. With a bit of research, you will see that Antigua is more than a honeymooners’ destination. Families will definitely have a good time here, as well as anyone who wants to relax and embrace the Caribbean way of life.
But what about Barbuda, Antigua’s sister island, you may ask? They say that this is what Caribbean islands looked like 50 years ago… Indeed, Barbuda is a beautiful flat coral island surrounded by protective reefs. The island is most famous for its pink beaches and Frigate Bird Sanctuary. This small Caribbean gem is a haven of tranquility and seclusion and in my bucket list for our next trip to Antigua. Harder to get to and very low key (though very elegant accommodations also exist as well as a Nobu Barbuda), Barbuda is the kind of place that flashpackers will absolutely adore.
Whether you are flashpacking or indulging in the comforts of an all-inclusive, a love for beaches and marine activities (such as snorkelling, kayaking, sailing etc) is key for enjoying your time in Antigua and Barbuda. Nevertheless, learning about local history and tasting the local cuisine and spirits can also keep you occupied when you have had enough of fun in the sun.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
LANGUAGE: English (official), Antiguan Creole
CURRENCY: Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), US dollars ($) widely accepted
PLUGS: Types A and B (230V supply voltage and 60Hz)
VISA REQUIREMENTS: Passport holders from a selection of countries including the USA, Australia, EU, Canada, UK can enter Antigua and Barbuda without a visa for short term travel. The complete list of countries can be found here.
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA CLIMATE & BEST TIME TO VISIT
Simply speaking, the year consists of two periods, dry season from January to June and rainy season from July to December. In reality, there are also two transitional periods / shoulder seasons: from mid-November to early January (when the temperature decreases a bit and it is fairly dry) and from mid-April to mid-June (when both the temperature and frequency of downpours gradually increase). The average daily temperature is around 25°C (77 °F) in January and February and around 28°C (82.5 °F) from June to September. Not too bad either way!
Rain typically occurs in the form of downpours or thunderstorms which could be intense, but generally do not last long. February and March stand out as the driest months. Tropical storms and hurricanes can pass over Antigua and Barbuda from June to November. However, they are most likely from August to October which is the rainiest time of the year.
The amount of sunshine is generally good with 7-8 hours of sunshine year round. The sea is always warm enough to swim in.
The best time to visit Antigua and Barbuda is from December to April. This is the least rainy and hot time of the year. However, visiting during shoulder season will enable you to get better rates for accommodation and experience the island with less visitors.
ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK
Antigua Sailing Week has been on the island’s social calendar for more than 50 years now. It is also one of the top regattas in the world. It is held annually at the end of April with Falmouth and English harbours at the epicentre of the action. The Regatta attracts all types of yachts from professional racing boats to a variety of performance and cruising boats.
We visited Antigua during Antigua Sailing Week. The end of Sailing Week pretty much signifies the end of tourist season in Antigua and we can attest to that. We got an incredible deal for our hotel and had the beach to ourselves (which at times felt amazing and at other times a bit lonely!). We also experienced two downpours (which is indeed something to experience!) but were blessed with glorious weather for the rest of our trip.
Nevertheless, Antigua Sailing Week makes for an exciting time to visit the island. In case you are wondering, no, we were not part of a crew! Our timing was coincidental. However, seeing glimpses of the race as we were going to the beach or for breakfast made our trip even more special. The volume, range and quality of yachts was truly spectacular. Furthermore, the excitement in Falmouth and English harbours was indeed palpable.
Further to Antigua Sailing Week, there are some more yachting events to watch out for. Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta takes place in late March / early April and showcases only classic yachts. The Superyacht Challenge, held in March, features yachts in excess of 80ft participating in a competitive yet friendly race.
HOW TO GET TO ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
There are many direct flight options to get to Antigua from the USA, UK and Canada. V.C. Bird International Airport is quite a large, modern facility. From experience, going through airport security and border control / customs is fairly straightforward.
There are several companies which offer charter flights and helicopter rides from several neighbouring islands to Antigua such as SVG Air, Fly Monserrat and CalvinAir Helicopters. This is also the fastest way for getting from Antigua to Barbuda.
The most affordable way for reaching Barbuda is via a 1,5-2h ferry ride. Ferries depart from St John’s, Antigua and arrive at the dock on the south coast of Barbuda, a short taxi ride away from Codrington. For more information and online bookings have a look at Barbuda Express and Codrington Express.
Please note that I have not travelled with any of the above mentioned companies, so I do not have personal knowledge of the experience.
ARE DAY TRIPS TO BARBUDA WORTH IT?
While planning your trip to Antigua, you might consider a day trip to Barbuda. My fiancé and I resisted the temptation and we are glad we did. This is not because Barbuda is not worth it.
First of all, I doubt that you will get bored in Antigua. As you will see in my blog post about exploring Antigua, there is a lot to see and do.
Furthermore, same day Barbuda excursions are quite involved. Driving from wherever you are staying to St. John’s as well as the ferry crossing do add up to a considerable amount of time. We also overheard several people describing the ferry ride as ‘very choppy’.
Needless to say, Barbuda is on my bucket list for the next time we find ourselves in Antigua. In order to have time to explore the island and get swept away by the slow pace of life, I’d stay in Barbuda for at least 4-5 days…
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TRAVEL GUIDES
The best things to see & do, dining, accommodation & practical info
Antigua’s beaches are the stuff of dreams… and legends. After all, the pirates of the Caribbean as well as the imperialist powers of a bygone era, they all had a part to play in the rich history and maritime tradition that this stunning part of the world has.
That’s the beauty of Antigua; a perfect blend of colourful Caribbean flair with a splash of colonial architecture, lush green hills and a multitude of serene bays where yacht crews and travellers alike stop for a local rum, a dark and stormy or even high tea!
Even if you don’t plan to visit all of Antigua’s 365 beaches, there’s more than enough to keep you happy for a 7-10 day trip, before considering visiting Barbuda. Needless to say, Antigua will be best enjoyed by those interested in a beach holiday / sailing trip.
What are the best things to do in Antigua? During our trip, we focused on the south coast of the island as it has the perfect blend of beaches, historic sites, dining, cocktails and yachting…
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