Antigua travel guide: where to stay and what to do

As a Caribbean girlie, I have to admit that I haven’t seen much of it. My mum moved to the U.K from Jamaica as a child, a part of the Windrush generation, and we would often go back to visit family there or family that moved to the U.S. and Canada – visiting other parts of the Caribbean wasn’t really a part of the holidays schedule. In fact, the first time I remember visiting another Caribbean island was Barbados and we were also visiting extended family.

I think this is the story for many Black Brits, so as an adult I’ve started looking into exploring more of the Caribbean beyond the islands I’m attached to. Antigua is one of those places that appeals to any-and-all holiday lovers as there’s a vibrant culture and nightlife, beautiful vistas and the most tranquil beaches. The best bit is that given how small it is (you can drive around the entire island in 3 hours flat), you can squeeze all of the above into the same holiday if you wish.

Where to stay in Antigua

We stayed in The Verandah Resort, an all-inclusive spot that’s a part of Elite Island group, who own a few of the all-inclusive hotels on the island. The resort was renovated and reopened in late 2023 so things still feel really fresh and sparkly, plus it’s conveniently located west of the island and a quick 25-minute drive from the Airport.

While the island’s delights call, you will find it hard to tear yourself away from the resort. It comprises of two beautiful beaches, four pools, tennis and pickleball courts as well as golf, plus all the water sports you could wish for. So, whether you want to chill with a fresh coconut on the beach (me) or test your stamina paddle boarding (not me) you have the option of the best of both worlds.

The new pub on site was perfect to watch the end of the football season – COYG – and grab a pre-dinner cocktail. Oh, and the coffee shop onsite filled the Blank Street hole in my heart – trust me, you’ll miss their blended iced matchas when you’re home.

We stayed in a two-bed plunge pool villa that was huge and could comfortably sleep up to six people if you’re thinking of doing a group trip. Having the option to relax out on our own private veranda was blissful. Reading your book as the breeze whistles through palm trees and you can only hear waves slapping the shore in the distance? A delight. Hey now, this is what holiday dreams are made of.

If less of you are travelling there are smaller rooms and suite options to suit couples and singles too.

We ate at the hotel most nights, taking advantage of the bookable restaurants on site that spanned multiple cuisines – Nicole’s, the Italian restaurant, was our favourite, but if you want to venture out, taxis are quick and easily organised by the front desk.

Where to visit

Shirley Heights Lookout

A must visit for your Antigua adventure, Shirley Heights is an iconic cliff top known for its amazing views but mainly the weekend party vibes. Yes, it’s quite touristy but it’s a fun place to grab a rum punch and dance to the steel pans as the sunsets. You can visit during the day too, it’s quiet and there are views for miles, but sunset is when the atmosphere really kicks in, especially Thursday to Sunday.

Jolly Harbour

This little marina area is comprised of marina and beach villas to rent and functions as its own little village with a supermarket, hairdressers, pharmacy and bank. But most importantly it has a few stunning restaurants and multiple boat companies operating out of the marina for day trips and water sports.

Devil’s Bridge

Located within walking distance of The Verandah resort (they organise guided walks once a week or you can drive there within 10 minutes) this beautiful slice of the island has a horrific origin story from the slave trade. Hearing about the history from a guide (we went with Pink Panther tours) was really interesting. We listened to the history before spending some quiet time there to contemplate. It was a meditative moment that filled me with such immense gratitude for my life.

Nelson’s Dockyard

When we visited, the team were pruning a kidney mango tree. As they saw me and my mum looking (probably drooling tbh) one of the men grabbed a bag and filled it with ripe mangoes for us to take, free of charge. It’s a gesture that is so fitting to the Antiguan spirit, kind, warm and nothing is too much for them. While that was my favourite part of my visit, the area itself is really interesting and steeped in the history of the island. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features a working Georgian-era naval dockyard amongst the beautiful greenery.

St John’s Shopping

If you’re partial to a bit of shopping, especially duty free, you need to head to the island’s capital, St John’s. In the mall area, where the cruises dock, shops offer tourist duty free shopping on everything from clothes, souvenirs, sunglasses and precious stones. Venturing out from the mall you have a plethora or independent shops and stalls to pick from. We spend an ungodly amount of time in the beauty supply shops…

FYI…

– Payment-wise, cards are widely accepted in shops but cash is essential for smaller shops and stalls. The US dollar is accepted but you might get your change back in XCD (east Caribbean dollar).

– Mosquitos are rife so bring bug spray. We bought some citronella oil for the pharmacy too which helped.

– We went in May and experienced a few rainy days amid the 30 degrees sunny spells. While they didn’t dampen our holiday vibes, if you want almost guaranteed clear skies, visiting in autumn and winter is your best bet.

British Airways Holidays offers seven nights, at the 4* The Verandah, Antigua, from £1729pp, travelling on selected dates between 1 September – 30 September 2024 inclusive. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport, 1 checked bag at 23kg per person and accommodation on All Inclusive board basis. For reservations visit www.britishairways.cmom/antigua or call 0344 493 0120.

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