Antigua: Perfect Weather, Beaches Galore and Cricket... What’s Not to Love - Travel Tales by Vacation Express

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Antigua: Perfect Weather, Beaches Galore and Cricket... What’s Not to Love
Posted by Sidney Pease, 6 May 2010, 09:34
in Insider's Guide
If you crave beautiful white-sand beaches, first-rate hotels and all things British, Antigua just might be a perfect choice for your next Caribbean getaway! First a little geography lesson – for those who aren’t familiar with this super charming island nation. Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) is located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean and is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts and St. Martin. Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island.
The nation also includes Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles approximately 30 miles due north and the tiny uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population of this island nation is approximately 75,000 and its capital is St. John’s on Antigua. Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are constant, with low humidity year-round.
Antigua's economy is pretty much dependent upon tourism, and it markets itself as a luxury Caribbean escape, which would be a very apt description. Visitors to the island will find plenty of upscale (but not stuffy at all!) hotels and resorts located around the coastline, some of which cater to couples and adults only, and many that are family-friendly and offer a host of onsite activities for all ages. You’ll find that most hotels offer meal plans to make budgeting for your trip easier, and many offer an all-inclusive option. The island's single airport, V.C. Bird International just 5 miles from St. John’s, is serviced by several major airlines including Delta, American, Continental, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Air Canada and British Airways. Flying time from Atlanta to Antigua is approximately 4 hours.
Antigua offers visitors the quintessential tropical experience, with beautiful white sand beaches and tall swaying palms. The coral reefs and calm, clear waters that ring the island provide spectacular opportunities for scuba and snorkel enthusiasts to view the brightly colored Caribbean marine life. Nights in Antigua are accented by some of the best steel bands in the Caribbean, with limbo dancers and calypso singers to complete the picture. For those looking for some action at the tables, Antigua has a few mid-size casinos that fit the bill. While there, a visit to English Harbour, Antigua's graceful and evocative historic district, is a must-do. Located in Nelson's Dockyard National Park and developed as a base for the British Navy, the harbor served as the headquarters of the fleet of the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18th century. Today, Nelson's Dockyard has been completely restored and is now the only Georgian dockyard in the world - here visitors will find wonderful restaurants and shops with colonial architecture overlooking the marina. More than 100 picturesque stone windmills, now housing bars, shops, restaurants, and homes, serve as a testament to Antigua's role in the sugar trade. And just as a point of information, attire in Antigua is informal, but conservative. Beach attire is appropriate for the beach but not for town, shops or restaurants. Some hotels and restaurants stipulate jacket and tie for men and dresses for women in the evening. So be sure to check on the requirements at your hotel before you leave home.
With its cruise ship dock and several hotels, St. John's is a lively hub for shopping and dining. On Friday and Saturday mornings, be sure to visit the vibrant farmers market on the southern edge of the city. Folk crafts, colorful tropical fruits, and a buzzing crowd make for a lively morning outing.
Long a celebrity island haunt, you might just run into some familiar faces while strolling around St. John’s. Oprah Winfrey and Giorgio Armani both own homes near Galley Bay. Other notable personalities with ties to the island include Richard Branson, Timothy Dalton, Ken Follett and Eric Clapton.
When you’ve finished checking out the beaches and bays, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy and happy during your visit –
Cricket: One cannot fully grasp the culture of Antigua without considering the island's fierce devotion to cricket. The sport is played everywhere and at any time, though official matches tend to be held on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The cricket season lasts from January to July and is interspersed during most seasons with regional and international matches. The Antigua Recreation Ground is one of the most exciting places in the world to observe a match. The local crowd is extremely devoted to the game, and the facilities are outstanding.
Tennis: Although more recently established than its sailing counterpart, Antigua's annual Tennis Week draws an impressive field of international competitors to the island each May. Quite a few of the island's hotels have excellent facilities.
Diving and Snorkeling: Antigua has hundreds of wrecks to explore and good shelf diving. You can easily arrange for diving equipment through your hotel.
Hiking and Birdwatching: Antigua has many trails and tracks that are well suited to hiking and exploring. Most of the popular hikes lead to one of the island's many hilltop fortifications: Fort George sits atop Monk's Hill, and Fort Barrington (captured by the French in 1666) is on the promontory at Deep Bay. The Historical and Archaeological Society frequently arranges group hikes.
Much of the appeal of the natural environment in Antigua and Barbuda is the multitude of bird species to be found there. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary on Barbuda, though accessible only by boat, is the largest bird sanctuary in the Caribbean and contains over 170 species; Long Island and Great Bird Island also offer outstanding opportunities for birdwatcher.
Golf: There are two golf courses on Antigua: an 18-hole, 70-par course at the Cedar Valley Golf Club and another at Jolly Harbour.
Riding: There are several stables on Antigua. Arrangements for riding can be made through your hotel.
Kayaking, Swimming, Snorkeling, Boating: A complete water sports facility is located at Dickenson Bay. Activities include jet skiing, waterskiing, parasailing, kayaking, Hobie Cat and sunfish sailing, windsurfing and tubing. Hotels offer onsite water sports as well. Paddle tranquil lagoons, uninhabited islands or protected mangroves, and snorkel and hike at Bird Island, a 20 acre 'jewel in the ocean' that has white beaches, live reef and rare wildlife.
Sailing Excursions: Visitors can enjoy full and half-day sailing cruises along the Caribbean coastline visiting deserted beaches, shell collecting, snorkeling, or just sitting back, soaking up the sun and enjoying the sites. Private sailing excursions to a deserted beach are easy to arrange for couples looking for a romantic outing. Sailing lessons for the whole family and sailing/yacht charters to other islands can be arranged.
Deep Sea Fishing: Enjoy fishing expeditions from Jolly Harbour to catch large wahoo, marlin and tuna. Deep Sea Fishing: Enjoy fishing expeditions from Jolly Harbour to catch large wahoo, marlin and tuna.
Zip Line Canopy Tour: The Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour is a unique eco-tour through Antigua's lush rainforest where visitors embark on an unforgettable 21-element journey through the verdant forest, high above the trees.
Shopping: For those of you who love to shop, you will find Antigua a hub for fashionable clothes. Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay (pronounced KEY) in downtown St. John's are lined with fine boutiques and shops where you will find high quality shoes, clothes, accessories, jewelry and more. Plus you’ll find galleries specializing in local folk pottery as well. Definitely a shoppers Mecca!
Getting Married on Antigua: Known as the ‘Vegas of the Caribbean’ in some circles, this breathtaking destination boasts more spectacular beaches than any other island for an unforgettable venue for the ceremony and more to explore for the honeymoon. Antigua has just a twenty-four hour waiting period. Couples must appear at the Ministry of Justice in St. John’s to complete and sign a declaration before a marriage coordinator. The wedding coordinator then arranges for a marriage officer to perform a civil service as early as the next day. There is a fee for both the license and the official.
Antigua prides itself on its ability to put on the perfect destination wedding – offering a host of professional wedding services, from wedding officiators to wedding coordinators, photographers, caterers, DJs, bands and so much more. Whether your desire is a small intimate affair or a large, lavish event, Antigua can accommodate your every request for your special day. Most hotels offer wedding coordinator services and special wedding packages. Resorts such as Sandals Antigua, Galley Bay, St. James Club and Blue Waters (just to name a few) have full wedding staffs onsite and have become extremely popular destination wedding locales.
So… all in all, Antigua is a wonderfully relaxed and laid-back island destination but with a unique English charm. Generally on the smaller side, hotels in Antigua are among the very best in the Caribbean and welcome visitors with friendly, professional staffs and warm island hospitality.
You might just consider adding Antigua to your Caribbean “bucket list” for sure!
To find out more about our selection of resorts in Antigua click here.
URL Antigua: Perfect Weather, Beaches Galore and Cricket... What’s Not to Love

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