Antigua and Barbuda Holidays: Beaches, Nelson's Dockyard, Barbuda & When to Go

E By Emma · Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Airports

V. C. Bird International, Antigua (ANU)

Flight time

about 8h 30m from London to Antigua, direct

Best time to go

December-April for dry, sunny weather; May-June and November for lower prices

Currency

Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$); US dollars widely accepted

Antigua is the classic British idea of a Caribbean holiday: soft white sand, calm turquoise water, rum punch at sunset and cricket on the village green. The island is ringed by bays, and locals like to say there is a beach for every day of the year. All of them are public, so even the smartest resort strand is open to everyone.

Its sister island, Barbuda, is flat, quiet and far less developed, with miles of pink-tinged sand and one of the world's largest frigatebird colonies. For British travellers it's an easy choice: direct flights, English spoken everywhere and driving on the left. Antigua runs 4 hours behind the UK in winter and 5 hours behind during British Summer Time. Sockets are a mix of US-style and UK three-pin, so pack a universal adaptor. It isn't a budget destination, but all-inclusive deals and shoulder-season prices can be good value.

Entry requirements

British passport holders can usually visit Antigua and Barbuda as tourists without a visa, normally for up to six months. You'll need a passport valid for your whole stay, an onward or return ticket and details of where you're staying, and you may be asked to complete an arrival form online before you travel. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Where to go in Antigua and Barbuda

English Harbour and Falmouth

The island's historic heart. Nelson's Dockyard, a restored Georgian naval base and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is now a working marina full of superyachts, cafés and small museums. Above it, Shirley Heights lookout has one of the best views in the Caribbean, and its Sunday sunset party with steel band and barbecue is an institution.

St John's and the north-west

The capital, St John's, is busy when cruise ships are in, with Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay for shopping and the white twin-towered cathedral on the hill. Nearby Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay have lively resorts and water sports, while Jolly Harbour has a marina and some of the island's best value hotels.

The west coast beaches

The south-west is where many of the most photographed beaches are, including Darkwood, Ffryes and Turners. Valley Church and Jolly Beach are long and calm.

The east coast

The Atlantic side is wilder and windier. Half Moon Bay is a wide arc of sand, Long Bay is sheltered by a reef and good for families, and Devil's Bridge is a natural limestone arch where waves blast through blowholes. Stingray City trips also leave from this side.

Barbuda

About 90 minutes away by ferry or 20 minutes by small plane, Barbuda is the place for empty beaches. Pink Sand Beach and the long strand at Princess Diana Beach are stunning, and boat trips cross Codrington Lagoon to see thousands of nesting frigatebirds. Facilities are limited since Hurricane Irma in 2017, so a guided day trip is easiest.

Best time to visit Antigua and Barbuda

Getting to Antigua and Barbuda from the UK

British Airways flies direct from London Gatwick and Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow, with flights taking about eight and a half hours. Antigua is also a handy hub for reaching nearby islands including St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Montserrat on short regional hops.

Getting around

Antigua is small, about 20 km across, so nothing is far, but roads can be potholed and poorly signed. To drive a hire car you'll need a temporary local driving permit, which the rental firm usually arranges for a fee. Taxis are plentiful and have fixed rates between common points; agree the fare, and whether it's in EC or US dollars, before setting off. Local minibuses are cheap but run mostly from St John's and stop early in the evening. Barbuda is reached by the Barbuda Express ferry or a short flight.

Money and costs

The Eastern Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar (about EC$2.70 to US$1), and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, though change usually comes in EC dollars. Antigua is expensive: a mid-range trip typically costs around £150-250 per person per day including accommodation, and much more at the top resorts. All-inclusive packages often work out cheaper than paying for meals separately. A service charge of around 10% is often added to bills; tip a little extra for good service.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.