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With 365 white-sand beaches, azure seas, barrier reefs, and historic forts, Antigua makes a great place to switch off and relax. You can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nelson’s Dockyard, zip-line through the rainforest, or join an eco tour of the island’s reefs and mangroves spotting wildlife and learning about local ecology, history, and folklore along the way. Along the coast, high headlands shelter deep narrow bays, hidden coves, and bustling stretches of sand backed by lively bars. Rock arches and blowholes give way to coconut groves and banana plantations, and all over the island fish and seafood bars and fine dining restaurants offer plenty of choice for a lazy lunch or special dinner. Relax with a stroll around the brightly painted waterfront at St John’s, watch a game of cricket, or take a ferry to nearby Barbuda to snorkel off deserted beaches.

Antigua offers a wide variety of places to stay, from boutique historic hotels to large resorts with a full range of facilities. Most hotels sit on the waterfront and offer easy access to the beach and water sports. Some of our preferred options include the adult-only Galley Bay with its tropical gardens, spa, yoga pavilion and choice of restaurants, or family-run Blue Waters Resort & Spa which sits on a large estate with a private golf course and tennis courts.

On the south coast, Carlisle Bay is a stylish option that offers a full range of water sports, including diving, as well as four restaurants to choose from. If you’re looking for something more intimate, we recommend the Inn at English Harbour, a boutique hotel with heritage style close to Nelson’s Dockyard.

Antigua’s top attraction is Nelson’s Dockyard, where restored Georgian buildings now house two museums, craft shops, restaurants, and a marina lined with luxury yachts. Above it, Shirley Heights gives sweeping views of the historic port and comes alive on Sunday afternoons with music and dancing at the weekly jump-up.

The island claims to have a beach for every day of the year. Try the pristine sands at popular Valley Church Beach or make your way to the far side of the island to visit Half Moon Bay, where you’re never likely to encounter more than a handful of other visitors.

Explore the island’s interior along Fig Tree Drive which leads through banana, mango, and coconut groves into the volcanic hills, visit 19th-century St John’s Cathedral, or hop on a ferry to Barbuda to laze on pink-sand beaches and visit one of the world’s largest colonies of frigate birds.

Direct flights from the US to Antigua take around four and a half hours.

The time zone in Antigua is UTC-4 hours (EST+1 hour). There’s no Daylight Saving Time in Antigua.

The best way to get around Antigua is to hire a car or use private transfers. The island’s small size means you can drive from end to end in around 45 minutes. To rent a car you’ll need to obtain an Antiguan permit to drive once you arrive — your rental car company can arrange this for you. If you choose to drive, be aware that Antiguan roads can be riddled with potholes and are poorly lit at night so can prove challenging. If you’d rather not drive, it’s easy to arrange private transfers with our local agents and taxis from the airport to most destinations have a fixed fare.

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Antigua. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

• Entry requirements travel tool

There are no mandatory vaccinations for travel to Antigua. However, it’s a good idea to ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home, and to check the suggested vaccinations on the .

Like any tropical destination, mosquitoes are part of a trip to Antigua, however, most resorts spray to control numbers. If you use a good insect repellent and cover up, particularly at dawn and dusk, you should avoid too many bites. Mosquitoes in Antigua can transmit dengue fever, Chikungunya virus and Zika virus, however, so you should take precautions, and if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant speak to a doctor before booking.