Antigua and Barbuda / Special Interests

Antigua is most famous for its sailing and it is one of the major centres for the Caribbean. The sport is centred on English and Falmouth Harbours in the south-east of the island, which becomes extremely lively in the season (from December to April). The island is also a popular port of call for cruise ships, including some of the smaller sailing ships. Antigua is also generally good for sports. Dickenson Bay, the island’s most popular beach, is a lively centre for watersports, but if you are an advanced windsurfer or kitesurfer you will find very good onshore winds and facilities in the north-east. While the scuba diving is not among the best in the Caribbean, Antigua does make a good place to learn or dip into the sport. Finally there are two golf courses on Antigua, both of which accept visitors.

Other activities on land are slightly less abundant. If you are interested in nature, or flora and gardens, then not very much is formally organised (though Barbuda has some interest in its Frigatebird Sanctuary). The human activity is livelier. There are many bars in which you can hear home-grown and general Caribbean music. Also, if you happen to be on island at the time of Carnival then make sure to go along and have a look. You can even buy a costume in one of the bands and join in the parades.

With its large sailing industry, Antigua makes a fun visit for single travel, but it also caters well for families with a number of hotels suitable for children. Many of the hotels would also happy to arrange a wedding for you. There are some excellent beaches on which to hold a ceremony and other romantic locations among Antigua’s many fortifications. Although the holistic side of life is not particularly well developed in Antigua, there is an increasing number of spas where you can get massage and other treatments. 

For more detailed information and recommendations for individual areas of interest please select a Special Interest category below or from the menu bar.