📅 When to visit and how long to stay

Myself, my husband and our 11-year-old son, spent 10 nights in Antigua, and for us, it was the perfect amount of time.

We travelled during shoulder season towards the end of May and experienced a few short rain showers. They didn’t bother us at all and actually helped to cool the temperature down! However, if you’re a real sun worshipper and a little rain would be detrimental to your holiday, I would stick to the peak months between December and April but be prepared to pay a bit more. ☀️

Ten nights gave us the chance to explore a good amount of the island while still enjoying several slower days at the resort – always an essential part of a Caribbean holiday! 🌴

 🌴 How long do you need in Antigua?

Antigua is only around 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, but getting around takes longer than you might expect. The roads can be slow and uneven, and once you include sightseeing, a leisurely lunch and time to enjoy the beaches properly, you really don’t want to rush it.

We gave exploring the island a good crack, although we didn’t manage the whole thing. We spread our sightseeing across two full days:

East and South Antigua

• Betty’s Hope
• Devil’s Bridge
• Half Moon Bay, with time for lunch and the beach
• Pigeon Point and the English Harbour area

West Coast and St John’s

• St John’s
• Fort James
• Runaway Bay
• Dickenson Bay
• Galley Bay
• Valley Church Beach
• Jolly Harbour
• Hermitage Bay

You could race around several of these places in one day, but we wanted time for a leisurely lunch, a swim and the chance to enjoy each stop. Two days meant we could see a lot of the island without constantly watching the clock.

You can hire a car, but unless you’re a very confident driver, I would consider finding a good local taxi driver. Some of the roads and potholes can be tricky to navigate, and a local driver knows the island inside out. The added bonus is learning so much about Antiguan culture and everyday life along the way.

 With two full days exploring, 10 nights still left us with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the resort.

🌊 Antigua’s 365 beaches are not all the same

Antigua is famously said to have 365 beaches: one for every day of the year - but the experience can vary enormously depending on which coastline you choose.

 The east and south-east coasts face the Atlantic, making them more exposed to the wind, waves and incoming sargassum. Half Moon Bay, Long Bay and Mamora Bay are among the areas that can experience heavier buildups.

In contrast, the west and north-west coasts face the more sheltered Caribbean Sea. Beaches such as Dickenson Bay, Deep Bay, Darkwood Beach and Ffryes Beach are generally less vulnerable to large amounts of sargassum and tend to offer calmer, clearer water.

The south-west coast also has some gorgeous beaches and quieter coves, particularly around Curtain Bluff and Carlisle Bay.

Sargassum is usually most prevalent from around May to September, which explains why we saw it during our late-May visit. However, it isn’t completely predictable. Conditions can change with the wind, tides and currents and can differ greatly from one beach to another on the same day.

During the peak winter season, from December to April, the risk is generally lower across the island. If you’re travelling during the main sargassum months and a clear beach is essential to your holiday, the Caribbean-facing west or south-west coast will usually be the safer choice, although no beach can ever be guaranteed seaweed-free.

 This is exactly why choosing the right coastline, as well as the right resort, matters so much in Antigua.

🏨 Choosing the right resort

Your choice of resort really matters in Antigua, and it isn’t only about the number of stars, restaurants or swimming pools.

 First, look carefully at the beach and coastline. Is it sheltered or Atlantic-facing? Do you want calm swimming and crystal-clear water, or are sailing and watersports more important?

 You should also think about how you want to eat. Would you prefer the convenience of all-inclusive, or would you like to walk or drive out and try different restaurants?

There are plenty of places to eat, particularly around English Harbour, Jolly Harbour and along parts of the coastline. However, eating and drinking in Antigua can be expensive, so this needs to be considered when comparing all-inclusive with bed and breakfast or room-only.

We like to eat locally, so we asked our driver to take us to the most local place he knew. We were served delicious goat curry and rice, and three portions with three orange juices came to US$69. It was simple, authentic and one of those experiences we would never have found by staying entirely within the resort.

🩵 My verdict

Ten nights in Antigua was perfect. We saw so much of the stunning island while still having plenty of time to relax and properly enjoy a restful holiday.

 My biggest piece of advice is to choose your coastline, resort and board basis carefully. Getting those details right can make a huge difference to your experience.

If you’d like to chat about your perfect Antigua holiday, please get in touch.  I’d love to help. 🇦🇬

📩 Drop me a DM
📱 Call or WhatsApp on 01604 330010
📧 laura.crouch@mytc.com