Antigua Honeymoon

Antigua is renowned for being able to offer honeymoon couples a new sugar-white beach for every day of the year, abundant water sports activities, unspoiled nature reserves and a vibrant nightlife of casinos, dance clubs, bars and fine dining restaurants.

Antigua offers a choice of three major resort areas along the sheltered west coast at Dickenson Bay, Jolly Beach and Five Islands; all are close to the capital, St John’s. You can also choose from a selection of more intimate and exclusive resorts that are scattered along the coastline of this lush and hilly, 280km² island.

Dickenson Bay – Explore Antigua’s most developed resort area, with a choice of mainly large, all-inclusive resorts facing a long crescent of soft white sand lined with restaurants, beach bars and water sport concessions.

Sunbathe and swim from the powder white sands or sign up for a parasailing, windsurfing, sailing, diving, snorkelling or kayaking trip to explore the coastal regions. Dickenson Bay is 3km north of St John's and 11km northwest of the airport.

Jolly Harbour – The well-developed resort area of Jolly Harbour on Antigua’s west coast, south of the capital St John's, is home to several large and all-inclusive resorts, as well as duty free shopping and a wide choice of beachfront water sports. Unwind on the powder-white sand of Jolly Beach, head off on a guided snorkelling excursion or tee-off from the Jolly Harbour Golf Course.

After dark, enjoy a flutter at the gaming tables of the Grand Princess Casino, then dance the night away at the casino’s disco (arguably the island’s best) or head to the lively bars overlooking Jolly Harbour (check out Castaways).

St John's – The island’s capital, St John's boasts the nearby Five Islands Village, an exclusive and primarily gated resort district located on a peninsula. Here you can relax on white-sand beaches, be pampered with a range of creature comforts and dine at one of the island’s finest restaurants – Chez Pascal.

In St John's, stroll cobblestone streets past weather-beaten wooden houses featuring louvered verandas. Visit colonial sights such as the 17th century Anglican Cathedral of St John the Divine then explore the picturesque remains of Fort Barrington and Fort James, which overlook St John's Harbour.

Browse for duty free bargains in the shops of St John's Heritage Quay and in Redcliffe Quay. After dark, enjoy a flutter at King's Casino or dance the night away at one of the local clubs. St John's is located on the northwest coast, around 8km west of the airport.

English Harbour – On the south coast, English Harbour boasts the island’s best range of nightlife options and is the centre of Antigua’s sailing and yacht charter scene. By day, explore historic Nelson's dockyard, the world's only Georgian-era dockyard still in use and one of the Caribbean's best-preserved historic districts, dating from 1745.

Browse the nautical museum, shops and art centre and enjoy lunch in one of the quaint restaurants. Then take an excursion across the rolling countryside to Shirley Heights, an 18th century fortress dominating the entry to English Harbour.

Things to do and see
Beyond the beaches, Antigua offers a wide range of sights and activities for the whole family. Learn more about the island’s history on a visit to partially restored Betty's Hope, Antigua's first sugar plantation, and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua’s oldest building, dating from 1750.

See Devil’s Bridge and dramatic blowholes spouting foaming Atlantic surf while hiking through Indian Town National Park on the wild north-eastern tip of the island.

Enjoy panoramic views from Boggy Peak, the island’s highest point at 402m above sea level. See marine life (without getting wet) in a glass-bottomed boat, cruise the islands on a replica pirate ship and see various species of birdlife on an excursion to Great Bird Island from Dickenson Bay.

Hire a car to explore Antigua’s coast along the scenic Fig Tree Drive, a 32km-long circular drive past picturesque fishing villages; just don't expect to see any fig trees – fig is Antiguan for bananas. Watch locals play cricket or the national game of warri – an ancient board game traditionally played using shells placed in cups.

Get a bird's-eye view of Antigua's rainforest on a rainforest canopy tour or from even higher on a helicopter tour of the island, flying over lush rainforest and Antigua’s myriad beaches and cays.

Accommodation
Antigua offers a wide range of accommodation options. If you can afford to splash out, try one of the super-exclusive properties such as Carlisle Bay, arguable the most opulent and luxurious hotel in Antigua, located on a picture-perfect bay.

Or perhaps stay at Curtain Bluff, a classy oasis set in a lush tropical setting overlooking two sugar-white beaches. Verandah Resort & Spa is another luxury option, a 5-star all-inclusive resort facing two beaches on Dian Bay on the east coast.

Best time to visit Antigua?
The best time to visit Antigua is anytime. The hurricane season runs from June to November, however, typically, Antigua enjoys a pleasant tropical climate with sunny skies and warm dry days.

The average temperature is 25°C from December to April, rising to an average of 28°C from May to October with a high of 31°C from August to October. Occasional rain showers are brief. For more climate info: Antigua Weather Guide

Location – Antigua is the largest of the Leeward Islands group in the northeast of the Caribbean, comprising Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda.

Getting there – By air, Antigua receives daily non-stop flights from North America, Europe and other Caribbean islands, including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. How to get to Antigua . . .

By sea, St John’s deep-sea harbour is a favourite stopover for cruise liners from the USA, Puerto Rico, the UK, Europe and South America.