Antigua Info

Antigua is the larger and more developed of the country's two main islands. It combines a busy cruise and resort economy with long beaches, historic St. John's, the yachting centre of English Harbour and the restored naval landscape around Nelson's Dockyard.

Antigua and Barbuda form one country. Currency, national entry rules, telephone code and time zone are shared. Antigua and Barbuda are very different travel experiences, so attractions and local transport are covered separately.

Cruise ship in St. John's, Antigua — St. John's Cruise Port

St. John's Cathedral in Antigua — St. John's Cathedral

Dickenson Bay beach in Antigua — Dickenson Bay

View from Shirley Heights over English Harbour — Shirley Heights

Antigua at a Glance

Island	Antigua.
Country	Antigua and Barbuda.
Capital	St. John's.
Area	About 280 sq km (108 sq miles).
Highest point	Mount Obama, about 402 m.
Main airport	V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU).
Character	Beaches, resorts, sailing, historic sites, cruise tourism and a relatively developed visitor infrastructure.

Personal Impressions

Antigua has changed considerably under the influence of tourism. Today it feels more developed and more international than many other Caribbean islands, but to me it also feels less relaxed. Large resorts and tourism developments shape parts of the island, and in some places I miss the easy-going Caribbean atmosphere that I have experienced elsewhere.

Generally, Antigua has almost everything needed for an enjoyable family holiday, especially beautiful white-sand beaches. Even so, it is not one of my favourite Caribbean islands. English Harbour is an exception. It is one of the most attractive yachting centres I have seen, and the panoramic view from Shirley Heights alone makes the journey worthwhile. If I had only a few hours on Antigua, as many cruise passengers do, I would spend most of that time in and around English Harbour.

= STRIEWA =

History

People lived on Antigua for thousands of years before European colonisation. Christopher Columbus sighted the island in 1493 and named it Santa Maria de la Antigua. English settlement began in 1632. Sugar later became the dominant plantation crop, produced through the forced labour of enslaved Africans. Emancipation came in 1834, but economic power and land remained highly unequal for generations. Antigua and Barbuda became an independent state on 1 November 1981.

English Harbour developed into an important British naval base during the eighteenth century. The dockyard and its related fortifications were built and operated with the labour and skills of enslaved Africans. The Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016.

St. John's

St. John's is the national capital and the main commercial centre. Cruise ships dock close to Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay, placing shops, restaurants and the city centre within walking distance of the harbour. The twin towers of St. John's Cathedral remain one of the city's most recognisable landmarks.

Beaches

Antigua is promoted with the famous “365 beaches” slogan. The developed northwest includes Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, while Jolly Beach and Turner's Beach are popular on the west coast. Long Bay and Half Moon Bay offer different scenery on the eastern and southeastern sides of the island. Conditions vary with wind and swell, so the best beach on a particular day may depend on the coast.

English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard

English Harbour is Antigua's best-known sailing centre. Nelson's Dockyard preserves Georgian-era naval buildings, quays and workshops within a natural harbour protected by surrounding hills. The wider national park includes trails, fortifications and viewpoints and is one of the strongest places on the island for understanding Antigua's maritime and colonial history.

Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour — Nelson's Dockyard

Devil's Bridge on Antigua — Devil's Bridge

Fort Barrington in Antigua — Fort Barrington

Shirley Heights, Betty's Hope and Devil's Bridge

Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout above English and Falmouth Harbours and is especially popular around sunset. Betty's Hope preserves the remains of one of Antigua's major sugar estates and is an important place for confronting the plantation economy and the history of slavery. Devil's Bridge on the Atlantic coast is a natural limestone arch shaped by persistent wave action; rough seas make the area hazardous close to the water.

Practical Travel Information

Language	English is official; Antiguan Creole English is widely spoken.
Currency	Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD or EC$), fixed at EC$2.70 to US$1. US dollars are widely accepted.
Time	Atlantic Standard Time, UTC-4 throughout the year.
Telephone	+1 268.
Driving	Traffic drives on the left. Visitors renting a car should confirm current licence or temporary-permit requirements with the rental company.
Entry	Requirements depend on nationality. Visitors should carry a passport valid beyond the return journey, onward or return travel and accommodation details. Visa-exempt visitors may normally be admitted for up to six months, subject to immigration approval.
Arrival form	Air passengers using V.C. Bird International Airport can use the official ArriveAntigua electronic arrival and departure system.
Electricity	Type A and B sockets are common. Voltage can vary between properties, so check the accommodation and the rating of your equipment before use.
To Barbuda	Flights operate to Burton-Nibbs International Airport. The Barbuda Express also links St. John's with Barbuda; the crossing is about 90 minutes and the published schedule is normally six days a week.
Hurricane season	The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Conditions and risk vary by year, so check current forecasts before travel.

Information reviewed: 26 August 2026.