Consider, for a moment, the essential characteristics of an idyllic Caribbean escape, be it the fuzzy, sun-drenched days, the warm, crystalline-turquoise waters, or the laid-back island-time ambiance that couldn’t more starkly oppose the clamor of urban living. Antigua checks all of these boxes, sure, but take a closer look, and you’ll discover the getaway opportunity of a lifetime.
Ringed with 365 diamond-bright beaches, the island provides a tempting destination to stir the emotions of paradise seekers — though, as locals like to declare, “the beach is just the beginning.” With 54 explorable miles of coves and inlets and a rich history thanks to its colonial British past, Antigua occupies a fascinating niche in the Lesser Antilles. Add to that a bounty of casually luxe accommodations, impressive gastronomical pursuits, and unique local experiences, and there you have it — this enclave spans the entire gambit of sensory delight.
Here’s how to get to Antigua, and how to make the most of the Caribbean treasures therein.
How to Get to Antigua
For convenient Caribbean transfer, book a luxurious Tradewind Aviation shuttle flight (offered on a regular schedule December through April) to Antigua from St. Barths or San Juan. For travelers coming from the mainland U.S., Tradewind connects with virtually every major airline, as well as private flights, at San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin Airport.
While transferring between planes, step into the airline’s private lounge for refreshments and WiFi, or reserve the exclusive VIP Meet-and-Greet service to guide you through a seamless connection. Following an easeful boarding process, you’ll enjoy a comfortable, air-conditioned Tradewind flight with complimentary onboard snacks and refreshments, including beer and wine.
Tradewind also offers private charter flights from the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and St. Barths on its fleet of Swiss-made Pilatus PC-12s and Citation Jets.
After touching down at VC Bird International Airport near Antigua’s north coast, take a moment to prepare yourself for what’s to come — from the moment the hatch opens, a Caribbean paradise awaits in all its radiant splendor.
Where to Stay
Considering Antigua’s robust resort pipeline, it seems like a half-remembered dream that the island only had three humble hotels in 1953. Today’s visitors will find a significant scattering of elegant, albeit unpretentious, hideaways perched along the island’s perimeter.
Just a 7-minute drive from the airport, Hodges Bay recently unveiled a $100 million collection of 79 bohemian luxury accommodations, each one outfitted with the makings of an otherworldly Caribbean retreat — plus a few next-generation enhancements (like Alexa-enabled concierge service) you didn’t know you needed. With the sea at their front doorstep, visitors can enjoy complimentary use of the resort’s non-motorized water sports equipment, or take its short boat shuttle to nearby Prickly Pear Island for sublime snorkeling and sunset opportunities.
Nestled on a scenic point of nearby Jolly Harbour, the adults-only Cocobay Resort bills itself as Antigua’s most romantic respite with its sunset-ready terraces, rustic pastel cottages, and bespoke private areas — ideal for intimate pop-up meals for two. For a more family-focused experience, stay at Carlisle Bay on the island’s south shore, where the calming contemporary décor and natural light blends almost imperceptibly with the outside scenery.
Further east, St. James’s Club sprawls over 100 acres with five distinct dining experiences and a wealth of ocean-focused activities. These include the onsite Mamora Bay diving center, which offers programs for divers of all skill levels (and even a full PADI instruction course).
As one of Antigua’s longest established resorts, the iconic Curtain Bluff boasts 72 sumptuously modern accommodations over a stunning coastal bluff while retaining the old-school charm that put it on the map almost six decades ago. And if you’re seeking an elevated slice of boutique privacy, check into one of Hermitage Bay’s 30 free-standing hillside suites on the island’s less-crowded west coast. Tucked into 140 lush, undeveloped acres of mangrove forest, this upscale bayside haven pairs blue ocean panoramas with a mellow, unfussy take on lavish island living.
Finally, as perhaps the epitome of secluded luxury, Jumby Bay Island (of the Oetker Collection) sits on an exclusive isle of the same name two miles off Antigua’s northeast corner and is only reachable by boat. After settling into your airy accommodations, head out on bicycle for a leisurely discovery of the island’s undisturbed 300 acres, home to the endangered Hawksbill turtle and one of the richest island ecologies on the planet.
Where to Dine
The art of gastronomy is a prized affair on Antigua, so whether it’s smoky barbecue, succulent seafood dashed with creole, or one of the many iterations of the sweet Antiguan black pineapple, there are plenty of singular dining experiences to savor across the island. During your culinary exploration, keep an eye out for a hearty bowl of pepperpot stew with fungee (pronounced "foon-jee"), Antigua and Barbuda’s esteemed national dish and a recurrent favorite across its many menus.
With its stunning venue on the picturesque shore of Crab Hill Beach, Jacqui O’s BeachHouse may put out the vibe of a swanky beach club upon first impression, yet its visitors will feel anything but underdressed as they dine in sand- and sun-ready attire. Grab a sea-facing seat or a beach lounger to enjoy the view as you indulge in Chef Miguel Alfaro’s ever-changing menu of modern French cuisine, sourced seasonally from Antigua’s farmers and fisherman.
For a truly authentic taste of Italian hospitality (and delectable dishes to match), head to Incanto Restaurant & Lounge Bar in Nelson’s Dockyard. In fact, if not for English Harbour’s tropical backdrop, you might forget for a couple hours that you’re not actually dining in Milan or Florence.
If you find yourself in English Harbour during lunchtime, swing by The Boom at Gunpowder House’s waterside dining terrace, where fresh-caught Caribbean seafood and what is rumored to be the best rum punch in the region are served aside a spectacular infinity pool that seems to stretch undisturbed into the sparkling bay beyond.
On Fort James Beach in St. John’s, BeachLimerz is a beloved island mainstay known for its shark creole, goat curry, and crispy fungee balls — all best devoured with generous portions of live music and beachside ambiance. A few miles south on Ffryes Beach, Dennis Beach Bar & Restaurant offers its modern take on Caribbean cuisine every day of the week, but it’s the Sunday pig roasts that have become the buzz of locals and visitors alike.
What to Do
Antigua is home to no less than 365 beaches, its winding coast presenting a unique strip of white powder sand for every day of the year. Though the options seem endless, make Valley Church Beach a top priority on your beach-hopping circuit. Neither too big, nor too small, this Goldilocks stretch provides a quiet west coast sanctuary suited for connoisseurs of pristine sand and azure water, not to mention fiery Caribbean sunsets.
Perhaps the best way to capture the essence of Antigua is to rent a boat and spend a day discovering its abundance of coves and harder-to-reach beaches. For a guided endeavor, book Adventure Antigua’s Xtreme Circumnavigation Tour, which whisks you around the island in a 45-foot speed boat with five stops along the way: Green Island, Pillars of Hercules, Nelson’s Dockyard, the secluded Rendezvous Bay Beach, and Stingray City — named so for its legions of sociable southern stingrays. (Slower-paced options with beachcombing and snorkeling stops are also available with Adventure Antigua’s Eco-Tour or Classic Yacht Tour.)
Another enticing excursion takes you 39 miles north of Antigua to its sister island, Barbuda. Upon reaching its pink and white shores via a short flight or Barbuda Express’s 90-minute ferry, you can admire the teeming wildlife at Codrington Lagoon National Park, home of the world’s largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary. After exploring the networks of caves near Two Foot Bay once used by Amerindians, delve into the island’s colonial past at River Fort Martello Tower, constructed by the British in the early 19th century to guard the nearby quay.
Back on Antigua, there are plenty of lingering vestiges of Britain’s 350-year reign as well, most of them concentrated on the island’s southeastern coast in English Harbour, which was once the empire’s most important Caribbean base during the Great Age of Sail. In this storied district you’ll find Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that bears the name of the ambitious British admiral who made the harbor his home for four years in the 1780s. To take in the sheer scope of the surrounding coast, hike Lookout Trail past the stately Clarence House and the ruins of Fort Berkley (and once you reach Shirley Heights, stick around for an unmissable sunset).
Across the island, the Antigua and Barbuda capital of St. John’s is also laced with intriguing architecture reminiscent of its English past, including Fort James and the baroque twin towers of St. John’s Cathedral, erected in 1861. Stroll through the city’s colorful streets to encounter a vibrant scattering of open-air markets, island folk art, and a trove of tropical wares amid a variety of duty-free shops.
Antigua is also a haven for adventure seekers. Wind sport enthusiasts should head straight for Jabberwock Beach or Half Moon Bay on the island’s Atlantic side for prime kiteboarding, wind surfing, and sailing conditions. And at the end of each April for the past 52 years, the island has exhibited its love for sailing during Antigua Sailing Week, an annual regatta inviting more than 100 colorful sailing vessels from around the world for a series of competitive events. The festivities continue with parties and events onshore, where a day of racing is best chased with a shot of rum.
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Tradewind Aviation runs regularly scheduled shuttle flights to Antigua from San Juan and St Barths, as well as private charter flights to Antigua.
Featured Photo: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority