Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, has lured adventurers for centuries. Once the most important Caribbean base for Great Britain, the island retains intriguing traces of its colonial past. The restored Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour—named for the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson, who greatly expanded it—was the headquarters of the British fleet of the Leeward Islands in the late 18th century. It’s now Antigua’s most important landmark and the only Georgian dockyard in the world.
An Antigua vacation offers much more than fascinating history. The island boasts 365 white-sand beaches, many on the calm Caribbean side and all open to the public. Many boaters plan a vacation in Antigua around Sailing Week, one of the top three regattas in the world, which takes place every spring. The island’s many harbors and constant tradewinds make it an ideal yachting destination. An Antigua family vacation can include a variety of watersports, as the coral reefs surrounding the island offer excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving. An Antigua vacation package should also include a trip into St. John’s, Antigua’s capital, a lively shopping and dining hub where popular sites include the baroque St. John’s Cathedral and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.
U.S. visitors to Antigua must carry a valid passport, and an onward or return ticket. A visa is not required. Direct flights from the U.S. are available into the island’s V.C. Bird International Airport, and connecting flights are available from St. Martin and San Juan, Puerto Rico. To rent a car, a permit to drive in Antigua is required, along with a valid driver’s license. Car rental agencies can assist drivers in obtaining the temporary license, which costs approximately $20 and is valid for three months. Driving is on the left. Average temperatures range from about 76°F to 83°F, and annual rainfall averages 45 inches, making Antigua one of the driest Caribbean islands. English is the official language. Currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. For more information on a vacation to Antigua, log on to www.antigua-barbuda.org, the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism’s website.