Visiting Antigua: A Week of Sun, Fun and Rum in the Caribbean!

I recently had the chance to spend a week visiting Antigua, a beautiful Caribbean island, and my oh my, was it a good time! On the flight over Sam and I were trying to figure out when exactly we’d last been on a Caribbean island and realized it was 4 years ago for our honeymoon! That’s way too long, especially considering how much I love the beach.

This was our first time visiting Antigua and while we were both looking forward to relaxing and alternating between the beach and the pool, we were also pretty excited to explore the island and see what it has to offer. I think we managed to strike the perfect balance!

Mornings quickly became about putting on our swimsuits and running down to the water, and that left us with the afternoons to discover the island’s flavour. I got to enjoy plenty of beach time, but we also managed to take a cooking class, explore the colourful capital of St. John’s, attend the renowned Sunday Barbecue Party, and catch part of Antigua Sailing Week.

Now let’s rewind and take a look back at our week visiting Antigua:

Antigua Travel Guide: Things to Do, See, Eat, Drink & Experience on Antigua

Enjoying plenty of beach time

First things first, let’s talk about the beach! Did you know that Antigua has 365 beaches? That’s 1 for every day of the year!

One week was not enough to explore them all – I think I maybe made it to 4! – but I made it my daily mission to hit the beach every morning. I was basically up at the crack of dawn, grabbing breakfast as soon as the buffet opened, and then running down to the water before any other guest.

Our resort had two different beaches and the main one was set in a cove, so we had super calm waters perfect for kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and just enjoying a swim.

Learning to cook with rum

I love taking cooking classes wherever I travel – I’ve learned to make pierogi in Poland, pasta in Italy, and curries in Thailand – and in Antigua, I jumped at the opportunity to cook with rum!

I joined a cooking class at Nicole’s Table, which takes place at Nicole’s home overlooking St. John’s Harbour and the Caribbean Sea – a perfect setting to soak in the beauty of the island.

On the menu that day, we had: coconut crisps and plantain chips, sweet potato soup with rum, brown sugar and rum marinated flank steak with onion jam, red beans and rice, plantains, garden salad, and a butter rum cake for dessert. So much food!

We got to help with the cooking, and then halfway through the class, we sat down for a rum tasting with Nicole’s husband, Adam, an avid rum collector. Here we got to sample rums from Antigua and around the world, and I must admit, everyone was feeling pretty merry by the end of it!

Shortly after the rum tasting, lunch was served out on the verandah, and we all sat down to enjoy the meal together. The rum and brown sugar steak was a real highlight – I may have gone back for seconds and thirds! – and the rum cake at the end was just the perfect way to cap off a fun afternoon in the kitchen.

For any other foodies out there, Nicole’s Table offers a few different cooking classes including “All About Jerk”, where you learn the authentic Jamaican way of cooking meat; “Coordinating Curry”, which is all about the influence of curry in Caribbean flavours; and “From the Sea”, focusing on seafood dishes prepared with the catch of the day.

Attending the Sunday Party at Shirley Heights

We were lucky enough to fly into Antigua on a Sunday, which meant we had to attend the Sunday Barbecue Party at Shirley Heights! I mean, how could we not?

Set in the old military fortifications, this party is one of the longest-running events on the island taking place every Sunday without fail.

People begin to gather at Shirley Heights around 4:00 pm to stake their spot and catch sunset over English Harbour. After dropping our bags off at the hotel and freshening up, we made a beeline to the lookout and arrived just in time for the magic.

The sun was just beginning to dip behind the hills, the whole sky was glowing, and the light bouncing off the water made the harbour look like a mirror. It was as postcard-perfect as it gets.

The mood at the Sunday Part was very lively with a steel band, a mouthwatering barbecue, and plenty of rum punch to go around. There were both tourists and locals in attendance, including many yachties seeing as Antigua Sailing Week was in full swing.

Catching Antigua Sailing Week up close

Speaking of sailing, my time visiting Antigua happened to coincide with Antigua Sailing Week, so of course, I had to catch a bit of the action!

Antigua Sailing Week is a yacht regatta that dates back to 1968. It was started by a group of friends who got together to hold a regatta with the objective of extending the winter season and getting people to stay in Antigua just a little bit longer. Today it’s the biggest event on the island drawing participants and spectators from around the world.

One of the best ways to catch the action out at sea is by hopping aboard a catamaran to “chase the race” so I joined an excursion with Wadadli Cats.

We set out from Falmouth Harbour and made our way to the start line to watch the yachts get into position and kick off the race. There was lots of excitement and cheering, as well as strong winds to keep things interesting!

After watching the race in the morning, our catamaran anchored in Carlisle Bay for a few hours. Here we enjoyed a swim in beautiful turquoise waters until we were called back aboard for lunch.

I would have gladly kept swimming all afternoon, but it was time to catch the end of the race and cheer for the last yachts crossing the finish line.

Initially, I had been a bit worried that I wouldn’t enjoy this outing because of motion sickness, but I’m so glad I pushed through because it turned out to be one of my favourite activities in Antigua. Yes, there were some strong trade winds, but I took some Gravol, sipped on some ginger ale, and by the time we reached Carlisle Bay all was tranquil again.

Exploring the colours of St. John’s

Sam and I didn’t want to leave Antigua without exploring the capital, St. John’s, so on our last day on the island we arranged a ride into town.

We got dropped off at Heritage Quay which is where the cruises usually dock. This is a lively commercial area where you can pick up souvenirs and also do your duty-free shopping. I’m really not much of a shopper, so we just walked around snapping photos, because if there’s one thing that St. John’s has, it’s plenty of streets filled with bold splashes of colour.

Sadly, a lot of the places that we had been planning to visit were either closed for renovations or closed for the day (it probably didn’t help that we were visiting on a Sunday), so that didn’t leave us with too much to do in terms of sightseeing, but someone had recommended Big Banana, so we made sure to stop by for some smoothies and super loaded pizzas.

Where to stay when visiting Antigua

And now let’s talk about that resort life because when we weren’t out and about exploring the island, we were hanging out at the Verandah Resort and Spa, sipping on coconut smoothies, and alternating between the beach and the pool.

Our resort was located on the east side of the island and had these beautiful waterfront suites – picture sliding the balcony door to be greeted with turquoise waters and blue skies every morning! – but my favourite part was their main beach, which was more like a cove with the calmest and most crystalline waters you’ve ever seen.

We were sad to leave after a week visiting Antigua. Hopefully, it won’t take us another 4 years to come back to the Caribbean!

 

Antigua Travel Tips: How to Plan Your Own Caribbean Getaway

When to Go (Best Time To Visit Antigua)

How to Get Around Antigua

Antigua is a relatively small island (about 22 km long and 18 km wide), which means getting around is straightforward, but there are still some decisions to make depending on your style of travel.

Renting a car: If you want maximum freedom, renting a car is the way to go. The island’s main roads are paved, and driving is on the left (thanks, British heritage!), but be ready for a few potholes, unmarked speed bumps, and goats that think they own the road. A 4WD isn’t necessary unless you plan on venturing onto some really rugged backroads, but it does give you peace of mind.

Taxis: Taxis are everywhere, and rates are fixed, but always confirm the fare before hopping in. Most drivers are happy to double as informal tour guides, sharing tips on the best beaches, rum shacks, or lookout points along your route.

Public transport: Minibuses (vans) run between towns and villages, but the schedules are loose and they stop running in the early evening. For quick, affordable travel between St. John’s and other major points, these are a fun local experience, but don’t count on them for exploring hidden beaches.

Tours & transfers: If you’re staying at a resort, you’ll find lots of options for organized excursions—catamaran cruises, historic island tours, and even door-to-door airport transfers are easy to arrange through the hotel front desk.

The Beaches: More Than Just Sand & Sun

If you’re coming to Antigua for the beaches (and honestly, who isn’t?), here are a few highlights:

• Dickenson Bay: Famous for soft, white sand and vibrant beach bars. Great for watersports and people-watching.
• Half Moon Bay: A crescent-shaped stunner on the east coast, often blissfully empty, with big waves perfect for body surfing.
• Valley Church Beach: Calm turquoise water, local BBQ shacks, and the kind of “wow” views that belong on a postcard.
• Pigeon Point Beach: Tucked near English Harbour, it’s a favourite for families and yachting crews alike.

Help Choosing “Your” Beach

Exploring Antigua’s History & Culture

Nelson’s Dockyard: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and still-functioning marina in English Harbour, full of historic Georgian-era buildings, museums, and lively cafés. Come for the naval history, stay for the epic sunset views.

Betty’s Hope: The ruins of a 17th-century sugar plantation, complete with restored windmills and informative plaques. It’s a somber but important reminder of the island’s colonial past.

St. John’s Cathedral: With its twin towers and beautiful baroque architecture, this is one of the island’s most recognizable landmarks. Take a stroll around the churchyard for a dose of Antiguan history.

Shirley Heights Lookout: Yes, it’s famous for the Sunday Party, but on a quieter day, it’s a wonderful spot for panoramic views over English and Falmouth Harbours.

Food & Drink: A Taste of the Caribbean

While you’ve already read about my rum-soaked adventures at Nicole’s Table, here are some more must-try culinary experiences:

• Fungee and Pepperpot: Antigua’s national dish—cornmeal and okra dumplings (fungee) served with a rich, spicy vegetable and meat stew (pepperpot).
• Ducana & Saltfish: Sweet potato dumplings boiled in banana leaves, paired with salted cod. Hearty and delicious!
• Conch fritters: Crispy, savoury bites best enjoyed with a tangy dipping sauce.
• Pineapple everything: Antigua’s black pineapple is famously sweet—try it fresh, juiced, or in tropical cocktails.

Adventure Activities: Beyond the Sun Lounger

• Snorkelling & Diving: The coral reefs off Cades Bay and the wreck of the Andes are favourite underwater playgrounds.
• Kayaking & SUP: Many resorts and beach bars rent kayaks and paddleboards—perfect for calm mornings.
• Rainforest Zip-lining: Get a birds-eye view of the island’s lush interior.
• Hiking: Try the trail up to Mount Obama (formerly Boggy Peak), Antigua’s highest point, for spectacular island vistas.

When to Visit & What to Pack

Antigua is sunny almost year-round, with December to April being peak season for dry, cool weather. May to November is warmer and wetter, but the island is lush and crowds are thinner (just keep an eye on hurricane forecasts).

Packing list musts:

• Lightweight, breathable clothing
• Swimsuits (bring extras!)
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Sunglasses & wide-brim hat
• Bug spray for the evenings
• A light rain jacket (showers come and go)
• Flip-flops and a pair of sandals that can get wet
• A reusable water bottle—it’s hot out there!

One-Click Day-Trip Menu

1. Swim with Stingrays – Stingray City Antigua
   • 5-minute speedboat to a sandbar, waist-deep turquoise water.
   • Rays are wild but accustomed to humans – guides brief on gentle handling.
   • Go on the 08:00 slot for fewer boats and glass-flat water.
2. Island Circumnavigation by 4×4
   • Companies like Tropical Adventures loop you around Fig Tree Drive’s rainforest, sugar-mill ruins and Betty’s Hope plantation.
   • Bring small bills for roadside black pineapple (sweetest on earth).
3. Kayak + Snorkel the North Sound Marine Park
   • Mangrove channels, upside-down jellyfish gardens, osprey nests.
   • Combine with a picnic on Great Bird Island – hike 10 min to the top for a 360° panorama.

Sample 7-Night Itinerary Remix

Have you been to Antigua?
What are some of your favourite spots on the island?

This trip was made possible in partnership with Traverse and Antigua & Barbuda Tourism.