Antigua

A beach for every day of the year, and a few that deserve the whole day.

Antigua's claim is 365 beaches, which is a slogan and also a hint: the island is a collection of coves. Dickenson Bay and Ffryes are the easy, beautiful ones. Half Moon Bay is wilder. English Harbour is the history, not the swim.

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Location

17.13° N, 61.85° WOpen in OpenStreetMap

Best time to visit

December–April

Trip planner

A Antigua itinerary

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Field guide

You will not see 365 beaches. You will see four, properly, if you have a car and a week.

When to go

Winter is dry and busy. Summer is greener and more private, with the usual storm watch. The west and northwest stay calmer than the Atlantic corners.

The beach

Dickenson is the resort bay and still a pleasure early. The west-coast beaches are the sunset ones. Half Moon is a curve of sand with more wave. Many of the famous names are small enough to walk end to end.

In the water

Calm-bay snorkeling is ordinary and good. A boat day toward Barbuda, when it is running, is the long version and a commitment. Reef shoes help on the rockier entries.

Pack this in your notes

A car is the difference between two beaches and six.
Drive on the left.
Barbuda is a separate day and a separate boat. Do not assume it.
Sunday is quiet. Plan groceries for Saturday.

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Traveler reviews

Rate and review

Leila H.

8/10

The water is the itinerary in Antigua

Half Moon Bay when you want the wind. English Harbour for an afternoon that is not a beach. In Antigua and Barbuda the color of the water does more work than any hotel list. A beach for every day of the year, and a few that deserve the whole day.

Apr 6, 2025

Hannah B.

10/10

Antigua in December–April

Ffryes or Darkwood on the west. Best window from where I sat: December–April. I would not trade this coast for a busier island.

Mar 5, 2025

Priya S.

10/10

The water is the itinerary in Antigua

Dickenson Bay for a long, easy swim. Ffryes or Darkwood on the west. In Antigua and Barbuda the color of the water does more work than any hotel list. A beach for every day of the year, and a few that deserve the whole day.

Feb 4, 2025