Antigua Holidays

Antiguans are passionate about their food and they take pride in their cooking from start to finish. On this fantastic excursion, you will visit Nicole in her favourite place - her kitchen. She will teach you the local way from selecting your ingredients, preparing and then cooking your dishes for you to taste at the end. Please contact our destination specialists to add this onto your booking.

With an Island Safari on board a jeep, you can explore the natural wonders of Antigua in one day. The trip includes a stop at the historical sugar plantation, Betty Hope’s, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch and to absorb some of the island’s history. The tour takes you to Indian Town National Park, on the east coast, with its windswept craggy shores. After hiking through the dense hiking trail, you will reach Indian Town Point where you can cross Devil’s Bridge, a naturally formed limestone Bridgeway.

Antigua’s shores have sheltered many fine sailors and explorers, including Admiral Nelson. Learn more about the island‘s deep nautical history with a visit to Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour. From there, follow the picturesque nature trails to Fort Berkeley, a defence built by the British between 1704 and 1745 to protect the island from French invasion. Cool off in the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, where you can leisurely explore the history of the island indoors.

Family members both young and old will take great delight in discovering the many inhabitants of Antigua. The Antigua Donkey Sanctuary is home to more than 150 rescued donkeys. Visit the Wadadli Animal Nature Park, where you can watch the playing monkeys, lizards and exotic birds. Alternatively, don a snorkel to get up close with the local marine life, including rare turtles.

You can’t go to the Caribbean without experiencing a carnival. The Antiguan Carnival is particularly special, as it’s held in celebration of the emancipation of slavery. The 10-day annual festival starts at the end of July and finishes on the first Tuesday in August. Colourful costumes, beauty pageants, talent shows, food fairs, parades, it’s really an exciting time to be in Antigua. The most important day to look out for is the J’ouvert, in which brass and steel bands lead a huge street party.  

Consider booking your holiday to Antigua during Sailing Week, which runs from the last week in April to the first week in May. This 50-year-old boat race tradition was started by friends and hoteliers to extend the winter season and it’s now one of the world's most prestigious regattas. Sailors from all over the world travel to take part. After watching the grande finale race, Antigua comes alive with festivities, balls, beach and veranda parties.

This is very similar in taste to clams and is served up in curries, chowders, fritters or eaten raw as ceviche. A great place to discover its taste is at Copper and Lumber Hotel’s Friday Night Seafood Buffet. The ‘Seafood Fridays’ here have been named as one of the best in the Caribbean.   

Saltfish and fungi is the Antiguan national dish. Made from cornmeal, fungi is similar to polenta in its texture and taste and it’s often used in stews or served with meat or fish. Saltfish is a salt-cured and flaked white fish and one of the favourite pairings for fungi.