Antigua Travelers Recommend

With St. John’s as your base of exploration and three days to spend, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy all the appealing features of Antigua, from its snow-white-sand beaches to its UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here are some tips for how to spend your three days in the Antiguan capital.

Day 1: History and Culture

Kick off your time in Antigua with an introduction to its history and culture. Start with a morning tour of St. John’s, the capital city, where you’ll get to visit a local market and do some shopping at Heritage Quay. After lunch, head out for a tour around the island to some of Antigua’s most important historical sites and scenic lookouts. Explore Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, originally a base for the British Navy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; snap some photos of the natural rock formation Devil’s Bridge; take in the views from scenic Shirley Heights; and see the ruins of Betty’s Hope, a 17th-century sugar plantation. End your day at one of Antigua’s many beach bars to dig your toes in the sand as you watch the sun dip below the sea, rummy cocktail in hand. 

Day 2: Land-and-Sea Adventure

Start your second day in St. John’s getting to know a lesser-visited part of the island: its leafy interior. The best way to explore this tropical rain forest is by soaring through the canopy on a series of ziplines, suspension bridges, and rope challenges. After a morning of activity, this afternoon’s your chance to cool off in the Caribbean waters that make Antigua such an appealing destination. Head to your favorite beach for some sunning and swimming, or, if you prefer a more active experience, opt for an afternoon of kayaking, snorkeling, or stand-up paddleboarding. Finish your day of adventure with a sunset sail along the island’s coast, complete with drinks, appetizers, and soft music.

Day 3: Island Circumnavigation

Board a catamaran for a day of swimming and snorkeling at some of the island’s most pristine spots, or opt for a high-speed journey aboard an offshore racing boat as you zip through the islands of the North Sound with time to snorkel at Stingray City and swim at Green Island. Most round-island sailing trips include lunch onboard and an open bar, so all you have to bring is a towel and some sunscreen. Once you’re back on solid ground, head to a local restaurant for a taste of the Caribbean: lobster, conch,fungee (cornmeal and okra dumplings), or pepperpot (a hearty vegetable stew).

About half the population of Antigua lives in St. John’s, the historic capital city on the shore of a sheltered bay. A day gives you enough time to tour the town’s historic attractions, see some of the island, and hit the beaches that make Antigua famous. Here are some tips for how to spend the ultimate 24 hours in St. John’s.

Morning: Island Safari

Get oriented on Antigua this morning with a round-island tour by 4WD vehicle. You’ll cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, with stops at notable island landmarks such as Pot Works, Betty’s Hope, Devil’s Bridge, and Long Bay Beach. Most tours start and end in St. John’s, so save some time for a stroll around town. Don’t miss Heritage Quay, the vegetable market, and the bustling town center, where you can pick up a range of local gifts and souvenirs. History buffs might opt instead for a tour of the historic Fort James site by Segway.

Afternoon: Under the Sea

To truly appreciate the appeal of Antigua, you have to spend some time in the water. This afternoon is all about fun in the sun. Take a boat ride to Stingray City for the chance to swim with gentle stingrays in their natural habitat, spend some time snorkeling in Cades Reef, or try something new on a sea-scooter snorkeling tour—an excellent way to view wildlife in Antigua’s underwater wonderland. Alternatively, head to one of Antigua’s many blissful beaches—Galley Bay, Ffryes Beach, and Half Moon Bay among them—for a little relaxation beneath the Caribbean sun.

Night: Sunset Sail

Polish off your perfect day in St. John’s with a sunset cruise around the island. Hop aboard a catamaran for cocktails and appetizers as you watch the sun sink below the horizon, all to the sounds of soft music. Once you’re back on solid ground, sit down for a seafood dinner at one of St. John’s many restaurants, and if you still have energy to burn, head to the King’s Casino for an evening of retro gaming, dancing, and live music to wrap up your island time.

These beautiful Caribbean islands are rich in historical and natural wonders.

Day 1: Harbor and helicopter Spend the morning exploring the charming harbor capital St John’s, with its bustling produce market, twin-spired cathedral and lush Botanical Gardens. Along the way you’ll get lots of shopping opportunities, from local handicrafts to top international brands – duty free. Then in the afternoon, take to the skies with a thrilling helicopter ride. You can explore the coastline, reef and mountainous interior of Barbuda itself, or head to the nearby island of Montserrat and see a live volcano in action. Along the way, why not pick out a beach you’d like to return to, and head there to watch a magical Caribbean sunset. You’ll soon see why Antigua is a home away from home for numerous celebrities.

Day 2: Snorkels and stingrays Antigua bathes in stunning azure waters – crystal clear, calm and delightfully warm all year round. Get the most out of this aquatic playground with a snorkeling expedition – no experience necessary! You can combine snorkeling with historic highlights of this strategic Caribbean outpost, with a break for lunch on a deserted beach. Would you prefer to anchor on the island’s protective reef and experience limpid waters abounding with coral and gentle sea creatures, or head to uninhabited Bird Island? Alternatively, get the best of land and sea: go off-road into Antigua’s rugged interior, head to the beach, strap on a snorkel and swim with tame stingrays. End the day at Shirley Heights, with another magnificent Caribbean sunset serenaded by steel bands and fellow revelers.

Day 3: Sharks and sugar Shark, barracuda or marlin could all end up on the end of your line with a morning of deep-sea fishing. But if you’d prefer to explore Antigua’s rich history, tour Nelson’s Dockyard and other maritime heritage sites or visit a sugar plantation with a working mill. Or you can always go overseas, well at least to Antigua’s sister island Barbuda. You’ll visit a magnificent bird sanctuary before enjoying the dazzling white sand beaches of this sparsely populated island.

With enough beaches to fill a year, two days may not seem like enough time to spend in Antigua. But trust us—you’ll still be able to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea, and soak up the island’s British history and culture. Here’s how to make the most of your short stay.

Day 1: History and Culture

**Morning:**Kick off your trip with a guided sightseeing excursion around Antigua. Round island tours let you see a lot in a little time, including Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, the Blockhouse ruins, and English Harbour. Alternatively, focus your attention on St. John’s with a walking tour to Heritage Quay and the town center.

**Afternoon:**Dive deeper into the local culture. Foodies might take a Caribbean cooking class, while history buffs visit the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda or one of the island’s historic plantations. Or, if you’re looking for a little retail therapy, you’ll find it along St. Mary’s Street or High Street.

**Night:**Party like a local at the weekly Shirley Heights barbecue, hosted every Sunday evening with live music, food, and dancing. If you’re in town on another night of the week, you’re sure to find rum cocktails and Antiguan bands at the bars of Heritage Quay.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure

**Morning:**It’s time for some outdoor island adventure, and options abound. Explore Antigua by off-road buggy, zipline through the tropical canopy, marvel at the scenery on a guided hike, or go horseback riding along Runaway Beach. 

**Afternoon:**Cool off in Antigua’s turquoise waters. Hit the nearest beach, rent a stand-up paddleboard and glide through Dickenson Bay, or go snorkeling at Cades Reef. Alternatively, look for hidden coves on a guided jet-skiing tour of the picturesque shoreline.

**Night:**Toast to two days well spent during a sunset cruise along the coast. See the historic structures of Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour from the water as you sip a final rum punch.

St. John’s serves as the gateway to the historic, beach-lined island of Antigua. With two days to spend in the capital, you’ll get to tour the city, explore the island, spend some time in the warm Caribbean sea, and even dig a little deeper into Antiguan culture. Read on for tips on how to spend your 48 hours in St. John’s.

Day 1: History and Culture

**Morning:**Start your morning with a guided tour of St. John’s, Antigua’s historic capital city, where over half the island’s population lives. Browse the colorful produce, tropical fruits, spices, and fresh seafood at the local market, then do some duty-free shopping at Heritage Quay.

**Afternoon:**This afternoon, learn more about Antigua through the lens of food during a hands-on cooking lesson at a cooking school just outside town. Depending on the class, you might learn about the history and uses of jerk seasoning, how to cook with rum, or tips for making seafood.  

**Night:**There’s nothing quite like a Caribbean sunset, and this evening you can grab a front-row seat at a toes-in-the-sand beach bar at Fort James Bay. An Antiguan sunset is best-viewed cocktail in hand, so order your favorite rummy drink, sit back, and enjoy the views.  

Day 2: Island Adventure

**Morning:**Now that you’ve seen the capital, head out to explore the island’s stellar scenery and lesser-known landmarks on a 4WD island safari. As you bounce along the island’s backroads, you’ll see spots such as Devil’s Bridge, Long Bay Beach, and Betty’s Hope sugar plantation. Alternatively, spend the morning exploring Nelson’s Dockyard National Park.

**Afternoon:**No trip to Antigua would be complete without some time in the water. Choose your favorite water sport this afternoon—snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or Jet Skiing—or simply head to your favorite beach for some swimming, sunning, and general relaxation.

**Night:**After a day of activity, unwind on a romantic sunset sail along the coast of Antigua. These evening golden hours offer some of the best island views, perfect for capturing photos or just soaking it all in, cocktail in hand. 

Locals will tell you there’s a sugar-white-sand beach for every day of the year on Antigua. But even if you have only a day to spend in the former British colony, you’ll still be able to soak up some sun while getting a taste of the island’s history and culture. Here’s how to make the most of your 24-hour stay.

Morning: Round Island Tour

Get oriented with a round island tour. Ride around to major landmarks like English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard, and Shirley Heights, or get off the beaten path on a 4WD safari. If you can’t wait to get out on the water, consider circumnavigating the island by speedboat. You’ll get glimpses of dozens of beautiful beaches—and many tours stop to snorkel in the Stingray City marine park and see the historic structures of Nelson’s Dockyard from the water. 

Afternoon: Beach Break

It would be unthinkable to leave Antigua without having spent at least a few hours at one of its beaches or secluded coves. For a hassle-free afternoon of snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, or just relaxing on a lounge chair, head to Runaway Beach. Alternatively, rent a stand-up paddleboard and discover the turquoise waters of Dickenson Bay—or explore the coastline on a guided jet-skiing adventure, with stops at hidden coves rarely visited by travelers.

Night: Taste of Antigua

After you’ve worked up an appetite, reward yourself with an authentic Caribbean dinner. Take a walking food tour of St. John’s, the capital of Antigua, for the chance to sample dishes from some of the island’s best eateries. And if you’re on the island on a Sunday, make your way to Shirley Heights for the weekly barbecue party overlooking English Harbour. Locals and visitors get together for live music, rum cocktails, grilled meats, and lots of dancing late into the night.