Things to Do in Antigua: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Antigua, in the Caribbean's Leeward Islands, is famous for having a beach for every day of the year. Turquoise bays, the UNESCO-listed Nelson's Dockyard, the Sunday sunset party at Shirley Heights, snorkeling with stingrays and a day trip to Barbuda's pink sand beaches make it a dream island for beach lovers and sailors.
This guide covers the best things to do in Antigua, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Antigua
Nelson's Dockyard
UNESCO Georgian naval dockyard.
Shirley Heights
Lookout and Sunday party.
Half Moon Bay
Crescent beach.
Stingray City
Swim with stingrays.
St John's
Capital and cathedral.
Devil's Bridge
Natural arch.
Barbuda
Pink sand beaches and frigate birds.
Dickenson Bay
Popular beach.
Antigua in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Beaches
Settle into one of Antigua's famous beaches, such as Dickenson Bay or Darkwood Beach, with calm turquoise water and snorkeling. Lunch at a beach bar with grilled fish. In the afternoon, try paddleboarding or simply relax, then watch the sunset from a west-coast restaurant.
2Day 2 · English Harbour
Visit Nelson's Dockyard National Park in English Harbour, the only working Georgian dockyard in the world, with its museum and restored buildings. Lunch at the marina. On Sunday, head up to Shirley Heights Lookout for the famous party with steel bands, barbecue and a spectacular sunset over the harbor.
3Day 3 · East coast
Explore Devil's Bridge, a natural limestone arch battered by Atlantic waves, then swim at Half Moon Bay, one of the island's most beautiful crescents. Lunch in Freetown. In the afternoon, kayak among the mangroves of the North Sound and visit Long Bay.
Antigua in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Stingray City
Take a boat to Stingray City to swim with friendly southern stingrays in shallow water, then snorkel the nearby reef. Lunch back on shore. In the afternoon, explore St John's with its twin-towered cathedral, Heritage Quay and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.
5Day 5 · Barbuda
Day trip by ferry or small plane to Barbuda for its 17-mile pink sand beach and the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, one of the largest in the world. Lunch with lobster on the beach. Return to Antigua in the evening.
Antigua in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Sailing
Join a catamaran cruise around the island with snorkeling stops, rum punch and lunch on board. Afternoon swim at a secluded bay. Evening dinner at Jolly Harbour. Many cruises stop at Green Island or Cades Reef, the best snorkeling spot on the island.
7Day 7 · Farewell
A last morning swim, shopping for local crafts and Susie's hot sauce, and a farewell dinner of fungee and pepperpot or fresh lobster by the sea. V.C. Bird International Airport is about 20 minutes from St John's.
What to do in Antigua on a weekend
Things to do in Antigua on a weekend? Saturday: beaches and St John's. Sunday: Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights.
Antigua Sailing Week in late April and Carnival in late July to early August.
What to do in Antigua in the evening
In the evening, Shirley Heights on Sundays.
Beach bar sunsets.
Antigua for couples
For couples, sunset catamarans, secluded beaches and Barbuda.
Antigua with kids
With kids, stingrays, calm beaches and Nelson's Dockyard.
What to eat in Antigua
Fungee and pepperpot
National dish.
Lobster
Fresh.
Rum punch
Island drink.
Ducana
Sweet potato dumpling.
Black pineapple
Local fruit.
Where to stay in Antigua: best areas
Dickenson Bay
Lively beach.
English Harbour
Historic.
Jolly Harbour
Marina.
Long Bay
Quiet.
What to do in Antigua when it rains
Things to do in Antigua when it rains? Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, Nelson's Dockyard museum, rum tastings and spas.
How much does a trip to Antigua cost?
Expect $250–600 per night.
Practical tips for Antigua
Best time to visit
December–April.
Getting around
Taxis, rental car and boats.
Our practical tips
- Book Barbuda ahead.
- Sunday at Shirley Heights.
- Reef-safe sunscreen.
- Drive on the left.
- Agree taxi fares in advance.
- Bring cash for beach bars.
Mistakes to avoid
- Hurricane season.
- Swimming alone at Devil's Bridge.
- Midday sun without protection.
- Unlicensed tours.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Antigua?
Beaches, Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights.
Does Antigua have 365 beaches?
So it's said.
Is Barbuda worth it?
Yes.
Best time?
December to April.