10 of the best things to do in Antigua, from jungle adventures to beautiful beaches

There’s more to this island than just white sands, with charming towns, wildlife and magnificent landscapes to discover. This Caribbean island – one ‘half’ of the country of Antigua and Barbuda – offers a beach for every day of the year. And while you may need weeks to explore all of these, you’d want far longer to fully explore Antigua. The island contains a range of activities that belies its modest size, from exploring colonial towns to kayaking around Caribbean islets.

English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard and the capital provide daytime entertainment, nightlife and opportunities to learn about this captivating country. A day trip to Barbuda is always an option – as is lying on a picture-perfect beach – but be sure to see inland too, from the island’s thick rainforest to the sweeping views available from Shirley Heights. A little research will go a long way on this island, so here’s a selection of the best things to do when you visit.

Read more: The best places to visit on a Cuba holiday – and where to stay. St John’s has long been a popular destination for Caribbean cruises, but nowadays this colourful capital is more than just a brief stop-off point. Tropical vegetation covers the hills that climb up from the harbour, with several charming Caribbean buildings scattered throughout. The capital is home to many of Antigua’s main heritage sites, including the ruins of 18th-century British forts (Fort Barrington and Fort James), the city’s cathedral and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Two of the city’s most popular neighbourhoods, Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay, are known for their colourful architecture, local vendors and some of the island’s best shops and restaurants. They remain two of the most characterful places in the city despite occasionally being filled with cruise passengers.

There are a handful of beaches near the capital that offer both relaxation and water sports (more on them below), and those looking for a little more activity can visit the Cedar Valley Golf Club, home to the island’s only 18-hole championship course. Read more: The best Caribbean cruises for a holiday. Hike up to Shirley Heights for one of the best views in the country. This old military viewpoint stands over Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour and looks out onto azure waters as far as the neighbouring islands of Guadeloupe and Montserrat. Though it stands just 150 metres above sea level, the hike to the top is reasonably challenging, and there are taxis to take less adventurous visitors to the summit. Visit on Sunday to see the area at its most atmospheric, when vendors sell food and rum and bands play as the sun goes down.

It pays to do some research when visiting an island that has a different beach for each day of the year. Depending on where you base yourself, there may be nearby town beaches, large bays or secluded coves, but considering the size of the island, you’ll likely be able to visit a few different coastlines during your trip. Unlike those in other popular destinations, Antigua’s ‘fully equipped’ beaches still provide an abundance of natural beauty alongside their variety of restaurants, bars and water sports. Dickenson Bay, Long Bay, Fort James Beach and Hawksbill have all the amenities dotted along their sands, but those who crave remoteness and real peace should head to Half Moon Bay, Rendezvous Bay or Ffryes Beach to discover some of the most beautiful places on the island.

Antigua lies just 90 minutes away by boat from the other part of the country. The two islands are separated by around 30 miles of the Atlantic Ocean, and tourists can take a quick journey between the two with round trips that cost about £80 (these usually leave early morning, around 7am, and return mid-afternoon). Barbuda is far smaller than Antigua but still boasts enough to fill a day trip, from the coral sands of Pink Sand Beach to the 170 bird species in the Codrington Lagoon. Notable spots include the only major settlement, Codrington, and the sparkling white sands of Princess Diana Beach, named so because of the late royal’s love of holidaying there.

This national park is one of the main landmarks in Antigua and is home to several of its highlights, from the aforementioned Shirley Heights to the annual Antigua Sailing Week. It stretches across the island’s southern coastline, offering 12 miles of hiking trails, Unesco-listed Georgian buildings and the charming, often busy, waterfront of English Harbour. As well as offering sweeping views across the water (both at sea level and Shirley Heights), the area is popular for tourists keen to learn about local history (whether that of the island at Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre, slavery at 8th of March Project or archaeology at the Rum in the Ruins tour), enjoy a meal with a view or simply stroll around the picturesque grounds.

English Harbour sits across the water from Nelson’s Dockyard, and the two are often visited together as some of Antigua’s main attractions. The ‘harbour’ is actually a small town spread around a natural harbour, and on Friday nights both the Harbour and the Dockyard come alive for ‘Seafood Fridays’, with the most notable event held at the Copper and Lumber Store Hotel in English Harbour. Expect fried conch and grilled lobster alongside live music and free-flowing drinks.