Holidays in Antigua, Caribbean Antigua lies 25 miles south of Barbuda; 55 miles east of St Kitts and enjoys both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. It has an area of 108 square miles and a much- indented coastline. English Harbour on the south coast contains the historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a quaint little naval center with inns and nautical buildings dating from when this was an important refitting center for British ships, beginning in the 17th century. Neighbouring Falmouth Harbour is a small, relaxed village of informal restaurants and shops. The tourist complex at Jolly Harbour in the west is a modern, self contained village with shops, restaurants, villas and a golf course, all set around a marina filled with expensive yachts. Things to do: Cedar Valley Golf Club near St Johns and the Jolly Harbour complex have 18-hole courses; the Half Moon Bay Hotel has its own 9-hole course open to non- residents. A couple of stables are available for horse riding. Several hotels have Tennis courts and a few have health club facilities. Water sports are abundant at the beaches where hotels are located, with a good range along Dickenson Bay in particular. Water-skiing, parasailing, jet-skis, pedal boats, small catamarans and small sailboats, full sized catamarans and glass bottom boat trips. Most hotels provide at least some water sports free to guests. There are barrier reefs round much of the island and snorkelling is good. Several scuba diving schools - most based at hotels - organize dives at various sites including some sunken wrecks around the coast. The Caribbean Sea on the west and south sides of the island is gentler and more suitable for most water sports than the rougher Atlantic coast on the east, where windsurfing can be quite challenging. Antigua is a great place for sailors and yacht charter can be arranged from several points. In April/May Antigua sailing week draws racing yachts from all over the world to English Harbour. Deep sea fishing trips; day excursions with lunch on nearby deserted islands. Lively lunchtime cruises and Saturday night parties on board. The vibrant, colourful summer carnival has most festivities around St Johns. Shirley Heights is the venue for free Sunday afternoon and evening concerts, often by steel bands and popular with locals and visitors alike. Climate: A relatively dry island with the chance of the odd shower, especially September – November. Temperatures are usually in the 80s F year round with the period between July and September being the hottest, although usually counterbalanced by sea breezes. The Caribbean tropical storm and hurricane season runs (officially) between June – November with storms likely to occur August – September   Visa and Foreign Office Information Health Information

Shopping The capital, St Johns though fairly small has a reasonable choice of shops including the Heritage Quay for duty free goods, located at the harbour. A modern shopping mall is located a short distance north of the capital. A handful of shops and stalls are gathered around English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour and there is limited shopping at the Jolly Harbour complex.  St Johns St John’s is a small town built on a grid system beside a harbour and contains an impressive Cathedral and a famous cricket ground. Cruise ships regularly dock here, dwarfing the capital and transforming the ordinarily quiet quayside into a colourful, vibrant market  Shirley Heights Shirley Heights has remains of substantial fortifications and provides a lookout point with fine views over the south coast. The tourist complex at Jolly Harbour in the west is a modern, self contained village with shops, restaurants, villas and a golf course, all set around a marina filled with expensive yachts.