Scuba diving in

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda are located within the Leeward Islands on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea, north of Guadeloupe and east of St Kitts. Together with the uninhabited island of Redonda, Antigua and Barbuda form a three-island state that should be high on the bucket-list of any avid traveller. 

Appreciated by sailors since the days of Admiral Nelson, Antigua has become a mecca for boating enthusiasts and sun-worshippers, hosting regattas and boasting a different world-class beach for every day of the year. But don’t be fooled into thinking that’s all Antigua has to offer, as this island also promises plenty of iconic Caribbean experiences. Visitors can expect to stumble across rum and music-fuelled festivities, colourful communities, and a captivating combination of African heritage and British colonial history. 

Situated around 40-kilometres further north, Barbuda offers a markedly more relaxing experience. Home to just one small village, life on this island is taken at a slower pace and pleasures found through simpler pursuits. Barbuda encourages visitors to create their own entertainment, be it meeting the local people, meandering through nature, or relaxing on one of numerous empty pink-sand beaches which stretch as far as the eye can see. Largely untouched by tourist development, the island still has plenty of seemingly impenetrable bush where wildlife thrives. In fact, Barbuda’s Codrington Lagoon plays host to the largest frigate bird colony in the western hemisphere. 

Getting to Antigua and Barbuda is easy, with direct flights operating from London, Montreal, and Toronto, as well as New York, Atlanta, Miami, plus numerous Caribbean islands. International flights touch down in V.C. Bird International Airport, located on the northern end of Antigua. For those arriving by water, cruise ships dock at two main quays – Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay – which are located next to one another, just five-minutes from downtown St John’s.

The most popular way to reach Barbuda From Antigua is by high-speed ferry, taking around 90-minutes each way. Chartered flights can also be organised, touching down in Barbuda’s Codrington Airport.

Taxis are one of the best ways to get around both Antigua and Barbuda, and fares are generally fixed. Visitors can also easily rent a vehicle if they prefer to explore on their own. 

Once reserved for the rich and famous, Antigua and Barbuda boast some of the most luxurious all-inclusive hotels imaginable. But, a range of other accommodation is now available, allowing visitors of all kinds to enjoy this stunning destination.

Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, in the northwest of Antigua, are renowned for the beauty of their beaches whilst also offering modest crowds. St John’s, the island’s spirited capital, is not only convenient, it also delivers an abundance of Caribbean colour and culture, making it popular among first-time visitors. Jolly Harbour, and St Mary in general, is one of the best locations for families.

Situated in the island’s southwest, this area offers classic resort-style accommodation and activities for all ages – including water sports, shopping, fine dining, and an 18-hole championship golf course. Located next door to each other, Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour have many cultural attractions and historic landmarks to explore, and are energised by evening entertainment at the waterfront bars. Antigua’s eastern coast is wilder than the rest of the island, though several resorts can be found in sheltered bays. The Atlantic winds also make it well-suited to watersports.

Far fewer accommodation options exist on the island of Barbuda, but the promise of crowd-free getaways is exactly why people visit. A selection of guesthouses operate within the village of Codrington, while a handful of hotels and cabana-style accommodation can be found along the coast.

The tropical Caribbean climate means that Antigua and Barbuda’s scuba diving can be enjoyed year round. But, there are some small fluctuations in the weather that are worth bearing in mind.

As with many tropical destinations, the two main seasons are dictated by the amount of rain. In Antigua and Barbuda, the dry season runs from December to May, with average temperatures of around 26°C on land and in the water. The wet season runs from June to November, bringing a higher chance of downpours, particularly towards the end of this period. Temperatures also peak during the wet season, averaging around 28°C on land and in the water.

Keep in mind that hurricanes are possible between June and November, with the highest chances towards the end of the season. Hurricanes rarely interfere with the diving in this region, though strong winds can occasionally cause choppy conditions and reduced visibility. 

Antigua boasts a rich colonial history, centred around English Harbour and the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. This 18th century dockyard accommodated Admiral Nelson and is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can also explore the ruins of numerous forts dotted around the island, as well as sugar factories, plantations, and religious buildings. Conservation around Barbuda focuses on wildlife, particularly birds. The island’s Frigate Bird Sanctuary welcomes an estimated population of 100,000 individuals, making it the largest frigate bird colony in the western hemisphere.