Antigua Holidays

Antigua is the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, and with its immaculate beaches, coral-rich waters and superb accommodation it is a stunning Caribbean escape. In addition to the beaches, the capital, St John's, is a fascinating town with some excellent restaurants, while the recently refurbished English Harbour is the world's last Georgian dockyard.

Flight Time: Approximately 9 hours.

Time Difference: GMT -4 hours.

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar.

1. Diving or snorkelling around the well preserved coral reefs that surround Antigua.

2. Going on an estate tour to visit some of Antigua's plantation houses and forts.

3. Discovering the rich history of the island's capital St John's by walking around the baroque towers of the city's cathedral and visiting the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.

4. Antigua has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. They rarely get crowded and, as they're protected by reefs, it's safe to swim.

5. Antigua is an ideal destination for diving, with average water temperatures of 25 Celcius and visibility up to 140ft. Most resorts offer rental on-site or can arrange access to local dive shops.

6. Sailing enthusiasts from around the world descend on the island at the end of April for the annual Sailing Week. One of the Caribbean's largest regattas, it attracts competitors and visitors from all over the world.