The Ultimate Antigua Family Guide
Planning a trip to the “Land of 365 Beaches” with kids? This Antigua family guide is your one-stop hub for everything family-friendly—from the best calm-water beaches and unique animal encounters to kid-approved restaurants and where to stay. Whether you’re bringing toddlers or teens, we’ve got you covered.
Jump To:
- Top Things to Do
- Best Beaches
- Snorkeling with Kids
- Where to Eat
- Regions Overview
- Top-Ranked Family Stays
- Local Tips
- Getting Around
- Best Time to Visit
- What to Pack
Top Things to Do
Antigua is the perfect blend of beach relaxation and adventure. Families can interact with gentle stingrays, explore a UNESCO World Heritage naval base, zipline through the rainforest, or enjoy the stunning views (and music) from a historic lookout.
- Stingray City: A magical experience for all ages, allowing you to stand, swim, and snorkel with dozens of friendly southern stingrays.
- Nelson’s Dockyard: A beautifully restored 18th-century naval dockyard (a UNESCO site) with museums, shops, and restaurants. Kids love watching the giant yachts.
- Shirley Heights Lookout: Offers the most famous panoramic view in Antigua, overlooking English Harbour. The Sunday evening BBQ party is family-friendly, especially early on.
- Antigua Rainforest Zipline Tours: A thrilling canopy tour with ziplines and suspension bridges, perfect for adventurous kids and teens.
Best Beaches for Kids
With 365 beaches to choose from, finding a family-friendly spot is easy. Antigua’s west coast, on the Caribbean side, is famous for its incredibly calm, clear, and shallow turquoise water, making it a perfect natural swimming pool for children of all ages.
- Dickenson Bay: The quintessential family beach. Very calm water, soft sand, and plenty of amenities, restaurants, and water sports.
- Pigeon Point Beach: A local favorite in the south, this beach offers calm, shallow water, shade trees, and a playground, making it ideal for toddlers.
- Ffryes Beach (Big Ffryes): A stunningly beautiful beach with bright turquoise water and calm waves. It has restaurants and facilities for an easy beach day.
Top Ranked Family Stays
From sprawling all-inclusive resorts that cater to every need to charming boutique hotels and private villas, Antigua has lodging for every family style. The west coast is popular for its calm beaches, while the south offers historic charm.
- North-West Coast (Dickenson Bay, Runaway Bay): The main resort hub, known for all-inclusives and easy access to the calmest beaches.
- South Coast (English & Falmouth Harbours): A historic and scenic area with boutique hotels and villas, close to Nelson’s Dockyard and Pigeon Point.
- All-Inclusive Resorts: Many properties (like St. James’s Club, The Verandah, and Beaches) are dedicated to families with kids’ clubs, multiple pools, and activities.
Snorkeling with Kids
Antigua’s clear waters and protected coves are perfect for introducing kids to snorkeling. Many beaches offer decent snorkeling right from the shore, and dedicated boat trips can take families to shallow offshore reefs teeming with life.
- Galleon Beach: A fantastic spot for beginners to snorkel from the shore. It’s calm and famous for the sea turtles that frequent the bay.
- Dickenson Bay: At the northern end of the beach, you can find calm-water snorkeling that’s easy for first-timers.
- Cades Reef: The island’s most famous snorkeling spot. It’s an offshore reef accessible by a short boat trip, with calm, protected water inside the reef.
Where to Eat
Antigua’s dining scene is incredibly laid-back and family-friendly. You’ll find a wide range of options from casual toes-in-the-sand beach bars to fun, open-air restaurants with live music and great views. Most places are welcoming to children.
- Beach Bars (e.g., Ana’s on Dickenson, Dennis’ on Ffryes): Casual, open-air spots right on the sand are perfect for a family lunch.
- Shirley Heights Lookout BBQ: A must-do for the food, music, and sunset view. Arrive early with kids before it gets too crowded.
- Nelson’s Dockyard: Several casual cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in a historic, walkable area. Great for a post-sightseeing meal.
Regional Breakdown
Antigua is a small island, but its different coasts offer very different vibes. The west coast is the center of tourism, while the south is historic and the east is quieter and more remote.
- North-West (St. John’s, Dickenson Bay): The bustling hub with the capital, cruise port, major resorts, and the calmest beaches.
- South (English & Falmouth Harbours): The historic and scenic heart, home to Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, and a world-class sailing scene.
- East Coast (Long Bay, Willikies): A quieter, more windswept side of the island with beautiful natural scenery, coves, and several large all-inclusive resorts.
Local Tips
- Driving is on the **left** side of the road. Roads can be narrow and poorly maintained, so drive with caution.
- The tap water is desalinated and technically safe to drink, but bottled water is widely preferred for taste.
- Currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), but **USD is accepted everywhere**.
- Power plugs are **U.S.-style (Type A & B)** with 110V in almost all hotels, so U.S. travelers do not need adapters.
- All 365 beaches in Antigua are public, even those in front of resorts.
Best Time to Visit
Antigua’s peak season is from December to April, offering the best and driest weather. The shoulder seasons (May-June and November) are great for fewer crowds and lower prices. The official hurricane season is from June to November, with the highest risk from mid-August to October.
Getting Around
Taxis are the most common way to get around, but they are unmetered, so **agree on the price in USD** before you get in. Renting a car (an SUV or Jeep is recommended) is a great way to explore the island’s many beaches at your own pace. A temporary local driver’s license is required.
What to Pack
- Reef-safe sunscreen and rash guards
- Bug spray (especially for evenings)
- Water shoes for snorkeling and rocky coves
- Light rain jacket for brief, tropical showers
- Snorkel sets to explore right from the beach
- Sun hats and sunglasses
We hope you found this Antigua family guide useful. For more general travel info, visit the Wikivoyage page on Antigua.