How Many Days in Antigua and Barbuda Do You Need? 

Antigua and Barbuda are a scenic twin-island nation in the Caribbean, known for their 365 white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and great mix of adventure and relaxation.

If you’ve never been, you might wonder how long to stay in Antigua and Barbuda to see and do it all. I spent a week exploring here and learned a lot about how to plan your time on the island.

While longer is better, let’s get right into how many days in Antigua is enough and how to make the most of your trip.

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How Many Days in Antigua Is Enough?

The perfect amount of time on the island of Antigua is 5-7 days because it gives you enough time to go on fun and easy adventures, including snorkelling, island tours, and more.

I spent 7 days in Antigua, and it was great to have time to adventure and relax. 

How to Decide How Many Days to Spend in Antigua

These are a few factors you should consider when planning how many days in Antigua is enough:

Adventures You Want To Go On

The adventures you’re most interested in will most influence the time you need on the island. You might choose less time if you don’t want to do too many tours or water activities.

Scuba diving in Antigua is good, but expensive. For a more relaxing adventure, you can visit some of the amazing beaches, and if you bring your snorkel gear, it’s free.

There are also a variety of island tours, some of which could be done on your own if you’re comfortable getting around Antigua on your own. From ziplining and hiking to swimming with stingrays, you’ll have plenty of choices for fun adventure activities.

I like to balance tours and free activities. The more soft adventures in Antigua you want to go on, the more days you will need for your trip.

Budget

Antigua and Barbuda is more expensive than some places in the Caribbean, but not the most expensive either. While it’s pricer than Barbados, it’s still possible to find a good deal on affordable luxury accommodations. And you can find free adventures as well as paid ones. 

Costs can also add up quickly. Your budget will increase depending on where you stay, how you get around the island, and which adventures you choose. You can find a good balance or splurge on luxury and fun activities, whether you stay on the west or southern coastlines. 

When You Go

The time of year you visit may affect how many days in Antigua you set aside. December to April has lots of sun and little rain. The rainy season overlaps hurricane season from July to November, and it’s hot and humid.  My visit was in the rainy season, and I was lucky to have only one evening of rain. 

You can choose to schedule your trip around some of the best festivals in Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua Wellness Month is in January and features weekly activities focused on wellness. There’s also the International Kite Festival, which happens on Easter Monday. And an Art Festival in late November. 

Sample Antigua Itinerary

Let’s review the best use of your time beyond the classic Antigua 7-day itinerary to help plan how long in Antigua you need. Here’s how to spend 8+ days in Antigua and Barbuda:

Day 1: Galleon Bay

Galleon Bay needs to be high on your list if you only have a day in Antigua. Galleon Bay is a small region on the island’s southeastern side with one of the best beaches for snorkelling.

This is where you can find white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, the famous Pillars of Hercules, and it’s one of the best places to swim with turtles in Antigua. You can also choose to hike the Pillars of Hercules if you don’t opt to swim, but the best view is from the water.

Day 2: Island Tour

I recommend doing a tour of the entire island early on in your trip because it’ll give you an idea of what’s around, and help you know if there’s any particular area of the island you want to see even more of, that you didn’t plan enough time in on your itinerary. 

You can join one of the Antigua island tours or rent a car and drive around the island yourself. I opted to drive all over the island to see highlights from Shirley Heights to the island’s rainforest. 

Day 3: Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights Lookout

Step back in time at Nelson’s Dockyard. This UNESCO Heritage Site features a restored naval dockyard, full of stone buildings, a small museum, and views of English Harbour. 

You can book a tour that goes there or go on your own. If you don’t go on a tour, visit early before it gets busy. 

After Nelson’s Dockyard, head to Shirley Heights Lookout for the best view of the island. And if it’s a Sunday night, the restaurant at Shirley Heights has a party with live music. 

Day 4: Barbuda Day Trip

While you could spend a week in Antigua and not see it all, you’ll want to take a day trip to Barbuda. Afterall, the country is called Antigua and Barbuda. It’s only a 90-minute ferry ride away.

A day tour to Barbuda features visits to Pink Sand Beach, Frigate Bird Sanctuary, and a BBQ lunch.

You can visit Barbuda on your own, but just make sure you check the ferry schedule and plan accordingly. To account for how to get around, and where to go, with time to make it back before the ferry stops for the day.

Day 5: Scuba Diving/Snorkelling

Antigua’s warm waters and marine life make it a good destination for diving and snorkelling. 

Scuba diving in Antigua offers colourful coral, shallow wreck dives, and calm conditions that are great for new and experienced divers. I loved the dive shop I went with! And the snorkelling is good too. Snorkelling in Antigua offers the opportunity to see turtles, the Pillars of Hercules, and other great spots that have coral reefs. 

While a snorkelling tour isn’t required for a good time, there are a few great Antigua snorkelling tours that stand out, will take you to some hidden gems and come with equipment, a guide, and everything else you need. I’ve done both tours and gone on my own, enjoying each.

Day 6: Beach Hopping

With 365 beaches across the island of Antigua, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Beach hopping is a great way to spend a day and see more of Antigua’s beautiful beaches on a single trip.

Some of the best beaches in Antigua include Dickson Bay Beach, Ffryes Beach, and Rendezvous Bay Beach.

I enjoyed swimming at Long Bay Beach, walking along the beach at Dickenson Bay, and snorkelling at Galleon Bay Beach.

Day 7: Food and Culture

If you want to find the best restaurants and local spots, book a food tour in St.John’s. You’ll explore 6 spots in the Heritage Quay with a local guide.

Or even consider trying a local cooking class to learn how to make Antiguan cuisine. I took a cooking class in Thailand, and it was one of my favourite memories, so I want to go back and do one in Antigua too. 

Day 8+

If you need some more activity ideas when planning how many days for Antigua, here are a few more suggestions:

• Join a Sunset Cruise
• Visit Pig’s Paradise to see pigs on a beach
• Zipline through the Antigua Rainforest 
• Explore Ruins at St.John’s Fort 
• Hike the Middle Ground Trail for scenic views of English Harbour

So, How Long Do You Need in Antigua and Barbuda?

While a 2-4 day trip to Antigua and Barbuda will give you a good introduction, spending 5-7 days or more lets you explore at a more relaxed pace. You can zipline in the rainforest, snorkel with sea turtles at Pillars of Hercules, relax on some beautiful beaches, and go on a boat cruise.

Compared to other tropical destinations, like Aruba vs Antigua, Antigua offers just as much variety of adventures, which makes a longer stay worthwhile.