Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a two-island nation in the Leeward Islands, with sailing, beaches and a restored Georgian naval dockyard at English Harbour.
Antigua and Barbuda is a two-island nation at the eastern edge of the Caribbean, in the Leeward Islands. Antigua is the larger and busier of the two. Its capital, St. John's, is the main arrival point, and most beaches and resorts sit along its coasts. At English Harbour, a naval dockyard built in the Georgian era during the 1700s has been restored; its old buildings now hold shops, restaurants and a yacht base. Barbuda, to the north, is low and flat, with a small population and far fewer hotels. It has a frigate bird sanctuary.
Go for sailing, beach days and colonial history without a big-city feel. December to April is the drier, most comfortable stretch; hurricane season runs June to November. Driving is on the left. Plan a few days on Antigua and add a night on Barbuda if you want a quieter island. Ferries and small planes link the two islands.
Five things to know before Antigua & Barbuda
- Use the ArriveAntigua form before you fly
Authorities advise using the ArriveAntigua digital form to speed entry. The UK government says it is not mandatory and can be used within 72 hours of travel. Check the official site for what applies to you. Visas and entry
- Choose the coast for the water you want
West and south coast bays facing the Caribbean are usually calm for swimming. Atlantic-facing beaches on the east side are windier, better for kitesurfing than for small children.
- Visit Nelson's Dockyard at English Harbour
The UNESCO-listed Georgian dockyard is still a working marina. Pair it with the view over the harbor from Shirley Heights, busiest on Sunday evenings.
- Drive on the left with a local permit
Antigua drives on the left and rental firms issue the temporary local permit you need. Roads are narrow, with potholes and few signs outside St John's.
- Book around hurricane season
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most storms from August to October. Buy insurance when you book and check how it handles storm cancellations. Travel insurance
Antigua & Barbuda travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free stays and the ArriveAntigua arrival form.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical, evacuation and storm cover to check for Antigua & Barbuda.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans, roaming charges and coverage between islands.
Read the guideMoney and costsEast Caribbean dollars, US dollars and service charges.
Read the guideGetting aroundRental cars, buses and the ferry or flight to Barbuda.
Read the guide
Destinations in Antigua & Barbuda
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Dry, peak seasonJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, peak season
- FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Dry, breezyFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, sunnyMarchRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, quieterAprilRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, quieter
- MayRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Warm, quietMayRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hot, showersJulyRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hurricane riskAugustRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hurricane peakSeptemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane peak
- OctoberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Storm risk, rainOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk, rain
- NovemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Season endsNovemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Season ends
- DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Busy holidaysDecemberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy holidays
Average daily high and low in St John's, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Antigua & Barbuda
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 27 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 30%
St. John's
07:25 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°27°30%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Tue32°26°80%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Wed31°27°16%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Thu31°25°20%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri31°25°51%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sat30°25°63%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sun31°24°69%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 69%.
Updated 05:14 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.7 XCD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Antigua & Barbuda FAQ
Do I need a visa for Antigua?
UK and Canadian passports do not need a visa for a holiday, and UK passports can stay up to 90 days. Carry a return or onward ticket and a passport valid 6 months past departure. Authorities advise the ArriveAntigua form, so check the official site.
Is Barbuda worth a day trip?
Yes, if you want empty pink-tinged beaches and the frigate bird colony. It is reached by ferry or a short flight from Antigua, so check the sea forecast and book ahead.
When is hurricane season in Antigua?
June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. December to April is drier and calmer, and prices are highest then; May and June are a good compromise.
Where should I stay in Antigua?
Stay on the west coast for calm swimming beaches, or around English Harbour and Falmouth for sailing, restaurants and the dockyard. The east coast suits kitesurfers.
What currency is used in Antigua?
The East Caribbean dollar, fixed at about 2.70 to the US dollar. US dollars are widely accepted, but change often comes back in local currency.