Best Time To Visit Antigua and Barbuda – By A Local
When is the best time to visit Antigua?
Carl’s job as a yacht captain brings him to English Harbour in Antigua each year between November until May. Our sons and I join Carl for part of the winter months, giving us the chance to explore the island. We live in Antigua in December, January, March & April.
Most people we asked locally agreed that the best time to visit Antigua is between December and the end of April. Antigua has a tropical climate and temperatures year round consistently sit at a max of between 28-31 celsius (80-90 fahrenheit). Winter and spring are the driest season on the island so you’re less likely to see rain showers and it’s still beautifully sunny.
There are several deciding factors before booking your trip that will impact when you come to stay. These include whether you like crowds and if you have a fixed budget. We’ll cover these in our post below so that you feel ready to visit at a time that best suits you.
A Quick Guide To Best Time To Visit Antigua
- Best time to visit for dry sunny weather – December to end of April
- Cheapest time to visit – in the shoulder season of May June and September
- When to visit for Antigua Carnival – end of July and beginning of August
- Best time to come sailing – January to May where there is consistent wind and lots of sailing events
- Worst time to visit Antigua – during hurricane season May to November
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Antigua?
The best time to visit is between December and April.
According to our local friends the perfect time to explore Antigua is from December to April. Antigua, with its consistent tropical climate, maintains temperatures between 28-31 degrees Celsius (80-90 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round. Winter and spring are the island’s dry season minimising the chances of rain showers and ensuring delightful sunny weather.
Locals definitely see a spike in visitor numbers during these drier months, when more than 30,000 tourists per month choose to visit the island. Around half the number of visitors per month choose to come in the wetter months of May to November.
Did you know that more than 50% of Antigua’s GDP is generated from tourism. As can be expected, during the busier winter months all businesses on the island are open so you’ll find a greater selection of places to choose from.
The quieter time to visit Antigua is between May and November
Visitors tend to choose not to visit between May and November because it is wet, humid and stormy. It is also the Atlantic hurricane season and there is roughly a 33% chance of a hurricane happening in any one year.
In low off peak season and with fewer visitors to the island in the summer months (the rainy season), many locals choose to leave the island and escape the heat. You’ll find many of them close up shop when they go so you’ll find less on offer. On the upside, you’ll also find lower prices for hotels and resorts keen to get business in these quieter months.
When Is The Cheapest Time to Visit Antigua?
One of the biggest costs of visiting any country is the price you pay for your accommodation. Since tourism plays such a large part in the island’s income, you’ll find that many of the all-inclusive resorts offer cut-price deals to lure tourists to visit in these quieter months. You can save a lot of money with these deals if you visit outside of the peak tourist season, making this the best time of year to come for a cheaper holiday!
If you are looking for a deal, then May, June and September which are known as the shoulder season are a great time to visit. These are the months when the chances of rain are relatively lower.
In the low season you can also find more cost effective long term accommodation options. Owners are more likely to offer a 6 month let at a much reduced price rather than renting their properties on sites such as AirBnB which they do in high peak season.
In Antigua between July to October it is turtle nesting season. If you visit during these months you might be lucky enough to watch baby turtles hatch.
How To Save Money When You Visit Antigua
As well as saving on accommodation costs by coming in low season, there are other ways to save money. When we stay on the island we need to keep our costs down, so my top tips for doing this include:
Make the most of the free activities on the island. With 365 (free) beaches to choose from, you could make it your mission to visit as many as possible during your stay. There are also plenty of hikes for all abilities.
Eat where the locals eat or, even better, stay in and cook. Eating out on the island at the top tourist spots can become a large expense. When we stay, we choose a place to stay with cooking facilities so that we can make our own meals. On the occasions that we do eat out, we tend to head outside the tourist hotspots to places more popular with locals.
Visit the island by hire car, rather than take hotel tours. Most hotels offer tours of the islands that include the costs of transfers to each activity. You’ll find that you can save money by hiring a car (especially in low season) and taking yourself to each place and buying the activity directly from the operator.
When Is it Best to Avoid Visiting Antigua?
Whilst there isn’t a worse time to visit Antigua, you are likely to prefer to visit outside of the Caribbean hurricane season. Hurricane season runs May to November where there is an increased risk of hurricanes happening. Many travellers still choose to visit at this time as it’s less busy and can be cheaper.
In 1997 Hurricane Irma caused widespread destruction throughout the Caribbean, and destroyed large parts of Antigua and neighbouring Barbuda. If you do decide to visit during Caribbean hurricane season then you should make sure to check the weather. Chatting to locals is a sure way to keep aware of any incoming weather alerts.
On a positive note, please keep in mind that it is rare to have large hurricanes in Antigua, due to its location in the Caribbean, away from the usual hurricane trajectory. However, you might still experience severe storms, and even tropical storms.
Top Reasons To Visit Antigua
Sun, sea, sand, and (if you ask our toddler), turtles are some of the many reasons to visit Antigua on of the Caribbean Islands. Having spent more than 12 months over the last 3 years living on the island, I can happily say that Antigua is an incredible place to explore and enjoy.
The island has a reputed 365 beaches to choose from, that’s a beach for every day of the year! And, all with beautiful crystal-clear waters. With so many to choose from, you’ll rarely find the beaches to be too crowded. There are also off the beaten track beaches for those looking for something a little more remote.
If you love the water like we do then there are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from such as SUP, snorkelling on coral reefs and sailing. When you need a change of scenery from the beach then there are lots of other fun outdoor activities to try and places to see. If you’re feeling active then you can have a go at zip lining in the rainforest. Or take a drive to Devil’s Bridge to see the waves crash over the natural arch.
If you’re looking for a hit of rich history then you could take a wander around Nelson’s Dockyard. And visit Shirley Heights Lookout party on a Thursday or Friday for one of the best cultural events on the island. Or, visit Betty’s Hope, a fully restored sugar mill tower.
Antigua Festivals, Holidays & Events
Antigua is an energetic, lively island with its fair share of exciting festivals and holidays. In late July and early August the island comes alive for Carnival. Carnival features dances, pageants, live performances, street food, and much more.
February: Wadadli Day
March: Super Yacht Cup
Easter Monday: Antigua and Barbuda International Kite Festival
April: Annual Seafood Festival
Late April & early May: Antigua Sailing Week
Late July and early August: Carnival, which commemorates the end of slavery
November 1: Independence Day
November: Cricket Festival
December: Antigua Charter Yacht Show
FAQ’s
When is the best month to visit Antigua?
December to April tend to be the best months to visit Antigua. Winter and spring are the drier months on the island so you’re less likely to see rain showers and it’s still beautifully sunny. Everything is open so you can pick and choose where to go and what to see.
When not to go to Antigua?
Although there is no specific time not to visit Antigua, it is advisable to plan your trip outside of the Caribbean hurricane season. However, despite the potential for hurricanes, some tourists still choose to visit as there are less crowds and its cheaper.
What is the hottest month in Antigua?
Antigua has a tropical climate and average temperatures year round which consistently sit at a max of between 28-31 celsius (80-90 Fahrenheit). The hottest months in Antigua are August and September. In these months the max temperature can average around 31 celsius (90 Fahrenheit).
What is the off peak season in Antigua?
The low (or off peak) season runs from May to November. During these months it tends to be wetter, more humid with a higher chance of storms and hurricanes. The island is less busy and therefore some of the shops and restaurants in key tourist areas might be shut.
If you visit Antigua between July to October it is turtle nesting season. During these months you might be lucky enough to watch baby turtles hatch.
Is Antigua safe to visit?
Yes, we feel its very safe to visit Antigua. As long as you follow the same common sense ideas as you would when visiting any country or city then you will be safe.
Whats the best way to get around Antigua?
The best way explore Antigua is to have a rental car. It means that you can explore at your own pace and visit the places that you specifically want to visit.
Final Thoughts on When Is Best To Visit Antigua?
We would definitely say that the overall best time to visit Antigua is between December to April. Whilst it is busy during these months, you are still never short of space on the beach or fighting for sun loungers.
If you are looking for it to be less busy and possibly cheaper then you would be better to visit in the low season. Low season runs from May to November.
Now that you have read this post and decided when to come, your next hardest decision is which of the 365 beaches to choose to visit first!
