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The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are located in the Leeward
Islands of the eastern Caribbean Sea, approx. 16 degrees north
of the equator, and bounding the Atlantic Ocean. The islands
are also a part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago.
Travel Insurance for Antigua & Barbuda:
Area: Worldwide exc. USA / Canada *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Antigua & Barbuda
The islands
of Guadaloupe and Montserrat are to the south and southwest.
Saint Kitts and Nevis are to the west of the islands and Saint
Barthelemy and Saint Martin to the NW. The uninhabited island
of Redonda is also a part of the nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
The islands were settled by the English in approx. 1632 and
remains of some forts can still be seen. Barbuda at that time
was the hub for slaves. Antigua experienced a time of great poverty
following the abolition of slavery and subsequent end of the
sugar cane industry, to rise again to become a top-class tourist
destination.
The islands are low-lying, and the highest point is Boggy Peak
. St. John’s and English Harbour are known as the best
sightseeing spots. There is still an old fort at English Harbor
with cannons which was used by Admiral Nelson. English Harbour
was at one time an important base for the British Royal Navy,
mainly because of its choice of safe harbours, warm climate and
reliable trade winds. Also the coral reefs surrounding the islands
provided further protection. |
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Antigua is famous for its Sailing Week at the end of April,
and is a very popular destination for sailors and all water sports
enthusiasts. With its wonderful soft sand beaches and coral reefs
it is also a haven for SCUBA divers and snorkellers.
Barbuda was once the site of many ship wrecks but is now the
location for one of the areas major bird sanctuaries. Its largest
town is Codrington, and its coastline is fringed with miles of
endless sandy beaches which are protected by reefs. The beaches
facing the Atlantic ocean , however, are not quite as calm, but
provide for excellent beach-combing.
For sun and beach lovers, these islands are the place to be.
However, Antigua and Barbuda have much more to offer than just
gorgeous beaches. There are excellent restaurants and enough
nightlife to satisfy anyone. For culture hounds there are art
galleries and museums.
A must-see is the English Harbour historic area and Nelson’s
Dockyard. Admiral Nelson used this harbour extensively but it
was shut down during the 19 th Century but it has now been restored
and boasts the only Georgian dockyard in the world. There are
many vantage points to view English Harbour , including Shirley
Heights , at which the wonderful views can be enjoyed while indulging
in a barbecue and listening to the music of steel bands and reggae
bands.
Climate
/ Weather
Tropical maritime with little seasonal temperature variation,
typically from the mid 70s in winter to the mid 80s in summer.
It is considered the sunniest of the E. Caribbean islands, with
persistent NE trade winds. The humidity is generally low year
round.
Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure this information
is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy.
* Inclusion on this guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in this country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries for which the F.C.O. advise against travel to.
** At the time of writing, the F.C.O. advised against travel to countries, or areas thereof, marked thus at the time of writing. Travel Insurance is not available in areas where the F.C.O. advise against travel to.
You are strongly advised to visit the F.C.O. web site for up to date information and general travel advice before you travel.
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