Antigua and Barbuda's record-breaking 2024 performance continues to captivate Canadian travellers, who are drawn to miles of stunning beaches, authentic local flavours, rich history, and the year's most spectacular celebration— Antigua Carnival!

The destination achieved huge success last year, with the Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) reporting over 330,281 stay-over guests and more than 823,955 cruise visitors—figures that surpassed the 2019 pre-pandemic benchmarks. This year, the numbers continue to grow.

International travellers can now benefit from a new, modernized digital entry and exit system at V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU), as the destination works to simplify the arrival process. For more information, click here.

Airlift

Currently, two Canadian carriers offer direct flights to Antigua: Air Canada and WestJet. Here is the latest available schedule:

 May-October (Summer)

• WestJet - Sundays
• Air Canada - Sundays

November-April (Winter)

• WestJet - Sundays and Wednesdays
• Air Canada - Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays

About Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda are a dual-island nation located in the Eastern Caribbean with a total population of almost 100,000.  Antigua and Barbuda's history spans thousands of years. The island was claimed by England in 1632, and even though Antigua and Barbuda gained independence in 1981, the islands retained some British influence, like driving on the left side of the road, red postal boxes bearing the Queen's insignia can still be seen on the streets, it is part of the Commonwealth nations, and the official language of the country is English, but many locals do speak a dialect called Antiguan and Barbudan Creole.

Like many other Caribbean islands, the sugar cane industry was very popular in the country, particularly from the 17th to the early 20th centuries. In the 60s, the destination wrapped up all sugar cane production and instead focused on tourism, one of the first islands that focused on the travel industry. And it flourished into one of the best vacation spots in the Caribbean.

While Antigua and Barbuda primarily manufacture products for domestic use, the country does ship some of the signature rums—English Harbour and Cavalier—to select markets including parts of the United States, Europe, and Manitoba in Canada.

St. John's harbour in Antigua features multiple docking facilities that can handle as many as seven cruise vessels simultaneously, which explains its appeal as a cruise destination.

Things To Do

Antigua and Barbuda is known in the Caribbean for it’s beaches due to the extensive coastline. It is often said to have 365 beaches, “one beach for every day of the year”. Therefore, there are lots of water activities available: snorkelling, scuba diving, boat tours, kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, waterskiing, and jet skiing.

There are also lots of nature activities available on both islands: hiking, ziplining, horseback riding, etc. Barbuda is also home to one of the world's largest frigate bird sanctuaries.

No trip to Antigua is complete without experiencing Shirley Heights. Once serving as a military base on the south coast, this historic site now draws countless visitors who come for the breathtaking overlook of English and Falmouth Harbours. On select days, along with the views, you can experience a live steel pan performance and enjoy some local cuisine. And you must try the traditional rum punch!

On your next stop, check out Antigua’s natural landscape wonder – Devil’s Bridge! The Devil's Bridge National Park is home to this incredible natural stone archway located along Antigua's eastern Atlantic coastline. The surrounding area gets pretty dynamic with its blowholes that blast water upward, creating spectacular displays fueled by the ocean's energy. The place has accumulated quite a collection of local legends over the years, making it a pretty interesting place to visit.

Complete your trip by exploring Nelson's Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage site which remains the only Georgian-period naval facility still open. The dockyard houses two historic hotels: The Admiral's Inn alongside The Copper and Lumber Store Hotel.

Antigua Carnival

But nothing beats CARNIVAL when it comes to Antigua's biggest spectacle! This celebration flew under the radar for years as the island's hidden gem, but once people caught wind of it, visitors started flocking in from everywhere.

The annual Carnival takes place in late July / early August and commemorates the emancipation of slavery. What began as a small, community-led celebration evolved into the official Antigua Carnival in 1957.  The carnival is a multi-day event, featuring a pre-dawn street party (J’ouvert), parades with elaborate costumes, music shows like the Melting Pot, exclusive parties, beauty pageants, and more.

Keep an eye on our website because Global Agents attended the carnival celebrations, and we have A LOT to share with you (including a guide on how to experience carnival as a local).

Barbuda throws its own yearly celebration known as Barbuda's Caribana, which happens every June.

Accommodations

Between both islands, Antigua and Barbuda provides over 3,000 hotel rooms. The newest major accommodation to debut is Royalton CHIC Antigua, an all-inclusive resort designed exclusively for adults. This property used to be the Starfish Halcyon Cove hotel but reopened in April 2024 following extensive renovations and the addition of a fresh six-story structure. The resort also features stunning overwater suites for a private and luxurious getaway and the only overwater restaurant in Antigua.

Another popular property is Hermitage Bay, a luxury resort, which reopened in November 2024 after major reconstruction.

New on the horizon is Nobu Beach Inn, which is expected to open its doors on the island of Barbuda in 2026.

Antigua and Barbuda offers accommodation choices for everyone, spanning intimate boutique villas and Airbnb rentals to cozy B&Bs and popular all-inclusive brands, ensuring options across all price ranges. For a full list of accommodations, please visit visitantiguabarbuda.com.

Antigua and Barbuda's continued growth and investment in tourism are why this destination is so popular amongst Canadians. Whether your clients are seeking idyllic beaches, cultural immersion at Carnival, historic exploration, or luxury experiences, these twin islands deliver experiences that create lifelong memories. 

For more information about Antigua and Barbuda, go to visitantiguabarbuda.com.

Read more:

Antigua and Barbuda strengthens Canadian ties with Carnival FAM
Antigua & Barbuda boosts presence in Canada with Toronto office and trade reception
 

By Kateryna Ivchenko