Antigua Is One Of The Best Honeymoon And Wedding Destinations.
All the signs pointed towards Antigua. The island had warm, steady winds, a complex coastline of safe harbors, and a protective, nearly unbroken wall of coral reef. It would make a perfect place to hide a fleet, so in 1784 the legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and established Great Britain’s most important Caribbean base. Little did he know that over 200 years later, the same unique characteristics that attracted the Royal Navy would transform Antigua and Barbuda into one of the Caribbean’s premier tourist destinations.
The signs are still there, but they point to different things. The Trade Winds that once blew British men-of-war safely into English Harbour now fuel one of the world’s foremost maritime events, Sailing Week. The expansive, winding coastline that made Antigua difficult for outsiders to navigate is where today’s trekkers encounter a tremendous wealth of secluded, powdery soft beaches. The coral reefs, once the bane of marauding enemy ships, now attract snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. And the fascinating little island of Barbuda — once a scavenger’s paradise because so many ships have wrecked on its reefs — is now home to one of the region’s most significant bird sanctuaries.
Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, so beautiful, warm weather awaits. This island paradise is a popular destination for weddings abroad, and honeymooners love the beaches and snorkeling adventures.
Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Mount Obama (1319 ft., 402 metres), formerly known as Boggy Peak, located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve.
Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only 45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only in September. With these warm temperatures and low humidity year-round, Antigua is among the leading destinations for Caribbean weddings.
Additional Information
Local Language
The local language in Antigua is English.
Money!
The currency in the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC), but the American dollar is widely accepted.
Getting Married?
Couples planning a wedding will need Photo ID, birth certificates, and proof of citizenship. For further details, please speak to one of our wedding specialists!
Entry/Exit Requirements
It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Dutch authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to check with the Antiguan Embassy and its consulates for up-to-date information.
Passport
Canadians must present a passport to visit Antigua, which must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of expected departure from that country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
Permanent residents of Canada must travel with their Permanent Resident Card and a valid passport from their country of origin.
Children and Travel
Children need special documentation to visit certain countries. Please consult our specialists for further details.
