Antigua

[noimaginationforausername]

We are finally getting our 2020 holiday to Antigua this February! Don't have as much money as we did in 2019 but going to make the most of it as it will be a while before we can do this again.

Never been before so looking for some tips on what to do with the kids (15 and 9), most days will be pool/beach etc but we do all get a bit restless and I definitely want to get out and see Antigua.

Anyone been before?

Yes, it’s beautiful. There’s a live band and fish fry thing up on the hills once a week.

We have had some lovely holidays there but they included free childcare so that made a bit of a difference!

Sting Ray city and the zip wire are great fun.
we like sailing and snorkelling too.
I quite like wandering around St John (which is very safe), but joining a tour you get more out of the historical aspect of it.
Have fun!

We've just come back! We stayed at the Verandah Resort and had an amazing time. We have kids 8-13.

Sting Ray city is good fun, 8 year old got a bite but they were proud of kiss mark after shock faded!

Calypso Cat boat tour was a real highlight for all of us

Shirley Heights is good to go and visit, we didn't go to the Sunday night party though.. We liked Nelsons Dockyard/English Harbour for a wander, we didn't make it to St Johns for a wander.

Do try and see some of the well known beaches, The Verandah is near Long Bay Beach and we spent a lot of time there, absolutely gorgeous and amazing snorkelling right from the shallows.

Devils Bridge is interesting too but maybe not worth a trip just for that if you are on the other side of the Island.

The swimming pigs!

it’s absolutely amazing, the woman who runs it is so lovely. It was the highlight of our trip last year

You have to book via her Instagram page but it’s all quite straightforward and the taxi drivers all know how to get there (it’s a LONG way off the main road down a really bumpy track. Don’t attempt it in hire car)

instagram.com/pigsinparadise268?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Sorry for resurrecting this thread but I'm looking at maybe doing a last minute trip to Antigua during May half term. I'd be going with DH, and DSs 4 & 7. The Verandah looks good value for AI but some of the reviews are making me wary. What was your experience with the resort? The main complaints seem to be the food and the service, but as we're travelling with young kids we don't need nor want fine dining! We've never been anywhere AI before so no real points of reference. Is there good snack provision all day, ice creams etc?

DH & I have been to Barbados before but the flights are ridiculously expensive now, whereas Antigua seems more reasonable. I've got no idea of which the "best" parts of the island are though so seems a bit of a gamble!

The resort itself is great as two good beaches and two good pools. It is a bit hilly, there are buggies that will taxi you around.. we made our kids walk! The mini golf is good, there is a pool/ping pong etc area and lots of watersports on one beach. Lots of organised activities, we didn't do many.

The staff are not super friendly/effusive for sure. Don't expect that. Food is ok, by the end we had a plan. Only snacks available all day are in the coffee shop. Breakfast buffet is good, lunch at rasta bar or Watersports beach is good, evening a bit harder, Buccaneers probably best bet but not lovely setting. Watersports better setting but same menu as lunch. Nicole's is nicer setting and good to get European wine but food not necessarily worth the extra (and a bit harder with kids). Our kids wanted to go to the main buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner and loved it to be fair, dh and I didn't want to do that though!

Long Bay beach is a 5 min walk and is spectacular. Boat trip from the resort is great. Can walk to Devils Bridge.

@Underparmummy thank you, that's all really helpful.