Antigua Carnival

Antigua's Carnival is known as the Caribbean's great summer festival — and for good reason. This 10-day explosion of music and color threads its way across the island every summer, starting late July, and showcases the island's rich musical traditions of calypso and soca.

The roots of this jubilant celebration go back to the abolition of slavery in 1834, when locals took to the streets to celebrate their freedom. Now, the jubilant kaleidoscope of steel bands, elaborate costumes and beauty pageants culminates on Emancipation Day or J'ouvert (the first Monday of August) in St. John, where the dancing starts at 4am and revelers paint their bodies blue and brown.

Jumby Bay Activity Calendar 

So named for the playful spirits of Caribbean lore, Jumby Bay Island and its 300 acres of breezy greens, beaches, and meandering paths beckons guests to explore, and enjoy the simple moments of peace, pleasure and sport. A curated calendar of summer activities offers an array of leisurely pursuits to experience, from guided bicycle safaris that draw guests into the natural surroundings and local history, to Caribbean cocktail classes to inspire the mixologist in everyone. For the active wellness-seekers, daily yoga and fitness options will set a refreshing pace in step with the latest training programs. For those seeking activity with a more vibrant pace, the summer season offers a near dizzying array of activity during the Antiguan Carnival season, where the local "whine" is a sultry dance rather than a glass of French red. See the activity calendar to explore the elegance of Jumby Bay, without missing the West Indies "Sense of Place."

Cricket in Antigua 

Wherever you turn, echoes of Antigua's British heritage are everywhere, from colonial architecture to afternoon tea. But it's perhaps cricket where the roots run deepest. A hotbed for the sport since the 1890s, Antigua has produced some of the great cricket players of the 20th century, including Viv Richards, whose name graces the state-of-the-art ground that is now the home of the West Indies cricket team: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Cricket season runs from January to July, though beyond the big international and regional matches played at the stadium, there's plenty of local action to be found. Stop by any village green or beach on a weekend afternoon — you'll likely catch a game going on.

Sailing Week 

With a coastline of deep bays and crystal coves that sit between the serene Caribbean and windswept Atlantic, Antigua is a sailor's paradise. And every year from late April through early May, the island plays host to Antigua Sailing Week, one of the world's premier regattas for ocean-going yachts. Since its humble beginnings in 1967 with a tiny fleet of wooden fishing boats, the six-day extravaganza is now the longest-running regatta in the Caribbean and a huge international event that draws around 200 world-class yachts. Expect to see English Harbour, in the south of the island, speckled with sailboats of every kind, as spectators from around the world come to follow the races and soak up the party spirit. Insider tip: come a week early to catch the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, which each year kicks off the sailing season with a spectacle of tall, elegant sail ships from a bygone era, many of them from the early 1900s.

Shirley Heights Lookout

Across the bay from Nelson's Dockyard you'll find Antigua's most iconic destination for sunset cocktails. Now converted into a charming restaurant and bar, this old military lookout atop a bluff commands spectacular panoramic views over English Harbour. If you're here on a Sunday to watch the sun sink into the sea, then stay for the cocktails, barbecue and live steel band that fuel the famed Sunday night party — a festive Antigua institution that's now in its third decade.

Antigua Rainforest Canopy Zipline

Antigua's top adrenaline fix can be found high above the treetops of the island's southwestern rainforest valleys. Set in the lush Fig Tree Drive, this circuit of interconnected zip lines, aerial walkways and vertical descents isn't for the faint of heart — especially if you choose to unleash your inner Tarzan and take on the aptly named "Screamer" and "Leap of Faith" courses. Both the company and its "rangers" are ACCT certified but if you're acrophobic or physically unfit you might want to sit this one out.

To find out more about Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort, contact our Travel Advisors on 01 431 9700 for more information or to make a booking