Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda: When to Go and Weather

Weather Antigua, Barbuda, and the uninhabited Redonda are sister islands forming the nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Situated in the eastern Caribbean near its intersection with the Atlantic, all the islands enjoy a tropical climate with little variation in temperature throughout the year. Antigua is largely surrounded by coral reef and cooled down by trade winds that blow through the islands. Year round, temperatures usually only fluctuate between 75 degrees F and 90 degrees F; the hottest months are July, August, and September, when the thermometer hits 90 degrees F many days of the week. Tropical rain showers, which are intense bur brief, occur throughout the year in Antigua, with rainfall averaging just over 2 inches a month in the first half of the year. Humidity levels tend to be higher, around 82&percnt, during April, May, October, November, and December. Antigua weather is warm and dry for much of the year, with rains occurring more frequently in September, October, November, and December, when the monthly average is almost 5 inches. The higher monthly averages correlate in part to the hurricane season, which often affects Antigua weather in the later months of the year. Hurricanes and/or tropical storms exceeding force 6 occasionally sweep through the warm ocean from June onwards, bringing heavy winds and violent weather to the islands. Before planning a vacation, log onto the websites of the World Meteorological Organization. and the National Hurricane Center. to monitor predicted storm activity in the region. Apart from the hurricane season, Antigua weather is ideal for sunbathing and outdoor activity. Since English is the primary language spoken in Antigua, finding local weather reports and information is easy. Pick up a copy of the Antigua Sun or try the website.

When to Go: Peak Season
The months of December through April constitute Antigua's peak season. The threat of hurricanes has passed by this time, and the warm weather and infrequent rainfall bring in a crowd of avid snorkelers, scuba divers, and sunbathers, meaning that the best hotels are usually booked ahead of time. The end of July and the first week of August draws crowds of both islanders and tourists for the summer Carnival celebration, meaning that midrange hotel accommodations are harder to secure. The year's biggest event is Sailing Week. The annual line-up, occurring in April or May, attracts the international jet set with a flashy line-up of sailing races and parties. While it's true that many attendees arrive (and sleep) on their very own luxury yachts, there's also a spike in the rates of hotel rooms during this time.

When to Go: Off Season
After the Carnival rush in August, Antigua sees fewer visitors until the high season gets going in January. That's largely because the autumn months, while warm, bring rains and the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes. Hotel rooms are certainly the cheapest at this time of year, and if you don't mind taking a weather-related risk, you could have the white beaches practically to yourself during the months of September, October, and November. The island receives nearly 5 inches of rain per month during this time, and humidity is at a peak, as well, but there are plenty of warm, sunny, summer-like days to enjoy in Antigua's off season.

When to Go: Shoulder Season <
May, June, July, and August are generally considered Antigua's shoulder season, though major events like Sailing Week (which occurs in either April or May) and August's Carnival bring unusually large crowds to the island for week-long celebrations. Rainfall is infrequent and the sun shines brightly nearly every day: this is only the off season because international travelers can find summery temperatures in their own countries at this time and don't feel the need to escape ice and snow. With the exception of the weeks around major events, hotel rates are discounted from the full peak season rate at this time, making it a more budget-friendly time to travel.