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Antigua by Huben
Antigua, Barbados or St Lucia?
Three brilliant Caribbean islands, each with its own personality. Here is how to choose.
Antigua is our specialist subject, but we plan holidays to all three, so this is our honest comparison to help you pick the right island for you.
Side by side
Antigua vs Barbados vs St Lucia at a glance
| Antigua | Barbados | St Lucia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beach lovers, sailing fans, easy family trips and honeymoons | Food lovers, golfers and a livelier social scene | Romance, dramatic scenery and adventure |
| Beaches | The island's calling card: 365 beaches, from sheltered Caribbean bays to wilder Atlantic coves | Calm, glamorous west coast beaches and a wild Atlantic east coast | Fewer classic white sand beaches; the draw is the mountains and the Pitons |
| The feel | Relaxed and low-rise, with a rich sailing heritage at English Harbour | Polished and sociable, with great restaurants, beach bars and rum shops | Lush and volcanic, with rainforest, waterfalls and hillside hideaways |
| Flights from London | British Airways non-stop from Gatwick in around 8.5 to 9 hours; Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow in winter | Direct flights with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic | Direct flights from London |
| Airport to hotel | Short: most of our favourites are 15 to 35 minutes away | Typically around 30 to 45 minutes to the west coast | Long-haul flights land in the south, so transfers to the north can take around 90 minutes; helicopter transfers are a fun shortcut |
| Don't miss | Nelson's Dockyard, a sunset party at Shirley Heights (Thursdays and Sundays) and a day on Barbuda's pink and white sand | Dinner on the west coast and a rum punch at a local rum shop | The Pitons, the sulphur springs at Soufrière and a rainforest waterfall |
How to choose
Which island is right for you?
Choose Antigua if...
You want beautiful beaches, calm water and very little time in a car. It is brilliant for families and honeymooners alike, with adults-only hideaways like Hermitage Bay, Galley Bay and Hammock Cove, and family favourites like Curtain Bluff and Blue Waters. Every Antigua holiday we book includes VIP fast track on arrival.
Choose Barbados if...
Eating out is a big part of your holiday, you love a round of golf, or you want a livelier scene with plenty going on in the evenings. The west coast is polished and glamorous.
Choose St Lucia if...
You want scenery that takes your breath away. Waking up to a view of the Pitons is unforgettable, and there is plenty to explore, from rainforest hikes to volcanic springs. Ideal for a romantic escape.
Can't decide?
Ask us about a twin-centre holiday combining two islands. Or choose Antigua and add a day trip to Barbuda, with its long, empty pink and white sand beaches.
Honeymoons
Antigua, Barbados or St Lucia for a honeymoon?
All three are wonderful for a honeymoon. The best choice depends on whether you dream of beaches, scenery or a buzz.
Antigua for beaches
Adults-only all-inclusives on gorgeous beaches, short transfers and some of the most peaceful hotels in the Caribbean. See our Antigua honeymoons and weddings guide.
St Lucia for drama
Hillside hideaways with views of the Pitons, plunge pools and rainforest adventures.
Barbados for glamour
Elegant west coast hotels, fine dining and sunset cocktails, with a little more nightlife.
Still weighing up your options? Call us or pop into The Travel Lounge in Cobham and we will talk you through all three over a coffee.
Your questions
Choosing a Caribbean island: your questions, answered
Which is better, Antigua or Barbados?
Choose Antigua for beaches, sailing and an easy, low-key feel with short transfers. Choose Barbados if you love eating out, golf and a livelier social scene.
Is Antigua or St Lucia better for a honeymoon?
Both are wonderful. St Lucia is all about dramatic scenery, with the Pitons and rainforest. Antigua is better for beaches and short transfers, with adults-only hotels such as Hermitage Bay, Galley Bay and Hammock Cove.
Which island has the best beaches?
Antigua. It has 365 beaches, from sheltered Caribbean-side bays to wilder Atlantic beaches such as Half Moon Bay, plus Barbuda's pink and white sand a short hop away.
Which island is easiest to get to from the UK?
All three have direct flights from London of around nine hours. Antigua is the easiest door to door, because most hotels are 15 to 35 minutes from the airport, while St Lucia's long-haul airport is in the south of the island, so transfers to the north can take around 90 minutes.
Can you combine Antigua with another island?
Yes. We can plan a twin-centre holiday combining two islands, or add a day trip to Barbuda from Antigua.
Keep exploring
More Antigua guides
Award-winning Antigua specialists
Why book Antigua with Huben
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority named Huben Travel Top Producer at its Black Pineapple Awards in both 2024 and 2025. In 2026 we were named Top Luxury High Street Agency in TTG's Top 20 Luxury Travel Agencies, and Ben won Luxury Travel Designer of the Year (in-store) at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards.
- Top Producer 2024 and 2025Black Pineapple AwardsAntigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
- Winner 2026Top Luxury High Street AgencyTTG Top 20 Luxury Travel Agencies
- Winner 2026Luxury Travel Designer of the Year (in-store)TTG Luxury Travel Awards
- Winner 2026Best Cobham IndependentLove Elmbridge Awards