Antigua is a relatively small island but one that delivers an outsized Caribbean experience. Its claim of 365 beaches is not merely marketing — the deeply indented coastline creates a remarkable number of sheltered bays and coves, ranging from the famous Dickenson Bay in the north to the quieter Half Moon Bay in the east and the yacht-filled English Harbour in the south. Most beaches are fringed by calm, warm water ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and the coral reefs around the island are home to hawksbill turtles, stingrays and an abundance of reef fish. English Harbour and the adjacent Falmouth Harbour are the island’s cultural and social heart. Nelson’s Dockyard — a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only surviving Georgian-era naval dockyard in the world — is a beautifully restored complex of 18th-century boat repair facilities, now home to boutique hotels, excellent restaurants and some of the Caribbean’s most spectacular yacht racing during Antigua Sailing Week each April. St John’s, the capital on the north-west coast, is a colourful and characterful city with a lively public market, excellent duty-free shopping and the impressive St John’s Cathedral. The island’s interior, while less visited, has its own appeal: Betty’s Hope sugar plantation and the volcanic hills of the national parks offer hiking and historical exploration. Antiguan cuisine showcases fresh local produce — saltfish and fungie (the national dish), lobster, black pineapple (considered the world’s sweetest) and rum-laced cocktails. Antigua is warm year-round with the driest and calmest weather from December to April, making it an excellent winter sun destination from Ireland.