Antigua Kitesurfing Holiday and Travel Guide

Antigua

Antigua

Why Visit?

It's no secret that Antigua has been a significant kiteboarding destination for over a decade now. The island is renowned for being the birthplace of kite legends like Andre Phillip and his protégé Jake Kelsick. Ever since the release of the hit kite film Autofocus, all eyes have been on Dre and the local crew, who consistently pump out high-quality media from their home turf. The wind blows steadily from December through July, and the warm turquoise waters are always inviting. The island offers ideal conditions for kiteboarders of all levels, and the friendly faces keep enthusiasts coming back for more each year.

Wind and Weather

Wind speeds range from 12 to 25 knots from late November to July. The wind/water is always warm, and there is never a need for wetsuits. If it does rain, it never lasts more than a few minutes; clear skies and warm sunny conditions are the norms.

Getting Around

It's best to rent a car while you're here as the local bus system doesn't service all the best areas and taxis can be costly. However, a quick Google search will bring up many options for car rentals on the island.

Getting There

Antigua is considered the hub of the Caribbean, with daily direct flights from major cities like London, Toronto, Montreal, New York, Miami, Atlanta and many more.

Food and Drink

You can expect to find all types of restaurants and other options for food on the island. From local BBQ and jerk chicken stalls to fancy French and Italian cuisine, a wide range of food is available. You can test your palate on anything from Indian Currys to Arabic shawarmas in St John's. In the English Harbour town, you can find many restaurants offering Italian, Mediterranean and even South African cuisine. Look a little closer, and you can find more unique stalls that serve Ital, a local Rastafarian (vegetarian) dish that is sure to delight.

Nightlife

English Harbour town is the place to be for nightlife in Antigua. The town is home to several major marinas that are home to some of the world's biggest motor and sailing yachts during the winter months. Surrounding these marinas are several bars, restaurants, and nightclubs that cater to the community. Some bars have live entertainment that ranges from reggae to rock and pop music, and the popular lounges feature local and international DJs regularly.

Recommended Businesses

No Wind?

On no-wind days, there are lots to do and see. Antigua boasts a selection of 365 beaches, one for each day of the year. So take a drive, and you can usually find one all to yourself. There's excellent snorkelling, diving, eco-tours, zip-lining, and other adventures.

Internet

Internet is readily available just about everywhere on the island. All hotels and rentals usually have high-speed internet, and most cafes and restaurants have free wifi.

Accommodation

There is quite a variety of places to stay in Antigua. You can find cottages near the main kite beach (Jabberwok Beach) and some hotels that are just a short drive away. If you're looking to stay for an extended period, it's advisable to look into renting a house as it usually works out to be more affordable.

Kelsick Kiteboarding
Kelsick Kiteboarding
Recommended School
Visit Website

Flights

Search for Flights to (ANU)

Rating 4.0

Waves
Flat Water
Water Temp
Nightlife
Internet

Map

Antigua

Error getting country data...

Featured

Kitesurfing Travel Guides - Rhodes
Kitesurfing Travel Guides - Rhodes
Rhodes

Rhodes is an island full of natural beauty and famous for its archaeological sites and museums. UNESCO proclaimed it's Medieval City; a monument of global cultural heritage. Today despite the 7000 years of turbulent history, the magnificent monuments are still standing with great antiquity. The island of Rhodes has endless options for entertainment, and it is particularly famous for its...

Kitesurfing Travel Guides - The Isle of Thanet
Kitesurfing Travel Guides - The Isle of Thanet
The Isle of Thanet

I believe the Isle of Thanet to be quite a unique destination when it comes to kiting on the mainland of the UK. Once described as a boil on the butt cheek of Britain, I now like to refer to it as more of a beauty spot lovingly! As kitesurfers, we are undoubtedly spoilt; never being more than a 10-minute...

Kitesurfing Travel Guides - Rameswaram
Kitesurfing Travel Guides - Rameswaram
Rameswaram

Rameswaram is a well-kept secret and one of the best kitesurfing spots in India. The eastern coast of India receives stable and steady trade winds for almost nine months every year, giving us a long kiteboarding season. Here you feel like real explorers, with so much on offer. You can indulge in the ancient history which features fabulous architecture and...

By Adam Anton
Adam has been at the helm of Kitesurf Antigua for the past 10 years. Operating at Jabberwock Beach, the number one kite beach on the island, he’s the ‘go to’ guy for kiting on the island. If there is anything you need to know, from safety tips to advice on accommodation Adam is your guy. Adam also plays the role of Art Director for the well known kiteboard company out of Antigua, Tona.

Been to Antigua? What did you think?

Where are the Best Kitesurfing Beaches in Antigua?

Jabberwock Beach is the main kite beach in Antigua. It’s a national park with beautiful palm trees, natural vegetation and turquoise waters that are warm all year round. Step out of your car and onto the beach where you can always find a friendly hand to help you launch or land your kite. With the side-on winds, it's perfect for learning and you can usually find a good mix of beginners to expert riders there. Water conditions are ‘bump and jump’ with some flatter spots behind the reef. There is also a small shore break that can be fun for smacking waves when conditions are favourable.

  • Wind: Side on
  • Waves: No
  • Shorebreak: Small

Johnson’s Point is a really fun spot when the wind goes South. It's important to note that the wind here blows side-off, so it's important to ride with a partner and make sure you’re well powered before going out, as any incident can lead to you drifting out to sea. There’s really flat water on the inside and the waves on the reef offer some great little ramps on the way out.

  • Wind: Side off
  • Waves: Yes
  • Shorebreak: No

Halfmoon Bay is a favourite among the locals. The wind direction needs to be pretty much dead east for the spot to work its best, and luckily we get lots of east wind during the high season. The shore break can get pretty big if the wind has been strong for a few days, which can make it challenging for novices to get off the beach. For intermediate to advanced riders the shore break offers up some mega ramps for launching, and once you get past the break you can enjoy the flatter water with rolling swells. This spot is really photogenic, so be sure to bring your camera if you’re going to hit it.

  • Wind: Onshore
  • Waves: Yes
  • Shorebreak: Yes

Green Island is definitely one of the best spots in Antigua. The island is located just at the mouth of Nonsuch Bay, a huge riding area with constant wind and flat waters. The launching beach is facing all the predominant winds that blow through Antigua. The spot can be reached only by boat and 40knots Kite School offer the lift and assistance service to independent riders. The spot is ideal if you wish to spend a full day at the beach, extremely safe for the riders as a rescue boat is always available, and very enjoyable for the non-kiters, with shade and shelter from the wind. Snorkelling is just fantastic right off the beach.

  • Wind: All directions
  • Waves: No
  • Shorebreak: No

When is the Best Time to go Kitesurfing in Antigua?

The windy months to go kitesurfing in Antigua are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, November, December

Statistics

Search for Flights to (ANU)
Waves
Flat Water
Water Temp
Nightlife
Internet

Map

Antigua

Error getting country data...

Kitesurfing Lessons and Schools in Antigua

Kitesurfing Videos and News in Antigua

1 year ago

The Generic Foiling Podcast Episode 15 Hanging out with Jake Kelsick is LIVE! Jake Kelsick is a professional kiteboarder, a long-term professional in the watersports...

87
2 years ago

In this week's vlog, Jake Kelsick shares four things you need to know about wing foiling!

6,737
2 years ago

Jake Kelsick shares his top tips for kitesurfing in light wind in his latest mini vlog!

18,169
2 years ago

Have you ever dreamed of stepping on board a sailing catamaran to set off and explore stunning scenery with not a worry in the world,...

3 years ago

With any sort of travel being a challenge these days, some of the travel-starved among us have resorted to Google Streetview to explore. Jake Kelsick's...

11,763
5 years ago

Last year, Megan Grant took a light-hearted look at the reality of kiteboarding vs the dream often posted on social media by many of her...

30,232
6 years ago

Sketchy kiteboarding launch turns into an amazing kitesurfing session! Jake Kelsick & Megan Grant score another awesome session in Antigua! SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter to...

31,782
6 years ago

Check out this entertaining edit of Megan Grant learning to kite foil! It's never easy but so satisfying once you get it! Attempting to ride...

12,855
6 years ago

Take two on what kiteboarding is like in real life, compared to social media! Megan's first edit got tons of views and we're sure this...

30,233
6 years ago

Join Jake Kelsick & Megan Grant for a cruising session in Antigua. Looks idyllic. Kiteboarding and vlogging is fun but can stress ya out from...

15,681
6 years ago

This isn't really a hack...more of a product. However it is a great idea! Fun times testing out the Outex Waterproof camera case. This thing...

25,506
6 years ago

Join Megan Grant as she learns to kitefoil in Antigua! It's so satisfying when you get your first long glides. We'd definitely recommend a helmet...

21,262
6 years ago

This will be a really popular video for those of you that are new to jumping. Adding a grab or two feels great, Jake Kelsick...

44,764
6 years ago

Here are a few beginner kiteboarding tips on how to properly launch and land as well as dealing with a problem a lot of kitesurfers...

230,522
6 years ago

Megan Grant takes a light-hearted look at the reality of kiteboarding vs the dream often posted on social media by many of her peers! It’s...

28,977
6 years ago

Jake Kelsick is off on adventures again. This time with a catamaran for transportation! Fun times exploring the Caribbean with the Tona Kite Crew! Who...

39,750
6 years ago

Jake Kelsick & Megan Grant  make the most of Hurricane Maria and get in a quick kiteboarding sesh before things really ramped up! Make sure...

47,624
7 years ago

Megan Grant has a funky kiteboarding sesssion after Hurricane Irma passes Antigua, which seemed like it got off lightly compared to nearby islands..! We were...

6,949