Travel information
Visas, jabs, currency, the practical bits.
UK passport holders travel visa-free to both Antigua and Barbados for stays of up to six months. For Antigua, everyone arriving also completes a short online entry form at arriveantiguabarbuda.com — a few minutes, best done in the days before you fly. No mandatory vaccinations beyond your routine UK schedule, though Hep A and Typhoid are sometimes recommended — check with your GP a few weeks ahead.
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar in Antigua, Barbadian Dollar in Barbados. Both pegged to USD; both islands take card almost everywhere. The reservations team will send a current pre-departure pack the week of your trip.
When to travel
Antigua's tropical climate means you can expect warm weather all year round. The best time to enjoy the island's famed white-sand beaches is during the December to April dry season, characterised by sunshine and low humidity. For a balance of good weather with fewer crowds and lower prices, try visiting just before or just after the peak months. One honest note: like much of the Caribbean, the islands see sargassum — a natural Atlantic seaweed — at times through the year. How much varies by season, by year, and from beach to beach, with Atlantic-facing shores affected more than the sheltered west-coast bays.Our hurricane policy.
In the rare event of a hurricane or tropical storm, the safety of our guests comes first. The following policy applies to your resort stay with Elite Island Resorts.If you choose to depart early
If you decide to leave early because a storm is forecast, any unused nights can be applied towards a future stay with Elite Island Resorts.If you must depart early
If an evacuation order is issued for your destination under a hurricane or tropical-storm watch or warning, your unused nights can be applied towards a future stay — or refunded.If you are due to arrive
If your destination, or your UK departure airport, is under a hurricane or tropical-storm watch or warning on any date during your stay, you can change your dates or rebook for travel up to a year after your original return date. We’ll guarantee the same room rate for the same room category and period the following year, and waive any change fees.Moving to another resort
Alternatively, you can transfer to another Elite Island Resorts property in an equivalent room category at no extra charge. An upgrade fee applies if you choose a higher category; any flight changes and transfers are your own responsibility.Rebooking
If you rebook for the same room category and period the following year, we’ll guarantee the same rate. For any other period, the difference in room rate will apply.Cancellations
Cancellations can’t be made purely on a storm’s forecast track or the possibility of a hurricane approaching your destination or departure airport — standard cancellation penalties apply.Flights
Elite Island Resorts isn’t responsible for decisions made by airlines because of a hurricane or tropical storm. Please check your airline’s policy directly — change fees and airfare refunds are handled by the airline. If we arranged your flights, our team will gladly talk you through the options.This is the resort’s hurricane policy and sits alongside — not in place of — your travel insurance and statutory rights. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers weather disruption. If a storm is forecast around your travel dates, speak to our reservations team and we’ll talk you through your options.