Antigua and Barbuda enjoy one of the sunniest, driest climates in the eastern Caribbean. The islands sit slightly outside the wettest band of the trade-wind belt, and Antigua's 365 beaches see less rain than many of their neighbours.
Dry season (December–April) is high season for good reason. Warm days (27–29°C), steady trade winds, blue water, and reliably sunny weather. The flagship event is Antigua Sailing Week in late April — one of the world's premier regattas, with the harbour at English Harbour packed with classic yachts.
Shoulder (May–June and November) offers similar weather with much lower prices and far fewer cruise passengers in the capital.
Wet/hurricane season (July–October) is wetter but still mostly sunny. The hurricane window peaks in September; Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and is still recovering.
Antigua Carnival runs the last week of July into the first week of August — the islands' biggest cultural festival.
Frigatebird nesting in Codrington Lagoon, Barbuda — one of the world's largest colonies — peaks in the dry season; chicks are visible September–April.