Antigua boasts of having 365 beaches, one for every day in the year, so even though you may be staying at a large resort, it's easy enough to escape to a secluded cove where there will be not a soul in sight. With a string of relatively large resort hotels, beautiful Dickenson Bay has one of the island's largest concentration of rooms (the other main concentration is in Jolly Harbour). The beachfront is lined with restaurants, beach bars, and water sports concessions, making it easy to escape your resort's confines if you choose, but you'll have to go into St John's to do any serious shopping. To find nightlife, you'll need to travel south, to English Harbour.

Dickenson Bay is popular with a wide range of British and American holidaymakers, including families and singles. The large all-inclusives resorts draw the majority of visitors, but there are also some small hotels.

Antigua is largest of the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, roughly midway between St Maarten and Guadeloupe. The island's international airport is east of the capital, St John's. Dickenson Bay is a large beachfront area approximately 3km (2 miles) north of St John's and 11km (7 miles) northwest of the airport. It's the most developed area on the island, with a wide range of resorts and activities.

Dickenson Bay has a long stretch of powdery soft sand and exceptionally calm water. With a wide range of water-sports concessions, bars, and beachfront restaurants, it's an easy place to escape from your resort if you choose. A less developed, though narrower, beach, Runaway Bay, is directly to the south if you crave a less frenetic atmosphere.

Antigua is one of the Caribbean's major sailing centres, so trips out on the waves to more isolated snorkelling spots abound. The island's waters are also an unsung diving destination. Guided kayaking trips take you through mangrove forests along the north shore. Harmony Hall is a former sugar plantation, now a gallery and restaurant. Historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour is one of the Caribbean's best-preserved historic districts and the only Georgian-era dockyard still in use; in addition to a museum, it's filled with shops and restaurants.

Dickenson Bay resorts draw a fair number of families to its powdery soft beaches. Most of the larger resorts have organised activities for children. Kids always enjoy sailing and snorkelling trips, and you'll find several operations right in Dickenson Bay.

Shopping is not one of the strong suits of the Dickenson Bay area. Most of the island's shopping opportunities are concentrated in the capital, St John's, or at Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour. Duty-free bargains abound in the shops of St John's Heritage Quay, though the most charming of the island's shops can be found in Redcliffe Quay, also in St John's. Cedars Pottery in Buckley and Rhythm of Blue Gallery in English Harbour are two locally owned shops that produce their own high-quality wares.

There are a few good beach bars right in Dickenson Bay itself and in nearby Runaway Bay, but much of the nightlife is in faraway English Harbour. The island has three casinos; the King's Casino in St John's is the closest to Dickenson Bay, but the largest casino is the Grand Princess in Jolly Harbour, and it has the island's best disco. Sandhaven, a bar in Runway Bay, is right on the sand, drawing a mix of local cricketers and holidaymakers for cheap burgers every night and live bands on weekends.

A proper British breakfast is available at most resorts, but the growth of all-inclusive properties has brought a decline in the number of independent restaurants. Still, there are a few standout establishments, particularly at some of the island's posh resorts and even a few stand-alone restaurants, particularly in Dickenson Bay and St John's.

The island's bus service has well-travelled routes from St John's to either Falmouth or English Harbour, but it does not extend to any of the main resort areas. If you are staying in Dickenson Bay, you may not need to rent a car since there are many options for dining and nightlife nearby within walking distance. Organised tours are a popular means to see the island, and taxis (with fixed rates) will do for a few trips out of your resort, though costs will mount quickly if you plan to tour or dine out often.

Antigua's sister island, Barbuda, is just 42km (26 miles) north and can be visited easily either by a 15-minute flight or 90-minute ferry ride from St John's. Day tours to see the island's famed Pink Beach and bird sanctuary are easy to arrange but can be costly.

The trendy 'Beach', right in Dickenson Bay, is a casual yet sophisticated mix of lounge and bistro and a popular destination in the immediate area. If you want to dance to reggae and Latin club music, head over to Runway Bay to the club Rush.

V C Bird International Airport, St John's (ANU)