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Antigua
boasts 365 beaches and dozens of anchorages.
The base at Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour, the restored
18th century headquarters of Britain's Caribbean fleet,
is the hub of racing and parties during Antigua Race
Week. Any week, climb nearby Shirley Heights on sunday
afternoon and join the biggest party in the islands- music,
dancing, and barbecue till the wee hours.
In quiet
contrast, Nonsuch Bay, with several superb and uncrowded
anchorages, is just a short sail away. At Bird Island,
you'll lie safely at anchor, while the Atlantic breaks harmlessly
on the encircling reef. At Green Island, you'll find
mangroves, century plants, hermit crabs, pelicans
and lovely coves and beaches, one of which is
so beautiful it's called "The Garden of Eden". There's
excellent snorkeling along the outer reef and on smaller
reefs scattered here and there throughout the bay. You might
well find it difficult to leave.
But there's
much more to discover: Deep Bay, with a wreck to snorkel
on at the entrance to the Harbor. North Sound, a great
place to gunkhole, snorkel, and enjoy many fine beached. Five
Islands Harbour, an unspoiled sanctuary.
You may choose to sail one
way in either direction, visiting as many islands as you wish:
Anguilla, St. Barts, St. Kitts, Nevis and Barbuda.
Set aside a day to tour the quiet mountainous island of St.
Kitts.
Spend one day in Nevi, a 3000-foot-high
volcanic cone rising out of the sea, and stop by museums
un the port of Charlestown. Do not miss Barbuda, a remote and
beautiful island with just one village, three hotels and eleven
miles of uninterrupted beach.
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| Antigua
7-Day Itinerary
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Depart
the base in Nelson's Dockyard after your checkout and
chart briefing. Sail to Mamora Bay. Splash overboard for
your first swim. Hve dinner at the posh St. James' Club
or take advantage of "room" service at the dock!
Day
1: Sail to Green
Island at the entrance to Nonsuch Bay. Tuck in
tho the cozy anchorage at Rickett Harbour or anchor off
West Beach.
Day 2:Explore Nonsuch
Bay- it's one of the most beatiful in the Caribbean.
Dinghy to Tenpound Bay. Have lunch at Harmony Hall. Anchor
behind the reef at Bird Island for excellent snorkeling.
Day 3: Sail to Deep
Bay. Snorkel on the wreck of the Andes, relax on
the beach, or visit St. John's.
Have dinner at a beachfront restaurant.
Day 4: Sail to North
Sound. Stop at Maiden Island to collect shells
and anchor at Great Bird. Gunkhole
around the reeks and islets in your dinghy.
Day 5: Sail to Dickenson
Bay. Sample a bit of Antiguan nightlife.
Day 6:Sail along
the coast past sparkling beaches and green hills to Falmouth
Harbour. Tour the anchorage by dinghy and check
out the mega yachts.
Day 7: Return to
English Harbour by noon.
This is a samlpe itinerary.
You have many choices of routes and achorages, or you
may want to lingr at favorite places. Our Charter Coordinators
and base staff are happy to help you plan your ideal cruise.
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OUR BASES
Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour
SAILING CONDITIONS
Easy to moderate.
FLEET
You can choose from a variety of Beneteau, Janneau, Gib Sea,
Centurion monohulls, or Norseman and Lagoon catamarans.
FAQ's
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 WIND
Steady easterly trades. Prevailing winds during the winter months
are northeast at 18 to 20 knots. Christmas winds, which blow from
December through February, can on rare occasion be as high as 30 knots.
By June, winds have gone east southeasterly at 10 to 15 knots.
TEMPERATURE
Air 81°F/26°C Water 80°F/26°C
LANGUAGE
English
CURRENCY
EC $
US $
Credit Cards are accepted at most places.
DON'T MISS!
- A stroll through
the Dockyard, the restored 18th-century headquarters of Britain’s
Caribbean fleet.
- Guava danish
at the Dockyard Bakery.
- Sunday afternoon
jump-up on Shirley Heights. Sunset, steel bands, reggae, barbecue,
Antiguan rum, and Wadadli–the island’s own beer.
- Nonsuch Bay.
A lovely reef-protected bay on the windward side of Antigua. Three
breathtaking anchorages. Great gunkholing.
- Barbuda. A
day’s sail takes you to Antigua’s sister island. You have to beware
of reefs and shallow water, but the reward is worth it. One beach–12
miles long. The Caribbean’s best bet for seeing the green flash.
ATTENTION
DIVERS
The Pillars of Hercules just outside of English Harbor offer divers
an excellent deep water adventure.
HOT TIP You can sail one-way from
Antigua to Oyster Pond, St. Martin. On the way, visit St. Barts, Nevis,
and St. Kitts–or Barbuda!
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