ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
The Island of Antigua offer a complex coastline of idyllic harbors, coves and secluded white powdery soft beaches. Inland there is even a small rain forest with exciting zip-line adventures.
The saying goes that there are 365 beaches, one for each day of the year. We won’t be able to take you to all of them but to as many of the gems as we can! A protective wall of coral reefs scattered around the Island makes it a perfect snorkel haven. Scuba diving on wrecks and to the south of the Islands underwater cliffs makes it an attractive site for enthusiast from all over the world.
Antigua is steeped in history with remnants from the British Royal Navy and Sugar Mill industry. It has become a sought after destination in the Caribbean, yet offering a low-key relaxed atmosphere, where ‘liming in Da Caribbean’ is very much the motto of the day, every day!
Here is sample itinerary of what you may expect while enjoying a sailing vacation with TradeWinds in Antigua. Weather or other outside factors may mean that your Captain sets an alternative course.
Your catamaran is moored at Jolly Harbour Marina, on the South West coast of the island. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your crew who will take you through the check in procedure. At 5pm you will be introduced to your fellow sailors. A refreshing Welcome cocktail awaits you onboard before you are shown to your cabin and helped to settle in to your new home for the week. Just before dusk, your Yacht will move out of the Harbour, to it’s overnight anchorage, where you can watch the sunset and enjoy a delicious dinner aboard.
Following breakfast, we do a short briefing on all safety aspects, we set sail for either Deep Bay or Dickenson Bay. If you wish to participate in the handling of the yacht and sails, you can do so, but if you prefer, just lie back and relax. It is all up to you. In Deep Bay you can relax on the Beach, take a short hike up to historic Fort Barrington or snorkel on the 1905 wreck of the “Andes”- an old wood and iron carrier that caught fire after anchoring, en route from Trinidad to Peru. A sumptuous lunch is served onboard before we, again, set sail along the northern shores and stop at Long Island, home of the exclusive Jumby Bay Resort. We will spend the night at anchor in this idyllic bay, and have dinner onboard. You can take a romantic starlit stroll along the shore after dinner, before falling asleep onboard, under another beautiful Caribbean moon.
After breakfast, we go to Shell Beach on Maid Island where your Captain will show you the spectacular Shell Wall. We then move to Red Head Reef where lunch will be served onboard. After lunch, you can snorkel, swim, dive or just do some plain old-fashioned relaxing! In the afternoon we move position over to Great Bird Island, a wildlife sanctuary . Put your sturdy shoes on for a short hike to the top of this uninhabited Island that offers splendid views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. After Sundowners, the barbeque is lit, and we will serve another wonderful dinner at this stunning location. Here, the light pollution from the islands is virtually non- existent. Your captain may invite all guests up on deck for a night cap and a late evening of some amazing stargazing.
It’s time to gently make our passage through the narrow reefs leading out to the Atlantic Ocean and eastern side of Antigua, setting sail to beautiful Green Island. On arrival we will have lunch followed by some great snorkeling and a chance to go ashore. In the afternoon, it’s a lovely sail to English Harbour, home of Nelsons Dockyard and the English naval base in years gone by. You will have the opportunity to wander around this historical site, visit old English Bar and some interesting gift shops and boutiques. For the runners amongst us, an opportunity to run up the hill to Shirley Heights is a real treat. In the evening you will have Captains Cocktails onboard followed by local dining ashore.
After a morning at Galleon Beach, where Divers and Snorkelers can explore the Pillars of Hercules, your choice is either a small walk or a short sail to Falmouth Harbour where you can take in “lifestyles of the rich and famous” with a stroll around the dockyard and a look at the spectacular mega yachts in Falmouth Harbour. We anchor at Pigeon Beach for Lunch. Carlisle Bay is the next stop, after a leisurely sail, where another sumptuous dinner from our galley is served (often fresh fish that we have caught earlier in the day). Cocktails will be served on the yacht as the sun sets over another perfect, West Indian day.
After breakfast, time for a quick snorkel or swim, before we set sail for Five Islands. A secluded Group of Islands where we will have Lunch at Heritage Bay. Beachcombing, snorkeling and relaxing, are the order of the day! After a nice Cocktail we will have dinner aboard.
In the morning, we take a long sail to Cades Reef on the Western side of Antigua. Here, we will drop anchor and spend the rest of the morning exploring the inner reef - where we often see sting rays and harmless reef sharks - and round off with another wonderful lunch before heading back to our base in the marina. As it is the last evening of the cruise, guests dine ashore at one of the restaurants in or around the Jolly Harbour area.
After a last tasty breakfast onboard, it is time to gather your belongings, as well as your wonderful memories of a week in this most beautiful environment. Before exchanging fond farewells, your crew will arrange transport to the airport. You will already be planning your next cruise with TradeWinds.
Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Maarten/St. Martin. Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.
V.C. Bird, Antigua International Airport (airport code: ANU), is located on the northeast corner of Antigua. There are many daily direct flights and connections from the U.S. and Canada as well as from Europe. Scheduled and charter service is available to many of the neighboring islands.
Air Canada
(800) 422-6232
(268) 462-1147
American Airlines
(800) 433-7300
(268) 462-0950
www.aa.com
Caribbean Airlines
Reservations and Information: + 800 744 2225 (toll free)
www.caribbean-airlines.com
www.caribbean-eticket.com
United Airlines
(800) 231-0856
(268) 462-5355
www.united.com
Delta
(800) 532-4777
(800) 337-4777
www.delta.com
US Airways
(268) 480-5601 Extension 5704
(800) 622 1015
www.usairways.com
Caribbean Airlines
Reservations: 020 8577 1100
www.caribbean-airlines.com
British Airways
(daily)
Reservations: 0870 850 9 850 (24hrs)
www.ba.com
Virgin Atlantic www.virgin-atlantic.com
Upon arrival in Antigua you would take a taxi to Jolly Harbour Marina, where the yachts are moored. Journey takes approx 20 minutes and costs approx US$25.00. Your yacht is located across from Dogwatch Tavern, not far from Peter’s Restaurant.
If you experience delays and you feel that you cannot get to the base in time then please call +268 464 7773 leaving your name(s) and a short description of the situation along with contact details for where you are.
Your charter ends, after a delightful breakfast, on Saturday at 9 am. Your yacht will have arrived on the dock from Friday evening so if an early flight is on your schedule, then our staff can book a taxi service for you on Saturday morning. Antigua and Barbuda has a US$20.00 per person airport departure tax.
See our further information section for information on visas, currency, weather and more.
Updated April 2012
Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin. Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.
Antigua is an all-year destination, with daytime temperatures ranging between 82F (28C) and 88F (31C). When the sun sets around 6.30 pm (consistently throughout the year) the temperatures drop to a comfortable 77F (25C) to 82F (28C). The hurricane season is officially between June and November with possible activity taking place in September. TradeWinds has an excellent safety and weather preparation record, should a named storm approach, yachts will be redirected and guests assisted with alternate arrangements on land. The upside to traveling in the summertime and autumn in the Caribbean in general is that the weather is truly great and the waters are as gorgeous as ever. There are no high seas to talk about and the waters are calm with a great breeze for sailing.
Water temperature is steady year round and averages 81F (28C)so no need for divers to bring wetsuits.
Please pack as lightly as you can. Most of our guests wear only a fraction of what they bring! All you really need are shorts, tee shirts and beachwear. In addition to this perhaps something a little more dressy for the two evenings you will be dining ashore. Soft luggage is preferable if you have it. We have some limited storage onshore for your empty bags, but please bring as little as you are comfortable with. Between meals, fresh fruit is available. If you like to eat more between meals, please feel free to bring snacks with you.
It is advisable to bring a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on. If your baggage got lost en route it will not be able to be delivered to you until days later.
You only need sandals or other shoes for the nights on shore as you will be barefoot whenever you are aboard. Good sturdy sandals, like TEVA-style models are preferred as they sit well on your feet. If you are a runner, bring your sneakers, there could be an opportunity for a run here or there.
You will be around water for the week. If you are concerned about getting your purse, wallet or watch wet, bring a small dry bag. These can be purchased from sports and outdoor vendors. Some of them roll up and trap the air inside which has the added benefit of making the bag float.
All of our yachts carry a fishing rod onboard - we usually troll a line when sailing from island to island and will often catch yellow fin, wahoo, mahi-mahi or similar ...... which might become lunch, served fresh from the yachts barbecue or perhaps as a sushi/ sashimi!
We strongly advise that all guests cruising with us have fully comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all eventualities such as hotel accommodation, lost baggage, changes to flights etc.
Please read our travel insurance recommendations for more information.
Part of the island is 110 volts, the remainder is 220 volts. Most hotels have both voltages available.
Official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar which is fixed to the US dollar. The exchange rate is US$1.00 = EC$2.67. US currency, travelers checks and major credit cards are welcome everywhere.
If you wish to stay for one or more days prior to sailing we recommend the Reef View Apartments or The 3 Martini.
For U.S., Canadian and European Community citizens, a valid passport, a return/continuing ticket and a confirmation of accomodation on land or on a yacht is required.
For other countries, please confirm with the Antigua Tourist board.
There is a 15% VAT charge on goods.
Updated April 2012