Antigua and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. The two islands are part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago.
Christopher Columbus landed on Antigua in 1493 and named the island Santa Maria de la. Early Spanish settlement was replaced by English rule from 1632, with a French interlude in 1666. The islands were granted independence from British rule on the 1st November 1981. They remain members of the British. Commonwealth.
The islands of Antigua and Barbuda lie only 30 miles apart but are very different when it comes to character and lifestyle. Antigua is a lively place where you can join the islanders in a jump-up dance to steel drums all night. Enjoy all kinds of watersports and duty-free shopping
In contrast, Barbuda is quite and unspoilt with perfect pink sandy beaches and wild birds. The perfect escape when you really want to get away from it all.
Both islands enjoy warm, steady trade winds throughout the season, which runs from December to May and great range of yacht anchorages. Coral reefs and abundant marine life make for great snorkelling and scuba diving.
Antigua offers all the types of yacht charter; bareboat charter, skippered and crewed yachts, catamaran, sail and motor and super yacht charter.
Antigua has an international airport, with daily flights from many cities throughout the world. The East Caribbean dollar is the official currency but both US Dollars and Euros are used and major credit cards may be accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops.
Creole cusine predominates on the islands. The national dish of Antigua is fungie and pepper pot. Fungie is a dish almost entirely made from cornmeal and very similar to the Italian polenta. Other local dishes include ducana, seasoned rice, saltfish and lobster from Barbuda. There are also local confectionaries which include: fudge, peanut brittle, raspberry and tamarind stew and sugarcake. Good international cusine is also widely available.
Antigua is home to the famous English Harbour that lies on the islands southern coast. Nearby Shirley Heights is famous for "Jump Up", BBQs and punch parties with live music and dancing.
To the east of English Harbour is Falmouth Harbour, a major yachting centre in its own right. It has for centuries been recognised as one of the best shelters in the entire Caribbean Sea. It is home to Nelson's Dockyard, the only working Georgian dockyard in the world. There is a museum dedicated to Admiral Lord Nelson who used English Harbour as his Caribbean base in the late 18th century. Nelsons Dockyard is an active yachting centre and the bay now has three large marinas and the Antigua Yacht Club
On the east side of Antigua anchor at Nonsuch Bay and go ashore to Harmony Hall, a converted sugar mill which now houses a beautiful art gallery, craft shop and restaurant complex for a fabulous lunch with a spectacular view. Nearby Green Island has plenty of excellent anchorages to spot pelicans and redbilled tropicbirds. Inside Green Islands protective reef, you’ll find some of the best snorkeling in the area..
St. Johns is the capital of Antigua and lies on the islands west coast. Here you will find good provisioning with several produce markts and supermarkets. Five Island Harbour, just south of St. Johns, offers a choice anchorages in which good shelter can be found whatever the winds direction.
Jolly Harbour, on the southwestern tip of Antigua is a 350-acre marina and resort. As well as golf, tennis and squash, Jolly Harbour offers a well-stocked supermarket, fuel dock, banks, post office and several good restaurants. Customs and Immigration are onsite, making this an ideal jump-off point for yachts proceeding to Nevis.
Redonda, Antigua's out-island, lies 30 miles to the southeast. It is completely uninhabited
Great Bird Island and the North Sound is made up of over twenty small islands and numerous reefs. Hike to the summit for spectacular views and the opportunity to spot frigate birds, herons, brown pelicans, osprey, turns, noddies, laughing gulls, red-billed tropicbirds and West Indian whistling ducks.
Barbuda lies 20 miles to the north of Antigua and offers good sailing and a number of lovely anchorages on its west and south sides. Codrington Lagoon is on the west side and is seven miles long with pink sandy beaches. Codrington, Barbuda's largest town is worth a vist while here. Many other pleasant beaches can be found on the island often covered with shells.
Deep Bay, well-protected, is a nice spot for an afternoon swim, with a lovely beach and a beach bar and restaurant. The coral-encrusted Wreck of the Andes, a 3-masted barque that sank in 1905, now lies in 6m of water, with its mast poking out of the water, it is a snorkelers dream. At the north end of the bay, you can hike up to what remains of Fort Barrington, originally constructed in the mid-17th century.
Barbuda lies 20 miles to the north of Antigua and offers good sailing and a number of lovely anchorages on its west and south sides. Codrington Lagoon is on the west side and is seven miles long with pink sandy beaches. Snorkelers are in for a treat with eagle rays and sting rays a common sight over the colourful coral. Codrington, Barbuda's largest town is worth a vist while here. Many other pleasant beaches can be found on the island often covered with shells.
Low Bay is one of the most popular anchorages in the area. Take in the stunning pink coral sand, or snorkel through the colorful trenches of Low Bay's reef. Here you can visit the world's largest frigate bird sanctuary, which boasts the oldest surviving avian species known today.
From Barbuda it is also possible to visit the tiny neighbouring islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. These green and lush islands beautifully combine rainforests and unspoiled beaches with the best-conserved colonial settlements in the Leeward Islands group.
Every April sees the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club. And in May there is the Rolex Antigua Sailing Week. This local sailing week has grown into an international event attracting competitors from the world over and combines top quality yacht racing and an unforgettable social scene.
Here is an example of a typical one week charter;
Day 1 - English Harbour, Antigua
Day 2 - Nonsuch Bay, Antigua - 10 miles
Day 3 - Dickenson Bay, Antigua - 25 miles
Day 4 - Low Bay, Barbuda - 20 miles
Day 5 - Explore Barbuda
Day 6 - North Sound, Great Bird Island, Antigua - 34 miles
Day 7 - Deep Bay, Antigua - 15 miles
Day 8 - English Harbour, Antigua - 15 miles
View detailed reports on marinas and anchorages in Antigua & Barbuda in our Cruising Guide
