Antigua Sailing – a once-in-a lifetime experience
In the heart of the Leeward Islands, Antigua is one of the most popular islands: with more than 300 beaches and coves, to be discovered by sailing with a sailboat. A romantic place also favored for the honeymoon. The main charter bases for Antigua sailing holidays are: English Harbor. It is one of the world’s most desirable sailing destinations along with its complex coastline. Antigua offers excellent sailing holidays around the island. For those looking to experience the real Caribbean, this charming island is the perfect destination for a low key, relaxing vacation. With over 54 miles of expansive coastline, there is something for everyone. Antigua offers diving enthusiasts the perfect underwater haven to explore its coral reefs and marine life, including the endangered Hawksbill sea turtle. On a Caribbean getaway, you cannot overlook Antigua. This island, with an area of 279, 7200 square kilometers and just over 80,000 inhabitants, is the wonderland of beaches, villages and impressive interior landscapes. Christopher Columbus called it “Antigua”, although it is also known by the nickname “Wadadli” by the natives. Whatever it is called, the island undoubtedly has many exciting attractions. With the Antigua Sailing Itinerary, there is never a dull moment. While Antigua is famous for its gorgeous beaches, there’s so much more to this Caribbean island. Walking through the water on the beach of Galley Bay, you will have the feeling of being in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Its sand is white and its waters are bright turquoise. Sea turtles nest here frequently and you may be lucky and see an egg hatching. In addition, surf conditions are first class. History lovers simply have to go to Betty’s Hope, located in Pares Village. Betty’s hope was once the largest sugar plantation in Antigua when the island was a British colony. Today, this attraction offers visitors a graphic perception of what life was like in the plantation. There are windmills with authentic equipment, as well as a visitor center that used to be a cotton house. Very popular with Antigua sailing lovers, Heritage Quay is a two-story shopping center. In the square, next to the shopping center, musicians with steel drums often perform and are lined with palm trees and offer beautiful views of the port of San Juan. You can find two hotels in the surroundings. Nelson’s adjacent shipyard is Shirley Heights. The top of this hill, which is about 149 meters above sea level, will allow you to enjoy the views of the Montserrat volcano, Guadalupe Island, and the sunset of Antigua. Shirley Heights was once a military viewpoint from where you will see remnants of military fortifications everywhere. Keep in mind that the walk is exhausting, so you may want to reward yourself after having a drink or a barbecue at the Shirley Heights Lookout Bar & Restaurant. The Devil’s Bridge is a national park east of Antigua, a place where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic. The most notable feature of the park is a gigantic limestone arch. In fact, this “bridge” is impressive to the eye, but you must think twice before crossing it. It is slippery and very dangerous to cross and people do it at their own risk. The best sailing weather for the Antigua Sailing is between December and May. A trip to the city of Stingray begins in the Seaton, a settlement northeast of Antigua. In Seaton you will be delighted with parrots and monkeys, and then you will go aboard a speedboat for the five-minute trip to the city of Stingray. The city of Stingray is a large, shallow pool, in the middle of an extensive coral reef. Sailors flock here for sunbathing and swimming. There are over 365 distinct beaches in Antigua, one for every day of the year. This makes the region one of the world’s most desirable Antigua sailing destinations along with its complex coastline, an abundance of safe harbors and a nearly unbroken protective coral reef. This is a stunning island with amazing wildlife; you enjoyed it greatly and will definitely love to go back. Antigua is the perfect spot for a sailing holiday. The beaches are gorgeous, the weather is some of the best in the world. Take some time to uncover its deep and rich history to fully immerse you in its present-day culture. In Antigua, you will find African influences and European influences, combined to give Antigua its own personality.