40 miles north of Guadeloupe, Antigua is an ancient island, very flat, with lot of shelters in bays where to be nicely anchored. A call there on the way to northern islands can be enjoyable but it can be as well a steady cruise destination with Barbuda near by.
It was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, then occupied by the Spanish and the French before belonging to the English in 1632.
English Harbour, one of its most sheltered bays was an important naval base for admiral Nelson’s navy. Following the abolition of slavery, the agricultural economy of sugar cane declined. Today, the main resources are tourism, sailing and yachting as well as banking since the low taxes attract lots of them.
Antigua is a highlight for yachting and hosts all along winter some of the most sumptuous yachts in the world. Two among the greatest sailing events take place there every year: the Classic Yacht Regatta and the famous Antigua Sailing Week on of the top event in the West Indies.
Among the numerous moorings of the island the most singular is English Harbour where has been preserved the historical buildings of the English Navy which give the place a particular atmosphere. The neighboring Falmouth Harbour hosts the big yachts of all kind staying on the island in the winter. “Non Such Bay” is well named owing to a magnificent lagoon behind Green Island well protected by a coral reef. The place will rejoice both sailsmen and snorklers not to mention kite or windsurfers. In the west, Jolly Harbour has a good marina deep into a large lagoon.
Antigua, the island of 365 beaches, possesses many more places to moor such as North Sound lagoon or Dickinson Bay, and many more dreams for those who like wild beaches and good sailing.