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The Best 8 Things to do in Antigua

It’s no secret that the Caribbean is chock full of holiday-worthy islands and top-notch cruising grounds, but some destinations are better suited for sailors than others. The small but spectacular island of Antigua is one such destination, which features 100 square miles of dazzling coastline outfitted with 365 beaches—one for each day of the year! 

In addition to bluewater sailing and line-of-sight navigation from bay to bay, Antigua also boasts a rich nautical history, an abundance of natural splendour, and a bustling nightlife. Whether you’re a sunbathing god or goddess, a nature lover, or an adventure-seeker, there is a little something for everybody in the “Land of 365 Beaches”. And so, to help inspire your future travel plans, we’ve put together a list of just some of the ways you can have fun and make fantastic memories during an Antigua sailing holiday…

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Antigua Sailing Week

Serious fun and serious sailing come together every year for Antigua Sailing Week, one of the world’s most famous regattas that never fails to deliver fierce competition and good times! Plan your holiday around this prestigious event, which takes place in the spring, and look forward to on-the-water action by day under-the-moon partying by night.

Cades Bay

Plan a visit to Cades Bay Pineapple Farm, where you can sink your teeth into the very rare Antigua Black Pineapple, which many claim to be the sweetest form of this tropical fruit they’ve ever tasted! 

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Carlisle Bay

Kick up your fins at Carlisle Bay to enjoy snorkelling with sea turtles in a superb location that maintains its beauty by only allowing non-motorised water sports activity.

Falmouth Bay

Sink your toes into the soft white sand that smothers stunning Falmouth Bay. Just sit back, relax, and soak up the radiant sun in a place that feels like your own piece of paradise. 

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Fort Barrington

Lace up your walking shoes and head up to Deep Bay’s Fort Barrington for some first-rate hiking with your favourite crew. Marvel at magnificent panoramic views of Antigua’s one-of-a-kind cruising playground and take advantage of the photo opportunities while standing atop Fort Barrington’s 230-year-old ruins.

Rainforest Canopy Tours

The shores of Antigua are lined with pristine beaches and unspoiled harbours, but further inland, you’ll discover the island’s lush tropical landscape, where you can take in the jungle-like scenery by way of a rainforest canopy zip-lining tour. It’s a thrilling and fulfilling experience that you’ll never forget!

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Shirley Heights

Make your way to the Shirley Heights Lookout point to indulge in breath-taking views of the Caribbean Sea. Plus, if you plan your visit on a Sunday, you can partake in the local island party that takes place at the Lookout Bar & Restaurant. Enjoy live music, mouth-watering barbecue, and all the rum punch cocktails you can handle!

St. John’s

Immerse yourself in the local culture in the capital city of St. John’s, where you can learn about the island’s colonial past at several museums and stroll the colourful streets lined with shops and restaurants.

There is plenty to see and do during an Antigua sailing holiday. Each day is a new opportunity to relax and explore at your own pace, and each night ends with a beautiful Caribbean sunset. Come aboard and discover for yourself why this world-class destination is seaworthy and second-to-none…

Photo Credit:
Crisi2000 flickr.com/merzc
Steve Bennett flickr.com
Diego De Munari flickr.com/diegodemunari
David Kirsch flickr.com/k1rsch

Author Name: 
Kaitlyn Nakagoshi

Contributor

Ian Pedersen

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