Caribbean / Antigua – Gateway to the Caribbean
Welcome to the pink sand paradise! The island of Antigua has some of the best beaches in the world because they are of a most unusual color, a fact which draws to its shores not only numerous sailors interested in Caribbean yacht charters but also celebrities who come here for a private tropical getaway.
Sea & Coast
Antigua is the larger island that makes up the country Antigua and Barbuda from the Caribbean Sea in a region known as the West Indies with a group of islands Yacht Charter sailors call Leeward Islands. The name derives from Spanish and it means “ancient”, a name given by Christopher Columbus upon its discovery, after a church in Spain.
The island of Antigua is not only the largest of the Leeward islands but also the most prosperous thanks to its highly developed touristic industry that also caters to Yacht Charter guests. Its overall shape (close to a circle) and its lack of any mountain range make Antigua atypical among other volcanic islands. However, the coastline is very irregular, deformed by the many bays, coves and inlets, some of which make excellent natural harbors.
When it comes to vegetation, the Antiguans don’t have very much to show for as the island is still affected by deforestation to make way for the sugarcane plantations. The natural vegetation remains in little pockets today which is uncharacteristic for a Leeward island. Today, the Yacht Charter visitor can see planted mangoes, guavas, coconuts and banana trees in the southwest corner of the island (today only 20% of the island is covered by forests).
The climate in Antigua is very dry due to the relative low altitudes, lack of rivers and few rains, and sometimes the island is affected by drought. Rainfall is also very scarce here and with significant differences from year to year. During the hot season the island gets most of its annual rainfall, that is, from mid-September to November when daily showers occur. From June to November Antigua experiences hurricanes occasionally when Yacht Charter sailors are advised to keep a close eye on weather reports.
Culture & History
Antigua’s history is one of the better documented histories of this part of the world, particularly due to the British interest in the island’s potential. Though first sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1493, it wasn’t until 1632 that the British set up a colony here, due to the fierce resistance f the local tribes to any colonization. When the Europeans did finally set up here, the local landscape suffered the most, being transformed into a virtual sugar colony.
In 1967 Antigua was offered the state of dependency within the Commonwealth together with Barbuda and later achieved independence in 1981. The biggest city (the only one in fact on the island) and also the country’s capital is Saint John’s which is famed for its shopping malls but also the banking industry, with all the major institutions having offices here. Most of the buildings follow in the colonial or baroque styles but the modern style is fast catching up. Yacht Charter visitors can also enjoy the numerous white and pink beaches that are unique to this island.
Seamanship & Experience
With a tidal range of about half a meter, with plenty of line of sight sailing and lots of sheltered waters to that provide anchorages, it’s safe to say that Antigua is a good place to sail your boat, easily accessible even for those Yacht Charter skippers that haven’t earned their stripes yet.
The sailing season for Yacht Charter seamen is from November to May, when the prevailing winds blow from the northeast with a speed of 15 to 25 knots. The most famous sailing areas around the island are from east to west: North Sound, Guiana Island, Nonsuch Bay, Green Island, English Harbour, Falmouth Harbour, Johnson’s Point, Morris Bay, Five Island Harbour and Dickenson Bay.