Antigua’s coastline, with local facilities here and the expertise of crews and availability of ideal marinas providing the necessary support. Other local events of note that have their own distinct identity include the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta when competitors showcase the finer features of their traditional yachts and tall ships. Then there are other such special category sailing events that draw their own loyal competitors and spectators – such as the Round the Island Race or Valentine’s Day Regatta. Also, races that span the wider stretches between neighboring islands and include Antigua as a key point on their course, such as the RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club) Caribbean 600 Yacht Race which winds from Anguilla down to Guadeloupe. Recent years have also brought along events for the most advanced class of “superyacht” - such as the three-day Superyacht Challenge Antigua held in January in pursuit races along the island’s dramatic southern coast.
the various hosting venues at English Harbour, Admiral’s Inn, or the Antigua Yacht Club exude their authentic ambiance for the ceremonies and celebrations surrounding each host’s yacht events. Tradition and historic connection are evoked in more than one dimension – with Sailing Week itself, for instance, concluding with the appropriately named Lord Nelson Ball.
As in centuries past, the protected inlets at English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour continue to provide an ideal anchor for the sailing craft of both local and visiting competing yachters. The facilities and surroundings at
Secluded Bays for Classic to Extreme Nautical Sport
The opportunity to immerse in the finely restored premises of Nelson’s Dockyard and beyond during one of the year’s nautical events is always another way to appreciate the ambiance and legacy of the area. Sailor and spectator alike can savor a waterfront alfresco lunch or sunset dinner at English Harbour’s Admiral’s Inn Restaurant as the yachts pull in or launch seaward. A more elevated and sweeping panorama of the harbor inlets below awaits the visitor while dining at the restaurant and bar built into the original eighteenth-century fortifications at Shirley Heights.
A somewhat different blend of traditional and contemporary watersports and the backdrop lies with Antigua’s east coast locations. Here, *
*
many of the conditions that made Antigua attractive for its earliest classic yachting have also proven favorable for bringing along more recent categories of water sport. At the same time, traditional sailing retains a presence and popularity among many who visit. The best access for extreme watersports is found nowadays at such east coast inlets as Half Moon or Willoughby Bay due to their greater exposure and the challenging variation of calm and gusting winds. At Nonsuch Bay, one of the most spectacular and pristine larger bays on this side of the island, the combination of reef-sheltered waters and variable winds create a fine opportunity for both fans of contemporary watersport and stalwarts of classic sailing. The offshore presence of the islet of Green Island is another access point for all nautical enthusiasts – be it kitesurfer or sailboat explorer. Whether from the elevation of Shirley Heights, the inlets along English Harbour, or the waterfront dining terraces above Nonsuch Bay, Antigua’s enduring nautical connection to its Caribbean coastline provides access to its waters for both seasoned and seasoned and a new adventurer to savor in their own sailing style.
*
NAUTICAL ANTIGUA: MORE RESOURCES English Harbour - Nelson’s Dockyard National Park – www.nationalparksantigua.com; 9 am – 5 pm. - The Dockyard Museum – A nautical and historical collection of items and documents related to the Dockyard and spanning colonial to modern-day; Tel: 268-481-5027; www.dockyardmuseum.org Area Stays - Admiral’s Inn – Tel: 268-460-1027; info@admiralsinnantigua.com; www. admiralsantigua.com - Gunpowder House & Suites – Tel: 268 460 1027; info@gunpowderhouse.com; www.gunpowderhouse.com - Copper & Lumber Store – Tel: 268.460.1160; info@copperandlumberhotel.com; www.copperandlumberhotel.com Annual Nautical Events 10 | | Terra Travelers
- Antigua Sailing Week – Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort, English Harbour; April 30 – May 6, 2022; Tel: 268 734-6366; email: info@sailingweek.com; www. sailingweek.com Other annual: Superyacht Challenge Antigua – Superyachtchallengeantigua. com; March 2022; - Antigua Classics Yacht Regatta – www.antiguaclassics.com: March/April 2022; Round the Island Race, or Valentine’s Day Regatta – antiguayachtclub.com: Getting There By air - Direct air access from the US or UK; also regional connections from San Juan and other eastern Caribbean points. All about Antigua & Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) – In St. John’s, Antigua Tel:: 268562-7600; In the US: Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office: Tel:: 212-541-4117; online at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com
