Antigua All Inclusive Travel
All the signs pointed towards
Antigua. The largest of the British Leeward Islands had warm, steady
winds, a complex coastline of safe harbors, and a protective, nearly
unbroken wall of coral reef. It would make a perfect place to hide
a fleet. And so in 1784 the legendary
Admiral
Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and established Great
Britain's most important Caribbean base. Little did he know
that over 200 years later the same unique characteristics that
attracted the Royal Navy would transform Antigua and Barbuda
in one of the Caribbean's premier tourist destinations.
The signs are still there, they just point to different things. The
Trade Winds that once blew British men-of-war safely into English
Harbor now fuel one of the world's foremost maritime events, Sailing Week.
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The expansive, winding coastline that made Antigua difficult for
outsiders to navigate is where today's trekkers encounter a tremendous
wealth of secluded, powdery soft beaches. The
coral reefs, once the bane of marauding enemy ships, now attract snorkelers
and scuba divers from all over the world. And the fascinating
little island of Barbuda -- once a scavenger's paradise because
so many ships wrecked on its reefs -- is now home to one of the
region's most significant bird sanctuaries.
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Location:
 Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda are located in the
middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, roughly
17 degrees north of the equator. To the south are the islands of
Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis,
St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.
Size:
Antigua, the largest of the British Leeward Islands, is about
14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles.
Its highest point is Boggy Peak (1319 ft.), located in the southwestern
corner of the island. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area
of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north.
The nation also includes the tiny (0.6 square mile) uninhabited
island of Redonda, now a nature preserve. The current population
for the nation is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John's
on Antigua.
Climate:
 Temperatures generally range from the mid-seventies in the winter
to the mid-eighties in the summer. Annual rainfall averages only
45 inches, making it the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean Islands,
and the northeast trade winds are nearly constant, flagging only
in September. Low humidity year-round.
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Beaches
There are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year.
The great majority rest inside the calm, protected waters of the
island's Caribbean side. All are open to the public, and so the
challenge posed to a visitor is not how to gain access to the best
of them but simply how to locate the beach that suits one's taste.
Exploring on your own is the best way to do this, although it
is wise to bring a companion along to particularly isolated locations.
Antiguans are understandably reluctant to divulge their own favorites,
so here are a number of good starters. Be sure to acquire specific
directions before you go.
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Northwest Coast:
Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, located along the island's developed
northwestern coast, are the place to go for those who want the fully-loaded
resort beach experience. The beaches most convenient to St. John's
are Fort James, a locally-popular public beach, and Deep Bay. Galley
Bay attracts surfers during the winter months and a joggers during
the evening. The series of four crescent beaches at Hawksbill are also
highly regarded, one of which is nudist.
Southwest and South Coast:
The beaches of the hilly southwest corner of Antigua are generally
less developed than those around St. John's further north. On the
road that winds along this coast are Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach,
and the beaches around Johnsons Point. Rendezvous Bay and especially
Doigs Beach, both located on the central southern coast at Rendezvous
Bay, are especially quiet beaches worth the rough travel necessary
to reach them. Pigeon Point, near English
Harbor Town, is a convenient balm after a day at Nelson's Dockyard.
East Coast:
On the southeast corner of the island is Half Moon Bay, now a National
Park and a good choice for a family outing.
Long Bay, on the easternmost point of the island, is another good
choice for families, as it is completely protected by its reef.
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Admiral Horatio Nelson
 It would be difficult to overestimate the impact on Antigua's
history of the arrival, one fateful day in 1684, of Sir Christopher
Codrington. An enterprising man, Codrington had come to Antigua
to find out if the island would support the sort of large-scale
sugar cultivation that already flourished elsewhere in the Caribbean.
His initial efforts proved to be quite successful, and over the
next fifty years sugar cultivation on Antigua exploded. By the
middle of the 18th century the island was dotted with more than
150 cane-processing windmills--each the focal point of a sizeable
plantation. Today almost 100 of these picturesque stone towers
remain, although they now serve as houses, bars, restaurants and
shops. At Betty's
Hope, Codrington's original sugar estate, visitors can see
a fully-restored sugar mill.
Most Antiguans are of African lineage, descendants
of slaves brought to the island centuries ago to labor in the sugarcane
fields. However, Antigua's history of habitation extends as far
back as two and a half millenia before Christ. The first settlements,
dating from about 2400 B.C., were those of the Siboney (an Arawak
word meaning "stone-people"), peripatetic Meso-Indians whose beautifully
crafted shell and stone tools have been found at dozens of sites
around the island. Long after the Siboney had moved on, Antigua
was settled by the pastoral, agricultural Arawaks (35-1100 A.D.),
who were then displaced by the Caribs--an aggressive people who
ranged all over the Caribbean. The earliest European contact with
the island was made by Christopher Columbus during his second Caribbean
voyage (1493), who sighted the island in passing and named it after
Santa Maria la Antigua, the miracle-working saint of Seville. European
settlement, however, didn't occur for over a century, largely because
of Antigua's dearth of fresh water and abundance of determined
Carib resistance. Finally, in 1632, a group of Englishmen from
St. Kitts established a successful settlement, and in 1684, with
Codrington's arrival, the island entered the sugar era.
By the end of the eighteenth century Antigua had become an important
strategic port as well as a valuable commercial colony. Known as
the "gateway to the Caribbean," it was situated in a position that
offered control over the major sailing routes to and from the region's
rich island colonies. Most of the island's historical sites, from
its many ruined fortifications to the impeccably-restored architecture
of English Harbortown, are reminders of colonial efforts to ensure
its safety from invasion.
Horatio Nelson arrived in 1784 at the head of the Squadron of
the Leeward Islands to develop the British naval facilities at
English Harbor and to enforce stringent commercial shipping laws.
The first of these two tasks resulted in construction of Nelson's
Dockyard, one of Antigua's finest physical assets; the second
resulted in a rather hostile attitude toward the young captain.
Nelson spent almost all of his time in the cramped quarters of
his ship, declaring the island to be a "vile place" and a "dreadful
hole." Serving under Nelson at the time was the future King William
IV, for whom the altogether more pleasant accommodation of Clarence
House was built.
It was during William's reign, in 1834, that Britain abolished
slavery in the empire. Alone among the British Caribbean colonies,
Antigua instituted immediate full emancipation rather than a four-year
'apprenticeship,' or waiting period; today, Antigua's Carnival
festivities commemorate the earliest abolition of slavery in the
British Caribbean.
Emancipation actually improved the island's economy, but the sugar
industry of the British islands was already beginning to wane.
Until the development of tourism in the past few decades, Antiguans
struggled for prosperity. The rise of a strong labour movement
in the 1940s, under the leadership of V.C. Bird, provided the impetus
for independence. In 1967, with Barbuda and the tiny island of
Redonda as dependencies, Antigua became an associated state of
the Commonwealth, and in 1981 it achieved full independent status.
V.C. Bird is now deceased; his son, Lester B. Bird, was elected
to succeed him as prime minister.
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English
Harbor, Amtigua
English Harbor, Antigua's graceful and evocative historic district,
is focused on the fifteen square miles of Nelson's Dockyard National
Park. Developed as a base for the British Navy in the great age
of sail, the harbor served as the headquarters of the fleet of
the Leeward Islands during the turbulent years of the late 18th
century. Although the dockyard was greatly expanded at that time
by Horatio Nelson, it was gradually abandoned in the nineteenth
century and was closed in 1889. Today Nelson's Dockyard has been
completely restored, and it is now the only Georgian dockyard in
the world.
 Almost all of the park's other sites of interest overlook the
harbor. The closest of these is Clarence House, a residence built
for the future King William IV (1765-1837) when he served under
Nelson as captain of the H.M.S. Pegasus. Further above the harbor,
at Shirley
Heights, are the partially-restored fortifications of the harbor's
colonial observation post; the view from Shirley Heights extends
out over the harbor and far across the Caribbean to Montserrat
and Guadaloupe. On Sundays the vista is enhanced by barbeque and
live music at the bar there (Steel Band music from 3-6 pm & reggae
from 6-9). Shirley Heights can be reached via Lookout Trail, a
nature walk that rises from the harbor through a forest of trees--descending
the trail is not advisable after dark or barbecue revelry.
Along Lookout Trail and near Shirley Heights is Dow's Hill Interpretation
Center, at which visitors can watch an impressive multimedia presentation
of Antigua's history, from its initial settlement to independence.
Observation decks at Dow's Hill provide another fine view of the
harbor, as do the ruined fortifications of Fort Berkeley, located
on the far side of the bay and reached by a walk around its perimeter.
All of these points, as well as the park's convenient beaches,
become especially popular spectator positions during Sailing
Week.
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Betty's Hope
Sugar Plantation
Betty's Hope was the first large sugar plantation on Antigua,
and its success led to the island's rapid development of large-scale
sugar production. Although the only surviving structures are two
stone sugar mills and the remains of the still house, the site's
importance in Antiguan history has prompted the government to begin
developing it as an open air museum. About a hundred stone windmill
towers dot the Antiguan landscape, and the two restored examples
at Betty's Hope provide a dramatic sense of the way these mills
must have dominated the island during the hundreds of years that
sugar production was the dominant industry. Betty's Hope was built
by Sir Christopher Codrington, who came to Antigua in 1674 from
Barbados, and was named for his daughter.
Indian Town National Park
Indian Town Point, on the eastern extremity of the island, is thought
to have been an Arawak campsite prior to the arrival of European
colonists. Devil's Bridge, a large, natural limestone arch on the
shoreline of Indian Town Point, offers one of the most spectacular
sights on the island. At high tide, the rougher waves of the Atlantic
force enormous geysers of water through boreholes in the rocks near
the bridge. Guided tours of the site are available.
 Fort James
Built in the first half of the 18th century, this picturesque
bastion was intended to guard the harbor of St. John's. The walls
remain in excellent condition, and a few of the cannons are still
intact - but the main attraction today is the excellent view of
the surrounding harbor. Nearby is Heritage Quay, which comprises
a hotel, four duty-free shops, restaurants and a casino, all part
of the newest development in downtown St John's.
Fig Tree Drive
Antigua's most picturesque drive meanders from the low central
plain of the island up into the ancient volcanic hills of the Parish
of Saint Mary in the island's southwest quarter. The none-too-smooth
road passes through an area of lush vegetation and rainforest and
rises to the steep farmlands around Fig Tree Hill (figs are what
Antiguans call bananas) before descending to the coastline again.
Along the way are banana, mango, and coconut groves, as well as
a number of old sugar mills and pleasant little churches.
Nelson's Dockyard
Although St. John's has long been Antigua's capital city, the
island's historic heart is across the island at English Harbor.
One of the finest natural harbors in the Caribbean, and located
at a highly strategic position, English Harbor was used by Admirals
Nelson, Rodney and Hood as a secure home for the British Navy during
the Napoleonic wars. Today, Nelson's Dockyard forms part of a designated
national park, complete with a museum. shops, hotels, restaurants
and a yacht haven. The park embraces the whole of English Harbor
and Shirley Heights.
Green Castle Hill
The 'megaliths' that initially drew curious visitors to Green
Castle Hill are almost certainly geologic features, but they are
no less impressive and picturesque for being natural features.
Green Castle Hill also provides an excellent view of the island's
interior, including both the southwestern volcanic mass (of which
it is a part) and the interior plain. (due south of St. John's,
btw. Jennings and Emanuel).
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Sailing
Week
The coasts of Antigua are ideal for yacht cruising and racing,
with constant trade-winds, and many harbors for exploration. Easily
a week could be spent cruising around this picturesque island of
the Caribbean. The sister island of Barbuda has shell laden beaches
so long that they dip below the horizon.
There are good airline connections with North America and Europe
and Antigua is centrally situated for Caribbean cruising.
English Harbor and Jolly Harbor make ideal yacht headquarters.
For English Harbor's fine facilities, see the following site: Nelson's
Dockyard.
Other events of the year organized by the Antigua Yacht Club are
the annual High Tide Series, Green Island Race, informal Round-the-Island-Race
and the "after work" Thursday afternoon races for all-comers.
Classic Yacht Regatta
This regatta has become one of the foremost classic yacht regattas. The tentative program is:
- Friday - Judging for the Concours d'Elegance
- Saturday - Race 1 - off the south coast. Parade
of Classics off the Yacht Club
- Sunday - Race 2 - Off Falmouth Harbor
- Monday - Race 3 - Followed by an Edwardian Gala
Dinner
- Tuesday - Heritage Festival in Nelson's Dockyard
- Gig Racing and Tea Party - Prize giving party
The Classes
- Vintage
- Schooner
- Classic
- Spirit of Tradition
For further information contact: Ken Coombs, Chairman mailto:antyacht@candw.ag
Send entries to: Classic Yacht Regatta, c/o
Antigua Yacht Club, P.O. Box 103, St. John's Antigua
Diving & Snorkeling
Both Antigua and Barbuda are almost completely
surrounded by well-preserved coral reefs, walls, and shipwrecks.
The southern and eastern coasts of Antigua and virtually the entire
coast of Barbuda are surrounded by shelves, providing excellent conditions
for spectacular shallow diving and snorkeling. There is little or
no current in most places, and the water temperature averages about
80 F (25 C). Underwater visibility ranges from 50 to 140 feet, and
tropical marine plants and animals are diverse and plentiful. Snorkeling
is possible at many of both islands' most beautiful
beaches; one of Antigua's best-known offshore sites, Cades Reef,
is now partly contained in a designated underwater park. Another
popular destination is the wreck of the Andes, a three-masted merchant
ship that sank in 1905 and now rests in less than thirty feet of
water in (ironically enough) Deep Bay. Antigua's dive facilities
are far superior to those available on smaller Barbuda, and so most
of the sites that have been established as dive destinations are
Antiguan. The southern and eastern coasts are considered to offer
the most consistent diving; for more advanced divers, the ledge of
Sunken Rock on the south coast is a popular site. Dive depths generally
range from 25 to 80 feet and can reach 180 feet; distances from shore
to site are in some cases no more than five minutes and at most 40
minutes away.
 Barbuda's encircling reefs contain an enormous number
of wrecks, most of which are yet to be explored; in fact, the Codrington
fortunes on Barbuda were intimately linked to their acquisition of
rights to the wreckage in the 17th-century. To dive off Barbuda,
it is best to make arrangements with a dive shop on Antigua to have
the necessary equipment taken over by air or boat.
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Shirley Heights
This rambling array of gun emplacements and military buildings
is best known today for the absolutely breathtaking prospect that
it offers. From the Heights one can look far out over English Harbor,
and on Sunday afternoons the view is accompanied by barbecue, rum
punch, and the plangent strains of steel band and reggae music.
The site is named for General Shirley, Governor of the Leeward
Islands when the area was fortified in the late eighteenth century.
Close by is the cemetery, in which stands an obelisk erected in
honor of the soldiers of the 54th regiment.
Sea View Farm Village
Antiguan folk pottery dates back at least to the early 18th century,
when slaves fashioned cooking vessels from local clay. Today, folk
pottery is fashioned in a number of places around Antigua, but
the center of this cottage industry is Sea View Farm Village. The
clay is collected from pits located nearby, and the wares are fired
in an open fire under layers of green grass in the yards of the
potters' houses. Folk pottery can be purchased at outlets in the
village as well as at a number of stores around the island. Buyers
should be aware that Antiguan folk pottery breaks rather easily
in cold environments.
Harmony Hall Art GalleryHarmony
Hall, in Brown's Bay at Nonsuch Bay, is the center of the Antiguan
arts community. Exhibits change throughout the year, but the annual
highlights are the Antigua Artist's Exhibition and the Craft Fair,
both in November. The sugar mill tower around which Harmony Hall
is built has been converted to a bar and provides its patrons with
one of the island's best panoramic views, including a fine prospect
of Nonsuch Bay.
Museum of Antigua and BarbudaThis charming museum tells the
story of Antigua and Barbuda from its geological birth through the
present day.
A cool oasis in the middle of St. John's, the museum contains a
wide variety of fascinating objects and exhibits, ranging from a
life-size replica of an Arawak dwelling to the bat of Viv Richards,
one of the greatest cricket players of all time.
SUPPORT THE MUSEUM by becoming a member of the Historical and
Archaeological Society, a vibrant and dedicated group of persons
interested in preserving the past to enrich the future. Membership
entitles you to:
- Monthly Field Trips
- Quarterly Newsletter
- Access to excellent Research Facilities
- Discounts on Items Bought at the Museum Gift Shop
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