Antigua

From a yachting point of view, Antigua is inextricably linked with the beautiful and historic English Harbour, perhaps the most famous yachting center in the Eastern Caribbean. Come the winter season, English Harbour, and the next-door Falmouth Harbour, attract a dazzling selection of the largest and fanciest sailing and power superyachts in the world. That leaves plenty of room for cruising yachts, and Antigua offers more beautiful, protected, and varied anchorages than most other islands. There are plenty of restaurants in English, Falmouth or Jolly harbours, or anywhere with a hotel. Other anchorages are quiet and peaceful. Antigua hosts a variety of well-established yachting events including the Caribbean 600 and Antigua Sailing Week. Come summer, most yachts leave, and the island reverts to a quiet and peaceful pace.

Amid Antigua’s highest hills are areas of mixed, but mainly dry, forest. Fig Tree Drive winds through this area, offering several attractions. Wallings Nature Reserve is along this road, and many trails start here. If you hike up Signal Hill, you will find an open area of small ponds and great views, or you can hike to Rendezvous Bay. Also in these southern hills is the Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour. This is not a conventional canopy tour, but it is exciting, good exercise, and something to remember. Much of it has been built by Bernard Nichols, and it includes walking on well-designed trails and steps, and ziplining back and forth across a gorge. The longest of these rides is 300 feet over a drop of 350 feet. This takes you downhill, and you walk back up some amazing steps to a bar with a great view of the forest.