Caribbean

[pozzuolo1]

With some friends I have booked a bareboat charter from Antigua in the second week of April, and we are planning our route. Has anybody reading this sailed Antigua / Barbuda / Nevis / Antigua (or the other way 'round) and do you have any tips? Is there a better plan for a week? We don't want to just potter around Antigua.

 

[tcm]

i rented a boat and er just pottered round Antigua. Nelson's harbour is okay, tho we (with kids) liked jolly harbour with swimming pool and excellent supermarket.

The north side is ok, nice beat, but sailing bosh bosh not goofing around. So er i suppose that wd be ok!.

Dickenson bay is a bit crummy. Deep bay not crummy, but the "restaurant" is so-so - nice place for a rubber of bridge i wd say.

Not been to barbuda, supposedly nothing there but a good sail both ways. Provision in advance at Jolly harbour. No, if you take a mooring buoy at JH, nobody ever asks for money...

 

[snowleopard]

there was a thread on this topic about a month ago which would be of interest to you. it also pointed up the risks in giving advice- no good telling people about nice quiet anchorages when they prefer five-star restaurants!

i would advise against going as far as nevis & st kitts in a week - too much of a rush and very little to do when you get there. the nearer islands are better value. barbuda is great to get away from it all if you like the idea of a beach 11 miles long with not another soull in sight. montserrat is definitely worth a visit to see the volcano etc. either anchor in little bay and take a taxi tour or if you're feeling flush take a helicopter from jolly hbr (aound 250 quid).

if you're into snorkelling, some parts of antigua are great. our favourite was great bird island to the NE. i believe the green island area is good too.

we spent a couple of nights at anchor off maiden island and had the anchorage to ourselves. doyle's guide mentions it as a good place to find shells. one evening a charter boat came in and anchored next to us; we were just saying 'there goes our private anchorage' when the dinghy was lowered, they paddled ashore, spent 10 minutes looking for shells, went back aboard, up anchor and away - all in 20 minutes! moral - don't try to do too much.

 

[dk]

I would stick to Antigua & Barbuda if you only have one week. Try anchoring in Nonsuch Bay behind Green Isl on the E coast - there's a long reef to the N and some great snorkelling and swimming. Good safe anchorage as it is protected by the reef.
Skip Jolly Harbour - it's just a boring modern marina, although anchoring outside the entrance is ok if you needs to dinghy in for supplies.
NE coast requires careful nav and must be approached from the W through the Boon Channel, but is beautiful. Good anchorages behind Long Isl and in Parham harbour.
Falmouth Harbour is good for anchoring, although get a good way in to avoid the swell at night. Try anchoring well out opposite the beach for the day so you can swim ashore, then move closer to the marina for the night. Not too close though or you won't sleep for the discos!
If you stop in English Harbour, make sure you cover yourself in anti-mosquito stuff at night! Nelson's Dockyard is definitely worth a visit, but hot & airless at night - you're better off at anchor opposite Galleon beach if there's room.
Avoid St Johns - it's dirty and commercial.
There is definitely enough around Antigua to keep you busy for a week or more, and do visit Barbuda - but don't plan a night stay in poor weather or heavy swell as the anchorage is wide open.
Have a good trip.

 

[scottcole]

We have a Villa in Jolly harbour and have sailed around the west coast quite a bit. If you only have a week I would avoid st Kitts/ nevis, However it is well worth a sail to Barbuda. Beaches Fantastic clear water and quiet. Only about a six hour sail but arrive at lunchtime as littered with reefs.

 

[TQA]

Barbuda pilotage can be very tricky. Why not go to Guadaloupe, lots to see and do. Canal / Cousteau underwater trail / Saints [ find out why they stationed the fleet there for a while ], nude volley ball pitch at Club Med, Volcano etc. The bread is better to.

Carpe Diem

 

[snowleopard]

[ QUOTE ]
Barbuda pilotage can be very tricky. Why not go to Guadaloupe,

[/ QUOTE ]

not so sure guadeloupe is all that easy. if you approach the isthmus from the north it can be quite a worry - some friends of ours hit the coral pretty hard there. on the other hand a dinghy trip up the guava river is worth the effort.

the SE corner of barbuda by the resorts is tricky but the approach to palmetto point is straightforward.