Chartering a Yacht or Sailboat in Antigua
 Antigua Yacht CharterAbout Antigua | Chartering in Antigua | Places to Visit | Getting There | Climate and Weather | History of Antigua | Antigua Race Week | Antigua Cuisine | Our Charter Yachts About AntiguaAntigua (an-TEE-guh) is one of the most beautiful island getaways in the Caribbean. Antigua has a distinctive flair all its own, from the historic Nelson’s Harbor, to the chic but fun Antigua Yacht Club, to the bustling streets of St. John’s, filled with shops and activity.
You can also explore island museums, visit the famous Harmony Hall restaurant and inn, and experience the weekly “jump up” on Shirley Heights. This weekly event on one of the highest points on the island entails a huge barbeque and a glorious sunset followed by dancing to a steel band Chartering in Antigua
Antigua is perfect for both Motor Yacht and Sailboat Chartering, offering an abundance of yachts, excellent marinas and anchorages, unspoiled beaches, and fun little towns to visit. A typical Antigua sailing charter would be to start in English Harbour and sail around the islands, stopping off in Falmouth Harbour, Deep Bay, Jumby Bay, Carlisle Bay and Green Island. If you're on a Motor Yacht or have time for a long, open water charter on a sailing yacht, you can combine your Antigua stop with other islands such as Monserrat, Guadeloupe, Domininca, Martinique and St Lucia. Or head north to St Kitts and Nevis, Barbuda, Anguilla and the Virgin Islands. Places to VisitSome of areas of note on Antigua include: English Harbour
English Harbour is best known for Nelson's Dockyard, on the site of the British Navy base. It has restored buildings and other historical artifacts from the colonial period of the port, with emphasis on the time it was commanded by Nelson. English Harbour is often where your Antigua Charter will begin, and offers great provisioning and everything else required for yachting, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants full of fellow sailors and yachtsmen. St Johns St John's is the capital and largest city on Antigua, and the commercial centre and chief port on the island. The skyline of St. John's is dominated by towers of St. John's Cathedral. Built in 1845, the church is now in its third incarnation, as earthquakes in 1683 and in 1745 destroyed the previous structures. St. John's is a lively hub for shopping and dining. For the culturally minded, there is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda in the old colonial Court House, which displays both Arawak and colonial artifacts and features a life-size replica of an Arawak house and models of sugar plantations. Barbuda Barbuda is nearly uninhabited and is home to one of the world’s most significant bird sanctuaries, the Wa'Omoni Frigate Bird Sanctuary. Barbuda also offers charterers unspoiled pink and white sand beaches, fantastic snorkeling, and some of the best diving in the Caribbean. Barbuda's beaches are normally quiet and deserted. The beaches on the southwestern shore stretch for over 10 miles and are protected by barrier reefs that keep the waters calm and clear. If you are a bird lover, the Wa'Omoni bird sanctuary offers Frigate Birds with their 8 foot wingspan, as well as 150 other species of birds including pelicans, herons, and tropical mockingbirds. The first inhabitants of Antigua were Pre-ceramic Amerindians in around 2400 BC. Arawak and Carib Amerindian tribes later populated the islands. The first European explorer to set foot on Antigua was Christopher Columbus, who landed on his second trip in 1493 and named the island Santa Maria de la Antigua after a church in Seville, Spain. The Spanish established the first settlements, which were replaced by English rule in 1632. The french also ruled the islands for a shot time beginning in 1666. Slavery, which had been established to run sugar plantations, was abolished in 1834. The islands became the independent state of Antigua and Barbuda on November 1, 1981. Antigua Race WeekAntigua Race Week is one of the most prestigious sailing regattas in the world, with participant competing from all corners of the globe each year. Stretching over five days, Antigua Race Week attracts the world's top racing boatsw who compete for the prestigious Lord Nelson’s Trophy. But you don't need to be a crew member of a Maxi to compte, bareboat charterers are welcome and Boatbookings.com is happy to find the appropriate boat for you! Contact us if you are interested in competing in Antigua Race Week. Getting ThereAntigua sits about 300 miles southeast of Puerto Rico and 1300 miles southeast of Miami. VC Bird International Airport, near St Johns, is the main port of entry. Because it is a well travelled tourist destination, it is well served by both international carriers and local Caribbean carriers. Climate and WeatherThe climate is ideal, with temperatures generally ranging from mid 70's to low 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sparkling blue waters have an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit –making it the perfect destination for yacht charters all year round. The islands are relatively dry throughout the year. Tropical storms and hurricanes may occur between June and November. Antigua CuisineThe national dish of Antigua and Barbuda is fungie (pronounced "foon-jee") and pepper pot (a stew of beef, pork, dumplings, spices and vegetables). Fungie is a dish made from cornmeal that is very similar to Polenta. Other local dishes include ducana (a steamed dish made with sweet potato and shredded coconut), seasoned rice, saltfish and lobster. Local sweets include: sugarcake, fudge, raspberry and tamarind stew and peanut brittle. You can also find other Caribbean specialties, such as Jamaican jerk pork and Roti from Guyana. And a local favorite, pumpkin soup, can be found at he Admiral's Inn in Nelson's Dockyard. Beverages include mauby (a drink made from tree bark and sugar), seamoss (a drink made from seaweed), ginger beer, and a wide variety of local fruit juices. And of course rum drinks!
Our Charter Yachts in AntiguaAntigua is a must visit Caribbean charter destination. Boatbookings.com knows the region and boats, and can find you the ideal charter yacht, be it Super or Mega Yacht, crewed, sail, motor or catamaran. Click here to see our Antigua Charter Yachts or simply contact us and we'll recommend the best boat for you.
Other Charter Destinations: the Caribbean | Leeward Islands | British Virgin Islands (BVI) | St Vincent and the Grenadines | The Bahamas | Turks and Caicos | About Super Yachts History and Geographic data courtesy of Wikipedia. Map courtesy of Google Maps |
The island of Antigua, on of the 
English Harbour, located on the south of the island, is the yachting center of Antigua. There are two adjacent and well sheltered deepwater harbours: English Harbour itself and nearby Falmouth Harbour. It is named so because the British Navy, under Horatio Nelson, established its base of operations for the area during the eighteenth century. 
