Antigua and Barbuda

Over the years Antigua and Barbuda has changed significantly and I now really enjoy my visits. I’ve been a volunteer at the annual Antigua Sailing Week for many years, which is yet another draw to the island for me. Plus I’ve discovered the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta as a volunteer in recent years.

Beaches

The island’s tourist board boasts 365 beaches, one for each day of the year. Considering the size of the island and the significant cliffs and other areas without beaches, some of those are very small. Nonetheless, the waters and beaches are beautiful and some of them are positively stunning.

English and Falmouth Harbors

The oldest working boatyard in the Americas is Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbor. It is also a tourist destination and cultural heritage site. The immigration offices are in the middle of the yard. Tourists frequently enter them in the belief that they are part of the museum. I’ve had some long waits in that room and filled out lots of paperwork. Perhaps the slow processing speed is a nod to times of old.

The centre of the mega yacht, superyacht and yacht industry in Antigua is centred in Falmouth and English harbours. During the season, a significant proportion of the who’s who of big yachts can be seen at the docks.

Barbuda

The second island in the country is Barbuda. It is large, flat and sparsely populated. Barbuda lies off to the north and is not visited as much as the main island. The waters are shallow, which is the reason that has kept me from visiting. The island is known as a wildlife refuge for frigate birds. The devastation of hurricane Irma was almost complete. It is now several years later, and the island still hasn’t quite recovered yet.