Antigua Yacht Charter

Board in English Harbour around midday and settle in over lunch, then head east along the south coast and up into Nonsuch Bay. A barrier reef takes the Atlantic swell, so the water inside is flat and clear, with the trade wind to keep the anchorage cool.

• Green IslandA private island across the mouth of Nonsuch Bay, owned by the Mill Reef Club since 1947, with sandy coves on its sheltered side. Your captain knows which of its beaches visitors can use.
• The reefSnorkel the coral heads on the inside of the barrier reef. The flat water and steady breeze also make the bay a favourite with kitesurfers.

North up the east coast, outside the reef, and in among the small islands of North Sound. The water is shallow and laced with coral, so this is a day for good light and a captain who knows the channels.

• Great Bird IslandAn uninhabited island in the North Sound Marine Park, with a beach on either side and a short scramble to the top for the view over the reefs. It is one of the few places to see the Antiguan racer, a rare and harmless snake.
• SnorkellingClear, shallow water over coral just off the beach, an easy swim for beginners and children.
• BirdlifeRed-billed tropicbirds and brown pelicans nest on the island, which is how it got its name.

West along the north coast, past Long Island and the beaches of Dickenson Bay, and round the corner into Deep Bay: a small horseshoe of sand below an old fort, just north of St. John's.

• The wreck of the AndesA ship that burned and sank in the bay in 1905 lies in shallow water a short swim from the beach, with part of it still breaking the surface.
• Fort BarringtonA short walk up the headland to an 18th-century fort that guarded the approach to St. John's, with the bay below.
• St. John'sThe capital is a few minutes away by taxi for anyone who wants an afternoon ashore.

A short run down the west coast, past the Five Islands peninsula, with time for a long swim stop before an afternoon off Jolly Beach. This is the calm side of the island, in the lee of the trade winds.

• Jolly BeachA long curve of pale sand running north from the harbour entrance, with the yacht anchored off.
• Jolly HarbourA marina and port of entry, where the crew can restock mid-week.
• Ffryes and DarkwoodTwo quieter beaches a few minutes to the south, below the hills.

South past Cades Reef for the best snorkelling on this side of the island, then east along the south coast, under the hills, to Falmouth Harbour for the last night.

• Cades ReefA protected marine area and the largest reef on the island, running along the southwest coast. The snorkel stop on the way.
• Carlisle BayA palm-backed bay under the hills at Old Road, and a calm place for lunch at anchor.
• Nelson's DockyardThe restored Georgian naval dockyard in English Harbour, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2016 and still a working marina. Walk it in the late afternoon, when the day visitors have gone.

Board in English Harbour around midday and settle in over lunch, then head east along the south coast and up into Nonsuch Bay. A barrier reef takes the Atlantic swell, so the water inside is flat and clear, with the trade wind to keep the anchorage cool.

• Green IslandA private island across the mouth of Nonsuch Bay, owned by the Mill Reef Club since 1947, with sandy coves on its sheltered side. Your captain knows which of its beaches visitors can use.
• The reefSnorkel the coral heads on the inside of the barrier reef. The flat water and steady breeze also make the bay a favourite with kitesurfers.

North up the east coast, outside the reef, and in among the small islands of North Sound. The water is shallow and laced with coral, so this is a day for good light and a captain who knows the channels.

• Great Bird IslandAn uninhabited island in the North Sound Marine Park, with a beach on either side and a short scramble to the top for the view over the reefs. It is one of the few places to see the Antiguan racer, a rare and harmless snake.
• SnorkellingClear, shallow water over coral just off the beach, an easy swim for beginners and children.
• BirdlifeRed-billed tropicbirds and brown pelicans nest on the island, which is how it got its name.

The first of the week's two open-water passages: north across the bank to Barbuda, an island so low you barely see it until you are close. The approach is made in good light, because the reefs off its south coast are shallow.

• Princess Diana BeachMiles of pale pink and white sand along the south coast, with the yacht anchored off and almost nobody else on it.
• Nobu BarbudaNobu's barefoot beach restaurant, open for lunch in the winter season, a short tender ride from the anchorage.
• Barbudan lobsterThe island is known for it. Order a day ahead for dinner on the beach.

Round Palmetto Point and up the west coast to Low Bay, where a narrow barrier of pink sand is all that separates the sea from Codrington Lagoon.

• The Frigate Bird SanctuaryThousands of magnificent frigatebirds nest in the mangroves at the north end of Codrington Lagoon, one of the largest colonies in the Caribbean. In winter the males inflate their red throat pouches to court.
• A Barbudan boatmanVisits to the sanctuary are by licensed local boat from Codrington, with the boatman as your guide; private tenders are not allowed in. We arrange it before you sail.
• Low BayWalk the barrier beach for as long as you like. It is rare to meet anyone.

The second passage, and the longest leg of the week: south from Barbuda, usually a broad reach in the trade wind, to Antigua's west coast and the shelter of Deep Bay.

• The wreck of the AndesA ship that burned and sank in the bay in 1905 lies in shallow water a short swim from the beach, with part of it still breaking the surface.
• Fort BarringtonA short walk up the headland to an 18th-century fort that guarded the approach to St. John's, with the bay below.
• St. John'sThe capital is a few minutes away by taxi for anyone who wants an afternoon ashore.

A short run down the west coast, past the Five Islands peninsula, with time for a long swim stop before an afternoon off Jolly Beach. This is the calm side of the island, in the lee of the trade winds.

• Jolly BeachA long curve of pale sand running north from the harbour entrance, with the yacht anchored off.
• Jolly HarbourA marina and port of entry, where the crew can restock mid-week.
• Ffryes and DarkwoodTwo quieter beaches a few minutes to the south, below the hills.

South past Cades Reef for the best snorkelling on this side of the island, then east along the south coast, under the hills, to Falmouth Harbour for the last night.

• Cades ReefA protected marine area and the largest reef on the island, running along the southwest coast. The snorkel stop on the way.
• Carlisle BayA palm-backed bay under the hills at Old Road, and a calm place for lunch at anchor.
• Nelson's DockyardThe restored Georgian naval dockyard in English Harbour, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2016 and still a working marina. Walk it in the late afternoon, when the day visitors have gone.