Try the street food on your next Horizon sailing charter

Being a bit of a food lover with a passion for travelling, I always try and seek out the more local places to try before the "headline" restaurants that get the 5 stars on Trip Advisor (although they are great too!).  I like to have an authentic experience; especially when I'm visiting a place for the first time.  You can do that here in Antigua, too.

Antigua's street markets are a must on your sailing charter

We like to visit the street stalls that are dotted around the island.  The picture above is Clemie's and it's located near to Carlisle Bay which is your overnight anchorage.  It's a nice walk or a quick taxi ride.  You get such great value for money.  What you will also find is the freshest ingredients.

At this time of year, you can buy an abundance of fresh mango.  Remember to buy a mix of slightly hard so they ripen in the galley and ready to eat. Any stall holder will be able to help you with this if you are not sure.

Fresh mango at this time of year - it's the season!

As well as fresh fruit stalls, you must also try the street food.  You will see stalls with their little blackboards tempting you with jerk chicken, goat water and bull foot soup.  You must try these as they are tasty bowls of food and incredibly good value.  Talk to us when you arrive and we can give you a heads-up where to experience a truly local food experience.

info@antiguahorizon.com

Our Instagram feed - bringing you a taste of Antigua sailing and island life, every day

We are so lucky to live and work on the beautiful island of Antigua.  We're also pretty lucky that the iPhone camera is so good!  So we put these two things together and created an Instagram feed for Horizon Yacht Charters in Antigua.

Every day I see something amazing or funny, or both!  Everything from glorious sailing yachts to a pair of piglets eating grass at the side of the road.

Always on the look out for amazing Antigua sunsets!

Make sure that you follow our feed - we're at

horizonyachtchartersantigua

See you in paradise!

Jackie

Catamaran sailing in Antigua.... with a bit of performance thrown in for good measure.

Introducing something a little different to those catamaran lovers out there.... meet Lucy2 - an AEROYACHT Alpha 42 cruising catamaran built in the US and ready to sail in Antigua.

Lucy2 under sail

The wave-piercing design of the bows give a more stable sail, so perfect for non-sailors who enjoy a comfortable cruise out here in the Caribbean.  Perfect also for passage making if you wanted to sail a little further afield and put this catamaran to the test.

The futuristic and modern design is sure to turn heads as you enter the anchorage.

The helmsmen's station on our Alpha 42

Aside from aesthetics, the comfort levels have all been carefully thought through on this catamaran. There are four double cabins plus two heads and two separate showers.

The place for sundowners - Lucy2's front row seats

The exterior and interior space flows together as one - on one level - making a huge living space for your friends and family.

This Catamaran is built for comfort and performance

There is a wonderful article on this performance catamaran
http://www.aeroyacht.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/MQ-Alpha-42-article.pdf

The Caribbean sea that won't land in your cocktail - welcome to sailing Antigua!

How do you fancy a calm, blue Caribbean sea that won't land in your freshly made cocktail? If that's the case then need not worry because Antigua is the sailing area for you!

Antigua is located in the heart of the Caribbean and boasts calm seas, blue skies and the blissful trade winds. Our base here at Horizon Yacht Charters is on the west coast of Antigua in Jolly Harbor; in the lee of the island. This comes at a great advantage due to the fact you can sail straight out of Jolly Harbor and sail either north or south along the coast and you will find calm, secluded bays and some great snorkeling. 

Antigua & Barbuda sailing - into the blue



The weather here creates the perfect conditions for calm winds and flat seas. The trade winds float across Antigua; between 15 to 20 knots of warm air across the island - perfect for filling your sails and gently gliding you down the coastline of Antigua, or if you would prefer a little adventure further afield, why not visit Antigua's sister island Barbuda which is just 25 miles north of Antigua. It's about a 4-5 hour sail, so you can set off in the morning and be there in the early afternoon to enjoy some fantastic snorkeling, endless beaches and land tours.

This short hop across the Caribbean seas should be smooth and relaxing as it's a beam reach there and back. Keep an eye out for the local wildlife such as turtles, dolphins and even the odd whale! There is also Green Island if you enjoy a longer sail around the coastline of Antigua, whilst enjoying the calm seas and blissful sunshine. Located on the east side of the island it has the perfect secluded bay, protected by a reef, which will squash any worries about rolling out of your bunk at nights! There are some great snorkeling spots there and a beach that is perfect for lighting up the BBQ and enjoying the view of your very own private yacht!

Local weather report from Windguru

As you can see from Windguru, the weekly weather shows easterly winds of 12-20 knots with the occasional 2 knot change. Otherwise a very calm easterly swell - perfect for sailing in and around Antigua.

There are many different activities that take place on the water here in Antigua. You are more than likely to see the local fishermen who will amaze you as to how far offshore they are. They'll be bobbing up and down slowly whilst enjoying the glorious sunshine and calm seas which allow them to travel that much further for their catch of the day!

Many people travel from all over the world to come to Antigua to learn to sail as it's in the perfect location. There are 3 different sailing schools here who are busy year round teaching novice sailors.  They take advantage of the fact that there are hardly any tides which makes for simpler navigation and the calm winds and flat seas mean you can concentrate purely on sailing and learning!

Antigua's blissful weather conditions apply to children and adults alike. The North American optimist championship is also held here. Over 150 children will be competing to win the title. The boats will race outside of Falmouth hHrbor allowing them to make the most of the calm, blue waters. You'll more than likely see them happily bobbing around, enjoying the thrill of the race - Antigua is enjoyed by all ages!

A calm, relaxing evening at anchor

So if you're looking for the ultimate relaxing sailing vacation where the sun is always shining, the breeze is steady and the seas are calm and invitingly warm, then Antigua is the best sailing area for you.

Sailing catamaran "Aftica"; your boat, your crew, your choice!

Are you curious to sail the the beautiful, blue seas of the Caribbean? Do you wonder what it's like sail from one island to the next? Now you can find out by joining our fun, adventurous and knowledgeable crew aboard catamaran 'Aftica' with Horizon Yacht Charters.

WELCOME TO SAILING "AFTICA"

Catamaran Aftica under sail

Aftica is the name of a beautiful 45 foot 'Leopard' catamaran specializing in 1-3 week crewed sailing trips for people who have a passion for adventure and love nothing more than discovering hidden treasures around the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean - Guadeloupe, Dominica, St Martin, St Bart's, Antigua and beyond. 

All you will need to bring is yourselves and a bathing suit and you will be all set to start your sailing adventure. Aftica comes fully equipped with fresh linens and towels, bathroom supplies and, of course, an amazing crew so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the sailing or, if you prefer, why not take the helm under Captain Paul's tuition?

Sail to Guadeloupe aboard Aftica

Aftica is a unique charter, in that it's all about you joining this amazing team to make sure you have the ultimate sailing vacation.  Cooking, cleaning and being part of the crew is what it's all about! Everybody chips in to make sure the boat stays ship shape. This could be a great opportunity for people who may not have had the chance to be on a sailing yacht before - now they have the chance to experience what life at sea could be like. Or perhaps you are a potential catamaran purchaser and would love to see how one sails first hand, or maybe you are just a passionate sailor looking for a unique adventure.

YOUR CREW

Paul is your Captain on board Aftica and he has an infectious passion for sailing. He has lived on 6 different continents and was previously a professional engineer. He is also an RYA Yachtmaster and an advanced diver. With Paul's extensive knowledge you are sure to be in safe hands whilst learning everything about the Caribbean through the stories they will share with you.

Captain Paul with First Mate Marguerite

Marguerite (Migs) was born in Trinidad and raised in Antigua and is also a Padi Dive instructor as well as an RYA yacht skipper. Like Paul, Migs has also lived abroad in countries such as Asia and in Europe allowing her to share fun and exciting stories about her different experiences. Migs also has a love for sailing, making her the ultimate First Mate and all-round fun and enthusiastic crew.

DINING

You will also have the chance to waken your taste buds in some of the Caribbean's great restaurants. If you would prefer to gaze at the stars whilst eating a home cooked meal on board then that's also an option for you. All of the provisions will be bought together in the store before setting off so you will have the choice of what's on the menu! There is also the opportunity to catch your dinner as you cast your lines to see what bites; whether it's a tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo or even a marlin.

Snorkel and explore the Caribbean's underwater treasures

CRUISING AREA

Whilst on board the beautiful Leopard 45 you have the option of exploring the Caribbean island of Antigua, the home of Aftica, Paul and Migs. Antigua is located in the heart of the Caribbean and boasts 365 beaches, unspoilt bays and calm seas. Alternatively, you could extend your adventure further afield. Aftica and her crew are happy to sail you on a round trip or can offer you a one way trip from one island to the next and, thanks to their extensive knowledge, no island is out of bounds, even Montserrat!  Through Paul and Migs extensive knowledge of the Caribbean you will no doubt be led off the beaten track only to discover places beyond the guide books.

Relax, kayak, explore - the choice is yours

YOUR CHARTER, YOUR SCHEDULE, YOUR CHOICE

Aftica also offers 'theme charters' so whether you're a group of divers who are out to seek new and exciting places to explore below the sea or whether you are historians who would love to sail between islands and discover the old ruins of the famous Caribbean rum distilleries - the choice is uniquely yours. 

Horizon Yacht Charters full-service base location - just for you!

Where else is better to start your charter from than right here in the blissful marina of Jolly Harbor with Horizon Yacht Charters!

The Horizon Office in Jolly Harbor

The Horizon Yacht Charters base is located in the idealistic place called Jolly Harbor. The office is a two minute walk away from all of our yachts so we are never far away and it makes it a lot easier when carrying the luggage down to your chartered boat! Jolly Harbor is also where you will find everything you need to start your sailing vacation, from a supermarket open until 9pm where you can collect your goodies, to a beach front restaurant where you can tip your toes in the ocean whilst sipping on a ice cold beverage.

All of the Horizon Yacht Charters boats are moored right on the doorstep of the amenities that Jolly Harbor Marina has to offer allowing you direct access to all of the bars and restaurants, supermarket and customs offices making your life a whole lot easier. The supermarket is located right across the street from your Horizon boat allowing you to walk around the store with ease, without worrying about getting it all back to the boat as the guys from the store are more than happy to bring your shopping straight to the boat for you for a low amount of US$2! Fill up on the delicious Creole cuisine Antigua has to offer without any stresses!

The supermarket is just a 2 minute walk away from your Horizon yacht!

If you feel like dining ashore rather than cooking on board then you can choose from a selection of different restaurants located just a stones throw away from the Horizon office and your very own private yacht! These restaurants range from Italian to Greek to local cuisine and offer superb quality food. You will also find some great deals such as the 2-4-1 pizza on a Tuesday at Al Porto or some delicious chef specials at Melini's. There is even the option of takeaway if you fancy a relaxed dinner on board whilst watching the world go by. Don't forget to attend Happy Hour at West Point! West Point is home to the Jolly Harbor Yacht club which is why you will find all of the fellow yachties enjoying happy hour prices and discussing the best spots for anchoring and enjoying a good beach BBQ! They will also be organizing the next event, whether it be a fund raiser or just a fun sailing race between friends! From here you can also relax and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere whilst admiring your very own private Horizon yacht at sunset.

One of the best Italian restaurants in Jolly Harbor - Melini's

Just a 5/10 minute walk away from your very own Horizon yacht is one of Antigua's biggest beaches which boasts blue waters, a white sand beach and a fantastic beach bar and restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner and of course the inevitable happy hour between 4-6! This is also where you will find all of the yachties enjoying their cocktails and local beers! Castaways is the perfect place to watch the sun go down and unwind on your Caribbean vacation.

The view at sunset from Castaways beach bar and restaurant

The view from West Point

There is also a fantastic sports bar 'The Crows Nest' located in Jolly Harbor along the waterfront. It's roughly a 3 minute walk around the boulevard from the Horizon base and they play all of the sports games on their large flat screen TVs, allowing you to sit back, relax and watch the games whilst sipping on a tropical fruit smoothie! If you came on vacation to get away from the buzz of a TV then fear not as there is also a beautiful, crystal clear refreshing pool just a couple of steps away. Cool down in the pool only to climb out and sit back on one of their comfortable pool loungers and receive poolside service! The Crows nest serves breakfast, lunch and dinner too.

The Crows Nest - sports bar, pool and restaurant.

One of the great advantages about the Horizon Yacht Charters base being in Jolly Harbor is it is only a 25 minute taxi ride away from the airport! - The closest marina you will find, offering everything you need, all in one place! Jolly Harbor has a customs office just a few minutes away from the Horizon base in the marina. You can either take a 5/10 minute walk around from the Horizon office or you can motor your boat around for 2 minutes and then moor at the customs dock they have just outside of the office.

Customs office and their dock!

Jolly Harbor is located on the West coast of Antigua, so it is an ideal place to either set sail North or South of the Horizon HQ and find beautiful protected bays, perfect snorkeling spots and amazing beaches to set up your BBQ's and still be in the lee of the island, meaning you will usually be in calm seas and gentle breezes which is perfect for the ultimate relaxing sailing vacation! 

Birds eye view of Jolly Harbor Marina

Once you have experienced fine dining, long walks on the famous Jolly Beach and topped up your provisions, you can set sail feeling calm and relaxed! The team at Horizon Yacht Charters will look forward to hearing your stories once you return and I'm sure you will still have to time enjoy that last cocktail at West Point before you jet off on your next adventure!