Kids and Sailing vacations - like peanut butter and jelly in Antigua.

Where do you take the kids on their next vacation?  You only have to look at these pictures of kids having the best time and you know that Antigua offers so much for family sailing; for you and them. With water temperature at a lovely 26 degrees, and all day air temperatures not dropping below 27 or so, your kid's days will be filled with fun and warmth (don't forget the Factor 50!). The west coast of Antigua offers protected bay hopping with beautiful white sand beaches waiting to be explored.  

Connie Smith - only happy when splashing in the sea!

You know how kids can be; hungry one minute, refusing to eat the next.  Sometimes quite tricky when you are staying in a hotel and you can see your holiday dollars disappearing fast!  A sailing holiday is different; you provision the boat, decide what to cook and when, and your kids can eat when they are hungry.  Trust us though; if they are out on the water all day, jumping off the boat, splashing on the beach, they may eat you out of house and boat!

Harry learning to jump into the deep blue!

We love this shot of Harry jumping from our Lagoon 440.  He's a great swimmer and loves everything to do with water.  Can you imagine how early they'll be in bed after all of this energetic activity?!  It's not just about the water and sailing, take them on an island tour with a bit of horse riding thrown in, or take them zip lining through the lush rain forest - as long as they are active, they'll be happy!

Quality time with your kids.

That's not to say you don't deserve the best time, too!  After all, you've handled all of the reservation, packed their favourite toys, kept the kids quiet on the flight, put the dog into kennels and you are exhausted!  Well, imagine yourself with a glass of wine looking at this view!  Enjoy the quiet because next day, you'll be sailing to your next anchorage (a short hop along the coast to keep the kids interested) and you can start all over again.  

Pour a glass of wine, mix a cocktail and relax!  

A crewed charter with a difference in the Caribbean - fluffy towels optional

Think of a crewed Catamaran charter in the Caribbean and immediately your thoughts will likely turn to being waited on hand and foot, enjoying some fluffy towels at shower time and spending your days alternating between sunbathing on the sun platform and flopping into the turquoise blue water.... well, stop!  

News Flash

There is another way and it's available right now in the heart of the Caribbean.  

Meet AFTICA.  Aftica is a crewed Catamaran charter with a difference.  So what is the difference I hear you say "I like fluffy towels and flopping around!"

The difference is in the unique Caribbean experience you will have on board this Leopard 45 Catamaran, delivered through a hugely knowledgeable and fun crew.  

Let's start with your crew and yacht owners.  Meet Paul and Marguerite... 

Paul - Your Captain, Guide and Entertainer

Born in the UK, Paul was previously a Professional Engineer.  He has lived and worked on six Continents and has sailed since the tender age of 6 years old.  He is an RYA Yachtmaster and an Advanced diver.  

Together for 45 years and based in Antigua, Migs and Paul have sailed, dived, skied, mountaineered in Europe, USA, Canada, Asia and Australia. 

Marguerite (Migs) - Your First Mate, Guide and Story Teller

Born in Trinidad and raised in Antigua, Migs was previously a flight attendant with the local Caribbean airline before becoming a travel industry professional.  She has lived in Europe and Asia as well as the West Indies.  She is a BSAC and PADI Diving Instructor as well as a Royal Yachting Association qualified Skipper.

The experience

Paul and Migs offer a very special type of Caribbean experience; with their in depth knowledge of the islands and their superb adventurous spirit, you will be joining them aboard to fully experience the islands - above and below the water - in a unique and special way.

Migs at the helm of Aftica; off on another sailing adventure

Flexibility is key to both of them.  They can collect you from either Antigua, St Maarten, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Grenada - whatever suits your flight schedule best.

To give you  a flavour of our sample itineraries, take a peek at just a few right here:
http://horizonyachtcharters.com/antigua-barbuda/itineraries/

You will meet over Marguerite's old-fashioned rum punch (carries a Government health warning but it does have its roots firmly in her Trinidadian/Antiguan heritage) before heading off to provision.  You won't have a chef on board this cruise who will be serving you vol-au-vents; instead you will all take a turn at the BBQ - delighting each other with your concoctions!  That said, Marguerite is a pretty mean fisher 'woman' and has been known to catch a large tuna off the back of the boat.  We can plan an itinerary with you or just see where the wind blows you - that's the kind of experience Paul and Migs want you to have; passionate about sharing the islands with you.  

Join them for a fun, casual and hugely rewarding vacation with a difference.  Read more here and then get in touch to check their availability.  
http://horizonyachtcharters.com/antigua-barbuda/crewedboats/leopard-45-aftica/

Paul and Migs aboard Aftica

You can contact us here and we look forward to planning your unique Caribbean sailing adventure. 

Email:  info@antiguahorizon.com
Telephone toll free:  +1 866 439 1089
Telephone:  +1 (268) 562 4725
Skype:  jackieashford1

www.horizonyactcharters.com

Antigua & Barbuda Cruising with Style

Introducing the Dufour 45 E "Heartbeat IV".  Built in 2010, this performance cruiser is now available for your next yacht charter from our Horizon base in Antigua & Barbuda.

Heartbeat IV at our base in Antigua

This superior sailing yacht can sleep up to 8 people in three double cabins and a large saloon that converts to a spacious double berth.  Located in Jolly Harbour Marina at our Horizon base, this is the perfect start point for your next Caribbean charter.  This would make a wonderful choice for a vacation cruising Antigua & Barbuda or further afield, island hopping to Guadeloupe and our one way trip to St Martin.  

Drop down transom 

Heartbeat IV is fully equipped with the latest navigational and safety aids including Raymarine Chartplotter, Furuno Navtex and EPIRB.  

She has two carbon wheels and main boom.  The removable cockpit table is great for creating even more space in the cockpit when you are sailing.  She has a fixed helm bimini and a large, removable bimini to give you extra shade from the tropical Antiguan sun whilst at anchor.  

Saloon converts to a spacious double berth

Two bimini's provide shade from the sun in Antigua & Barbuda

Are you ready to experience performance sailing in Antigua on your next charter?  We promise you, you won't be disappointed with Heartbeat IV.  

Read more about this yacht by clicking here.

Sailing and pumpkin pie - book a Thanksgiving charter in Antigua

With the US Open out of the way and the NFL kicking off for another season (go 49ers!), you know it's time to look ahead and book your Thanksgiving vacation.  Here in Antigua you can choose to take part in the Thanksgiving activities with all the traditional touches, or you can choose to simply sail away.

Simply sail away this Thanksgiving in Antigua

For those traditionalists amongst you, our local supermarket stocks all the trimmings you will need for your Thanksgiving dinner; from turkeys of all sizes to green beans and crispy onions, it's all here for you.  For those that like to buck the trend, why not spend the Holiday in Barbuda feasting on a beach-side lobster lunch?  Whichever way you look at it, you won't go hungry.

Lobster for Thanksgiving dinner

The weather here in Antigua and Barbuda is tropical - so you will always feel wonderfully warm.  You will not need to pack much - everywhere is Caribbean casual.  The breeze tends to be around 15 to 20 knots so perfect conditions for boating and yes, the water is really this blue!

The blue water of Antigua - who's ready?

Get in touch if you are ready for an Antigua boat charter this Thanksgiving.  Who knows, this could be you...