Life's a sunset... when sailing Antigua

Hazy conditions create interesting photographs

I think I am addicted to sunsets.  Since living in Antigua, I think I've taken more pictures of sunsets than you can shake a stick at.  I wonder what it is about sunsets that are so compelling?

Many of our sailing guests comment that it's like a punctuation mark after a great day of sailing and before the cocktails are made!  Now, that's what I call a great sailing vacation!  Others say that it's like a  new day is coming and there is hope to achieve what you want.

When you sail with us, or take a learn to sail course, it is likely that you will see plenty of sunsets from the west coast anchorages, but you will experience a different angle from the top of Shirley Heights, for example.  For those cruisers who are not familiar with Antigua, Shirley Heights is the weekly jump-up overlooking English Harbour and beyond.  It's a great tradition here on Antigua and one that should not be missed.  Enjoy a brilliant steel band who will play anything from jazz, to modern to classical on their steel pans.  The rum punch is not bad either!  The trick is to get there before sunset!

Sunset from Shirley Heights, Antigua

From the west coast of Antigua, you might be anchored at an overnight anchorage at Hermitage Bay.  This is an excellent anchorage for sunsets (and swimming, cocktails, beach combing....).  This sunset below was taken from the south beach on Morris Bay just along the coast from Hermitage Bay.

Sunset from South Beach, Antigua

Sunset is also a time for romance!.  We were sent these two brilliant photographs by charter guests this past season.

Special time at sunset, Antigua

View from a guests' charter yacht - happy sailing vacation!

Last night, we were asked by friends on their charter yacht "Jabberwocky", to take their photograph at sunset.  At this time of year, with some Sahara dust in the air and low clouds, you are never quite sure what effect you are going to get.

Jabberwocky charter yacht sailing back into harbour

I think the one thing that sunsets do is to make you appreciate the beauty around you.  We are certainly blessed to be able to see so many shapes and colours of sunsets in our back yard.  Next time you come bareboat sailing or crewed sailing with us in Antigua, take a pic and we'll compare notes!

Horizon Yacht Charters
info@antiguahorizon.com

Bucking the trend - sailing Antigua & Barbuda

It has been such a busy high season in Antigua that is always comes as a shock when Antigua Sailing Week is over and many of the larger charter and private yachts depart for the States, the UK or to charter in the Med for their summer season.

The stunning North Sound area of Antigua

But the action in Antigua lives on - if you choose to find it.

We tend to attract the more 'independent' traveler or sailor at this time of year; people who like to buck the trend and not sail when everyone else is here!  Sailors who love getting to know the island and the people at it's most peaceful time.  When we do our charter check-ins and I'm talking about all of our brilliant contacts in Barbuda, they are always impressed that they could go and sit on Aunt So and So's veranda and be served fresh fish with rice and beans; all washed down with 'plenty rum'!

This weekend we have the Fishing Tournament.  We went along last year for the weigh-in and there were some pretty impressive fish up there on the scales.  The best bit is getting to eat it at one of many fish stands in Nelson's Dockyard.

One happy fisherman!

At this time of year the sun sets much later so you have more time for swimming after a day at your desk.  Or if you're on a sailing charter, that's more time to mix those cocktails and enjoy the perfect sundowner.

For many of our guests, they choose to sail in June because they can be at an anchorage with perhaps just one other boat.  The shot below is Low Bay in Barbuda but many of the anchorages in Antigua are also this peaceful at this time of year.  What a fantastic place to escape to!

Low Bay in Barbuda - pink sand at sunset

Of course, the other benefit of sailing after the busy high season is the pricing.  For example, we have our last minute sailing offers now on our website.  We're offering 10 nights for the price of 7 in June or 15% off 7 nights minimum.  Take a look at our current fleet selection showing the pricing before the special promotion:
http://www.horizonyachtcharters.com/antigua/antigua_fleet.html

For many of our bareboat guests, the sail down to Guadeloupe is a great attraction.  In fact, with more time, many of our guests sail further south to Iles de Saintes and even Dominica.  Take yourself away from your desk for a while and have a read of our sample itineraries.

As I write this, I am looking at the perfect sailing day through my window - can just about hear the seagulls as they beat the head of the nearest pelican trying to retrieve their well earned fish.... life in Antigua... it is good.

Ready to buck the trend and sail Antigua & Barbuda this Summer?  See you here!

Contact us in Antigua

Last minute sailing charters for Antigua holidays and cruising

It's hard to imagine layering on the clothes to keep out the chilly weather.  It is easy to be romantic about the snow when you are fortunate enough to live in the Caribbean year-round. The reality though is very different when you're trying to commute, or persuade your dog that actually walking in the snow can be fun!

Bob and Suzenne Fearn sent us this just last week from the UK

Many of our guests send us photographs of their snowy scenes when they get home after their sailing holiday and wish they could return.  From time to time, we are able to offer last minute charter deals to make that wish a possibility for some.  There is also something about Antigua that has sailors coming back time after time.  Always one anchorage they didn't get to, or a hike they didn't make.

If you need to feel the sand between your toes and enjoy a healthy dose of Vitamin D, take a look at our newly released, last-minute sailing charters from our base in Antigua.  Click here to read about those. Remember that these are bareboat charter prices, you can add a Skipper at US$150 per day.

In a few short weeks, you could be looking at this sunset instead of checking the boiler!

Check out the sunsets instead of checking your boiler!