Learning to sail without oilskins and four layers of clothing - hello Antigua!

I was recently back in the UK during Cowes Classic Week and boy did I know it!  Although I didn't get to race and enjoy the bracing (!) Solent breeze, I was amazed at the amount of clothing the crews were wearing just to keep warm.  The rain certainly didn't help, I'm sure!

That is not to say there aren't beautiful UK sailing days; I just got unlucky with my timing.  Now, this is all well and good for the likes of Musto and Slam; both doing a roaring trade with new oilskin sales and extra warm neck scarves (I know, I own about four!), it doesn't always offer the 'new to sailing' adventurers the best total experience.

Palm tree-lined beaches await you

Flying back to Antigua's steady temperatures of between 26 and 34 degrees Celsius, I thought I'd encourage more sailors from the UK (and possibly Canada who tend to get quite a short sailing season up there) to come and experience this kind of sailing with us here in Antigua.

The biggest difference, apart from the temperature of the air and sea, is the fact that it is non-tidal here. So, if that's always been a concern of yours, you will love sailing here.  We do get a range of about 12 inches which is nothing to the multiple feet you experience in places such as Chichester Harbour.

Racing in the UK - our craft - note blue sky!

At this time of year, the water temperature is a very pleasant 82 degrees I was told yesterday.  It doesn't quite feel bath-like, but it's certainly very pleasant for a splash around with your noodle and a cold Carib on a Sunday afternoon after a day on the water.

Some of you may have taken courses in the Med where you can get quite flooky wind.  I remember heading out to race a few years ago in Chichester Harbour and it was looking like a perfect Force 3. Well, by the time the hooter went for the start we were hanging on for dear life and pretending to have fun!

Here in Antigua, we tend to get around 15 - 20 knots and always from the East (ish).  It always makes people smile when I print the weather forecast for our charter guests and they see a steady stream of arrows from the right depicting the Easterlies.  Some people, new to the Caribbean, will ask me if the wind is greater in the morning or the evening and I have to say that it doesn't really change.

Sailing our Bavaria 33 "Vixen" from Barbuda to Antigua

I personally think that Antigua offers the best of all worlds if you are considering a 'new to sailing" or "discover sailing" charter experience.  You can choose to stay on the protected west coast which is the Caribbean Sea, you can also work on your passage planning skills by sailing up to our sister island of Barbuda, or you could even explore the coastline with a trip to the East coast of Antigua which takes you into slightly bigger seas at times.

Whatever you decide sailing Antigua, you won't need your cosy neck scarves or oilskins!

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...

A trend for longer term chartering out of Antigua

We're seeing an interesting shift in the amount of time sailors are looking to charter; especially coming through for next year (2013/2014 charter season).  The trend we are seeing is for people to charter for 6 - 8 weeks at a time.  Perhaps we are seeing this trend in Antigua because it is such a central island in the Caribbean for making the longer passages.  With the wind direction from the North-North-East, it's a perfect point of sailing.  We had a charter captain who said to me that "tack is a swear word on their boat"!  I love the fact that sailing is such a great sport that it attracts the out and out racers and the laid-back charter guests who really could not be bothered about the speed log.

Long term chartering brings its own rewards.

We are certainly seeing more people looking to explore "life aboard" and testing the cruising water (excuse the pun) before they make a life decision to buy a yacht in the Caribbean and cruise for several months each year.  We had a couple recently who purchased their first yacht at a Boat Show and were so excited by this that they cancelled a free charter that they had won at a competition.  All credit to them and we wish them many happy years of cruising aboard their very own yacht.

There are more and more people who sail south from Antigua to explore Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes and Dominica, and change their crew as they head south.  I think this is because it can be liberating with just the two of you, at one with the ocean, leaning to live together on board and work together as a seamless team, but it is also fun to have friends fly in to perhaps share some of the running costs (and a case of beer or two).

Dominica as part of your long term charter - magical.

The people who charter bareboat with us long term tend to be the couples who are keen on fishing, cooking and even baking on board.  We've recently provided a set of baking equipment to a charter guest who liked to bake her own bread, cookies and deserts for the crew ( we can vouch for her fatless pound cake - vegan-style).

Seek out fishing competitions and the local guys to buy fresh fish for BBQ

Perhaps this is a long term dream for many of you, but more and more are realising their long term chartering dreams right now.  You'd be in good company.

Follow the herd; and then sail Antigua & Barbuda

There's something magical about being at an anchorage with just you, a good book and the lapping of the water on the side of the hull.  For many, the lure of the beach bars is a thing of the past as they are increasingly finding that a little bit of peace and quiet is good for the soul.

There are so many hidden gems like that when you sail Antigua & Barbuda that it's hard to know where to start.  For me, Great Bird Island in the North Sound is a special place.  I love watching the birds fishing and the wading birds standing like statues pretending to be invisible to their prey.

Where is everybody?  North Sound Antigua and a myriad of offshore island to explore.  

For the perfect sailing vacation, a trip around the south west and south east of Antigua should not be missed.  Many people are surprised how long it takes to sail along the interesting coastline of Antigua and enjoy the change of pace from cove to cove.  For some reason the perception is that Antigua is a much smaller island than it actually is!

A beautiful spot on the east coast of Antigua is Nonsuch Bay and Green Island.  Green Island is an uninhabited island that is perfect for a beach lunch. If you have any energy, you could try your hand at kite surfing as you will be on the Atlantic side of the island with great breeze but perfectly protected by the reef.

Nonsuch Bay, east coast of Antigua - home to Green Island

From Nonsuch Bay, you head out the way you went in and sail north up to Barbuda.  Call ahead to Uncle Roddy to make sure he has plenty of fresh lobster to serve you when you arrive.  That and a cold beer to stay hydrated!

Uncle Roddy preparing delicious lobster lunch

Low Bay, Barbuda - 11 miles of paradise awaits

When you sail Antigua & Barbuda you certainly feel like you are part of something special.  You'll be mixing with the locals and learning more about their culture and way of life.  I think that's what travel is all about; that and getting away from the herd.

Follow your own herd and sail Antigua & Barbuda.  We have a last minute yacht open for a Thanksgiving Week sailing charter so do get in touch.

Horizon Yacht Charters
Email: info@antiguahorizon.com
Tel:  +1 (268) 562 4725
Skype:  jackieashford1

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

Horizon Antigua T Shirts - the Holidays are over but the gifts keep coming.

It's always nice to get presents, don't you think; and to have a keepsake from your trip. With the Holidays just over and everyone heading back to work, packing kids off to college or digging your car out of the snow, we'd like to offer a small token of our appreciation to our Captains who will be chartering with us this March.  Don't ask us why March, we just picked that month at random!

For every charter start we will be presenting each Captain with a Horizon Antigua T Shirt as a 'thank you' for chartering with us.

West Coast of Antigua sunset

We can't promise you sunsets like this when you get home, but we hope the memories that you take with you will keep you warm throughout the Winter months.

Remember for the month of June 2012, we are offering our charter guests a special promotion of 10 nights for the price of 7 nights.  Which means you get to see more sunsets!  You can keep up to date with sailing offers on our website. Horizon Antigua Special offers

Horizon Antigua celebrates "Operator of the Year" awarded by Latesail yacht broker

Prize giving at Jolly Harbour Marina, Antigua

Our Horizon Yacht Charters base in Antigua has been awarded "Operator of the Year" by Latesail, the charter yacht broker.

In a special ceremony at their base in Jolly Harbour Marina, the owner of Latesail, Dan Lockyer, and two of his team Dave and Candice, flew into Antigua yesterday and awarded Alastair and Jackie Ashford, the base owner-operators, with a wonderful champagne prize.

Thank you to the team at Latesail and thank you so much to our loyal staff who are integral to the success of the operation.

We're off to celebrate!