Spent 2 months in Antigua, 2 months in Guadeloupe (including Les Saintes and Marie Galante) last
winter - enjoyed thoroughly both islands. Will be heading back to Antigua in January where the
boat is hauled out.
Been checking out the
weather lately, and as expected, moderate to strong
trade winds (20-25 knots, 6-8' seas) is typical this time of year and January, so to have a smooth crossing to Guadeloupe and back in 7 days, you would need to be real lucky.
Plenty to do in Antigua for 7 days, some additional ideas but some will depend on whether or not there are North swells during your week:
- Deep Bay (just besides St.John), worth a stop to climb to the fort and snorkel the sunken ship in the middle of the bay - beach is also quite nice
-
Dickinson Bay (where the Sandals is
so busy), but has a couple of good beach bar/restaurants
- Jumby Bay on the north end, beautiful bay, good snorkeling, but can't really access the beach or resort - beautiful anchorage though
- Bird Island, further east of Crab point, lots of small islands, lots of birds, no bars
, snorkeling, gets a little choppy if the trades are strong
- Falmouth (walk to
English Harbour) - a
classic, big harbour, although if the trades are up, the sail to Falmouth may be more than the admiral likes. Many bars and excellent restaurants
- Barbuda - if you can make it, and no North swell, is excellent - 11 mile beach is one of the best beaches I have seen from the
Exumas to Trinidad.
There are 2 bars on 11 mile beach (Outback, and the secluded resort of LightHouse Bay). If you
phone ahead to Outback, they can cook a lobster dinner for you, and you can make reservations at Lighthouse.
- If in Barbuda, a must is the Frigate Nursery tour - the caretaker of the Outback Bar will take you there
And of course Jolly Harbour has several good bars, just be careful with the
Caribbean Breeze's at Castaways (or at least don't have 6 of them !!)
Happy sailing