Horizon Yacht Charters

Here’s a last minute offer for March 2012 that will make you throw off those thermal socks and drag your flip flops out of the closet!

Charter out of our Antigua base in the Caribbean:
Cruise for 7 nights/8 days between March 11 – 18 2012 on board our Bavaria 40 for just US$2,500 (excludes insurance and cruising permit).

Click here to view more about this 3 cabin yacht:

Superb sailing in Antigua is only a few weeks away. Take advantage of this offer and email us info@antiguahorizon.com

So many of our charter guests who sail with us here in Antigua ask me where to get lobster so I thought I’d write a quick blog about Hamilton’s Wine Bar and Bistro in the heart of Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour. Call ahead and speak to Kate (co-owner) and she will tell you if she has fresh lobster on that day for lunch and/or dinner. We were there last night and had a wonderful evening.

The location is superb. All of the tables are outside on a first floor balcony. This means stunning views of yachts in the moorings and on the dock, and probably your boat at anchor.

We were met by Devon the Bartender. We know Devon from other bars (and other times) and he’s excellent. He convinced us to try his homemade ginger beer (in a cocktail of course) so we tried a thimble of his ginger beer and were hooked. One Dark and Stormy later…. (hic) we moved on. Not being a fan of Sex and the City, I was not aware that the girls’ cocktail of choice is a “Flirtini” but Kate reassures me this is the case. I was suitably impressed with the mix of champagne (real) and pineapple juice. There are other signature cocktails to try but we had to be semi-sensible and there was, after all, a large selection of wine to try a bit later.

The ambience is great; the building is the old Officer’s Quarters from Nelson’s Day, and after a day of sailing and coming ashore, it has a chill-out lounge not to be missed. The old shutters were half closed against the breeze and that combined with relaxing music, great lighting and the Dark and Stormy’s and we were in lounge heaven. That’s what your sailing holiday is all about.

For dinner, we had the hummus with flatbread and spicy olives and the pate of the day which was mackerel. Both very tasty and very nicely presented. This was followed by lobster and home made, hand cut fries – they didn’t even mind bringing tomato ketchup to the table for the fries. We also had the fish pie which I can thoroughly recommend; fluffy potato topped with cheese and just the right amount of fish and seafood.

When next you follow in Nelson’s footsteps and sail into English Harbour, Antigua on your next charter with Horizon… check out Hamiltons for lobster and those Dark and Stormy’s.

For many different reasons, some of our sailing guests decide to either take a Captain, or captain and First Mate, or Captain and Chef. And why not?

Perhaps you are new to the cruising area of Antigua & Barbuda, or perhaps you want to go further afield than you’ve ever explored before and need an extra pair of hands and some local knowledge.

It’s always interesting when we talk to clients over the phone and they are looking for a certain type of Captain, or Chef. Invariably, they’ve been on a boat in the past with someone that perhaps they did not rub along with (might be one of their own crew!), so they are particularly sensitive to who they share their liveaboard space with.

It always sounds quite tame when I reply “the Captains that we recommend to you are brilliant and get along with everyone”. But that is the truth. I think we have been really fortunate to meet and experience Captains and Chefs who have worked on all size of yacht, tend to have their own boats, and are some of the most relaxed people because they are living their own dream. Sailing is what they love and the ability to share that with other people.

I wanted to introduce you to one such couple who fit into this category. They are Canadian (ish) and have their own yacht “Moondancer” here in Antigua. As a husband and wife team they are fairly unique in that both are certified Captains. Nancy is the bread maker… no, really… she bakes her own bread and even cooked roast turkey on Christmas Day as they were crossing the Atlantic!

If you want a great sailing team for your next Antigua cruise, or Captain or just First Mate or Chef… you’ll be delighted to share your liveaboard space with such great people.

Remember to buy the yeast!

How many times have you looked longingly at the dive boats heading out of your various cruising grounds around Antigua and said “I wish I could do that”? There’s something magical about the ocean and being part of ocean life. It’s peaceful, weightless and certainly thrilling when you come nose to nose with your first sea turtle.

If you haven’t considered scuba diving before, you might be interested to know that there is something called PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) that takes complete novices from the pool, to the classroom and to the dive site in just 1 day.

It’s a great way to see if PADI scuba diving is something that you would like to do more of as part of your cruising vacation and get certified with PADI down the line. Typically, the Indigo team dive the sheltered west and south coast of Antigua – also perfect sailing conditions so it makes sense to combine it.

Here in Antigua, we work closely with our good friends at Indigo Divers right here in Jolly Harbour Marina. They are PADI certified and also speak around four to five languages. Although underwater language is something that you will also learn.

If you would like to experience the beautiful underwater world of Antigua during your sailing holiday, we are offering a special complimentary gift voucher of one Discover Scuba Diving Course to the first person who comes through to us on email and says “I want to Discover Scuba Diving in Antigua with Horizon”.

Note: to qualify, you must have a 7+ night charter booked with us for 2012, or be able to confirm your reservation, and be able to take the 1 day course on any day of your charter – date to be booked immediately to confirm your place. A cancellation fee of US$150 will be charged should you not be able to take your course on that day once the date is booked.

Enjoy above and below the water in Antigua & Barbuda – it certainly is a gift.

A typical white sand beach on Antigua

There is a definite move towards sailing new cruising areas this season; and especially those that offer the more adventurous sailor the opportunity to charter and explore more of the islands; we are seeing an increase not just with the crewed charters but also the bareboat charterer, too. It could be something to do with the way of the world right now, but whatever it is, it’s very exciting to be able to share our sailing and cruising area with you.

I wanted to pick out my Top 3 favourite anchorages here on the twin island country of Antigua and Barbuda. Put Antigua on your bucket list; it’s a “must do” for those looking to release their inner adventurer!

Exploring the islands of the North Sound, Antigua

Sailing the North Sound is one of my Top 3 destinations on Antigua.

Chris Doyle describes this in his Guide as “a wild and uninhabited area with delightful anchorages full of seabirds”. Antigua is an island of contrasts and the North Sound provides a very different backdrop to any other place on Antigua. Sailing through the channel with Long Island on your left, you will start to see a myriad of offshore islands just waiting to be explored by dinghy. One of these is called Hell’s Gate and has a hole right the way through it. A good anchorage can be found at Great Bird Island; one of the largest islands. You feel a bit like Tom Hanks in Castaway when you sail here; you are likely to be one of very few yachts (charter yachts or private). Take time to hike up to the top of the island, follow the trail and remember your proper shoes as it is more difficult in flip-flops. Also take water as the temperature does not drop below 26 degrees. You’ll find beautiful breeze at the top.

Sailing to the island of Barbuda from Antigua comes in at Number 2 of my favourite sailing destinations.

Again, Chris Doyle’s Cruising Guide describes this island as “a special jewel, a country where horses, deer and donkeys run free and where the beaches are longer and more beautiful than anywhere else in the Caribbean”. Barbuda is not visible from Antigua; it is only 125 feet or so above sea level. For nature lovers, you have found your paradise. A “must do” is a visit to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. You need to take a guide and George Jeffrey is excellent. When you are here, make sure you visit Two Foot Bay and the caves. The area is called the Highlands which is quite amusing given the height of them! The beaches are stunning and deserted; a perfect combination for a getaway sailing vacation.

Green Island ranks at Number 3 of my favourite sailing destinations on Antigua

Green Island is the furthest eastern point of Antigua; nothing between you and Africa! To sail into Nonsuch Bay, you would first come across uninhabited Green Island. You have a reef between you and the Atlantic affording you protected anchorages. You could spend a good few days here; swimming, snorkelling or perhaps learning to kite surf – go on, release your inner adventurer. In the season, enjoy a fine meal at Harmony Hall; perched on the hill overlooking the bay. They have their own dinghy dock. You just make your way up to hill and remember your camera to snap the view of your charter yacht anchored in the bay when you get there.

A stingray at sunset

There is a wonderful Guide called Chris Doyle’s Guide to cruising the Leeward Islands’ Chris sails the islands each year in order to update his book (what a job!). If you are in the US or Canada and would like to buy one, just email me and I’ll have it sent from the publishing house. It’s a wonderful, up to date Guide and is great for planning your trip or just dreaming about your next sailing holiday.

Email:
info@antiguahorizon.com

Explore more about sailing with Horizon Yacht Charters in Antigua

Chatting to a friend of mine during Legs, Bums and Tums today I suddenly realised that I am not a camping kind of girl. Strangely, my friend was so excited to have found a family to stay with in some exotic place for US$5 per night and was looking forward to helping the matriarch of the family with her weaving. Admittedly, it is not sleeping under the stars or under canvas, but I bet it’s not going to be far off. All kudos to her! As a famous, sea-faring relative once said “All experiences do not have to be pleasant, just make sure you are having an experience”. Now, I enjoy a bit of weaving with the best of them, but the idea of sitting in a very hot and humid climate, covered in hairy wool, just does not do it for me.

So, my mind turned to our fully crewed yachting vacation that we offer from Antigua. How different is this to your run of the mill weaving holiday. It’s perfect because you get all of the benefits of a sailing vacation without having to know anything at all about sailing; stunning scenery, a different anchorage each night, more beach time than you can handle and you get looked after. I am constantly amazed at the bonding that takes place on board our yachts from when guests first arrive, hot and bothered and still stressed from City life, to the day they return with our crew as their new best friends, exchanging emails and promising to keep in touch.

What a great way to spend a lazy week or 10 days in the tropics? Our Catamarans tend to book quickly for our crewed charters; plenty of space, a stable platform for non-sailors and ideal for serious sunbathers. For example, we have a stunning Orana 44 called “Sara” (affectionately known as George by the dock team). Here she is in all her glory:

The great thing about this yacht is that there are three double cabins and 2 extra cabins for your Captain and Chef. That way, if you want to sing Abba songs until the sun rises, you go ahead, as your crew are tucked away.

Speaking of cabins, here is a flavour of the type of cabin you would retire to at the end of a busy day sunbathing, snorkelling, kayaking….

With one of our Chefs, you just have to sit back and relax whilst they prepare a healthy dinner for you after you’ve enjoyed your sundowners:

Speaking of sundowners, Antigua & Barbuda offers the perfect spot for sunsets… I am never without my camera each evening; ready to snap that most gorgeous sunset from our deck – every night is different and every night is perfect.

Are you ready to experience something new? Email me at info@antiguahorizon.com and let’s put that weaving vacation on the back-burner for another year.

There’s something wonderful about chatting to returning guests who are so excited to have seen wildlife on their cruise; whether that’s under-water or elsewhere. Having recently spent some time in the Australian outback, I was sincerely hoping not to experience some of their rather unique and sometimes scary wildlife… but cruising the Leeward Islands from our base in Antigua, it really is incredibly rewarding.

Right now, it’s the summer months here in Antigua and there’s nothing better than getting home in the evening, sitting on the verandah with a cold glass of wine and watching the frigate birds fishing for their evening meal as the sun goes down. It’s so active around that time each evening that you can almost set your watch by them. Who needs TV when you have that kind of entertainment?!

Last season there were an abundance of turtles spotted by our vigilant guests; I tell our guests that they will only see the turtles if they donate to the Antigua Sea Turtle Programme and help the volunteer patrols who walk the beaches every night during nesting season. I’m not sure they buy that, but we have collected a fair amount of money for this important Programme, even so! Mykl is the Project Manager here in Antigua and she is our turtle guru…

Any sailing trip would not be complete without seeing a pod of dolphins or even whales. Many of our guests spotted whales a few months back whilst they were sailing in between Antigua and Barbuda – a distance of around 25nm. As for dolphins, we are so grateful to the Kneafsey family (and their crew) who are life long friends of Horizon, for sending us their most recent cruising video from July 2011. They spotted this pod of dolphins sailing between St Barts and Nevis. They’ve called it “Somewhere between Paradise and Wonderland”. Click to view the footage below.

Racing the Dolphins

I think that sums up the sailing here around Antigua, Barbuda and beyond… what do you think?

We are delighted to announce that we have a new Orana 44 Catamaran in our Antigua fleet. The yacht is a 2010 model and boasts sleeping accommodation for 8 – 10 people. She has 3 double cabins, a convertible saloon and 2 single berths accessed via the deck.

She will be on our website soon but, in the meantime, if you would like to view this yacht please email Jackie at info@antiguahorizon.com and we can send you full specification and charter fees.

Email Jackie: info@antiguahorizon.com

Happy sailing!

We first met Stuart and Dianne Leigh from Ontario when they chartered with us back in December 2004. They took our Beneteau 393 called “Sensei”. They were due to sail elsewhere but a hurricane had put paid to their plans, so we met them in Antigua and looked after them from here. Since then, they have been back to sail with us in Antigua and, since December 2010, are now the proud owners of a Bavaria 40 Cruiser called “Tardis”.

[...]