Horizon Yacht Charters

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!

Happy New Year!!!

We hope everyone had a relaxing Christmas and that the New Year was rung in with style!

We can’t think of a better way to start 2012 than enjoying a 7 night charter in the BVI. And this is the very reason why we are extending the closing date of our fantastic competition and therefore giving you one last chance to enter.

All you have to do is fill in a few details and you could be on your way to experiencing a sailing trip of a lifetime. Not only this, we are also offering a money-can’t buy sailing masterclass with America’s Cup Skipper, Peter Holmberg, giving you the opportunity to discover the tricks of the trade from a sailing legend.

If you’d like to be in with a chance to win, please click here

The winner will be chosen at random on Monday 16th January 2012.

GOOD LUCK!

We have been a very excited  Horizon team over the last few weeks, not only due to the fact that we had one of our best boat shows ever at Annapolis  last month, but also because of the fantastic feedback the new Bavaria Cruiser Line has received.  

Editors from all the key sailing publications have raved about how the four models (32, 36, 40 & 45) have crashed onto the US sailing scene and made their mark. So much so, the range has been nominated, across different catgeories, for SAIL’s 2012  ’Best Boat’ Award, Cruising World’s 2012 ’Boat of The Year’ and Sailing World’s 2012 ‘Boat of The Year’.  The new range is the result of collaboration between Farr Yacht design, BMW Designworks USA, and the Bavaria factory team, headed by Jens Ludmann, formerly Chief Engineer with Ford Europe.

With Farr Yacht design at the helm, the new Cruiser series are structurally engineered to be impressively strong and stiff yachts. Hand laid fibreglass lamination below the waterline, a divinicell foam core above the waterline and easily driven hull shapes, Bavaria yachts are the “BMW’s” of the ocean – luxury yachts with a performance edge. Additional features such as the signature stern-wide swim platform, has certainly made the range stand out from the crowd.

Horizon Yacht Sales is the authorized importer and dealer for Bavaria Yachts in the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Grenada and St. Maarten. We are also an associated company with Bavaria Yachts USA, the East Coast importer for the USA.

For more information about chartering or buying a new Bavaria Yacht, please see our webiste for more information, www.horizonyachtcharters.com or email us at info@horizonyachtcharters.com or call 284 494 8787 or  Toll free 877 494 8787.

As winter approaches and the nights are drawing in, isn’t it time to pack your bags and take a sailing vacation in the Caribbean?  With beautiful sunny days, warm, turquoise waters and balmy tradewinds, there couldn’t be a better time of year to enjoy some R&R. 

And as we are all feeling in the festive mood (albeit a little premature), we have decided to offer a pre-Holiday discount for you to enjoy. Charter 7 nights at either one of our four Caribbean bases; BVI, Grenada, Antigua or St Maarten, between now and December 18th, 2011 and you will save 20%!!!

Click here to book now!

And if the 20% discount is not enough to get you excited, check out our Top 10 reasons to charter in the Caribbean over the Holiday period:

1 – Swap the pre-Holiday shopping mall mayhem, with the laid back sophistication of St Barts

2 – Because sand and swimmers sure beats wearing a scarf in the snow

3 – Bored of the traditional Roast Turkey? Swap it for fresh seafood, served on the beach in Dickenson Bay

4 – No more family arguments – relax, start Limin, the Caribbean is a stress-free zone

5 – Average temperature in December is 83 degrees  – need we say more!?

6 – Because everyone will be jealous of your sun tan on your return home

7 – Looking for the liveliest New Year’s Eve party? We will let you into the best kept secrets on island  

8 – Swap Christmas movies by the fire for Christmas snorkeling in the Grenadines

9 – Enjoy the famous BVI 15-20 knot Christmas trade winds on one of our immaculate yachts

10 – Because Horizon Yacht Charters is your home away from home!

For those of you who could not attend the Annapolis Boat Show this year, fear not, all is not lost. We are still giving you the opportunity to enter our fabulous competition. 

All you have to do is fill in a few details and you could be on your way to winning a 7 night charter in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). On top of this, we are also offering you a money-can’t buy sailing masterclass with America’s Cup Skipper, Peter Holmberg, giving you the opportunity to discover the tricks of the trade from a sailing legend.

If you’d like to be in with a chance to win, please click here.

The winner will be chosen at random on the 31st December, 2011.

GOOD LUCK!

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

The United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis is fast approaching and we are gearing up for a great show!From October 6-10, you will find us on the corner of F2 and B dock, so come and say hello and check out our show specials and daily competitions. Don’t forget to come and take full advantage of our 15% discount, special offer for all charters booked right there at the show.

This year, we are also perfectly positioned for you to step aboard a selection of our stunning new yachts from the Bavaria Cruiser Range, ideal for getting a feel for what your sailing vacation with Horizon Yacht Charters will be like. And if the temptation of owning a Bavaria yacht of your own is just too much, our Yacht Sales Manager will be on hand to advise you on what we can offer.

Alternatively, for all of our charter guests who live in the UK, you can always head to the Southampton Boat Show that is taking place 16-25 September. Book a charter with us through our preferred broker partners and enjoy direct flights from the UK to both our Grenada and Antigua bases – Paradise is just 8 hours away! That, on top of our 2012 charter rate freeze, what are you waiting for?!