Horizon Yacht Charters

Isn’t it odd that the minute the weather warms up in Europe and parts of the USA, our enquiry levels increase!  It’s as if people have woken up out of their winter blues and think “I know, I’ll go sailing in the Caribbean!”.

So, why June sailing in Antigua?

Well, for a start, the weather is normally great – consistent breeze of around 15 knots, slightly hotter than our traditional ’high season’ weather (ie the ocean has heated up nicely for those extra long swims to work off the jam doughnuts so vital on any sailing trip) and just a smattering of showers somewhere on the island to cool you down and remind you that you left your hatches open!

The larger yachts depart the Caribbean at the end of April.  They have trips to make either up to the States or across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean for their summer season.   It’s never that busy here in Antigua but in June, you could be the only yacht at an anchorage – how brilliant is that.  I took this picture some time ago when we sailed up to Barbuda – now that’s a private beach if ever you saw one!  Just you, your crew, your boat and miles and miles of stunning beach.  Truly heaven in paradise.

June sailing in Antigua also offers great value for money.  You are outside of high season so the pricing drops nicely.  For example, you could take our Bavaria 40 for 7 nights/8 days for just US$3,295.  Share that with your crew and you could be paying just US$78 per person, per day.  Combine this with catching your own fish for supper and you are one happy sailor!

You are also outside of school vacation time.  Not great for sailing teachers, mind you, but you can sail in July so all is not lost.

Here in Antigua, the island is still active in June in terms of tours and restaurants open (and typically you don’ t need to make reservations in June).

People often ask us if we go “home” when the Season is over.  We always tell them that is our home and no, the season never ends here in Antigua.  It’s always the perfect time to enjoy great sailing.

It’s certainly one of my favourite times here on Antigua.  Check out our fleet list here.

Hope to see you in June!

Enjoy chartering with us 365 days of the year!

For those of you who prefer to sail without the bustling crowds,  you’re in luck. Check out our Top 10 reasons why it’s great to charter in the Summer

1)  All of the restaurants, beach clubs and resorts are open and less crowded than in high season – Be the first to be served at the bar!

2) Empty anchorages – take your pick and guarantee the best spot to spend the night

3) Deserted snorkel spots – take in the underwater world without worrying about scaring away the fish

4) Spend time with your family – enjoy the kids school vacation together on one of our catamarans or spacious monohulls

5) Carnival Time!!!  Take your pick of the best parties taking place across the Caribbean throughout the summer months

6) Al Fresco Annapolis – If busy bars and Summer soirees are what you crave, then head to the Chesapeake Bay

7) Learn to sail -  Enjoy uncrowded waters, ideal conditions for beginners

It stays lighter longer – more time to sail!

9) Weekend Sailing – Spend your downtime on the water by taking advantage of our 2 day charter rates at our base in Annapolis

10) Enjoy fantastic low season Caribbean charter rates – see below for a choice of special offers we have available!

* All remaining High Season weeks are now available at Mid Season rates!

* Get 3 nights free! Enjoy 10 nights for the price of 7 on any of our monohull yachts, throughout the month of May, 2012. Or if time is an issue, enjoy 10%  off a 7 night charter.

* Small boats with BIG discounts. Enjoy 10 for 7 or 15%  on any monohull under 41 feet from May 1 – October 31, 2012.

Please email info@horizonyachtcharters.com  or see our main website for more details.

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.

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.

When you cruise – for one week, one month or even one year (for those lucky enough), you will always meet interesting people – some you will like and some you will be indifferent to. But ultimately, cruisers have always got a tale to tell, a word of advice and an easy invitation on board to sample the local rum/beer/other home brew!

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Many of our guests send us their Antigua passage plans in advance and this is such a great idea. Whether you are sailing Antigua & Barbuda only, or perhaps taking a trip south to Ile Des Saintes via Guadeloupe or the one way cruise to St Martin.

That way, we can work with the Captains to make alternative suggestions and comments given our local knowledge and other guest experiences. It’s also good to start to have a clear picture in your mind of how to get into each anchorage and which anchorage would be good in certain conditions.

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