With an irregular coastline surrounded by hundreds of beautiful coves and bays, sailors will easily find shelter on this island, as Admiral Nelson and pirates did in the past.  The island has retained a distinctly English accent over the years; you can sense it in St John's, the bustling capital, in the charming English Harbour, in the historic forts and remnants of the colonial past. But Antigua is also a quintessential Caribbean island, full of pastel-colored villages, the smell of rum and lively-looking people ready to greet you with a broad smile. 

Half Moon Bay is undoubtedly the island's most beautiful beach, a crescent of white sand bathed by crystal-clear waters; it is located in the undeveloped southeastern area. Also not to be missed is Rendezvous Bay, the beach at the end of the forest; difficult to reach by land and therefore not very popular, it is easily reached by boat. 

Curious and peculiar are the Pillars of Hercules; admiring them from the boat better appreciates their formation, which resembles an array of rock soldiers sculpted by wind, rain and waves.

The island of Antigua is also an island of celebration. In fact, it hosts several events throughout the year: the Calypso Spektakula in May, Romantic Rhythms in June and the Balloon Festival in October. But it is the carnival that is the real centerpiece of the celebrations of a people who, when they celebrate, simultaneously showcase their sorrow and joy of life. It begins in the last week of July and for ten days festivities follow one after another. It is an incredible kaleidoscope of colors, costumes and parades and a flood of people spilling into the streets to dance the night away. It is the only carnival in the Caribbean that takes place in the middle of summer and has no connection to the pre-Lenten holiday tradition. 

In Antigua, the masquerade festival celebrates the liberation from slavery and since 1834, has turned into not only a parade of floats but also a heartfelt musical competition with dozens of groups competing day and night.

Antigua Sailing Week is a world-renowned sailing event held annually right in Antigua. It lasts one week, during the period between late April and early May, during which a series of regattas take place in the crystal clear waters around the island. Different categories of boats compete, from large cruising boats to smaller racing yachts. 

What makes this event so special is the festive atmosphere around it. In addition to the competitions, there are parties, social events, and entertainment activities along the coast that create an experience of sharing a passion for sailing and Caribbean culture. 

A sporting event in a paradisiacal setting, not to be missed by sailing enthusiasts.

It emerges only a few meters from the water but offers scenery of lush nature with tropical fruit plantations, colonies of multicolored birds and emerald waters. For sailors it is an interesting stop especially because, unlike Antigua, it has not been touched by mass tourism; those who discover it under sail have the impression of being in a real lost paradise. The island is particularly flat with the highest point only 40 meters above sea level, which is why when one heads the bow in its direction, one notices this atoll only at the last moment. 

There is no harbor in Barbuda, but numerous anchorages, one of the most striking of which is Princess Diana Bay in the south of the island. This leeward bay is perfectly protected and access from the northwest is easy even if you arrive at night. Anchoring here is easy; there are only a few reefs to avoid, but the clarity of the water will allow you to identify them without problems. 

Almost all of Barbuda's inhabitants, just over 1,500 people, live in the one village, Codrington. This is located some distance from the anchorage, but on this small atoll it is easy to find passage by land. On the way you can stop for a deer burger or some famous Mahi-Mahi tropical fish.  A few groceries can be found in the village, but one should not expect to find a convenience store. There is a gas station, but you will have to carry cans to the boat. So it is best to take that into consideration when you draw up your itinerary.

For centuries it was the Eden of birds who came here to nest. It was covered with greenery, with plants and flowers and a blanket of moss that made it solid and lush. It had no beaches, no bays, it was practically uninhabited--a paradise! Later overrun by goats and rats and abandoned by humans, the island was reduced to a fistful of bare rocks. In 2016 environmentalists began a recovery effort that led in 2018 to total sanitation. The change was immediate; birds, lizards, vegetation and insects returned. A triumph of nature that restored the old balance of flora and fauna. Today Redonda is a true spectacle of nature; experts say it is destined to become the Caribbean's new natural park.