Antigua………Gateway to the Caribbean
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Named by Christopher Columbus in 1493, Antigua became famous as one of the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean for its 366 white sand beaches. Nicknamed the “gateway” due to the island’s proximity to numerous sailing trade routes in colonial times, the island still hosts sailing events to this day, including Sailing Week (http://www.sailingweek.com/v3/aswraces.php). Antigua’s harbors, protected by the continuous coral reef just off shore, are often filled with yachts for such events and houses world class marinas with berths of all sizes ranging from sailing to Mega yachts with all the modern amenities. The reef lends itself to scuba exploration, where divers can find both a diversity of sea life and the remnants of shipwrecks.
Besides Antigua’s wealth of natural resources, several historical landmarks make their home here as well. Find intrigue at the Copper & Lumber Store. Formerly a supply store set on English Harbour and built by Lord Horatio Nelson in 1783, it has been turned into a charming hotel with its own resident ghosts. Lord Nelson built up much of the area known as Nelson’s Dockyard, where historic careening slips still stand. Shirley Heights, located across the harbor from the Copper & Lumber store, features an 18th century battlement and “Jump Up” where locals and tourists alike enjoy a barbecue feast every Sunday evening at sunset, which is a perfect place to catch the “green flash” as the sun slips over the horizon. Venture further inland to explore more of Antigua’s natural and man-made wonders, including the various windmills used during the island’s sugar plantations days. With all it has to offer, Antigua makes for a perfect charter destination this winter.
This article was posted on Saturday, December 10th, 2011 at 11:44 am and is filed under Blog.