Antigua

Antigua’s protected natural harbours, prime location in the Leeward Islands, and strategic position in the trade winds make it an unparalleled base for sailing adventures. This perfect spot was recognized by Admiral Horatio Nelson in the 1700s when he established a British Royal Navy base here. Today, it serves as a Sunsail base, offering a convenient and scenic starting point for your sailing vacation, with many nearby islands within easy reach.

Our Sunsail charter base is situated in the historic heart of English Harbour, adjacent to Nelson’s Dockyard. The base offers a variety of amenities, including a supermarket, post office, and bank, as well as laundry facilities, restrooms, and showers (available for a fee). Nearby, you’ll find a selection of restaurants, cafes, tours, watersports activities, museum buildings, and Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. A short walk will bring you to the Falmouth Harbour waterfront, where you can marvel at stunning super yachts and enjoy more excellent dining options. The town of Falmouth is just a quick cab ride away.

While Nelson may not have considered Antigua’s 365 beaches, vibrant reefs, or clear waters perfect for snorkeling and diving, these natural wonders make the island an idyllic destination today. Antigua boasts 54 miles of coastline dotted with coves, anchorages, and islands, making it easy to spend a week or more sailing around the island. English Harbour and Falmouth are not only great starting points but also destinations in their own right, offering plenty of activities and easy beach access. The famous Sunday night Shirley Heights BBQ is a must-see, marking the perfect start to your vacation. Jolly Harbour is another essential stop, offering great opportunities for biking, walking, golfing, and waterfront dining.

As you sail around Antigua, you’ll encounter the North Sound National Park, home to many smaller islands worth exploring. Excellent birding, snorkelling, and swimming can be found throughout the area, with standout spots including Dickenson Bay, Nonsuch Bay, and Bird Island. Don’t miss the chance to visit Barbuda, Antigua’s sister island, known for its pink sand beaches and frigate bird sanctuary. The waters around Barbuda are stunningly clear and perfect for snorkelling, with numerous caves and natural curiosities to explore onshore.

From Antigua, you can easily reach St. Kitts and Nevis or Montserrat in a day’s sail, taking advantage of favourable winds. With a bit more time, the mountainous French island of Guadeloupe to the south is also within reach and well worth the trip.

VC Bird International Airport is just forty minutes from our charter base, with direct flights available from New York, Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta, Toronto, and Montreal. In Europe, you can fly directly from Frankfurt, London, Manchester, and Milan, with plenty of connections available through interisland airlines.

Embark on a thrilling sailing adventure with Sunsail in Antigua, where every day brings new discoveries and unforgettable experiences.

AMENITIES

Supermarket

Restaurants

Watersports

Laundry