| Christopher Columbus landed on Antigua in 1493 and | | | | lies on the island's southern coast. Nearby Shirley |
| named the island Santa Maria de la. Early Spanish | | | | Heights is famous for "Jump Up", BBQs and punch |
| settlement was replaced by English rule from 1632, | | | | parties with live music and dancing. |
| with a French interlude in 1666. The islands were | | | | To the east of English Harbour is Falmouth Harbour, |
| granted independence from British rule on the 1st | | | | major yachting centre in its own right. Home to |
| November 1981. They remain members of the British. | | | | Nelson's Dockyard, the only working Georgian |
| Commonwealth. | | | | dockyard in the world. There is a museum dedicated |
| Reliable trade winds throughout the season, which | | | | to Admiral Lord Nelson who used English Harbour as |
| runs from December to May, make Antigua and | | | | his Caribbean base in the late 18th century. Nelsons |
| Barbuda a great yacht charter destination. Coral reefs | | | | Dockyard is an active yachting centre and the bay |
| and abundant marine life make for great snorkelling | | | | now has three large marinas and the Antigua Yacht |
| and scuba diving. | | | | Club. |
| Antigua offers all the types of yacht charter; | | | | Green Island, at the mouth of Nonsuch Bay on |
| bareboat charter, skippered and crewed yachts, | | | | Antigua's east shore, offers an unspoilt anchorage. |
| catamaran, sail and motor and super yacht charter. | | | | St. John's is the capital of Antigua and lies on the |
| Antigua has an international airport, with daily flights | | | | islands west coast. Here you will find good |
| from many cities throughout the world. The East | | | | provisioning. Five Island Harbour, just south of St. |
| Caribbean dollar is the official currency but both US | | | | John's, offers a choice anchorages in which good |
| Dollars and Euros are used and major credit cards | | | | shelter can be found whatever the winds direction. |
| may be accepted in hotels, restaurants and some | | | | Jolly Harbour, on the south coast is a large complex |
| shops. | | | | of boatyards, marinas, restaurants, and shops. |
| Creole cusine predominates on the islands. The | | | | Redonda, Antigua's out-island, lies 30 miles to the |
| national dish of Antigua is fungie and pepper pot. | | | | southeast. It is completely uninhabited |
| Fungie is a dish almost entirely made from cornmeal | | | | Barbuda lies 20 miles to the north of Antigua and |
| and very similar to the Italian polenta. Other local | | | | offers good sailing and a number of lovely |
| dishes include ducana, seasoned rice, saltfish and | | | | anchorages on its west and south sides. Codrington |
| lobster from Barbuda. There are also local | | | | Lagoon is on the west side and is seven miles long |
| confectionaries which include: fudge, peanut brittle, | | | | with pink sandy beaches. Codrington, Barbuda's |
| raspberry and tamarind stew and sugarcake. Good | | | | largest town is worth a visit while here. Many other |
| international cusine is also widely available. | | | | pleasant beaches can be found on the island often |
| Antigua is home to the famous English Harbour that | | | | covered with shells. |