Antigua / Barbuda anyone?

[popye]

I am cruising with some friends in a few weeks out of Antigua and hopefully, Barbuda, if ground swells aren't running on the west coast. I would enjoy hearing from anyone who has cruised this area. We have a one week charter through Sunsail and want to make the most of our time. We really hope to sail to Barbuda though I hear it can be a rough crossing. I also hear it can be expensive over there...Popye

[Faster]

Can't help you with Barbuda, but on your way there I'd highly recommend the Nonsuch Bay area for snorkeling. Green Island and it's anchorage Rickerts Bay are great, keep an eye out for turtles, and if you can get in, just around the corner is Ten Pound Bay which is gorgeous, but a bit shallow.

Generally there will only be a few boats at Green Island (Rickerts), but the daily charter cats will drop by and disrupt your day for a couple of hours.(but that can, in itself, be somewhat entertaining)

The reef in Nonsuch bay proper is a bit of a dinghy ride out but a good snorkel unless the swell is high.

Keep an eye out for Eric Clapton's "home" between English Harbour and this area.

Caution is required entering this area of Antigua's east coast.

[billyruffn]

Popye,

Swells run mostly on the east coast.... but if I remember the charts correctly there are fringing reefs to break them up -- haven't been there, so I can't say for sure. Cruising guides list a number of places behind the reefs as offering good shelter, snorkeling, etc.

Of the places I have been --- On the other side, Nelson's Dock Yard at English Harbor is worth a day or so... the place reeks of history. Further to the north, Jolly Harbor, is anything but, and unless you need a customs entry/exit point, it can be safely 'given a miss'.