Antigua

Hi everyone,

We've been having a wonderful time in Antigua.  From English Harbour we've cruised clockwise around the island to Deep Bay, stopping off at Falmouth, Carlisle Bay and Mosquito Cove.  It's been great seeing more of the island this time around.  In 2016 we saw only English Harbour.

Antigua Cruise

The passages between anchorages were short and we needed to charge our batteries, so we motored or motor-sailed them all.

English Harbour

Exploring English Harbour again after 5 year's absence was fun.  We were recovering from the 27 day passage too.  The Oyster Round the World Rally fleet was gathering and there were three J class super-yachts in port.

Zen Again anchored in Freeman's Bay, English Harbour

Oyster Round the World Fleet at Nelson's Dockyard

Three J-class yachts at Nelson's Dockyard

Another view of the superyacht dock

We spent much of each day cleaning and tidying the boat after our long trans-Atlantic passage.  But we got off the boat every day for a walk or other exercise...

Rum Cocktail Smile

Falmouth Harbour

From English Harbour it's a very short 3nm passage to Falmouth Harbour.  We anchored in the bay which is very well protected with much better holding than Freeman's Bay.  As the chart shows, there's only a narrow isthmus separating English and Falmouth harbours.

English Harbour to Falmouth

The Antigua Yacht Club is on the isthmus and we had a very nice pancake breakfast there.  We also had some printing done then visited the chandlery and the small supermarket.

Big yachts in Falmouth Harbour Marina

Zen Again in Falmouth Harbour

Carlisle Bay

From Falmouth Harbour it's a 4nm passage to Carlisle Bay.  The water here is much clearer than Falmouth and we made more progress cleaning the hull.  There's a nice beach bar ashore which we enjoyed with Kiwi yacht sv Salini.

Falmouth to Carlisle Bay

sv Salini

Sunset view from the beach bar

Mosquito Cove (Jolly Harbour)

From Carlisle Bay to Mosquito Cove is a 7nm passage.  Mosquito Cove is the anchorage outside Jolly Harbour.  Jolly Harbour is a marina and posh low-rise housing complex.  Every house has its own jetty.  Beyond the housing there's a boatyard and marina.  And ashore there's a chandlery, a good supermarket and several cafes and bars.  We topped up our fresh water at the fuel dock.

Carlisle Bay to Mosquito Cove

Mosquito Cove is quite shallow and the water clarity isn't good so we didn't dive on the hull here.  But we did a big shop at the supermarket and had a good look around the chandlery.

At anchor off Jolly Harbour

Mosquito Cove sunset

Jolly Harbour

We took the bus into St John's, the capital city of Antigua & Barbuda.  We visited the medical centre to see if we were eligible for Covid boosters but sadly weren't.  Not yet 6 months since our last jabs.  From there we walked into town and had a look around.

St John's Anglican Cathedral

Typical street scene in St John's

Typical St John's advertising!

Deep Bay

From Mosquito Cove it's a 5nm passage to Deep Bay.  There's a fairly large resort here but it's partly hidden in the landscape.  Very nice beach.  A few tour boats visit but overall it's quiet with good holding over sand.  The water clarity is usually good so we continued hull cleaning.

Mosquito Cove to Deep Bay

We're here with Aussie sv Kynic.  We've had sundowners together and walked toghether up the hill to Fort Barrington which overlooks the bay.  Planning to check out the beach bar this afternoon.

Entering Deep Bay

View of anchorage from NE side

Walking up the hill

At the fort with Kylie and Nico

We expect to depart Deep Bay in the next day or two, towards Barbuda.  More sunshine, more beaches, more beach bars!  'Tis a tough life.

Trust all's well where you are.