Antigua Flotilla Bareboat Cruise
EXPLORE ANTIGUA . . . GEM OF THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN
April 21-28, 2022 on Classic Monohulls – SOLD OUT, join the waitlist
Antigua (pronounced An-tee-guh) is the perfect sailing destination. This cruise takes place just one week before the start of Antigua Sailing Week – the Caribbean’s most spectacular racing event. As you explore Antigua’s miles of beautiful coastline, nestled in the middle of the Leeward Islands, sailboats from all over the world will be arriving to tempt you to stay on or return to this Eastern Caribbean gem.
PERFECT SAILING CONDITIONS
Each sail in endless shades of turquoise-blue water takes you to pristine beaches with fantastic snorkeling, swimming, and hiking on easy trails that end with unbelievable vistas. When the sun sets with colors beyond your imagination, lounge on deck or head ashore to enjoy live music with friendly locals. With superior sailing conditions and pristine cruising grounds, this destination is in a class of its own. About 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, Antigua has 54 miles of beautiful coastline with easy short-passage sailing and line of sight navigation. Home to an abundance of tropical wildlife ashore and in underwater havens, you sail in steady north-easterly winds of about 15 – 20 knots (17 – 23 mph) and tidal ranges typically between 12 to 18 inches. Daytime temperatures are around 82°F, with comfortable nighttime temperatures around 73°F.
A SAILING ADVENTURE THAT MELTS YOUR CARES AWAY
The Moorings states on its website: “The hundreds of beaches are second to none, the onshore island scene is beyond compare, and the rare Antigua Black Pineapple is the sweetest in the world.” And we totally agree. There’s so much or nothing to do but sail. You can snorkel on coral reefs where endangered Hawksbill sea turtle are sometimes seen, hike to historic Fort Barrington, get the ultimate adrenaline-rush zip-lining through lush tropical rainforest, and explore the eighteenth-century charm and naval heritage of Nelson’s Dockyard where this special cruise begins.
SAILING RESUME REQUIRED
SAILING RESUME FOR FLOTILLA CRUISES
All participants on a Colgate Sailing Adventures® Flotilla Cruise must complete a sailing resume, whether you have sailed on one of our flotillas before or not. Your cruise leaders will use these resumes to assign crews to each yacht in the fleet. Please print, fill out and email the form in the sailing resume link below and email it to Cheryl@OffshoreSailing.com as soon as you book your cabin.
BOOK NOW
CALL 800-221-4326 or 239-454-1700
Info@OffshoreSailing.com
ANTIGUA FLOTILLA CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
Our four reserved monohulls are ready to board by 6 p.m., so plan to get there by mid-afternoon if you are not coming in a day or two early to relax ashore. First stop is usually a short hop, in this case to Falmouth Harbour just around the corner. The descriptions that follow are of places you might visit. The itinerary, set by your cruise leaders, will be discussed at the Meet & Greet Party the night you start the cruise.
English Harbour
English Harbour is a Caribbean sanctuary rich in maritime significance and naval history. Your Colgate Flotilla Sailing Adventures® cruise starts here at The Moorings/Sunsail base at Nelson’s Dockyard. The main entrance to the protected harbor is bordered by two tall fortresses that go back in time to the 18th century when the Royal Navy’s Caribbean fleet was based here. Near the baes are bars and restaurants, an English pub that serves British fare with a Caribbean twist, duty-free shopping, a museum highlighting the local history of the land, and “jump up” steel band sessions that are fun to join in.
Falmouth Harbour
Here you’ll drop anchor and spend your first evening aboard in the middle of a secluded horseshoe-shaped bay. With three large marinas and an expansive boat yard lined with eye-catching vessels of all kinds, Falmouth Harbour has become a thriving hub for the yachting community and will surely be full of Antigua Saiing Week Competitors. Ashore you’ll find the unique history and culture of Antigua’s original British settlement. If you have yen for sweets, don’t miss a tempting treat at Sweet T’s Ice Cream Parlour.
Jolly Harbour
At Jolly Harbour there’s a marina and mooring balls for overnight stays. Ashore is an 18-hole golf course, stunning white-sand beach encircling the lovely port, swimming pool, bicycle and golf cart rentals, tennis, squash, and shopping. In the evening, dine at a seaside or village fine restaurant, where you’ll find everything fro authentic Greek to classic French cuisine, and fresh seafood dishes.
Great Bird Island
Often described as a “desert island” dream, Great Bird Island is part of a group of small islands known as the North Sound National Park. With remarkable snorkeling and incredible views from the top of the island, Great Bird is also a natural safe haven for a variety of endangered wildlife species, including red-billed tropic birds and West Indian whistling ducks. Brown pelicans nest on nearby Rabbit Island and the largest of the group, Long Island, has been the site of a successful Hawksbill sea turtle monitoring project.
Dickenson Bay
Located on the north end of Antigua, Dickenson Bay’s huge sugar-sand beach makes it one of the most popular areas on the island. Ashore there are fun bar-hopping spots, and tons of water sports activities including Windsurfing, sunfish and jet ski rentals, water skiing. You can also go horseback riding. Off the coast of the bay are uninhabited islands with a one-mile long coral reef where snorkeling is superb.
Green Island
Uninhabited, unspoiled and uncrowded, this little hideaway is located just off the eastern coast of Antigua. Popular for snorkeling, the island has plenty of anchorages with exotic bird watching. Nonsuch Bay, is a nice stop with quiet waters behind a barrier reef.
Diepp Freeman Bay
A short distance from The Moorings/Sunsail base, this bay is known for Galleon Beach surrounded by superb snorkeling opportunities tropical foliage. This is the perfect last stop before heading back to Nelson’s Dockyard . . . and home.
BOOK NOW
CALL 800-221-4326 or 239-454-1700
Info@OffshoreSailing.com
ANTIGUA FLOTILLA PACKAGE COSTS AND DETAILS
- Single in a private cabin: $4,200
- Two traveling together, sharing cabin: $3,500 per person
If you are an Offshore Sailing School graduate with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification (BCC), you get a $300 discount on the package rates. This discount is only for those with BCC certification. If one person in a party has it and the other does not, only the sailor with BCC may enjoy the discount.
Discounted packages for Offshore Sailing School grads with US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification:
- Single in a private cabin: $3,900
- Two traveling together, sharing cabin: $3,200 per person
JUST 7 CABINS AVAILABLE
We have two boats reserved for this cruise: one 3-cabin Sunsail 479 and one 4-cabin 48.4. More details on these yachts are highlighted in the Antigua Flotilla Cruise Handbook prepared by the Offshore Sailing School team. As always, boats are subject to change due to unforeseen maintenance or other issues beyond our team’s control.
Full payment is due when you sign up. No refunds or transfers to other flotilla cruise dates are allowed. Antigua does not require a cruising license, but you must submit the required sailing resume before your cabin is confirmed. Antigua Covid-19 vaccination requirements are in effect and can change at any time. Offshore Sailing School cannot be held responsible for such changes. Please always refer to the destination’s weblink to learn more.
What Your Antigua Flotilla Package Includes
- Your single or shared cabin aboard a fleet monohulls, assigned by cruise leaders based on required resumes
- Provisions for breakfasts, lunches, snacks and three dinners aboard during the cruise
- Meet and Greet Party and dinner ashore first night
- Damage waiver and fuel
- Commemorative cruise shirt and hat
- Complete handbook to help you plan your travels
- Cruise leaders with the group throughout the cruise
Extras to Plan On and the Shared Kitty
- Travel to and from Antigua
- Transfers to and from airport to base (approximately $32 per person as of January 2022)
- Any meals before, after or during cruise not included in the package above
- Extra provisions, wine, beer, and other beverages you purchase
- Mooring, dockage fees: mooring balls are approximately 15-20 USD per night, dockage fees are approximately 50 cents to 1 USD per foot, per night
- Tours, excursions, taxis, bicycle, or any other rentals
- Kayaks, paddle boards, or other gear you may wish to have during the cruise if available at this location
- Any other expenses you might incur
On all Colgate Sailing Adventures® flotilla cruises, crews on each yacht maintain a kitty for shared costs such as extra food, drinks, other supplies for boat, mooring and docking fees, rentals, or other expenses.
HOW TO GET TO ANTIGUA
Fly into V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU). Due to the number of flights organized by The Moorings, we recommend you contact their in-house flight specialist at 8966-649-2003 before you book your flights. They can also arrange private charter flights to this destination. Taxis are available outside the airport for the 35-45 minute drive to the base. If you would like to come in early, here are some links to accommodations recommended by The Moorings::
Admiral’s Inn (located at the marina)
Antigua Yacht Club and Marina Resort (close to the marina)
The Verandah Resort and Spa (Antigua)
Galley Bay Resort and Spa (St. Johns)
Trade Winds Hotel (St. Johns)
Anchorage Inn (St. Johns)
BOOK NOW
CALL 800-221-4326 or 239-454-1700
Info@OffshoreSailing.com
PLEASE PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE
Stuff happens, we get that, but Offshore Sailing School cannot be responsible for refunds or transfers if something happens to you that could be covered by travel insurance. If you do not have your own source, here are links to Travelex and Repoint Travel Insurance to learn more. Please be aware, some agencies are now requiring purchase be made at least 21 days in advance of your departure date. Please note country entry/exit and vaccination immunization requirements can and do change. Offshore Sailing School, The Moorings, and Sunsail are not accountable for these requirement changes. You are advised to visit the destination’s authority website to receive the latest updates.
