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There are 365 days in year. And that's exactly how many you would need to visit every single beach on Antigua, ideal for those lazy Antigua holidays and with it's shallow, crystal clear water and protecting coral reefs it now offers perfect conditions for Antigua diving. . There is little current, very warm water and long range visibility. Popular sites are Cades Reef, an underwater park; and the wreck of the Andes , a three masted merchant ship that sank in 1905. Barbuda 's encircling reefs contain an enormous number of wrecks, most of which are yet to be explored. If you want to dive on Barbuda, it's best to make arrangements with one of the dive shops in Antigua and have the equipment shipped over.
Most Antiguans are of African lineage, the descendants of slaves; however the first settlers date back to about 2400 BC . These were the Meso-Indians whose beautifully crafted shell and stone tools have been dug up all over the island. Around 35 AD the pastoral Arawaks arrived, who were then displaced a millennium later by the fearsome Caribs. Artifacts of these races can be found in the national museum housed in the colonial Court House.
A hundred years before Nelson arrived, British entrepreneur Sir Christopher Codrington had begun establishing a sugar plantation economy on the island. By the mid 18th century more than 150 cane-processing windmills dotted the landscape, of which today almost 100 of these picturesque stone towers remain, most have been converted into houses, bars, restaurants and shops. You can see a fully-restored sugar mill at Betty's Hope, Codrington's original estate. Slavery left a bitter legacy on Antigua, "Freedom" came in 1834, but the lack of an 'apprenticeship' or transition period left former slaves impoverished. They had no choice but to continue working on the sugar plantations, where conditions and wages kept them dependent on their former masters. Emancipation is celebrated at Carnival - almost two weeks of festivities including colorful costumes in parades, beauty pageants, talent shows, and West Indian music. The rise of a labor movement in the 1940s provided the impetus for independence which was finally achieved under the leadership of V. C. Bird. His son succeeds him as prime minister today.
Sailing in Antigua is probably the most popular sport on the island today, yes, even more popular than diving in Antigua! The annual Antigua sailing week is a very important event in the world calendar for yachting enthusiasts. The whole island becomes involved and Antigua sailing week is an excuse for a week-long party, so to all you weekend sailors if you want to experience the Caribbean and sailing in Antigua with impromptu parties every night start making plans.
Golf in Antigua due to its lack of available space is limited to just two courses so those wishing to try Antigua golf ought to come prepared to try some other activity or play on the same two Antigua golf courses on alternate days.
Fishing in Antigua is first class with big game species such as Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, Kingfish, Shark and Barracuda all there and ready to be caught those keen on trying Antiguan fishing. See our directory for companies offering Antigua fishing boat charter.
Accommodation in Antigua is readily available from the traditional hotels, through apartments in Antigua to the very latest offerings of the resorts in Antigua. There has been no system of ranking of hotels in Antigua so a little careful research is required and please remember that there is a tax on hotels plus a service charge which are not normally included in the prices of Antigua accommodation.
Antigua property is available for sale as are condominiums in Antigua but there isn’t vast amounts and of course with the chance of living in this fabulous climate Antigua properties are not dirt cheap.
Enjoy your Antigua Holiday and come back to Antigua again. |
Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles due north. Barbuda, which was once a scavenger's paradise because so many ships were wrecked on its reefs, is now home to one of the Caribbeans most significant bird sanctuaries. Accessible only by boat, Barbuda's Bird Sanctuary is located in the island's northwestern lagoon; it contains over 170 species of birds and is home to over 5,000 frigate birds. Keep an eye open for the 'Fregata Magnificens' which has a larger wingspan in proportion to its body size than any other bird alive. Although Barbuda is home to three exclusive resorts, its pink beaches are largely deserted and should appeal to nature lovers. 
