Antigua Sailing Itinerary

Falmouth Harbour

Step back in time with the modern comforts at Nelson’s Dockyard, a marina drenched in eighteenth-century charm and rich naval heritage. It’s the ideal starting point for your unforgettable sailing journey across Antigua with The Moorings.

Anchor in the secluded Falmouth Harbour, just a stone’s throw from our Nelson’s Dockyard base. Your first night awaits in this spacious, horseshoe-shaped bay, where the stars shine brighter and the evening whispers of adventure. 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 the perfect place to kick off your Antigua sailing itinerary.

The day’s sailing

• 0.5 mins Sailing time
• 3 Nautical miles

Mooring

You can moor up at Falmouth Harbour Marina or just a few minutes away is Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, the home of The Moorings’ Antigua sailing base.

Things to do

• Soak up the unique history and culture of Antigua’s original British settlement
• Enjoy a tempting treat at Sweet T’s Ice Cream Parlour.
• Snorkel and dive around the underwater wonders of the Pillars of Hercules

Facilities

Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Electricity, Refueling options, Toilets, Showers, Provisioning

Why include Falmouth Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard in your Antigua sailing itinerary?

“Great location, with food, drink, good restaurants, shops, and a beautiful location to tell you the history of the Island.” – Tripadvisor

“Lovely historical buildings in beautiful setting” – Tripadvisor

Jolly Harbour and Carlisle Bay

Another premier marina on the island of Antigua, Jolly Harbour offers an array of amenities and onshore activities to visitors of all kinds. From the 18-hole golf course to the stunning white-sand beach encircling the lovely port, Jolly Harbour takes leisure and enjoyment to the next level. 

On your way to Jolly Harbour, stop off at Carlisle Bay, where the succulent aroma of Antigua’s very own rare species of pineapple fills the air and awakens your senses. The locally-cultivated Antigua Black Pineapples are said to be the sweetest in the world, featuring a distinctive golden color and lower acidity levels. Stopping by the Cades Bay Pineapple Farm to learn more about this delectable fruit’s Antiguan roots and of course, to taste the crisp and juicy sweetness for yourself, is a staple of any Antigua sailing itinerary.

The day’s sailing

• 2.5 Hrs Sailing time
• 11 Nautical miles

Mooring

You can moor up at Jolly Harbour Marina, where moorings balls are also available.

Things to do

• Shopping in the local village and buying mementos of your Antigua sailing vacation
• Scuba diving in the crystal clear waters around Jolly Harbour
• Spend the day exploring the land by bicycle or playing tennis, squash and other fun activities
• Delight your appetite with a seaside dining experience at one of the village’s fine restaurants, which includes everything from authentic Greek to classic French cuisine

Facilities

Restaurants, Bars, Supermarket, ATM, Swimming pool, Golf, Tennis, Squash, Gym, Scuba tours, Fuel dock, Wi-fi, Bicycle/golf cart rental, Pharmacy

Why include Jolly Harbour and Carlisle Bay in your Antigua sailing itinerary?

“[Jolly Harbour has] one of the longest beaches on the island, so perfect for walking as well as swimming.” – Tripadvisor

“Such a wonderful place, very picturesque, lovely grounds and amazing water views.” – Tripadvisor

Great Bird Island

Often regarded as a “desert island” dream, Great Bird Island captures the true essence of a do not disturb vacation. The island offers some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean and the views from the hike that leads to the top of the island are unreal. From the most peaceful of settings to the picture perfect scenery, Great Bird Island is an offshore sanctuary for charterers, as well as a natural safe haven for a variety of endangered wildlife species, including red-billed tropic birds and West Indian whistling ducks.

Great Bird Island is actually part of the group of small islands known as the North Sound National Park. Adjacent Rabbit Island is home to the exotic brown pelican, and the largest of the group, Long Island, has been the site of a successful Hawksbill sea turtle monitoring project. If you’re a nature lover, this might just be your favorite day of the whole Antigua sailing itinerary.

The day’s sailing

• 4 Hr Sailing time
• 17 Nautical miles

Mooring

There are two anchorages that you can use when you visit the stunning marine park.

Things to do

• Explore the bird sanctuary and spot exotic wildlifeSnorkel pristine reefs and uncover underwater treasures
• Hike to the top of the island and take in the breathtaking views of the Caribbean

Facilities

This is a secluded, tranquil paradise which means you’ll need to bring your own food, water and essentials as there are no facilities for yachts available. Go back to basics and feel at one with nature when you go sailing in Antigua.

Why include Great Bird Island in your Antigua sailing itinerary?

“Very nice white sand beach with close sandbars and surrounding coral reef.” – Tripadvisor

“We climbed to the top of the island to enjoy spectacular views, then returned to the beach to gear up for snorkeling. The water was crystal clear and we actually saw some very healthy-looking coral as well as numerous fish.” – Tripadvisor

Dickenson Bay

Sitting pretty on the far north end of Antigua, Dickenson Bay is one of the most popular areas on the island, boasting many top-tier hotels and resorts. This makes it one of the most anticipated locations on any Antigua sailing itinerary.

The vast sugar-sand beach that extends across the bay offers idyllic conditions for swimming, sunbathing and is lined with laid-back establishments perfect for bar-hopping. Plus, as the hub for Antigua’s windsurfing scene, Dickenson Bay is a prime location for all sorts of water sports and activities.

Fort Barrington

For a scenic and historically-significant excursion on land, venture on the 10-minute hike to Fort Barrington at Deep Bay, which is just a short southbound sail from Dickenson Bay. Sitting atop Goat Hill, the over 230-year old ruins of Fort Barrington will transport you back in time and reveal spectacular views of Antigua’s second to none sailing paradise.

Whether you want to spend your vacation relaxing, exploring, drinking, socializing or immersing yourself in local culture, day four of our Antigua sailing itinerary ticks every box.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr Sailing time
• 8 Nautical miles

Mooring

The easiest way to moor up and explore Dicken Bay is to anchor.

Things to do

• Go windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking or even rent sunfish and jet skis 
• Spend the day beach bar-hopping, tasting delicious cocktails made with local ingredients
• Discover uninhabited islands that are home to a one-mile long coral reef, which makes for a superb snorkeling site.
• Sailing in Antigua isn’t the only way of getting around, you can even moor up and go horseback riding

Facilities

Restaurants, Bars, Beach kiosks, Tennis courts, Kayaks, Snorkeling gear, Jet skis, Casino

Why include Dickenson Bay and Fort Barrington in your Antigua sailing itinerary?

“Wonderful beach. Great facilities and water sports. Loved every minute. Sea beautiful. Antigua is amazing. Dickensian Bay beach worth a visit.” – Tripadvisor

“The views from the top [of Fort Barrington] were absolutely incredible overlooking Deep Bay beach.” – Tripadvisor

Green Island

Uninhabited and unspoiled Green Island is a delightful little hideaway located just off the eastern coast of Antigua. This popular Antigua sailing destination comes with plenty of anchorages, exotic bird sightings, and unrivaled relaxation in the middle of an uncrowded serene paradise. Green Island’s neighbor to the left – Nonsuch Bay – is worth exploring too with its tranquil waters, pleasant sea breezes, and barrier reef protection. 

The best part? Green Island is only accessible by boat and is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean for switching off and unwinding, meaning sailing in Antigua has never felt so blissful.

The day’s sailing

• 3 Hr Sailing time
• 15 Nautical miles

Mooring

The easiest way to moor up is to anchor, although there are a few mooring buoys available in Green Island North East.

Things to do

• Go reef snorkeling and channel your inner underwater adventurer
• If you’re a nature lover, you can spend your days tropical bird watching
• Sunbathe on Green Island’s golden sands and feel your cares melt away

Facilities

Like Great Bird Island, Green Island has very few facilities apart from restrooms and outdoor showers so that you can switch off from the world and connect with nature.

Why include Green Island in your Antigua sailing itinerary?

“Beautiful beach and great snorkeling. We saw a spotted eagle stingray and other fish while we were snorkeling.” – Tripadvisor

“Beautiful beach, snorkeling with tropical fish and turtles! This was one of the highlights of our trip.” – Tripadvisor

English Harbour

English Harbour is a Caribbean sanctuary steeped in maritime significance and naval history. If you're sailing in Antigua and want to immerse yourself in maritime culture, there's no better place than English Harbour. The main entrance to the sheltered harbor is flanked by two tall forts on either side, transporting you back to the 18th century when the Royal Navy's Caribbean Fleet was first based there.

Not far from Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour has plenty to offer travelers of all kinds, including a number of bars and restaurants, as well as an English pub serving British cuisine with a Caribbean twist. There's also duty-free shopping, a museum highlighting the country's local history, and "jump-up" steel band sessions that are too entertaining to pass up.

The day tour

• 2 hours sailing time
• 9 nautical miles

Mooring

You can moor up at Falmouth Harbour Marina or just a few minutes away is Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, The Moorings’ Antigua sailing base.

Things to do

• Dine at one of the local restaurants and enjoy Wadadli beer while watching the sunset
• Learn some local history at the museum and immerse yourself in local culture
• Hike the historical trails before settling down for a romantic picnic at Rendezvous Bay
• Head five minutes away to Pigeon Point Beach and soak up the sizzling sun all day

Facilities

Restaurants, Bars, Laundry, Showers, Post Office, Bakery, Internet Café, Toilets, Dive Center, Water, Ice

Why include English Harbour in your Antigua sailing itinerary?

“[Pigeon Point] Beach is glorious, set in a very natural surroundings with great views of the harbor and hills in the distance.” – Tripadvisor

“The water is calm and the [nearby] beach is never too busy at all […] you won’t be disappointed if you visit I promise!” – Tripadvisor

Diepp Freeman Bay

Home to top-rated Galleon Beach, Freeman’s Bay is an uncrowded sanctuary and the perfect place to spend your last day of uninterrupted bliss aboard your private yacht. A breathtaking haven lush in tropical foliage and splendid snorkeling conditions, Freeman’s Bay is a hidden gem that is just a short distance away from The Moorings base at Nelson’s Dockyard, making it the perfect final stop on your Antigua sailing itinerary.

The day’s sailing

• 0.5 Hr Sailing time
• 0.5 Nautical miles

Mooring

You can moor up at Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, which is where our Antigua sailing base is.

Things to do

• Relax and unwind on Galleon Beach, enjoying its powdery white sands and crystalline waters
• Embrace the calm waters and go snorkeling around the nearby reef
• Come face to face with an abundance of marine life, from turtles to lionfish

Facilities

Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Electricity, Refueling options, Toilets, Showers, Provisioning, 24-hour security

Why include Freeman’s Bay in your Antigua sailing itinerary?

We snorkeled at Galleon Beach and out to the Pillars of Hercules. [We saw] turtles, stingrays, thousands of fish, octopus and so many different types of coral, we were in awe.” – Tripadvisor

“The beach is absolutely beautiful and not too busy, […] the perfect spot for swimming. While we were there a turtle was spotted swimming very close to the shore. Great facilities.” – Tripadvisor