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

Marina

Facilities

Restaurants, bars, provisioning

Jolly Harbour

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

Marina, Moorings balls

Things to do

Shopping, scuba diving, playing tennis or squash, renting bicycles or golf carts

Facilities

Restaurants, bars, supermarket, ATM, swimming pool, golf, tennis, squash, gym, scuba tours, fuel dock, Wi–Fi, bicycle/golf cart rental, pharmacy

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

Anchor

Things to do

• Explore the bird sanctuary
• Spot exotic wildlife
• Snorkel pristine reefs
• Hike to the top of the island

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts

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

Anchor

Things to do

Windsurfing, beach bar–hopping, rent sunfish and jet skis, snorkel the coral reef, water skiing, horseback riding

Facilities

Restaurants, bars, beach kiosks, tennis courts, casino

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

Anchor

Things to do

• Reef snorkelling
• Tropical birdwatching

Facilities

No facilities available for yachts.

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

Marina

Things to do

• Dine at one of the local restaurants
• Learn some history at the museum
• Have a picnic at Rendezvous Bay
• Enjoy Wadadli beer while watching the sunset.
• Hike the historical trails

Facilities

Restaurants, bars, laundry, showers, post office, bakery, Internet café, toilets, dive centre, water, and ice are available.

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