Antigua & Barbuda Travel Facts for Yachts

Fact File for Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua forms part of the Leeward Islands group in the northeast Caribbean. The Antiguan way of life is largely based around the water. Days pass by at a pleasant Caribbean pace. This is the place to take things easy, stroll around markets, sip fresh juices of coconuts and pineapple and meet friendly locals.

COORDINATES: 17º03N, 61º48W

LANGUAGE: English (official), Antiguan Creole (spoken)

CAPITAL: St. John's

WEATHER: The island enjoys a very pleasant tropical climate, warm and relatively dry throughout the year. Tropical storms and hurricanes may occur between June and November.

BEST TIME TO CHARTER: December-April

AIRPORTS: VC Bird International (ANU) serving Caribbean and intercontinental flights.

TIME: UTC-4

CURRENCY: East Caribbean dollar (XCD), USD is also widely accepted. Major credit cards including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa should be accepted. ATMs are available but mostly in major resorts and towns such as St John's.

ELECTRICITY: Officially 230 V, 60 Hz with most outlets of standard British type; many places are now built to North American standards.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

1 Jan - New Year's Day
Mar/Apr - Good Friday, Easter Monday
First Monday in May - Labor Day
May/Jun - Whit Monday
First Monday in Aug - Carnival Monday, Carnival Tuesday
First Monday in Nov - Independence Day
9 Dec - National Heroes Day
25 Dec - Christmas Day

MAIN PORTS AND MARINAS: Antigua Yacht Club Marina
Falmouth Harbour Marina
Jolly Harbour Marina
Nelson's Dockyard Marina

RECOMMENDED BEACHES: Dickenson Beach with stretching gold sand and a few beach bars; Jolly Beach on the west coast great for water sports; Pigeon Point Beach at the mouth of Falmouth Harbour

CULTURAL: Dress is informal unless specifically requested. It is not acceptable to wear revealing clothing or beachwear in towns or villages. It is an offense for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. When it comes to greetings, relatives and good friends generally embrace while for acquaintances a handshake will be enough. Smoking is generally accepted in public places.