Anchors ahoy and all ashore in Antigua

Antigua is the sailing capital of the Caribbean and hosts one of the world’s top regattas, the 44th annual Antigua Sailing Week.

Holidaymakers visiting during Sailing Week are in for a treat as this is the perfect time to celebrate the island’s culture and be swept up in the carnival atmosphere of this exhilarating event which combines the chance to see high-level sailing, beach bashes and shoreside partying. For committed land lubbers who’d rather be chilling out on the beach, there are of course 365 beautiful ones to choose from and plenty to see and do in the twin-island tropical paradise.

Taking place from 24 to 29 April 2011, over 1,500 competitors including Olympic and Americas Cup sailors take part in five days of thrilling yacht racing around the tropical island.

Each day of racing ends with a celebration as the yachties, locals and thousands of spectators all join in the revelry listening to live bands and tucking into sizzling barbecue.

Dockyard Day is the finale and everyone comes out for the prize giving ceremony complete with a marching band.

The week of sailing ends with the legendary Dickenson Day Beach Bash with visitors getting great views of the vessels sailing in for the last time and enjoying the ultimate chillout session. Visitors can also explore more of the island with a full programme of excursions including a helicopter tour around Antigua, a day trip to Barbuda and a hike through the rainforest.
 
Located in the eastern Leeward Islands, Antigua and Barbuda has ideal conditions for sailing year-round and is the sunniest spot in this part of the Caribbean. Facilities are available to suit all kinds of vessels from mega yachts to skiffs.
 
The islands have a long association with the finest to have sailed the ocean waves including the great British naval hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was based there. The restored Nelson’s Dockyard is the world’s only operating Georgian dockyard and remains a haven for sailing vessels. During Antigua Sailing Week, the Dockyard is the party hot spot with beer tents open after racing and in the evening.
 
For further information, log on to: visitantiguabarbuda.co.uk