Zandoli
Antigua is a lively, vibrant island with a relaxed and friendly local population. From the excitement of marine activities like sport fishing, scuba diving and sailing, not to mention the views of mega-yachts gracing the harbours, to readily available yoga, meditation and gym classes, Antigua is a recreational paradise. Hiking is a popular pursuit, and the wealth of historic and cultural sites creates many opportunities for memorable days out.
Car hire is recommended to explore all the island's beaches and sights, though many excellent restaurants, bars, shops and other facilities are within walking distance. We can highly recommend a local car hire/taxi company in Falmouth Harbour.
It is an incredible hike up from the house and over to Nelson's Dockyard, and other local hikes accompanied by an expert guide can be had by arrangement. We are also happy to put guests in touch with a local weekly yoga activity if required, or you can have Pilates or yoga classes at Zandoli itself.
Beaches
There are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year. The great majority rest inside the calm, protected waters of the island's Caribbean side. All are open to the public, and so the challenge posed to a visitor is not how to gain access to the best of them but simply how to locate the beach that suits one's taste. Exploring on your own is the best way to do this.
Northwest Coast:
Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, located along the island's developed northwestern coast, are the place to go for those who want the fully-loaded resort beach experience. The beaches most convenient to St. John's are Fort James, a locally-popular public beach, and Deep Bay. Galley Bay attracts surfers during the winter months and a joggers during the evening. The series of four crescent beaches at Hawksbill are also highly regarded, one of which is nudist.
Southwest and South Coast:
All along the west coast you'll find incredible beaches, day clubs and great restaurants. The beaches of the hilly southwest corner of Antigua are generally less developed than those around St. John's further north. On the road that winds along this coast are Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach, and the beaches around Johnsons Point. Rendezvous Bay and especially Doigs Beach, both located on the central southern coast at Rendezvous Bay, are especially quiet beaches worth the rough travel necessary to reach them. Pigeon Point is a convenient balm after a day at Nelson's Dockyard.
East Coast:
On the southeast corner of the island is Half Moon Bay, now a National Park and a good choice for a family outing. Long Bay, on the easternmost point of the island, is another good choice for families, as it is completely protected by its reef.
Carnival
Antigua Carnival is a fortnight's festival of colorful costumes, beauty pageants, talent shows, and especially good music. The festivities, which celebrate emancipation, are exciting and extensive, ranging from the Party Monarch and Calypso Monarch competitions of Calypsonians, the Panorama steel band competition, and the spectacular Parade of Bands to the Miss Antigua Pageant and the Caribbean Queen's Competition. In addition to these major events, the nonstop revelry boasts innumerable smaller festivities, including local concerts, food fairs, parades, and cultural shows.
For what's on in Antigua check out www.antiguanice.com
