Despite the title of this blog post, I in fact, did not got sailing in Antigua. In fact, I didn’t even visit this gorgeous island at the same time as Sailing Week. Although, I did want to draw your attention to Antigua’s most popular attraction. Over 100 yachts participate each year and 5000 spectators arrive annually to watch this much anticipated event. Regarded as one of the most pre-eminent yacht racing events in the Caribbean and one of the top regattas worldwide, there is no surprise that this idyllic island attracts such a large amount of visitors for these five days. Participants are rewarded daily of their revelry and hard endeavour with prizes, and evenings are spent celebrating late into the the early morning hours.

The Sailing Week is organised and conducted at Nelson’s Dockyard, where the architecture is reminiscent of European colonialism and the small Dockyard Museum illustrates aspects of history about the marina and the island. However, if looking for a more detailed and informative museum, head over to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda which extensively traces the geographical origins of the island to the era of political independence.

Antigua is everything you expect from a Caribbean island, white sandy shores that line the island, lapping aquamarine waves that kiss the beaches and swaying palm trees in the island wind. Visiting as a child, I saw this island as a beautiful gem, one to spend hours digging holes in the sand and swimming in the salty sea, perfect for a beach holiday. Being one of the most well visited islands of the Caribbean, and grabbing the tenth spot on Trip Advisor as one of the most popular, Antigua is known for its windy weather that is ideal for sailors and kite surfers, as well as its numerous resorts. The resorts all vary in style and in price, but tourism being the only staple income to Antigua, locals understand the necessity of the tourism industry. This might deter the overall perspective and experience you will have of idyllic peaceful island life- which you might find on a smaller, less developed island, however, don’t let this hold you back from visiting.