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Watersports for Families in Antigua
Especially for families with teens, you'll find a wide
selection of watersports in Antigua regardless of your level of expertise.
Lessons are offered by many larger resorts.
Windsurfing
Constant northeast trade winds make this a good windsurfing
destination. Beginners learn on the West Coast, with its more protected
waters, while the East Coast challenges surfers of any level. The center
of the windsurfing action is Dickenson Bay. Here the annual Windsurfing
Antigua is scheduled.
Look for rentals from Wadadli Watersports Center at Buccaneer Cove and
Unlimited Hydro Sports at Dickenson Bay and Jolly Beach. Windsurfing lessons
are offered at several hotels including Jolly Beach's Windsurfing Sailing
School (considered one of the top schools in the world), and Wadadli Windsurfing
Classes at Lord Nelson Beach Hotel.
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
Deep Sea Fishing
Grouper, snapper, and other game fish are sought on deep
sea charters. These waters are the site of two tournaments every year:
the Sports Fishing Tournament and the Winter Fishing Tournament.
The Sports Fishing Tournament offers over $50,000 in prizes. The angler
who breaks the local blue marlin record (771.25 pounds, set in 1994) wins
$10,000. Cash prizes also go to the record-breaking catches of white marlin,
sailfish, kingfish, wahoo, dolphin, and tuna.
The tournament donates part of its proceeds to a local cause or charity.
Last year's event assisted the island of Montserrat, a member of the Leeward
Islands that has been troubled by constant volcanic threat.
About 70 boats participate in the event. Special fields include the largest
fish caught by a female angler, the largest caught by a participant age
16 and younger, and the most fish tagged and released by any one boat.=
Check with your hotel activity desk or with one of the charter boat companies
for a day of sportfishing. Some operators are:
• Legend (268-462-0256): a 35-foot Hatteras Sportfishing boat at
Rex Halcyon Cove
•Lobster King (268-462-4364), a 38-foot Bertram available for full
and half-day charter from Jolly Harbour
•Overdraft (268-462-0649), a 40-foot fiberglass fishing boat
Sailing
Sailing is serious business on this island: many call Antigua
the sailing capital of the Caribbean. April's annual Sailing Week attracts
boaters from around the globe to English Harbour Town and is considered
one of the world's top regattas. It's certainly the largest in the Caribbean,
and draws some of the globe's fastest yachts and top crews.
Sailing Week isn't all work and no play, however. The week is filled with
parties, barbecues, road races, and ends with a grand finale, Lord Nelson's
Ball.
Whenever you visit, you can enjoy a leisure cruise, one that might include
lunch, sightseeing, snorkeling, and entertainment. Some fun cruises include:
•Jolly Roger Pirate Cruise (268-462-2064), Antigua's
largest sailing ship. This two-masted schooner has daily cruises.
•Wadadli Cats (268-462-2980), catamaran
•Kokomo Cats (268-462-7245), catamaran
Return to Antigua
with Kids
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