Brian and I keep telling each other we are glad the pandemic didn’t happen in our first season living on the boat. This is because we are more comfortable and knowledgeable, Sava is in better shape, and we are used to the fluidity of cruiser life. Especially the last because this season it is very interesting planning for hurricane season in a pandemic.
Planning for Hurricane Season from Antigua
As you know, we waited out the worst of the lockdown in Antigua and it worked well. We had a solid group in isolation and were sheltered in a beautiful bay. All of the necessities were available or sourced easily by someone in our group.
Sava and some of her buddy boats at Great Bird Island, Antigua
But we can’t stay here forever, and as hurricane season approaches, borders are slowly opening, with restrictions.
What to do when you’re in a harbor near an unoccupied island surrounded by boat friends but not allowed to mingle? Sava organized a socially distant scavenger hunt for eight of our buddy boats this weekend!
How to organize a socially distant scavenger hunt
First step, find a mobile app. Brian found Goose Chase and created the hunt. Of course, we needed to think of challenges for the competitors. Since we are located near Great Bird Island, we set up the scavenger hunt there.
Who else is dreaming about relaxing on a beautiful beach? Or how about listening to the crashing waves while lounging in soft sand with a beer in hand? While I can’t give you that, I can tell you about some of my favorite Antigua beaches for when you can get there.
Antigua has 365 beaches: one for every day of the year. And for any beach day you prefer. Like much of the Caribbean, all beaches are open to the public. You may only be allowed one route to and from the beach when there is private property like a resort fronting the beach. But you are still allowed on the beach and in the water.
A word of advice: decide what you want to do before choosing a beach. Do you want to body surf or relax? Drink and party or have a nice meal or hike and explore with your kids? There’s a beach for each of those, but none that offers everything.
We haven’t been here long enough – yet – to explore all the beaches. But we have visited and enjoyed several, so here are some amazing Antigua beaches for whatever you like to do, arranged geographically. The east coast of the island is the windward side and has fewer beaches so I focused on the Caribbean side of Antigua where the beaches are plentiful and the water is calmer.
For your reference, here’s a map of my favorite Antigua beaches.
Favorite Antigua beaches
Dark Wood Beach
A medium walk or quicker drive from Jolly Harbor on Antigua’s west coast, Dark Wood Beach is a fun social spot. As the first beach we visited with friends on our latest visit to the island, Dark Wood is a sentimental favorite. We didn’t, but you can even get a massage on a table in the shade.
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