Antigua
is known as "the heart of the Caribbean". The island
of Antigua is the most developed of the Leeward Islands, located
in the Eastern Caribbean. The island stretches 14 miles long
and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles.
Antigua's
peak tourist season is normally the cool and dry winter months
(mid-December to mid-April), the average daily high temperature
is 81°F (27°C). The
island gets even hotter in the summer. In July and August,
the warmest months, the average daily high is 86°F (30°C).
It's less dry in the autumn (September to November), during
the rainy season, though Antigua boast one of the driest climate
year-round.
There
are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year.
The majority of beaches lie inside the calm waters of the
island's Caribbean side. The warm, calming waters are surrounded
by beautiful well-preserved coral reefs, wall drops, sea caves
and an abundance of wrecks, which attract Snorkelers and scuba
divers from all over the world.
Antigua's
coasts are also famous for yacht cruising and racing, with
constant trade-winds, and many harbours for exploration. Antigua's
Sailing Week is a major week-long yachting event that begins
on the last Sunday in April, attracting about 150 boats. In
addition to a series of five races, there are rum parties
and a formal ball, with most activities taking place at Nelson's
Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour.
