The island of Antigua (meaning “ancient”), located in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies, is the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda and was given its name by Christopher Columbus in 1493 in honor of an icon of the Virgin in Seville Cathedral. Antigua has prospered as a result of tourism and is the largest and most developed of the Leeward Islands. 

It is also famous as yacht charter and sailing destination. Antigua Race Week, which takes place at the end of April each year, is a world-class regatta that attracts sailors and vessels from far and wide. The island is popular with celebrities including Giorgio Armani, Eric Clapton and Oprah Winfrey, all of whom own homes on the island.

All of this means that Antigua has become something of a party island, and there is no better place to let your hair down in the Caribbean than at one of the island’s legendary ‘jump ups’. If it all gets too much though, set sail on your Antigua yacht charter for Barbuda – 30 miles and yet a world away. Barbuda is so quiet that it can seem deserted; chill out on a pink sand beach and see if you can spot some of the rare birds that make their home in this peaceful spot.