Antigua in May. . .

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benters

Original Poster:

1,459 posts

133 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
quotequote all
Got ten days to fill, any recommendations or things to steer clear of ?

swimming with Rays. . . check
Shirley Heights. . . . .Check
Hire a mini moke . . . .check

Anything else ?

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
quotequote all
benters said:
Got ten days to fill, any recommendations or things to steer clear of ?

swimming with Rays. . . check
Shirley Heights. . . . .Check
Hire a mini moke . . . .check

Anything else ?
You have to do the boat cruise round the Island and it stops for a few hours in an idyllic cove where you can snorkel (or suck up the rum punch).

We didn't go /hurricane hit and took out 2-3 days of our 9 days we wanted to go to Barbuda to see the pink beach and spend a day there.


We stayed in Cocobay - a wonderful resort (only 20 rooms or so) the best service bar none we've ever had so personal. Once our kids are over 18 we'd take them there (adults only)

benters

Original Poster:

1,459 posts

133 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
You have to do the boat cruise round the Island and it stops for a few hours in an idyllic cove where you can snorkel (or suck up the rum punch).

We didn't go /hurricane hit and took out 2-3 days of our 9 days we wanted to go to Barbuda to see the pink beach and spend a day there.


We stayed in Cocobay - a wonderful resort (only 20 rooms or so) the best service bar none we've ever had so personal. Once our kids are over 18 we'd take them there (adults only)
Thanks for this. . .good info

craig1912

3,273 posts

111 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
quotequote all
We did a catamaran trip round the island with a break for snorkelling and lunch. Very good although a bit rough (which added to the excitement) on the Atlantic side. There is also a jungle zip wire which is supposed to be good. We stayed on Long Beach at Grand Pineapple

benters

Original Poster:

1,459 posts

133 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
quotequote all
craig1912 said:
We did a catamaran trip round the island with a break for snorkelling and lunch. Very good although a bit rough (which added to the excitement) on the Atlantic side. There is also a jungle zip wire which is supposed to be good. We stayed on Long Beach at Grand Pineapple
grand pineapple is where we are staying Craig. . .I understand this is its last season as there after Sandals have bought the complex and will be taking it over. . . I trust you found the hotel ok ? any pointers ?

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
quotequote all
craig1912 said:
We did a catamaran trip round the island with a break for snorkelling and lunch. Very good although a bit rough (which added to the excitement) on the Atlantic side. There is also a jungle zip wire which is supposed to be good. We stayed on Long Beach at Grand Pineapple
It certainly is bumpy on that side. We sat/stood/balanced at the front and were properly airborne as in totally not connected the the boat at first unnearving it's not for the faint hearted (sit inside if that's too much for you). We were saturated and due to the sea water our suntan lotion washed off.

craig1912

3,273 posts

111 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
quotequote all
benters said:
grand pineapple is where we are staying Craig. . .I understand this is its last season as there after Sandals have bought the complex and will be taking it over. . . I trust you found the hotel ok ? any pointers ?
We were there over Christmas and too be honest didn't do much. The hotel is a little worn around the edges (think colonial feel) but was fine- don't expect 5star because it's not but the atmosphere and staff make up for it.

Stayed in a tropical waterfront rooms which were supposed to be the best- big with brilliant views and cleaned everyday.

Staff were excellent, food was Ok to very good. Ate lunch everyday at the shack on the hill (Mary's ribs and chicken with cold beer and great views). Pineapple grill is worth it for one or two nights but it was a bit dark and service wasn't great.

Snorkelling at one end of the beach which is also where the Stingray trip goes from.

You can walk to Devils Bridge

Enjoyed it but from what I've heard Sandals are looking to change it completely - and ruin it in some people's eyes.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
quotequote all
I have to say Cocobay food was incredible - don't think non residents can go.

It's A la carte all inclusive. The seafood you watch them catching it in the bay evening or early morning then they bring it up to the grill and cook it for you. Cannot rate it highly enough.

http://www.cocobayresort.com/phone/index.html

Merp

2,220 posts

251 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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We stayed at Galley Bay in Feb 2013, beautiful hotel and island!
We did Shirley heights, take a wander down the coast a little bit to see the sunset.

Barbuda is a must in my opinion, ive certainly never seen a place like it, crystal waters, pink sands and general remotness. Also worth jumping on the free boat to check out the frigate birds, there are literally thousands of them. They are huge! The cat we took out there was a little rough, so if you are seasick at all then its advisable to take something upfront.

Other than that, just eat, drink and laze about! Enjoy!


Black can man

31,816 posts

167 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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Another vote for the catamaran around the island cruise, Fabulous day.

We hired a car for two days & we got to see pretty much most of this beautiful island , The Stingray day was fantastic & relatively cheap .



We loved Antigua because of just hoes friendly the locals were in comparison to some of the other islands in the caribbean we have visited.

benters

Original Poster:

1,459 posts

133 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
quotequote all
my GF hates boats ! so the Barbuda trip which has been recommended looks tricky, she gets very sea sick, and knowing that would spoil her day means its out. . .I have said if she wants to pay for the Helicopter trip as a consequence then fair do's but so far its a no frown

benters

Original Poster:

1,459 posts

133 months

Thursday 21st May 2015
quotequote all
well what a trip, thanks for the pointers, we already want to go back !

sting ray city. . .amazing
Shirley heights, cloudy so no sunset, but a good atmosphere.
did the beach at Dickenson bay. . .stunning
took a cab to half moon bay, good reef to explore, and the beach was deserted.
didn't do the boat round the island due to the likely seasick issue, but we did go to Barbuda by helicopter ! that was terrific.

Pineapple hotel was just as described, and yes it was fine for ten days, with a great beach, if they could improve the food variety a little then that would make it Brilliant.


Patch1875

4,893 posts

131 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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Merp said:
We stayed at Galley Bay in Feb 2013, beautiful hotel and island!
We did Shirley heights, take a wander down the coast a little bit to see the sunset.

Barbuda is a must in my opinion, ive certainly never seen a place like it, crystal waters, pink sands and general remotness. Also worth jumping on the free boat to check out the frigate birds, there are literally thousands of them. They are huge! The cat we took out there was a little rough, so if you are seasick at all then its advisable to take something upfront.

Other than that, just eat, drink and laze about! Enjoy!
We had our honeymoon in Galley Bay fantastic place.

Helicopter trip over Montserrat was amazing.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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Patch1875 said:
We had our honeymoon in Galley Bay fantastic place.

Helicopter trip over Montserrat was amazing.
Ours was a 2year anniversary sort of timeframe (not meant as that really but just did it )


Loved it however I don't think my wife would ever go back as she was bitten to spreads by sand flies and mozzies her legs were utterly covered in huge bites. So given that I guess it means I'll not be going again - that aside we had a lovely time and certainly one of our memorable holidays.

Now with kids it's different so we restrict ourselves to 3/4 hour flights or less. We're off to Menorca shortly for a week and then off to Bulgaria for a few weeks lots of good dry heat and cheap break

Patch1875

4,893 posts

131 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
Patch1875 said:
We had our honeymoon in Galley Bay fantastic place.

Helicopter trip over Montserrat was amazing.
Ours was a 2year anniversary sort of timeframe (not meant as that really but just did it )


Loved it however I don't think my wife would ever go back as she was bitten to spreads by sand flies and mozzies her legs were utterly covered in huge bites. So given that I guess it means I'll not be going again - that aside we had a lovely time and certainly one of our memorable holidays.

Now with kids it's different so we restrict ourselves to 3/4 hour flights or less. We're off to Menorca shortly for a week and then off to Bulgaria for a few weeks lots of good dry heat and cheap break
We never had any issues with the sand flies even though we were warned about them. Wonder is big Sean still does the water sports/ sailing stuff?

Yes like you its holidays closer to home now, Ibiza in 6 weeks :-)

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
quotequote all
Patch1875 said:
We never had any issues with the sand flies even though we were warned about them. Wonder is big Sean still does the water sports/ sailing stuff?

Yes like you its holidays closer to home now, Ibiza in 6 weeks :-)
The wife normally gets it bad everywhere but I'd never seen anything like this - had to resort to rubbing cut lemon on lets just to soothe it. I felt so sorry for her (she at times cried in pain) but there was nothing that could be done.


Anyway I hardly ever get bitten - maybe they bite the Mrs over me but I was nabbed badly for me - I would have sought some sympathy but wouldn't dream of it the way the wife was.

Could have been really bad luck but there plus no chance she would ever go back for that reason - I'd be allowed to go solo though I'd only ever go on holiday with the wife and kids.


Instead as said we now go skiing as a family even with very young kids oldest 3 and a half and med or similar holidays but upgrade the flights to club always and now going to in our eyes some really decent hotels. We have our own villa which is lovely so maximise that but also do other holidays to stop it getting boring going to the same place year on year