LEARN
Nelson’s Dockyard at English Harbour highlights the island’s naval success and importance during the British colonial era. It is the last remaining Georgian naval dockyard in the world. Nelson spent three years here as a young man and returned in 1805 during the naval campaign which was to end in the Battle of Trafalgar. Inland, Betty’s Hope was a huge sugar estate, built in 1650 and owned by the powerful Codrington family from 1674 to 1944. Parts have been restored and one of the twin windmills can occasionally be seen working. The visitors’ centre tells the story of life on a sugar plantation.

LOVE
Sport and parties are the essence of Antiguan recreation. Regattas dominate the social scene in April-May. The Classic Yacht Regatta has competitions for yawls, ketches, schooners and square-masted vessels. Next, the world-famous Antigua Sailing Week offers live music, dancing and fun events once the racing is done. Cricket unites the whole population. Test matches attract a noisy, raucous crowd. Local legends such as Viv Richards, Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and other fast bowlers cut their teeth at the old Antigua Recreation Ground (replaced since the 2007 Cricket World Cup by the new Sir Viv Richards Stadium). Brian Lara scored his record-breaking innings here – twice – both times against England. The crowd went wild.

LIME
After a hard day on or in the water, wind down by the water. There are beachside bars all round the island but the southeast, with its marinas at English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour, is a hotspot for restaurants and bars. The boardwalk over the water at Catherine’s Cafe in English Harbour is the perfect setting to watch harbour life while you eat or drink. Abracadabra, at the entrance to Nelson’s Dockyard, is a casual bar with a deck under the palm trees for late night dancing, while Life, a floating bar, is lively but laid back, with dancing to all types of music. At Falmouth Harbour the Yacht Club Marina is the place to head for. The Last Lemming restaurant and bar has a view of the mega yachts while offering live reggae or calypso.

LIVE
Antigua’s harbours have been attracting sailors for centuries. Take it easy lazing and liming, watching others hard at play, or get out there on the water, tackling the wind and the waves. Races and regattas are organised by the Antigua Yacht Club (www.antiguayachtclub.com) and Jolly Harbour Yacht Club (www.jolly-harbour-marina.com). Jabberwock Beach on the north coast is good for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Windsurf Antigua (www.windsurfantigua.net) is run out of a mobile van by Patrick Scales, who will soon have you “bending your knees and feeling the breeze”. Kite Antigua (www.kitesurfantigua.com) is an IKO-approved school offering lessons and rental equipment. More leisurely watersports are offered by Paddles (www.antiguapaddles.com), with their kayaking tour of the mangroves and islands off the northeast coast, including snorkelling and hiking.