Considering ANTIGUA in the Caribbean

[sytech]

I am considering Antigua for 2 weeks in December.

I've read that it's not great diving but "ok" which is good enough for me at this point having been to Bonaire & Cozumel several times.

One compelling factor is that Continental has direct flights from Newark, New Jersey to Antigua. There is a hotel called the Rex Halcyon Cove which seems like a nice place and reasonably priced.

Questions:

Is there any shore or pier diving on Antigua? Anybody been to the Rex Halcyon Cove Resort and how was it and is it conveniently located (as opposed to someplace in a remote location which requires a car rental ) to some stores, restaurants , dive locations?

I would consider another hotel (under $100) which has a/c, tv etc. and good location) if someone recommends them.




Any feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Sy

[Eddie Clamp]

I am considering Antigua for 2 weeks in December.

I've read that it's not great diving but "ok" which is good enough for me at this point having been to Bonaire & Cozumel several times.

One compelling factor is that Continental has direct flights from Newark, New Jersey to Antigua. There is a hotel called the Rex Halcyon Cove which seems like a nice place and reasonably priced.

Any feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Sy

Last time I was in Antigua was on the grey funnel line, circa 1962 :rolleyes: . Nevertheless we have a report from a little after that :D

http://www.bsac.com/diverreports.asp?itemid=415&itemTitle=Antigua+%2D+An+Unexpected+Delight%21&section=1217&sectionTitle=The+Caribbean

[Maria CM]

Oh Eddie....I'm so jealous..... you've been EVERYWHERE!

best wishes,

Maria

[Eddie Clamp]

Oh Eddie....I'm so jealous..... you've been EVERYWHERE!

best wishes,

Maria

Oh well! It may appear that way but I did do 34 years in the grey funnel line :D

[Maria CM]

Oh well! It may appear that way but I did do 34 years in the grey funnel line :D

Wish I'd joined up now but I don't think I would have fitted in too well with pink hair;) Also the prospect of entanglement in traumatic situations would not have been good. But the travel....

best wishes,

Maria

[Eddie Clamp]

Wish I'd joined up now but I don't think I would have fitted in too well with pink hair;) Also the prospect of entanglement in traumatic situations would not have been good. But the travel....

best wishes,

Maria

Pity you didn't join up Maria. I could see you sleeping in a hammock! :eek:

[Eddie Clamp]

Wish I'd joined up now but I don't think I would have fitted in too well with pink hair;) Also the prospect of entanglement in traumatic situations would not have been good. But the travel....

best wishes,

Maria

http://www.rancba.org.au/A%20Sailor%20Aint%20A%20Sailor.mp3 :p

[Richard H]

Hi,other half and me stayed at the grand pineapple 3 years ago,brilliant hotel,werent divers at that time,but went snorkeling a lot.there are several dive operators there,try www.ultramarine.com or www.jolly dive.com.They all pick you up from your hotel free of charge.lots of fish and corals stingrays etc.wish we were divers then,next time round we,ll be down there.good luck and safe diving.
Richard H

[Fiona]

Is there any shore or pier diving on Antigua? Anybody been to the Rex Halcyon Cove Resort and how was it and is it conveniently located (as opposed to someplace in a remote location which requires a car rental ) to some stores, restaurants , dive locations?

Sy

Conveniently located to what ? Stores and restaurants are mostly in St Johns I guess the hotels around the area will run shuttle buses to town and certainly a taxi ride.

I dived from Halcyon Cove when I stayed at Half Moon Bay which must have been before I started diving in the UK, so I had nothing to compare it with so effectively I did a try dive with them but we went out on the boat so I can't imagine there was any shore diving.

I haven't been to Bonaire but from what I have heard the diving won't be as good in Antigua, I always hired a car so getting around was no problem as I preferred to do "my own thing". I also did a dive from Jolly Beach and from English Harbour, it was OK usual two tank dives.

I also stayed at Pineapple Beach once but I checked out and moved to my favourite hotel Blue Waters as I didn't like the all inclusive packages.

[John Bantin]

I recently went from Bali where the people are intelligent, polite and very helpful to Antigua where they are not. It was a culture shock. It wasn't like that in the 'eighties. The best part of Antigua now is the flight out. I suggest you go on to BVI where they are intelligent, polite and very helpful!

[Eddie Clamp]

I recently went from Bali where the people are intelligent, polite and very helpful to Antigua where they are not. It was a culture shock. It wasn't like that in the 'eighties. The best part of Antigua now is the flight out. I suggest you go on to BVI where they are intelligent, polite and very helpful!

Can you quantify and qualify this one for us please John? Remembering I woz there 20 years afore u. :p

[John Bantin]

The people of Antigua have been spoiled by mass tourism. They have become insolent and lazy and believe the world owes them a living. This often happens on small islands that suddenly enjoy a high influx of tourists who appear to have lots of money but no sense. I could give you 101 examples of this but suffice to say, up the road there is a small group of islands (British Virgin Islands - BVI not to be confused with the USVI) where this is not the case.
I used to send my family to Antigua in the late '70s and early '80s and I even learned to dive there but times change.

[Fiona]

Things must have changed I was there several times between '87 and '95 and never came across anything but friendly people especially in Half Moon Bay and Blue Waters, during my visit in 88 some of us were taken in to town for Carnival and we were looked after very well.

I went to Antigua prior to learning to dive so it wouldn't be on the cards now as I don't think of it as a dive location.

I found people polite and helpful at Half Moon Bay the restaurant and chefs would make me local dishes which weren't part of the menu and I think they appreciated being able to do this for someone who was interested, but I would never be so arrogant to comment on whether other people are intelligent or not.

[John Bantin]

If you think it intelligent to insult your visitors then that's up to you. Call me arrogant...call me old-fashioned but I have travelled a little and can make a judgement.