Communications, Transport & Weather
Communications Weather Links |
Antigua Roaming When you arrive in Antigua just switch on your mobile ‘phone. You should be able to roam automatically. Around 99% of the island is covered including coastal areas several miles out to sea. Check roaming rates before you choose your airtime supplier. Internet Long gone are the days when you were required to find an internet cafe in order to connect to your e-mails. In fact, few such establishments still remain. Almost all bars and cafes now have free Wi-Fi. The marinas and some bars have secure networks which will require a pass code. If you are not moored in a marina, on line access is available from a variety sources at reasonable rates. Certain local services are also available such as that provided by Image Locker in Nelson’s Dockyard. The internet can also be access through the mobile ‘phone network. |  |
Marine VHF
Also long gone are the days when the airways were alive with VHF traffic, replaced by the ubiquitous mobile ‘phone. Of course, there is still some traffic and in the Caribbean it is common practice NOT to use channel 16 for calling other yachts or shore based stations. Use Ch 68 and switch to another working channel as soon as contact is established. Avoid channels used by Race Committees during Sailing Week, the Classic Yacht Regatta, RORC 600 and Superyacht Cup. Channel 68 is also the emergency channel but is not extensively monitored. In an emergency a mobile ‘phone may be more useful. For a list of emergency telephone numbers see a list in this Guide on Page 80. A number to keep handy is that of the Antigua Barbuda Search And Rescue (ABSAR) +1 268 562 1234. Call ABSAR for all emergencies at sea and for medical assistance. ABSAR has a medical station and ambulance in English Harbour.
Weather Channel 06 - English Harbour Radio - local and Leeward Islands Marine forecast, Monday through Friday (occasionally weekends) at 09:00. It is worthwhile to note that this forecast has been loyally produced and delivered by Jol Byerley and his team for many, many years on a volunteer basis. After the weather, notices of interest to yachtsmen are also broadcast. These days there are numerous forecasts available on the internet. The BBC give quite a reasonable forecast and CNN provide both weather chart and satellite images on their website. For the best graphics go to www.stormpulse.com particularly if you are in the Caribbean during the hurricane season. Click on your location and you will get the distance to the storm centre. Check out several sites to get a balanced view of what might happen over the forthcoming days especially if you are planning an extended voyage. For an Atlantic crossing, Herb has been providing a ship routing and weather forecasting service since 1987 as a hobby on marine HF/SSB frequency 12359.0 . |  |
Transport
With a gradual improvement in the road system the number and quality of vehicles on Antigua’s roads has increased. At one time the vehicle of choice was a 4 x 4 but now many saloon and sports cars can be seen on Antiguan roads. There are a number of good car dealerships on the island which mainly cater for Japanese and Korean vehicles however with the demand for good quality European cars a Jaguar, BMW and Land Rover dealer has opened to import and service these high end vehicles. At one time you could tell the number of vehicles on the island by the latest number plate but all has changed and now one can only guess but there is about one vehicle of all types for every two people. In order to own a vehicle in Antigua you must posess a full Antiguan driving licence, not a temporary one. You need to have some form of residency to get a full licence. Personalised number plates are also available. They are rented on an annual basis and cheap so you see some fairly strange plates around. The plate can only be displayed on the front, the vehicle has to retain the numbered plate on the rear. This could only happen in the Caribbean.
Car Hire
This is the most popular way of getting around. Cars and four wheel drive jeeps are available and a few rental companies have larger seating capacity vehicles. A convertible jeep may seem like fun but consider a closed in vehicle with air conditioning unless you are planning to visit some of the remoter parts of the island where the road can be a bit rough. Rates are from about US$45 per day with a US$10 per day optional insurance. A temporary Antiguan driving license is required, available from any Police Station at a cost of US$20 and is valid for 90 days. The English traffic system is in force so remember to drive on the left at all times. Most of the island has a 40 mph (65 kph) speed limit with a 20 mph (30 kph) limit in all villages and built-up areas. many of the vehicles are Japanese imports and have speedometers calibrated in kilometres. Driving around can be somewhat of an adventure. If you get lost just follow the new road signs that are springing up everywhere. Always make sure you have a spare tyre and jack in the vehicle before you set out. Cassie tree thorns are like nails and can cause punctures.
Scooters & Bikes
Several companies offer bikes and scooters for rental. You can rent anything from a racing bike to a mountain bike. Although the island’s hills may look daunting the only way to visit many places is either on foot or by bike. Go out and explore! A driver’s license is needed for the scooters and usually you have to be over 21 to rent them.
 | Buses There is no scheduled system on Antigua just numerous privately owned buses, many are the 12 seater mini bus type with some larger 28 seaters. Buses are easily identified by their licence plate. There are some designated stops but you can flag a bus down almost anywhere. To go to town from English Harbour the buses stop just outside the entrance to the Dockyard and outside the petrol station in Falmouth. The cost to town is EC$3.50. Buses operate between about 6:30 am until nightfall with a much reduced service in the evening and on Sundays and holidays. To travel to the north of the island you walk from the Market Place station to the East Bus Station and get a different bus. The driver will give you directions. |
Taxis
Most taxi cabs are privately owned and the drivers are constantly looking for business. Standard rates apply throughout the island. Be sure to ask the price before the start of your trip and make sure you know if you have been quoted in EC$ or US$. To ensure you are getting a licenced taxi check the number plate. The plate should contain the letters TX followed by digits. If your trip is to some remote place or you need a pickup late at night be sure to arrange this beforehand and take the driver’s mobile number. All drivers are friendly and will gladly answer any questions you may have about nearly anything. The majority of taxis in the English Harbour area wait in the Dockyard next to the Admirals Inn and a few park at the Yacht Club Marina and by the petrol station in the road leading to the yacht club. Dockyard to the Airport is US$26 (up to 4 passengers), US$20 to St. John’s.
Airlines
Most visitors to Antigua arrive by air and a variety of airlines fly from the U.K. and U.S.. Virgin Atlantic iand British Airways fly from the U.K., departing from London Gatwick. Caribbean Airlines fly from London Heathrow. The main airline serving the U.S. from Antigua is American Airways which flies to Miami from where many other U.S. destinations can be accessed. Delta has direct flights to and from Atlanta. Air Canada serves Antigua from Toronto and Montreal. Several airlines depart from Antigua to serve other Caribbean islands. LIAT is the largest carrier serves most islands with very regular scheduled daily flights. The Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation has recently granted a licence to Red Jet to operate out of Antigua’s International Airport. Following Winair withdrawing from the routes Barbuda is now accessed by SGV Airlines and Montserrat Airways have taken the Antigua/Montsrrat route. Antigua airport runway has recently been extended and further improvements are underway to both the departure and arrival facilities. Opened this year is a new VIP/Executive Lounge for First Class and Business passengers. For a fee any traveller may use the lounge where all drinks and canapes are included. For arriving and departing private aircraft FBO 2000 provides an excellent servicewith access direct to yachts from the nearby Shell Beach Marina. Like most Caribbean countries, Antigua has a Departure Tax. If you are leaving by air, remember to keep US$25 to pay the tax at the airport.
Car Sales For many years Antigua was like many other Caribbean islands, its cars were surviving relics from the colonial days with a mixture of Japanese and American cast offs but over the past ten years the dramatic improvement in the economy has been accompanied by a surge in new vehicle sales. For a population of around 100,000, Antigua has a surprisingly large number of vehicles, around 40,000, of which about three quarters are cars or SUVs and many of these are less than five years old. Like every western economy, Antigua has suffered a downturn in new car sales in the past couple of years but, as with everywhere, high end cars sales seem largely unaffected. |  |
 | Main dealers for Japanese brands such as Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi have been established for many years but European brands are beginning to find a market with new dealerships for Jaguar, Land Rover and BMW opening in 2008. Korean cars have been in Antigua for some years but even China is now exporting to Antigua although that is mainly for the pick-up and truck market, however, with the growing car manufacturing base in China and close ties with Antigua, saloon cars will soon follow. A lot of nearly new Japanese cars are also imported as Japan, like Antigua, drives on the left hand side of the road. |
Petrol (gas to Americans) is relatively cheap, just a little above U.S. prices but about half U.K. prices. Import duties on vehicles does make the cost rather on the high side, about equivalent to the U.K. but double that of the U.S.. Tax concessions are avail to new business which are investing in the country. For further information on duty free concessions check with the Antigua & Barbuda Investment Authority.
Car insurance is expensive when compared to the U.K. but about the same as the U.S. and the annual vehicle tax, based on engine size, is around the same cost as the U.K.. On first registration, an imported vehicle with an engine capacity of over 2.5 litre incurs a one off luxury tax of 7% of value in addition to other import taxes. A Transport Board test is required every year. Although a small one, Antigua is a growing market and the choice of new vehicles available to the discerning buyer is getting better daily.
