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Caribbean Roaming When you arrive in Antigua just switch on your handset. You should be able to roam automatically. APUA/PCS and Digicel are two of the main airtime suppliers on the island and offer around 99% coverage. Check roaming rates before you choose your airtime supplier. APUA/PCS is Antigua’s own mobile ‘phone company which also supplies land line connections. Digicel is a Caribbean wide network. APUA-PCS provides a comprehensive GSM network. Services include, worldwide roaming and prepaid and postpaid plans. A full range of handsets and accessories are available at their city office. To find out more about PCS you can visit the Yacht Services office in the dockyard, Aquasports at Jolly Harbour or the PCS office in St. John’s or simply call 811. Digicel, one of the newer network providers in Antigua, is the largest GSM telecommunications provider in the Caribbean and is recognized as one of the fastest growing mobile operators internationally. With island-wide networks, Digicel have raised levels of network coverage in many Caribbean islands by building the infrastructure to provide nearly 100 percent of network coverage throughout its countries of operation, bringing mobile service to local and rural residents that never before had the option of mobile communications. Digicel offers visitors to Antigua the usual mobile roaming services - 268-481-DIGI (3444) Weather Channel 06 - English Harbour Radio - local and Leeward Islands Marine forecast, Monday through Friday (sometimes at 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 for both Antigua & Barbuda and Caribbean wide. Look around but one of the best www.wunderground.com/global/stations/78862.html. Also, the BBC give quite a reasonable forecast on www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=0293 CNN provide both weather chart and satellite images on their website and it’s worth a look if you are planning an extended voyage. Their website is http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=ATSJ. With CNN it is also quite easy to switch to differing regions and countries although, as with all the sites, the forecasts are more dedicated to the holiday maker rather than the sailor. If you don’t have internet access on board there are numerous internet cafés within Antigua’s many harbours. On line access aboard your boat is available from ACT and Cable & Wireless at reasonable rates. Certain local services are also available such as that provided by Image Locker in Nelson’s Dockyard. Most bars and restaurants together with some marinas now have free internet access. With some you will need a pass code. Marine VHF It is common practice in the larger yachting communities NOT to use channel 16 for calling other yachts or shore based stations. This would create a hopeless overload on safety related communications. In Antigua, channel 68 is used. At times of maximum saturation, for example, Antigua Sailing Week, good manners suggest using low power when possible, keeping calls short and to the point and try not to call the same station a dozen times at ten second intervals when it is obvious he or she is not listening. At all times, switch to another working channel as soon as contact is established. The most popular working channels are those nearest to channel 68. For a more uninterrupted conversation try one of the less well used channels. Avoid channels used by Race Committees especially during Sailing Week and the Classic Regatta. 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. Most visitors to Antigua arrive by air and a variety of airlines fly from the U.K. and U.S.. Virgin Atlantic is probably the most popular from the U.K., flying from London Gatwick as do a number of charter airlines. 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. Several airlines depart from Antigua to serve other Caribbean islands. LIAT is the largest and serves most destinations with very regular daily flights. Helicopter charters are available from Caribbean Helicopters. Antigua International Airport has excellent facilities for arriving and departing private aircraft serviced by FBO 2000 with access direct to yachts from Shell Beach. Hire cars are 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. Rates are from about US$45 per day with a US$10 per day optional insurance. An Antiguan driving license is required, available from any Police Station at a cost of US$20 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. 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 as not all the roads in Antigua are paved and punctures may occur. Several companies offer bikes and scooters for rental. A driver’s license is needed for the scooters and usually you have to be over 21 to rent them. 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! There is no scheduled bus system on Antigua just numerous privately owned buses, many are the 12 seater mini bus type with some larger 28 seaters. There are some designated stops, but to go to town from English Harbour the buses stop just outside the entrance to the Dockyard. The cost to town is EC$3.50. They operate between about 6:30 am until nightfall with a much reduced service on Sundays and holidays. To travel to the north of the island you have to change in town and go from the Market Place station to the East Bus Station, just ask the driver and he will be full of information. A new main bus terminus is under construction on the edge of St. John’s. Most taxi cabs are privately owned and the drivers are constantly looking for business. After a while you may start to think your name is “taxi”. Standard rates apply throughout the island. Be sure to ask the price before the start of your trip, and make sure you know if you have been quoted in EC$ or US$. If your trip is to some remote place or you need a pickup late at night be sure to arrange this beforehand. 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. Dockyard to the Airport is US$26 (up to 4 passengers), to St. John’s: US$20.
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