Green Island - Antigua

Well Green Island is a beautiful island on the east coast of Antigua and because it is sheltered behind a reef system it is protected form the Atlantic waves that crash against these eastern shores. So we make the 12 mile jump from Long Island through Great Bird Passage over the reef and around to Green Island.

We stopped in Rickett's bay, you can go around into Nonsuch Harbour but this was almost empty so we stopped here. The only disadvantage is there are a few day tours that come in here, they are only around for a couple of hours and not everyday so we agree we can share the paradise for a little.

The Wadali tour cat

The 'Excellence' tour boat with Cruise ship passengers

We are left in the afternoon with the bay to the sailboats and the peace and quiet is restored. So we plan on having a braai each night on the beach. We also invited a couple of other cruisers in the bay to join us so the other IP Nan Shan from Quebec joined us with their friends.

Relaxing waiting for the fire

Local birds wanted to sample everything

Great Braai on the beach

We have been to Green Island before but never tried to find a trail. This group seemed determined to see if we could walk a bit. So we struck out to find something. After two abortive attempts to head east we set out north across the island toward Nonsuch bay. The trail is not that obvious but on the north of the bay we did find find it and after a while we picked up markers, it is much easier to find from the other way. It takes maybe 15 minutes to walk across the island on a very short hike, but it is well worth if as the views of Nonsuch bay and the kite surfers is wonderful.

Found the trail at last

Our anchorage

The beach on the other side

Great views of  Nonsuch Harbour

A kite surfers delight

In the afternoon we need to cool down so we take a snorkel tour of the bay. The coral is very bleached and damaged but there are a few signs of live coral. The fish are few and far between because the coral is so poor, but the grass is fine and it encourages quiet a few sea turtles to use the bay.

Jo tries her new snorkel mask and Liz looks on

A turtle right under Moosetracks

Some of the nice coral we found

One of several ballyhoo following us

More brain coral and four eyed butterfly fish

Another turtle found in the bay

The turtle comes up for air

It is a lovely anchorage and mooring here at Green Island and we are very tempted to stay but the weather forecast tells another story. There are 20+ knots of wind forecast and heading out past the reef in the large waves kicked up by this would not be fun. So with regrets a plenty we head for Falmouth Harbour a little earlier than we need to. The upside is we have lots of friends there and it will be great to be at classics again this year.