Not just sun, sea and sand
Christ Wiltshire joins England’s cricketers in Antigua
Success on the pitch may currently be in short supply for West Indies and England but a trip to the Caribbean to catch a match remains at the top of many cricket fans’ bucket lists.
I headed for Antigua’s Verandah Resort and Spa as a base camp for last week’s first Test, staged at the striking Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
The resort’s two pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise shallow waters make a welcome distraction from the ravages of winter back home.
A pleasant breeze provides just enough energy for me to enjoy one of my favourite holiday pastimes – sailing. After trying to put a life jacket on inside out – much to the amusement of the laid-back beach staff – I begin tacking and jibbing a Hobie cat boat around the bay.
I’m no Sir Ben Ainslie, but when the towering sail fills with a gust of West Indies air, I skim across the water and feel exhilarated.
I can see fellow guests looking on from infinity pools outside their blue and white wooden villas, children splashing about at the water’s edge and, in the distance,
waves crashing against a coral reef that protects the bay.
Everywhere there are swaying palm trees and banana plants interspersed with splashes of bright red hibiscus and yellow laburnum. It’s a beautiful sight.
Next, I’m torn between trying the 18-hole mini golf course, snorkelling or pedal boats, but settle for games of table tennis and pool.
Like many resorts, the all-inclusive Verandah is relatively quiet as it rebuilds after tourism ground to a halt because of the pandemic. But it seems well placed to bounce back, judging by the bonhomie among the largely British fellow guests and hotel staff.
I could happily stay in the resort for my entire holiday, but instead take up an offer to sample two more of my childhood pastimes – kayaking and sea fishing.
We head through the picturesque Mount Obama national park, with the music of Bob Marley and The Wailers filling our minibus, to meet footballloving kayak guide ‘Puppy’ Savita, from South Coast Horizons.
After running through fairly strict Covid procedures that are a regular feature of the holiday, we step into two-person kayaks and gently steer our way through a dense mangrove lagoon to a beautiful, secluded beach.
We look on as huge pelicans dive for fish before heading up Goat Head Hill, spider crabs scuttling across our path, for panoramic views of the dazzling Antigua coastline. Next, we head to upmarket Jolly Harbour and meet Sugar Island Tours’ captain Jason and his sidekick, Nathan, for two hours of memorable fun on board their immaculate fishing boat.
We catch an array of colourful fish, including lion and angel fish, using lightweight tackle, spot sea turtles and sample some of the strongest and tastiest rum punch on the trip.
How to plan your trip Eliteislandholidays.com offers a seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Verandah Resort and Spa from £1,185 per person, including flights. Departs September 14.