setrigg

My husband and I are seriously considering GP in Antigua, but we hear the water is shallow, but protected by a reef. Having been to many islands in the Caribbean, I know that if you face the Atlantic, it is usually rough. Can anyone please tell me if this is true, how rough and just how shallow the water is? Thanks a bunch!

ejcrowe

I've not stayed at Grand Pineapple, but I have stayed many times at its only neighbor, the Long Bay hotel. The water is indeed quite calm on that beach because the main reef is only about 20 yards offshore. The beach immediately in front of GP is a bit rocky, and quite a few of their guests walk down to the area in front of Long Bay hotel to swim or enter the water for snorkeling. The bay itself, though on the northeastern tip of the island, is not actually facing the Atlantic. The Atlantic meets the Caribbean at a place called Devil's bridge, which is only a few kilometers away by road around a headland.

The water is a beautiful clear blue and you can wade out several yards/meters. The reef begins in somewhat shallow water and ends with a fairly immediate dropoff about 150 yards offshore, where you start to see a little rolling wave action, but not a lot.

setrigg

ejcrowe: Thanks for your detailed description of the water. It makes me feel better since even though we love to dive and snorkle, we like to lounge and swim in calm water. One other thing - Do you know anything about the golf there (best course) or swimming with the dolphins (I heard there's been a lot of controversy based on their practices and possible cruelty). Just curious before we spend money doing either. Thanks again.

ejcrowe

I haven't golfed since I was a teenager, so unfortunately I can't help you with choosing anything in Antigua. I've done a little bit of research on dolphin programs in the region because my granddaughter wanted to do that, but I couldn't find any that I felt comfortable supporting--the dolphins die quickly in captivity and often the "trainers" withhold food from them to get them to perform on command. Never mind the social bonds a dolphin makes with its pod that are severed when a dolphin is captured. I would highly discourage you from participating in such an activity. There are other, more informative posts on this board if you do a search for "swim with dolphins."

If you have other questions about Antigua, or would like suggestions for restaurants, activities, etc please let me know.

setrigg

Thanks again; we decided against the dolphin swim so you're answer confirmed our decision. What about the weather? I have always heard rainy season in the Caribbean starts in Sep., but looking at the weather lately, Antigua has had a lot of rain. When did you go and what do you know about their rainy season? Thanks again.

ejcrowe

I've visited Antigua in May, June, July, and November and I think all of my trips were relatively rain-free during the day. I've been very fortunate in this respect. GP is on the dry side of the island, so it gets less rain than the southwest corner, which is more lush. In fact, the last visit I made (June 2003) that part of the island had gone so long without rain that I began hoping for it, too, even if it meant raining on my wedding day.

If you do decide on GP, I'd suggest that you walk up the beach to the little green shack one day and have some lunch--it's full of locals, in fact a lot of the GP employees go there to eat. Inexpensive but good food. Have a great time!