Travel: Antigua is a Caribbean paradise packed with adventure

There’s nothing like a sprinkling of stardust to make a holiday go with a swing. I’m soaking in the views of the picture-postcard Coolidge Stadium in sun-kissed Antigua, climbing up the concrete steps of the main stand, when I realise I’m in the presence of cricketing royalty.

Sir Andy Roberts, one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and a star of the all-conquering West Indies teams of the ’80s and ’90s, is in the next seat.

With England here for a Test series I gladly take up the offer to check out Antigua’s Verandah Resort resort. Its 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 sailing boat around the bay. I’m no 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. I could happily stay in the resort for my entire holiday, but take up an offer to sample two more of my other childhood pastimes – kayaking and sea fishing.

We head through the picturesque Mount Obama national park, with the iconic music of Bob Marley And The Wailers filling our minibus, to meet football-loving 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 bomb for fish before heading up Goat Head Hill, spider crabs scuttling across our paths, for panoramic views of the dazzling Antigua coastline and, in the distance, mountainous Monserrat, scene of the devastating volcano eruption in the 1990s.

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 holiday.

As we head back to the resort, word reaches us that another of my heroes, Sir Richie Richardson, a former West Indies skipper and phenomenal batsman, is happy to meet for a chat after finishing his round of golf at the Cedar Valley Golf Club.

Our wise and cool-as-you like driver, Cassim, is impressed. “Man, could he bat,” he says with a knowing nod, “and what a skipper. See that flagpole over there? That was Richie – dead straight.” Sir Richie is courteous and slightly reserved when we meet, and kindly sends a video message to my cricket-loving son-in-law, Lenny.

We share memories of when he played for Hampshire against Somerset, and of how he hopes to revive West Indies’ fortunes through a new cricket academy, run by the four Antiguan knights.

Day swiftly turns into night and, after more beers than I care to remember, we reluctantly part ways.

What a knight. And what a day.

P.S.

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.

Factfile:

Elite Island Holidays (eliteislandholidays.com) offers a 7-night all-inclusive stay at the Verandah Resort from £1,185 per person, including flights. Departs September 14.