There are many dream destinations in the Caribbean - you only have to count the honeymooners on every beach to understand that - and Antigua is the most idyllic stop-off yet for South Africa's cricketers as they make a full tour of the West Indies for the first time.

Antigua claims to have 365 beaches - one for every day of the year. But if there was only the Jolly Harbour beach resort, not one South African player (or wife or girlfriend for that matter) would be complaining.

Smaller, but somehow less claustrophobic than Barbados, Antigua has a population of about 65,000, and yet has still managed to produce the likes of Viv Richards, Curtly Ambrose, Richie Richardson, Andy Roberts and current West Indies vice captain Ridley Jacobs.

Ambrose and Jacobs are both from the same small village of Swetes. As one local has already joked, "There's nothing else to do in Swetes other than play cricket".

The Antigua Recreation Ground in St John's, renowned the world over for its heady atmosphere pumped up by 'Chickie' the DJ, holds about 15,000 people. That's only a little less than a quarter of the population.

The beach at the Jolly Harbour resort has been very well populated over the past two days by South African players and their partners. Tuesday afternoon featured a lengthy session of a traditional South African relaxation, touch rugby - with the hotel volleyball.

The hotel provides an 'all-in' experience, a plastic band around the wrist a passport to all you can eat and drink, and to all the recreational activities on offer. Not that Gary Kirsten (a 'pair' in Barbados) and Lance Klusener (1 and 4) were taking advantage on Wednesday. Both were hard at work in the nets with coach Graham Ford and his assistant Corrie van Zyl, making the most of a voluntary net session.

And what nets they were. "The best we've had on tour so far," said Boeta Dippenaar. "They're as good as anything anywhere in the world."

There can't be many five star hotels in the world that boast top class cricket nets. The South Africans will be grateful they only have to fall out of bed to reach them.

© CricInfo Ltd.