Yacht rental in Antigua and Barbuda

Fringed by coral reefs and ringed with beaches, Antigua and Barbuda sit in the northeastern Caribbean as a practical, well-serviced hub for easy island-hopping. Consistent trade winds, short passages, and a network of protected bays make planning straightforward whether you’re booking a private yacht for a family week or joining friends on a pair of sailing catamarans. This guide explains when to go, where to sail, and how to choose among antigua catamaran charter, antigua bareboat charters, monohulls, and motor yachts—so your Antigua yacht charter feels relaxed from embarkation to sunset tie-up.

Antigua Yacht Charter: Why Sail Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua’s indented south coast provides natural shelter, while Barbuda’s low-lying shoreline offers long, pale beaches and clear, shallow anchorages. Distances are compact—often one to three hours under sail—so crews can swim in the morning, move after lunch, and still make shore for dinner. Trade winds are steady for most of the year, and navigation is largely line-of-sight with well-charted hazards. Ashore, the islands mix maritime history (the historic Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour) with laid-back beach life (from Dickenson Bay to Barbuda’s pink-tinged sands). If you want a Caribbean route that balances reliable wind with calm overnight options, this archipelago fits neatly.

Antigua Catamaran Charter: Space, Stability and Shallow Draft

Catamarans are the default choice for many charters in Antigua. Their strengths match local conditions:

• Space and comfort: Wide decks and saloons make life onboard easy for mixed-ability groups and families.

• Stability: Level sailing helps first-timers settle in quickly and keeps kids (and drinks) happy when the breeze freshens.

• Shallow draft: Cats slip into sandy shelves around Green Island, Nonsuch Bay, and Barbuda’s lagoons where deeper keels hold off.

Modern charter cats (Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Bali, Leopard) typically offer four to six double cabins, dependable refrigeration, and often genset/AC—useful in the humid months. If close-hauled performance matters more than lounging space, an Antigua sailboat charter (monohull) may appeal; otherwise, an Antigua catamaran charter is the most versatile way to explore.

Antigua Bareboat Charters and Skippered Options

A bareboat charter gives your group full control of the itinerary; you’ll nominate a skipper with suitable experience and a second competent crew. The islands’ protected south coast and many moorings make this accessible even for first-time Caribbean skippers. If you prefer to focus on swimming and shore time, add a professional captain at checkout (still a private trip, just with the helm handled). Boataround’s antigua yacht charter offers list both bareboat and skippered setups; fully crewed, all-inclusive packages are less common on the platform, but you can always plan chef dinners ashore.

Handover tip: Expect a safety and chart briefing at the dock, a check of ground tackle, dinghy/outboard, and a run-through of local mooring/park rules before you cast off.

Sailing Conditions in Antigua: Steady Trade Winds, Warm Climate, Clear Water

• Wind: The easterly trades typically blow at moderate strength, fresher in winter, lighter and warmer in late spring and early summer. Plan reefs early for comfortable reaches.

• Sea state: The south coast is generally protected; northern and western anchorages can feel Atlantic or northerly swell at times, especially in mid-winter.

• Tides: Small tidal range, but pay attention to set near reef passes and lagoon entrances.

• Climate: A warm climate supports year-round sailing. Showers pass quickly; visibility is usually excellent for spotting coral heads and sand patches.

• Peak season: December–April is the busy window; shoulder months bring quieter anchorages and good water temperatures.

Antigua Sailing Vacation Bases: Where Charters Start

English Harbour & Falmouth Harbour (South Coast)

Historic English Harbour is a natural hurricane hole wrapped in maritime heritage; its centerpiece, Nelson’s Dockyard, is a UNESCO site. Next door, Falmouth Harbour has deeper water, marina berths, chandleries, and provisioning within walking distance. Together they form Antigua’s most famous yachting hub—ideal for sailing Antigua itineraries that push east to Green Island or west to Carlisle Bay.

Jolly Harbour (West Coast)

Purpose-built for boating, Jolly Harbour offers supermarkets, fuel, water, restaurants, and a long, sheltered entrance channel. It’s a practical pickup point for routes north to Deep Bay (beneath Fort Barrington), Dickenson Bay, and beyond—or south to Cades Reef for snorkeling.

Antigua Sailing: Must-See Anchorages and Bays

Green Island and Nonsuch Bay (East)

Trade-wind playground for boards and kites outside the reef, with secluded bays and sandy anchor spots inside. Cats shine here thanks to shallow draft and beam stability. Snorkel the reef edge when the swell is down and keep a careful lookout for coral heads when weaving in.

Carlisle Bay (South)

Forest-backed amphitheatre with good daytime holding and calm water in settled wind directions. Swim, paddle, and watch the light change on the hills before a quiet night onboard.

Cades Reef (Southwest)

An offshore reef system with clear water, colorful fish, and frequent turtle sightings; snorkel when the breeze and swell ease. Pick sand for the hook, avoid coral, and keep a bow watch when approaching.

Jolly Beach to Five Islands (West)

Easy day-sailing between wide, sandy anchorages and low-key shore spots. Deep Bay is photogenic at sunset—hike up to Fort Barrington for a broad view.

Dickenson Bay and the North Coast

Long beach with a social shoreline. In northerly swell this coast can be lively; in settled spells it becomes an easy hop for a last swim before returning to base.

Barbuda: Pink Sands and Shallow Lagoons

Barbuda, low and luminous, sits a relaxed day-sail north of Antigua. Once you clear the reef entrance (in good light), you’ll find miles of sand with crystal clear waters, sparse development, and careful anchoring required. Many crews aim for Low Bay and the smooth beach along the lagoon; others anchor near the frigatebird sanctuary (visit by guide/boat from shore). Conditions vary—choose settled weather, eyeball your approach, and maintain healthy clearance over pale coral heads. The payoff is solitude and scale: long beach walks, shelling, and fish-watching in bright shallows.

Suggested Itinerary: A 7-Day Antigua Yacht Charter Loop

Day 1 – Jolly Harbour to Deep Bay
Short shakedown sail, swim under Fort Barrington, and watch the first sunset at anchor.

Day 2 – Deep Bay to English Harbour
Round the southwest corner with a lunch stop off Cades Reef (snorkel if calm). Tie up or moor in English Harbour and explore historic Nelson’s Dockyard.

Day 3 – English Harbour to Green Island (Nonsuch Bay)
Sail east along the cliffs, enter in good light, and pick sand with room for swing. Afternoon snorkel or a downwinder on the outer bank if you carry boards.

Day 4 – Green Island to Carlisle Bay
Short hop for a quieter night and an early-morning paddle. Good spot to unwind after reef days.

Day 5 – Carlisle Bay to Jolly Harbour
Re-provision, top up water, and stroll ashore. Optional dinghy run to Jolly Beach for a long swim.

Day 6 – Jolly Harbour to Dickenson Bay
Easy reach up the west coast with stops among the secluded bays of Five Islands. If swell behaves, plan a shore dinner.

Day 7 – Dickenson Bay to base (via St. John or Five Islands)
Add a lunch swim, then return to your hand-back marina for fuel and checkout.

Barbuda add-on (1–2 days): Insert after Day 3 or from Dickenson Bay when forecasts show settled trades and good visibility.

Motor Yachts, Sailing Yachts, and Catamarans in Antigua and Barbuda

• Catamaran charter Antigua: Best all-rounders for Antigua and Barbuda. Stable at anchor, huge living space, and shallow draft to get close to beaches.

• Sailing yacht charter Antigua: Engaging to helm and pleasing upwind. Cabins are fewer, and the boat heels under sail—part of the charm for purists.

• Motor yacht charter Antigua: Cover distance quickly, ideal for short trips or ambitious day plans. Budget for higher fuel use; enjoy scheduling freedom.

Antigua Sailing Vacation Practicalities: Moorings, Anchors and Good Habits

• Moorings: Expect mixed options near the busiest bays; many are first-come. Arrive by early afternoon in peak season.

• Anchoring: Choose sand, avoid coral and sea grass, and set with modest scope in snug coves. Post a bow lookout when light is high to read water colour (pale sand vs. darker coral).

• National and marine parks: Observe day-use rules, no-anchor zones, and speed limits near swimmers.

• Fuel/water/provisions: Easy at Jolly Harbour, Falmouth Harbour, and around St John. Stock reef-safe sunscreen, a good anchor snubber, and plenty of drinking water.

• Dinghy etiquette: Idle speed near swimmers and beaches, lift the engine when beaching, never drag an anchor across coral.

Water Time: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving and Marine Life

• Cades Reef: Broad reef with beginner-friendly snorkel areas in lighter weather.

• Green Island reef edge: Clear water and lively fish life when the swell is down.

• Deep Bay / Fort Barrington: Combine a hike with a swim in calm spells.

• Barbuda shallows: Rays cruising the sand, turtles grazing in the seagrass, and bright juvenile fish along the edges.

For scuba diving, local operators can collect you by dinghy or meet at a nearby dock; consider a two-tank morning while the rest of the crew snorkels or enjoys the beach.

Culture and Views: Shirley Heights, English Harbour and Live Music

Ashore near English Harbour, the Sunday-evening scene at Shirley Heights pairs steel pan and live music with broad views across the south coast—popular and worth timing once. In the Dockyard, restored Georgian buildings host small galleries and cafés; stroll at dusk when the heat eases. Along the west coast, beach bars range from low-key to lively: stop for grilled fish, delicious food, and an unhurried sunset.

Antigua Yacht Charter Offers: When to Go and How to Budget

• Peak season: December–April brings fresher trades and the fullest marina scene—book early for school holidays and regatta periods.

• Shoulder months: May–June and November are warm and often good value, with fewer boats at the most popular stops.

• Rainier months: Late summer to early autumn is hotter with a higher chance of squalls; choose air-conditioning if comfort matters and keep itineraries flexible.

What affects price: Time of year, boat size/age, generator/AC, watermaker, and optional extras (paddleboards, kayaks). Plan for a refundable security deposit, end-cleaning, fuel, mooring/park fees, and provisioning. Transparent listings make it easy to compare.

Book Your Antigua Catamaran Charter or Antigua Yacht Charter with Boataround

Ready to set sail? Boataround makes it simple to compare antigua yacht charter listings, view real-time availability, and reserve securely. Filter for antigua catamaran charter, monohulls, or power cats; choose cabin layouts, equipment (AC, generator, watermaker), and departure base (English Harbour, Falmouth Harbour, or Jolly Harbour). Prefer less helm time? Add a professional skipper to any yacht charter Caribbean and keep your days centred on swims, walks, and relaxed meals ashore.

Yacht rental in Antigua and Barbuda

Charter a yacht and explore Antigua and Barbuda! Prices start from 2391 kr per day. Choose from the largest selection of catamarans, sailing yachts, motor yachts and power catamarans.

Boats are available in many of the country's most popular regions, including Caribbean Islands, Saint Paul Disctrict and Saint John Disctrict.