Bareboat yacht charter · Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean
Your yacht charter in Antigua starts at Jolly Harbour Marina on the west coast, about 30 minutes from the international airport and 20 minutes from St John’s, with Barbuda a 30-mile reach away.
Antigua, largest of the Leeward Islands, is a paradise of coral reefs, long stunning beaches and, with its rich naval history, first-class sailing. Horatio Nelson set up camp in English Harbour in 1783 as a 28-year-old captain sent to protect the sugar plantations from the French, and Nelson’s Dockyard is now a living piece of history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historic forts recall the colonial past, while candy-coloured villages and rum-mellowed locals give the island its true Caribbean flavour.
Antigua hosts the Classic Yacht Regatta every April, when yachts from around the world enjoy an Antiguan welcome that is second to none. Try dishes made with corn, white sweet potatoes and the famous Antiguan black pineapple, and Wadadli, the island’s own beer. Barbuda, Antigua’s “little sister” 30 miles away, is famous for its bird sanctuary, while closer to home the coves, bays and beaches around the rugged coastline are simply a delight.
With winds from Force 2 to 5 there is good line-of-sight coastal sailing for novice skippers who can read charts and plot a course; the beat to Barbuda needs open-water experience. From November to June the temperature is a fairly constant 30°C, with east to north-east winds giving excellent winter sailing for a yacht charter in the Caribbean.
Live availability
Pick your dates and yacht size to see which yachts are free at our Antigua base, then book online.
Prefer to talk it through? 0208 324 3118Monday to Friday 09:00 to 19:00, Saturday 09:30 to 17:00
Where you start
On Antigua’s west coast, close to the capital, St John’s.
About 30 minutes from the international airport and 20 minutes from St John’s, with a full range of marina facilities.
Facilities
Fly to Antigua’s international airport, about 30 minutes from Jolly Harbour Marina.
The capital, St John’s, is about 20 minutes from the marina.
Montserrat 29nm, St Kitts 51nm, Dominica 112nm, St Lucia 192nm, St Vincent 237nm, Barbados 273nm, Grenada 302nm.
Sample itinerary
A suggested route around Antigua with a crossing to Barbuda, from the North Sound to Nelson’s Dockyard.
Day1
Fly from the UK to Antigua and transfer to Jolly Harbour Marina for embarkation.
Day2
A relaxing short sail to Deep Bay, where you can snorkel around the wreck of a three-masted barque.
Day3
Choose from Long Island, Maiden Island or Great Bird Island, and explore the sheltered bays by dinghy.
Day4
Explore this beautiful area during the day, then drop anchor in Dickenson Bay in the afternoon.
Day5
An early start and an invigorating sail across to Barbuda. Anchor off the beach near Cocoa Point and dine under the stars.
Day6
Explore the wonderful coral reefs, or go ashore: the choice is yours.
Day7
A good reach back to Antigua to anchor in West Bay on uninhabited Green Island.
Day8
A brisk sail along the rugged south-east coast to moor stern-to at Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining working Georgian dockyard in the world.
Day9
Sail out of English Harbour to Carlisle Bay, with calm, clear, palm-fringed water for a peaceful night.
Day10
Sail inside Cades Reef along the west coast, past Jolly Harbour, and anchor off Hermitage Beach.
Day11
A relaxing last day on the water before returning to Jolly Harbour in the afternoon.
To book a yacht or check availability, get in touch with our experienced team. They will help you choose the right yacht and dates for your Antigua charter.
Call or email us
Request a quote
Tell us your dates and party size, and we’ll then come back to you with availability and prices.
Yacht charter in the Caribbean
Peace of mind
Every payment you make to us is financially protected, from deposit to balance. Holidays with flights are covered by our ATOL licence, and holidays without flights by our ABTOT membership. Trading since 1995.
All flight-inclusive holidays are fully ATOL protected
Additional protection for bookings without flights
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