Sailing Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda sits in the Leeward Islands, where steady trade winds and a string of anchorages make it a favourite for bareboat and crewed charters. The first decision is where to pick up the boat. Falmouth Harbour Marina is one of the busiest charter hubs on the island, with a full range of services and easy access to the south coast. Nearby, Catamaran Marina, Falmouth specialises in multihulls, so if you are chartering a cat, this is a natural starting point.

For a more historic setting, Nelson's Dockyard Marina sits inside English Harbour, a sheltered natural basin that has hosted sailors for centuries. It is a short sail from Falmouth, and the two harbours together form the island's main yachting centre. On the west side, Jolly Harbour Marina & Boatyard offers a different base, closer to the island's long sandy beaches and with its own boatyard for repairs. Antigua Yacht Club Marina & Resort (AYC Marina) is another option in the same area, with resort amenities if you want a mix of sailing and shore time.

Once you leave harbour, the sailing is straightforward. The prevailing easterlies give a fast reach along the south coast, with anchorages like Carlisle Bay and Deep Bay offering shelter and good snorkelling. For a longer passage, head north to Barbuda, where the anchorage at Codrington Lagoon is wide and shallow, and the pink sand beaches are largely undeveloped. The crossing is around 25 nautical miles, so it is an easy day sail in settled weather.

If you prefer a quieter base away from the main charter traffic, North Sound Marina is on the northeast side of Antigua, close to the Great Bird Island marine park. It is less crowded than the south coast and gives you a different perspective on the island, with protected waters and a number of small cays to explore. Whichever base you choose, the island's size means you can see a good portion of it in a week, or take your time and work your way around the coast.