Antigua Yacht Charter

A one-time English colony, you will still see echoes of English cultural icons during your Antigua yacht charter - look out for the red telephone boxes dotted around the island!

Best time to visit

December - May

Currency

USD is widely accepted

Language

English

Cruising style

Adventure or Island hopping

Charter types

Crewed, Skippered, and Bareboat

One of two major isles that make up the nation of Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua is surrounded by coral reefs, with consistent breeze, sheltered waters and over 365 pink coral bays to explore, making it the perfect destination for a yachting holiday.

Conditions are ideal, with balmy temperatures, near-constant winds of 10 to 25 knots and some of the best sailing in the world all year round. There’s so much to enjoy, from exploring secluded coves and beaches, to a wide variety of water sports, delicious local cuisine and the historical site of Nelson’s Dockyard.

See our top picks below for some of the best activities Antigua has to offer.

Antigua is good for:

365 beaches

Snorkelling in a reef

Vibrant culture

Beautiful sunsets

English history

Legendary parties

Start planning your Antigua Charter

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Knowledge hub

Essential information
Travel tips
Sailing Conditions

See & do

Check the following attractions before going to Antigua

shirley heights

Shirley Heights

Devil's Bridge National Park

Devil's Bridge National Park

Pig's Paradise

Pig's Paradise

galleon beach in antigua

Galleon Beach

Antigua Sailing Week

Antigua Sailing Week

nelson's dockyard

Nelson's Dockyard

Great Bird Island

Great Bird Island

Dickenson Bay

Dickenson Bay

Craft your perfect trip
to Antigua

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Popular yacht types in Antigua

crewed

Popular Yacht Types

What You'll Love About Sailing Holidays in Antigua

If you're looking for consistent sailing winds, warm weather and friendly welcomes on your yacht charter Antigua could be for you. A classic year-round sailing area in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, Antigua is blessed with some of the best weather you could ever hope to sail in, as well as a laid-back vibe and some legendary beach bars.

This leeward island is full of colonial history, with English Harbour, Fort James, and Falmouth Harbour marina all feeling virtually unchanged from the days of Lord Nelson.

There's plenty of natural beauty here too, with Nonsuch Bay, Carlisle Bay, Deep Bay, Dickenson Bay, and the wildlife havens of Great Bird Island and Green Island in the sailing area.

And that's before we mention the miles of coral reef and sublime beaches that stretch along the coastline like a sandy blanket of joy...

If you're looking for consistent sailing winds, warm weather and friendly welcomes on your yacht charter Antigua could be for you. A classic year-round sailing area in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, Antigua is blessed with some of the best weather you could ever hope to sail in, as well as a laid-back vibe and some legendary beach bars.

This leeward island is full of colonial history, with English Harbour, Fort James, and Falmouth Harbour marina all feeling virtually unchanged from the days of Lord Nelson.

There's plenty of natural beauty here too, with Nonsuch Bay, Carlisle Bay, Deep Bay, Dickenson Bay, and the wildlife havens of Great Bird Island and Green Island in the sailing area.

And that's before we mention the miles of coral reef and sublime beaches that stretch along the coastline like a sandy blanket of joy...

Crewed Yacht Charter Antigua

Antigua is a wonderful place to enjoy a crewed yacht charter, sitting back and lapping up the eastern Caribbean sunshine with a professional yacht crew steering the boat and looking after your every need.

We highly recommend embracing the watersports - and there are some great snorkelling spots off Cades Reef, Galleon Beach and Low Bay.

If you'd like some suggestions, we're happy to offer a hand picking the right yacht or planning your itinerary, and can set up an Antigua charter yacht meeting with a broker to discuss your options and talk through the differences between motor and sailing yacht, and explain the various extras like the APA and any local spending.

Itineraries

We’re here for you

If you are unsure about charter or boat selection, contact us at HELM to help you decide. We only choose boats that are in excellent condition, and we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.

Use our Experience Builder and we will be able to suggest the yacht holiday most suited for you. There are three main categories of yachting holidays:

  • Bareboat
  • Skippered (bareboat with a professional captain)
  • Fully crewed You can see further explanation on each of these options below. If you don’t have sailing experience, then a skippered or crewed option is for you.
  • A bareboat charter is where you rent a fully equipped yacht without a skipper or crew. The yacht is yours for the duration of the charter and has everything you need on board.
  • We can help arrange for the boat to be provisioned before your arrival and any extras you require to be on board.
  • The boat is your responsibility and the itinerary is completely up to you. You will be provided with an area and boat briefing upon check-in, and will have the full support of the local base staff should you have any questions or require assistance during your charter.
  • Yachts available to bareboat charter range from 32ft right up to 60ft, and include a wide variety of monohull sailing boats, motorboats and catamarans from all major shipyards. We've highlighted some of our favourite bareboats here.
  • You will probably need a practical sailing licence, such as RYA Day Skipper, International Certificate of Competence (ICC), or ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising Certificate, along with experience on an equal size boat. In the British Virgin Islands and Thailand, you do not need a licence by law, but will be required to show a sailing resume demonstrating experience of being in charge of an equal size boat. Some charter companies in these regions may also request a formal licence. If you are not sure your licence is suitable, please check with us.
  • In Croatia a VHF (marine radio) licence is also mandatory.
  • A skippered charter means adding a professional skipper to a bareboat arrangement. This is perfect for a first sailing holiday, as you don't need any experience at all.
  • You can also add a skipper if you would just like someone on board with local knowledge and to assist with the sailing.
  • You can be as involved in the sailing of the vessel as you like, and the skipper will be happy to teach you to sail, or allow you to relax and sunbathe.
  • A skipper is hired to make your week as enjoyable as possible; they will have local experience and will be able to make recommendations on where to go and what to see.
  • Prices range from 190 to 200 EUR per day for a skipper, with food extra, and you need to make sure you allocate them a cabin.
  • A hostess can be added to any bareboat or skippered charter
  • They will keep your yacht clean, prepare drinks and snacks, breakfast and lunch, as well as helping with provisioning.
  • A hostess costs 130 – 170 EUR per day + food, depending on destination.
  • A crewed charter is a luxurious escape, akin to a 5 star hotel but with a different view every day.
  • A professional captain and crew will pamper you and provide a seamless experience throughout.
  • Your on-board chef will prepare gourmet cuisine, and the crew can assist with reservations at the best onshore restaurants.
  • You will find an amazing selection of facilities, activities and equipment.
  • The experience is uniquely tailored to all of your personal preferences.
  • To find your perfect escape, browse our Crewed Yachts.

Need some help?

If you are unsure about charter or boat selection, contact us at HELM to help you decide.

We only choose boats that are in excellent condition, and we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.

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