Luxury Yacht Charter in Antigua & Barbuda The Caribbean's Sailing Capital: Your Luxury Crewed Charter Starts Here
Aah! Antigua and Barbuda, they just sound exotic and the ideal locations to start a luxury yacht charter don’t they? With more anchorages than any other Caribbean island, and an amazing 365 beaches (yes, one for every day of the year!), it’s not surprising that Antigua is one of the foremost Caribbean destinations for the world’s best and most exclusive charter yachts.
This pair of islands is not just a cruising paradise; it is the true historic heart of Caribbean sailing, serving as the operational base for yacht charter companies like Nicholson Yacht Charters & Services since 1949.
The reliable trade winds and protected harbours have cemented its reputation among sailors and luxury travelers alike. When you choose an Antigua & Barbuda yacht charter, you are choosing a destination defined by natural beauty, rich maritime history, and the highest standard of crewed luxury service, ensuring your escape starts perfectly.
English Harbour Antigua
Why Antigua is the Caribbean’s Premier Charter Destination
When you charter a luxury yacht for a vacation starting in Antigua and Barbuda, the beach is just the beginning, the Sister islands are very diverse and offer a large variety of activities. Antigua has a large international airport, the bustling capital city of St John’s has attractive water front shopping, a great museum and a beautiful cathedral.
Copper & Lumber Store Nelsons Dockyard
The island has many large beautiful bays ringed by white sand beaches and great dive sites. English Harbour is a must for at least one night, the home of Admiral Nelson in 1784 and the only working Edwardian Dockyard still in existence and now listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
This small attractive town is full of restaurants, bars, internet cafes and has great night life, plus large marinas full of luxury charter yachts which make it their home for the winter season and beaches within walking distance or a short dinghy ride away.
While you are enjoying your Antigua yacht charter vacation sailing or motoring around the coast there are many off lying islands and it’s easy to find an idyllic bay all to yourself even in the height of the season.
Alternatively pull into Nonsuch Bay and Harmony Hall with restaurants, art galleries and cocktail bars. Whether you feel the need to relax, or maybe take part in something of a more sporting genre, the Green Island area offers plenty of opportunities for water skiing, wake boarding, kite surfing, paddle boarding and more in flat protected waters ideal for these sports. Just a little further south you have The Mill Reef Club in Exchange Bay and beautiful Half Moon Bay.
Half Moon Bay Antigua, overlooking the Atlantic
If diving is your thing, Antigua and Barbuda is home to hundreds of great dive sites, including shipwrecks, so why not take the chance to do something completely different and arrange to have a dive club pick you up from your Charter Yacht and experience these underwater sights. Just outside English Harbour, a very short dinghy ride away, you have Pillars of Hercules, a dive site where you can often find spotted eagle rays, green and hawksbill turtle, suitable for divers of all levels.
You can also take a scuba diving resort course and become a certified diver right from your Charter Yacht. It truly is a different way to enjoy your Antigua yacht charter vacation.
There are many other things you can enjoy from your yacht charter in Antigua, and sailing over to the sister island of Barbuda should not be missed. Just two to three hours sail from Antigua this low coral island offers powdery white sand beaches and drifts of pink shells. With only 1,500 inhabitants, mainly fishermen, Barbuda will give you that Dessert Island location you are looking for and has the tastiest lobster plucked straight from the sea.
Barbuda is home to one of the world’s largest Frigate Bird Sanctuaries and is a protected area, visited by anchoring the yacht somewhere along the 15 miles of pristine white sand beach with no habitation in site, guests then walk across the sand dune and board a small local boat with guide who will take you around to see the nesting sites with marvelous views of these large majestic birds in flight, preening and nests full of baby birds. It’s an excursion you won’t soon forget.
If sailing regattas interest you, Antigua is home to the RORC 600 each February. Later in April May Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week (including Round Antigua Race)in addition to smaller local events through out the season.
Its easy to spend a full week cruising around Antigua and Barbuda with so many different anchorages and diverse landscapes, however from Antigua and Barbuda it is an easy day sail to Guadeloupe and on to Dominica going south or going north, Nevis, St Kitts and the French Island of St Barths, one of the most chic of the French speaking islands in the Caribbean chain, to continue your vacation in the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands.
For more information of Antigua & Barbuda go:
Antigua & Barbuda – Ministry of Tourism
Antigua Race Week / Antigua Sailing week
Discover Antigua & Barbuda’s World-Class Yacht Anchorages & Marinas
With a legendary 365 beaches and more natural bays than any other Leeward Island, Antigua and Barbuda offers a cruising experience of unmatched variety. This destination caters to every preference, whether you seek the vibrant, high-energy social scene of Falmouth Harbour, the quiet majesty of anchoring in front of a UNESCO World Heritage Site like Nelson’s Dockyard, or the ultimate solitude of Barbuda’s pristine pink sand beaches.
Navigating this vast coastal landscape requires true local insight. Our team at Nicholson yacht Charters and the yacht Captains & Crews leverage their deep, on-island knowledge to guide you past the popular spots and into the secluded coves that truly define an exclusive Caribbean charter experience. Below a selection of spots loved by our charter guests.
English Harbour: The Historic Hub
Type: Historic Port, Marina and Protected Bay/ Hurricane hole
Vibe: Rich history, nautical heritage, refined & relaxed dining, and traditional nautical center of the island.
Location & Key notes: South Coast of Antigua and an essential stop for history lovers and yacht enthusiasts. Home to Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The only working Edwardian Dockyard in existence. Excellent for shore access to historic sites, museums, and waterfront dining. Yachts often dock by ‘stern-to’ the quay or anchor at Freeman’s Bay.
Falmouth Harbour: The Social & Yachting Hub of Antigua
Type: Natural Bay and Marinas
Vibe: Busy, social, and the primary operational base for mega yachts, regattas (like Antigua Sailing Week), and marine services.
Location / Key notes: Directly west of English Harbour on the South Coast. A large, natural, horseshoe-shaped bay offering excellent protection. Home to several large marinas and the Antigua Yacht Club. Anchoring in most areas outside of channels. Perfect for guests who want to be immersed in the Caribbean’s premier sailing culture and enjoy great nightlife and bars.
St. James’s Club & Mamora Bay: An Exclusive Bay
Type: Protected Bay / Luxury Resort Access
Vibe: Exclusive, protected, and resort-focused. Offers beautiful, clear waters and high-end amenities.
Location / Key notes: Southeastern Coast of Antigua, near English Harbour. Mamora Bay is well-protected and home to the upscale St. James’s Club resort, however to note, only accessible local and smaller boats.
Jolly Harbour: The Marina & Resort Complex
Type: Full-Service Marina / Residential & Resort Complex
Vibe: Convenient, family-friendly, and self-contained with easy access to amenities.
Location / Key notes: West Coast of Antigua. A large, man-made harbour offering comprehensive marine services, fueling, and provisioning. Excellent tender access to a variety of restaurants, bars, a large supermarket, and stunning beaches. Ideal for charter guests looking for a convenient stop with many shoreside options and excellent protection.
Five Islands Harbour: The Secluded Coves
Type: Natural Bay / Multiple Secluded Beaches
Vibe: Relaxed, off-the-beaten-path, and quieter than the southern harbors. Ideal for escaping the crowds.
Location / Key notes: West Coast of Antigua, characterized by five small peninsulas forming multiple coves. The harbour contains several excellent anchorages, including a few that can accommodate larger yachts near the entrance. It features multiple secluded beaches with clear, shallow turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. While some areas are prone to swell, your captain will do his outmost to find a perfect spot. Known for its picturesque coastlines and proximity to a few high-end resorts where beaches remain accessible.
Port of St. John’s: The Capital Gateway
Type: Commercial Port / Capital City Entry
Vibe: Busy, commercial, with focus on shopping, museums, and historical landmarks.
Location / Key notes: Northwest Coast of Antigua. The main commercial port and capital city of Antigua & Barbuda. While large cruise ships dominate the main docks, yachts can anchor nearby for easy tender access to the bustling waterfront shopping areas, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, and the beautiful St. John’s Cathedral.
Long Island / Jumby Bay: The Ultra-Exclusive Escape
Type: Private Island Anchorage / Ultra-Luxury Resort
Vibe: Exclusive, peaceful, and ultra-high-end. Known for celebrity clientele and pristine, protected beaches.
Location / Key notes: Located just northeast of the Antiguan mainland. This 300-acre private island is home to the Jumby Bay Island resort and several elite private residences. The anchorage often utilizes a sandy bottom in the main bay, providing sheltered water ideal for swimming and relaxation. While access to the private resort amenities is typically restricted to hotel guests, the exclusivity and the pristine condition of the surrounding waters make this a quintessential luxury charter stop for daytime enjoyment.
Green Island / Nonsuch Bay: A Watersports Haven
Type: Protected Offshore Island / Natural Bay
Vibe: Protected, tranquil, and activity-focused. Ideal for water sports and daytime relaxation away from the crowds.
Location / Key notes: East Coast of Antigua. Green Island sits offshore of Nonsuch Bay. The bay offers flat, protected waters whist having constant tradewinds from the Atlantic that are perfect for kitesurfing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, and snorkeling. The Green Island area provides pristine white-sand beaches with a sense of solitude. Access to Harmony Hall (art gallery and restaurant) is possible via dinghy dock.
Barbuda – Pink Sand Beach / Palmetto Point / Princess Dianas Beach: The Deserted Paradise
Type: Pristine Beach Anchorage / Low Coral Island
Vibe: Secluded, serene, and undeveloped. Provides the ultimate “deserted island” luxury escape.
Location / Key notes: South Western side of Barbuda, 1-3 hours sail north of Antigua. Famous for its powdery white and pink sand beaches (created by microscopic pink shells). Since there are only 1,500 inhabitants, development is minimal, ensuring absolute privacy. The waters here are shallow, and the focus is on tranquil swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying freshly plucked lobster.
Codrington Lagoon & Frigate Bird Sanctuary: The Natural Wonder
Type: Protected Lagoon / Wildlife Sanctuary
Vibe: Educational, awe-inspiring, and naturally magnificent.
Location / Key notes: Codrington Lagoon, Barbuda’s West Coast. Home to one of the world’s largest Frigate Bird Sanctuaries. Yachts anchor offshore, and guests transfer to a small local boat with a guide to navigate the lagoon and view the protected nesting sites. An unforgettable excursion to see the majestic male Frigate birds with their striking red throat pouches.
Looking for a Day Charter in Antigua / Barbuda?
Discover Antigua & Barbuda from the water for a day or more.
Have a private escape, complete with exciting sailing, breathtaking sightseeing, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and refreshing swims.
Let us arrange your perfect “Day on the Water” and unlock the secrets of our stunning islands.
Motor Yachts
Book an Antigua yacht charter to experience the thrill of sailing the Carribean on a luxury motor yacht. Enjoy first-class accommodation and excellent services, served by a professional crew with local knowledge to show you the sights and the beauty of Antigua, Barbuda and the Leeward Islands.
SAILING YACHTS
We offer a great selection of sailing yachts perfect for a trip to the Caribbean most exclusive locations.
Our Antigua and Barbuda yacht charters are the best choice if you plan on having a trip on a luxury charter yacht. Check our yachts available for Antigua and Barbuda sailing adventures.
SAILING CATAMARANS
Ample of space on our sailing catamarans available for charter in Antigua, Barbuda and the Caribbean. Perfect for you family and friends whilst cruising the shores of Antigua and Barbuda. Contact us to book a luxury crewed catamaran charter for an exciting sailing adventure.
POWER CATAMARAN
Nothing says smooth sailing in the Carribean like a crewed power catamaran charter. Built with twin hulls to focus buoyancy around the outside of the boat, enjoy superior stability. With plenty of interior and exterior space, a Luxury Antigua catamaran charter can be a family or group affair.
Ready to set sail with a Antigua and Barbuda Yacht Charter?
Make the most out of your Antigua yacht charter with a full list of ports and anchorages. Decide beforehand where to drop anchor so you can create the best itinerary possible and experience what each area has to offer.
Knowing where to go will lead you to fantastic destinations.
When visiting this paradise for sailors, hire Antigua and Barbuda yacht charter with a local crew who can show you other destinations less explored. Your sailing adventure will be much more enjoyable and memorable.
Time to Explore Antigua’s 365 Beaches?
Antigua is where Caribbean yachting began, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and consistent sailing conditions. Whether you seek the high-energy thrill of a regatta or the quiet solitude of Barbuda’s pink sand beaches, your journey starts here.
Why Choose Antigua with Nicholson Charters?
The Expertise: We offer prime yachts and itineraries tailored to those wishing to experience Antigua Sailing Week or the Classic Yacht Regatta.
Historic Access: Our captains know the best spots to explore Nelson’s Dockyard and the most beautiful of Antigua’s 365 beaches.
The Caribbean Birthplace: Charter with the company that has been here since 1949, in the place where the yacht charter industry was born.
Secure Your Yacht for the Coming Caribbean Season
Don’t miss the chance to experience Antigua during its prime cruising months. Contact our specialists now to secure a yacht that perfectly matches your crew size and desired experience, from classic monohulls, mega motor yachts to luxury catamarans.
Enquire about available Antigua & Barbuda yachts now, or call us directly at to speak with an Antigua & Barbuda Yacht Charter specialist.
Book an Antigua and Barbuda yacht charter
Climb aboard a luxury yacht and discover Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbeans. Plan your ultimate yacht charter: whether you choose a motor yacht, sailing yacht, or catamaran, you will experience the best of Antigua and Barbuda. Enjoy the beautiful coasts, and the amazing 365 beaches the destination offers.
Whatever you have planned, allow us to make your idea a reality. Fill in the form and a Nicholson Charters agent will get in touch with a proposal for the ultimate luxury yacht vacation that will blow your mind.
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