Antigua by Yacht: A Luxury Guide to the Island’s Top Stops

Located in the heart of the Leeward Islands, Antigua is a hub of Caribbean yachting experiences. Thanks to its premier marinas, natural harbors, large bays, a beach for every day of the year, and undeniable charm, the island is perfect to explore by yacht. Adding to Antigua’s sailing allure are the consistent trade winds and calm seas.

While there is enough on the island to keep any guest entertained, just a stone’s throw away lies its smaller, uninhabited sibling, Barbuda—perfect to add to any itinerary. Antigua is also the ideal launchpad for extended Eastern Caribbean yacht itineraries to nearby islands: St. Barth’s and St. Martin to the northwest, and Guadeloupe to the south.

The island isn’t just about idyllic sands and gin-clear waters; Antigua offers something for everyone, whether it be world-class watersports, underwater adventures, inland excursions, gourmet dining, or chic beach bars.

A yachting adventure typically begins at UNESCO-listed Falmouth Harbor, then continues to English Harbor and onward to the most beautiful areas of the coastline, including Galleon Beach, Half Moon Bay, the island’s capital of St. John’s, and Antigua’s west coast.

Here we highlight some of the best places to visit by yacht, from renowned hotspots to lesser-known experiences:

Dive Into Marine-Rich Waters

Antigua is an excellent destination for scuba diving in the Caribbean, boasting warm, clear waters and an abundance of marine life. There is a range of diving sites suitable for all levels. The best time to dive is between December and April when the waters are incredibly clear. Popular spots include Pillars Reefs in English Harbour, an ideal site for all levels located within Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, where you can spot unique rock formations and healthy coral reefs. Further around on the southwestern coast is Cades Reef, where plenty of reef fish and nurse sharks frequent the area. There are also impressive wrecks to discover, such as the Andes Wreck off Deep Bay. This three-masted ship sank in 1905 and remains in shallow waters, perfect for beginners and snorkelers alike.

Discover UNESCO-Listed Spots

At the heart of English Harbor is Nelson’s Dockyard. Once a strategic base for the British Royal Navy and aptly named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, the dockyard has a vibrant history. Today, the UNESCO-listed area, once home to warships, has been transformed into a haven for superyachts. The Dockyard is now lined with boutique hotels, galleries, restaurants, and shops, all housed within restored Georgian-style buildings. Exploring here, you will also find various archaeological sites and historic forts, such as Fort Berkeley, as well as structures that have been carefully protected and preserved. Additionally, the Dockyard Museum offers a chance to learn more about the area’s fascinating history.

Special Sunday Sundowners 

No trip to Antigua is complete without a visit to the iconic Shirley Heights lookout. Set just above English Harbor and accessible by a short hike or taxi, head to this 18th-century historical and restored military lookout to join locals, sailors, and visitors in a vibrant Sunday celebration that has been a tradition for decades. The Shirley Heights Lookout Party is an event where you can enjoy panoramic ocean views paired with local rum punch, flavorful barbecue, and live steelpan and reggae music while watching the sun dip below the horizon.

Take Advantage of the Winds

The island’s consistent northeast tradewinds make it popular not only for sailing but also for other wind-powered sports. Both windsurfing and kitesurfing are hugely popular here. For windsurfing, Long Bay and Half Moon Bay are two popular spots due to their excellent wind conditions and shallow waters. For kitesurfing and boarding, Jabberwock Beach and Green Bay are the places to go. Jabberwock was the first official kiting beach on the island, while Green Bay is easily accessed by yacht and has vast space to anchor and kitesurf directly from your vessel. Depending on your skill level, there are a range of options, and if the yacht doesn’t have equipment on hand, there are plenty of places to hire rental equipment and even book lessons.

Step Back in Time

As an island steeped in history, be sure to include a guided tour of Betty’s Hope. One of Antigua’s most important historical sites, this former sugar estate offers a glimpse into the island’s plantation past. Located on the northeast coast, this estate operated for nearly 300 years. Although it is no longer functioning, it serves as a poignant reminder of the colonial past and the importance of sugarcane to the island’s history. While here, you can explore the iconic Sugar Mill Towers, reconstructed plantation buildings, and various exhibits and information in the visitor center.

Indulge in Leisurely Dining

Throughout the island, a refined dining scene offers perfect opportunities for long, leisurely lunches and dinners. A standout choice is Catherine’s Cafe at Pigeon Point Beach, a French-inspired beachfront venue that is perfect for enjoying freshly caught fish accompanied by an impressive wine list. From sea level to cliffside, Sheer Rocks at Hawksbill Bay provides gourmet Mediterranean-inspired meals and iconic plunge pools to cool off in. For sundowners, the iconic Jacqui O’s is one not to miss. This chic beach club is ideal for long, relaxed lunches and is also perfect for extending the experience until sundown to take in the stunning sunset views.

365 Beaches to Visit

While there are plenty of watersports to keep you occupied when yachting in Antigua, there are also endless—or 365—reasons for relaxation, thanks to the island’s many beaches to choose from. Antigua’s beaches are renowned for their soft, white sands and calm, shallow waters, particularly on the western side, offering a diverse beach experience for all to enjoy. For those who desire livelier beaches with plenty of activity, Dickenson Bay is the one. In comparison, Half Moon Bay is more secluded and offers a more tranquil experience as well as stunning natural beauty. Families should head to Valley Church Beach for its long stretch of family-friendly coastline with gentle surf. Turner’s Beach and Deep Bay provide excellent access to coastal trails and cliffside viewpoints, making them ideal for those seeking a more adventurous beach experience.

Get Up Close with Marine Life

Alongside the multiple scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities within Antigua’s waters, there are also opportunities to swim with turtles and stingrays. Along the east coast, Mercers Creek Bay is a popular spot for swimming with stingrays. Supervised by local guides, you can swim in this shallow sandbar while watching the stingrays glide around you. To swim with turtles, Galleon Beach in the English Harbor area offers a high chance of sharing your swim with green and hawksbill turtles.

Zip Through the Jungle

Antigua has many perfect postcard views to experience, but one lesser-known perspective comes from its jungle interior. Get a unique view of the island from above—ziplining in Antigua is suitable for all levels, depending on what adrenaline rush you are seeking. And if ziplining isn’t your thing, there is a selection of aerial walkways among the treetops to experience. These adventures allow you to get views of the coastline, hills, and bays from a bird’s-eye perspective, where you can truly appreciate the island’s natural beauty.

Sail to Antigua’s Sibling

A yachting itinerary in Antigua should not forget its smaller sibling, Barbuda. Just 30 miles north of the island, this uninhabited and undeveloped coral island is where you can live out your own personal castaway fantasy. The unspoiled island offers natural seclusion, making it the perfect retreat for a yacht getaway. Home to one of the world’s largest colonies of frigate birds, you can spot them by heading into the mangroves. Similar to Antigua, the beach scene is exceptional here, with Barbuda boasting a 17-mile pink-sand beach to explore.

Hike the Trails

Above the water, there are various accessible and scenic trails to stretch your legs on. For Antigua’s highest point, take on the Mount Obama trail. Standing at 1,319 feet (402m), this is one of the island’s more challenging hikes through forest, ending with panoramic views from the summit. Another favorite is Signal Hill, located near the Wallings Nature Reserve. This shaded forest hike is approximately two hours long and leads to a lookout point offering 360-degree views of the island. Walking from Fort Berkeley to Pigeon Beach is also rewarding, especially along the one-mile Goat Hill Trail, which provides an easy and laid-back walk with scenic views.

Go to the Events

As a celebrated yachting hub, Antigua also has a packed social calendar full of yachting events to coincide with your trip. Closing out the Caribbean winter charter season is Antigua Sailing Week, a prestigious regatta that combines racing with a week of celebrations and live music throughout English and Falmouth Harbors. In April, there is also the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta—a spectacle of classic and vintage sailing yachts on the water, as well as a vibrant social scene. For those wanting to see the best of the best charter yachts, in December, the finest Caribbean charter yachts gather for an exclusive showcase at the Antigua Yacht Charter Show.

Helicopter to a Volcano

A short helicopter flight from Antigua takes you to the island of Montserrat. Take a tour in one of the island’s helicopters for stunning aerial views of both islands. Once dormant, the Soufrière Hills volcano on Montserrat reshaped the island in 1995, and today you can see the still-smoking peak, as well as the surrounding lush landscapes and black-sand beaches. On a helicopter tour, you can take in the dramatic views of this volcanic environment in comfort, while your pilot shares the history and background of this neighboring island.