Full Speed Ahead – Tropical Yachting in Antigua and Barbuda

For those Canadian yachters searching for their first or next voyage, consider hoisting your sails, rallying your skippers and heading towards the charming Caribbean island of Antigua and Barbuda for their 2022 Antigua Sailing Week and regatta.

Home to 365 stunning beaches, and wonderful warm weather, Antigua and Barbuda also offers the opportunity to experience some of the world’s greatest sailing. With an expansive coastline punctuated by magical bays and captivating coves, the teeming cerulean waters of Antigua and Barbuda provide an ideal venue for the tropical sailing getaway of your dreams.

It should be noted that, although having a sailing qualification is not a requirement to sail in Antigua and Barbuda, sailors will be asked to provide a sailing resume. Additionally, a Royal Yachting Association skippers’ qualifications is recommended.

English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda

There are a variety of different anchorage points around the island. Nonsuch Bay on the east of the island is a stone’s throw away from a hub of restaurants and disco, while Carlisle Bay on the south-east is lined with palm trees and home to majestic sea turtles. You’ll also find sheltered mooring on the south coast at Cades Reef and the popular Dickenson Bay anchorage, rife with activity both night and day.

The northern side of the island presents calmer and smoother sailing conditions whereas the southern part of the island is home to more thrilling waters. Being a leeward island, facing away from the wind, Antigua provides sailors with ideal trade winds, in full force from the months of December to May. Consequently, it is no surprise as to why the regatta takes place at this time of year. These stable easterly blowing winds, reach between 18 to 20 knots and more than suitable weather conditions will be enjoyable for both novice and experienced sailors as they voyage.

English Harbour at Night

As the location of the Caribbean’s oldest premier Regatta, the breathtakingly beautiful sister islands of Antigua and Barbuda are readily awaiting the return of sailors across the globe for the 2022 return of Antigua Sailing Week. From the 30^th of April to the 6^th of May 2022, yachting enthusiasts from all across the globe will descend upon English Harbour and Falmouth harbour, located on the extreme south of the island of Antigua, to participate and spectate at the 53^rd annual regatta; one of the world’s leading and most prestigious naval events. 

Photo courtesy of Antigua Sailing Week

The continuously upheld reputation of Antigua Sailing Week, spanning over decades, sees many of the world’s top racing and performance cruising boats and some of the racing worlds most notarised and professional sailors come annually to the Caribbean so that they may race in this renowned regatta. Every year, Antigua Sailing Week attracts a splendid variety of over 100 yachts, helmed by captains of all different experience levels. The regatta offers a ‘Club Class’ category, suitable for those racers who are less experienced yet who still want to be in attendance and a part of the on-the-water action.

Photo courtesy of Antigua Sailing Week

An exciting event, which sees sportsmanship, comradery and action adventure combined, bestows unforgettable memories and sights for its participants as well as those bystanders both on land and at sea in spectator boats. Over the course of 5 exciting days, crews and their vessels are met with a variety of challenging coastal racecourses as they battle powerful trade winds as they cross expansively exciting blue Caribbean waters.

Upon the final day's conclusion, owners, skippers and crews, and officials gather at the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of Nelson's Dockyard. Representative members of the Antiguan and Barbudian government, including the country’s Governor General, are also in attendance for the celebratory closing of the regatta and award ceremony. The day after the ceremony is Dockyard Day, the perfect fun-filled day out for all the family, and the Beating of the Retreat, which sees the Antiguan flag lowered as a signal to the conclusion of the year's respective Antigua Sailing Week.

For more information on Antigua Sailing Week, click here!