Best Anchorages in Antigua & Barbuda
The racing capital of the Caribbean — home to Antigua Sailing Week (the region's largest regatta), Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, and more anchorages than any other Leeward island. Plus the remote sister island of Barbuda: 17 miles of pink sand, the Caribbean's largest frigatebird colony, and a shallow coral lagoon that rewards patient navigators.
UNESCO
Nelson's Dockyard (2016)
April
Antigua Sailing Week
Port Health
Must board first on entry
Dec–May
Outside hurricane belt
Antigua & Barbuda — Entry, Sailing Week & Safety Warnings
Port Health FIRST: The Port Health officer must board your vessel and clear it BEFORE any crew or passengers go ashore. After Port Health: Customs, then Immigration, then Port Authority. Do not leave the vessel unattended until all four clearances are complete. File eSeaClear online before arrival. Fly the Q flag from the highest point until fully cleared. Antigua Sailing Week (late April/early May): English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour marina berths book out completely 6 months in advance. If you plan to attend, contact the marinas immediately. No anchoring on coral throughout Antiguan waters — sand only; fines apply. Hurricane season June–November: avoid the region or have a certified hurricane hole plan; Barbuda was virtually destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 — do not underestimate the risk.
Sailing Regions
English Harbour & Falmouth Harbour
8 anchoragesEnglish Harbour is the historic heart of Caribbean sailing — a perfect natural anchorage sheltering Nelson's Dockyard, the only continuously working Georgian-era dockyard in the world (UNESCO World Heritage, 2016), where Admiral Horatio Nelson was stationed 1784–1787. The National Parks Authority manages the surrounding 15 km² of land and water. Nelson's Dockyard Marina has 30 stern-to berths with bow moorings set against 18th-century brick architecture. Freeman Bay, just outside the harbour, offers a well-protected anchorage with more swinging room. Falmouth Harbour, directly adjacent, is the main event hub — orange mooring buoys (hail 'Sea Pony' on VHF 68), 4+ marinas including the Falmouth Harbour Superyacht facility, and the Antigua Yacht Club Marina. Falmouth is the venue for Antigua Sailing Week (late April), the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting — making this stretch of southeast coast the most sailing-focused quarter of any Caribbean island.
Port Health FIRST (before Customs, Immigration, Port Authority); no crew ashore until all four clearances complete; National Park fees apply (~US$15/night); Antigua Sailing Week (late April): book marina berths 6+ months ahead; no anchoring on coral
Explore English Harbour & Falmouth Harbour anchorages →Jolly Harbour, North Coast & Barbuda
6 anchoragesJolly Harbour is Antigua's largest and best-equipped marina — 350+ berths on the west coast, accessible via a dredged approach channel (max depth 4m). It is the most practical port of entry if arriving from the west or northwest, and clearance here is less expensive than at English Harbour (no national park fees). Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy, located within the marina complex, is the best-stocked provisioning shop in Antigua, open 365 days a year. Five Islands Harbour (2nm N) offers multiple anchorage areas in one bay with excellent sand holding. Green Island (4nm E of English Harbour) is uninhabited, with pristine coral reef and some of Antigua's best snorkelling. Barbuda, the sister island 27–30nm north, offers two extraordinary destinations: Codrington Lagoon (home to 5,000+ magnificent frigatebirds) and Low Bay (17 miles of pink sand beach). Barbuda approach requires current charts — numerous coral heads; facilities remain limited following Hurricane Irma 2017.
Barbuda approach: current charts MANDATORY (numerous coral heads); Codrington Lagoon entrance very shallow (0.8m charted, ~1.8m navigable) — approach very slowly with depth sounder; no motorised vessels in flamingo/frigatebird sanctuary zones; stock all provisions in Antigua before departing for Barbuda
Explore Jolly Harbour, North Coast & Barbuda anchorages →Antigua & Barbuda Sailing Rules — Summary
- !Entry sequence: eSeaClear pre-registration before arrival. On arrival: (1) Port Health FIRST, (2) Customs, (3) Immigration, (4) Port Authority. Q flag from highest point until cleared. No crew ashore before full clearance. Clearance within 24 hours of arrival mandatory. Valid cruising permit (6 months max) required for all foreign vessels.
- !Ports of entry: English Harbour (National Park fees apply), Falmouth Harbour (National Park fees apply), Jolly Harbour (no park fees — cheapest option), St. John's Heritage Quay, Crabbs Peninsula. Contact Antigua Coastguard on VHF 16 from 6 hours out.
- !Antigua Sailing Week 2026: Late April. English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour marina berths: contact marinas 6+ months in advance. Falmouth anchorage mooring buoys: hail “Sea Pony” on VHF 68. No anchoring on coral throughout the event area.
- !Barbuda navigation: Codrington Lagoon entry is SHALLOW — charted depths as little as 0.8m; actual navigable ~1.8m; approach very slowly with depth sounder. Frigatebird sanctuary: no motorised vessels — guided tours from Codrington only. Passage 27–30nm open water from Antigua. Fuel and provisioning: stock completely in Antigua before departing. Post-Irma: check current facility availability before visiting.
For a full overview of Caribbean anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.