Jolly Harbour
Jolly Harbour Marina · Jolly Beach
17°03.5'N 61°53.7'W
Depth
4–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
45m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
45m
45m alarm radius for fully enclosed marina berths. Set alarm to detect any movement against dock or neighbouring vessel. Marina is sheltered from all conditions. In hurricane: additional shore lines essential — contact marina management for hurricane preparation protocol.
About This Anchorage
Jolly Harbour is Antigua's largest and most comprehensively equipped marina — 350+ berths on the west coast, serving as the island's primary cruising hub for vessels on the ARC rally (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), charter fleets, and long-term liveaboards. The marina complex includes the Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy — the best-stocked supermarket in Antigua, open 365 days per year — with fresh meat, fish, deli counter, baked goods, a large wine and spirits section, and an extensive Caribbean provisioning range. The Jolly Harbour chandlery, marine services, yacht club, and shopping centre make this the most self-sufficient marina in the eastern Caribbean. As a port of entry, clearance at Jolly Harbour avoids the National Park surcharge that applies at English and Falmouth Harbours — a significant saving for longer stays. The west-facing beach has calm water for swimming and snorkelling. The marina hosts regular social events including the Jolly Harbour Sailing Club races and end-of-season parties.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · E · SE · S · SW · W
Exposed To
None (fully sheltered)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Marina berths: approximately US$1.80–2.50 per foot per night (all-inclusive, no National Park surcharge); contact Jolly Harbour Marina for current rates
- Maximum stay
- 180 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Marina access via dredged channel — 4m controlling depth; fixed bridge clearance ~16m — check air draft; no anchoring inside marina basin; eSeaClear pre-clearance strongly recommended; Port Health FIRST on arrival; VHF 16 for marina.
Hazards
- !Entrance channel: 4m controlling depth — vessels drawing more than 3.5m check current depths with marina before entry
- !Fixed bridge: air draft approximately 16m — measure carefully; masts above 16m cannot enter
- !Reef coast north of entrance — approach from due west in daylight; do not cut corners
- !Marina fills completely January–April; arrive with a reservation or contact VHF 16 before entering
- !Port Health clearance mandatory FIRST — have papers ready; clearance office is at the marina
Skipper's Tips
- →Jolly Harbour is the cheapest port of entry in Antigua — no National Park fees; significant saving compared to English/Falmouth Harbour for stays longer than 3 nights
- →The Epicurean supermarket is the best-stocked provisioning stop in the eastern Caribbean — stock up here before heading to Barbuda or south to Guadeloupe
- →Call ahead on VHF 16 from 2nm out — the marina assigns berths and will have someone to take your lines on arrival
- →ARC participants arrive in force November–December — call months ahead to book a berth for the Atlantic Rally arrival
- →The Jolly Harbour Yacht Club race series (every Saturday) is open to visiting sailors — good way to meet the cruising community
Facilities
Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy (best provisioning in Antigua, 365 days), Castaways Restaurant & Bar, Cloggy's On The Rocks (Dutch, waterfront), Big Banana Bar, Jolly Harbour Yacht Club bar. Full marine services: chandlery, rigger, sailmaker, mechanical, electrical, diver.
Nearest provisions: Epicurean Fine Foods at Jolly Harbour Marina (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May. Peak occupation December–April. Off-season (June–October) offers discounted berth rates and less crowding. Hurricane season: marina has hurricane storage procedures but is not a certified hurricane hole.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 45m
Whether you're in the calm of Jolly Harbour or the open anchorage at Barbuda's Low Bay, Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — essential for remote Caribbean anchoring.
Download Free for iOS