Antigua and the Grenadines

Yacht charter in the Caribbean

The Caribbean charter season runs from December to April, from the Leeward Islands down to the Grenadines. Each of these cruising grounds offers its own week-long itinerary, from St Barths to Barbuda or from Mustique to the Tobago Cays.

Charter season: December to April
2 cruising grounds: Leeward and Windward Islands
Embarkation ports: St Martin or St Lucia

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Cruising in the Caribbean

St Martin is the starting point for most Leeward Islands charters, and its airport is one of the main gateways to the region. Grand Case is renowned for the restaurants along its beachfront. St Barths follows, with Colombier Bay set within a protected marine reserve. Antigua lies 90 nm from St Martin. Antigua and its sister island of Barbuda are known for their 365 beaches.

Further south, short passages from St Vincent lead through the Grenadines. Bequia lies 15 nm away, with Mustique a further 8 nm on. The Tobago Cays Marine Park is 15 nm from Mustique. Its 5 uninhabited cays surround lagoons that are home to green turtles. In the evening, local vendors go from yacht to yacht offering a seafood barbecue on the beach.

Where to go

English Harbour, Antigua
Nelson's Dockyard is a Georgian-era dockyard. Today it serves as a marina. English Harbour offers one of the safest natural anchorages in the Caribbean.
Barbuda
Antigua's sister island lies 30 nm to the north, across open water. Barbuda is known for its long pink-sand beach. Its secluded anchorages make it a peaceful stop.
St Barths
Colombier Bay lies within a protected marine reserve. The captain plans the call in line with the reserve's rules. Gustavia and the island's beaches complete the day.
Bequia
Bequia is the first call in the Grenadines from St Vincent. Evenings are spent ashore in Port Elizabeth, on Admiralty Bay. Over the festive season, flotillas of yachts often gather in the bay.
Mustique
Yachts pick up a mooring in Britannia Bay. Ashore, afternoon tea at the Cotton House is followed by an evening at Basil's Bar. Mustique lies 8 nm from Bequia.
Tobago Cays
The Tobago Cays Marine Park was established in 1998. Yachts anchor here behind Horseshoe Reef. The designated anchorages lie in the centre of the main lagoon and off the north-western edge of Petit Tabac. Green turtles live among the coral reefs.

When to go to the Caribbean

Janpeak season
Febpeak season
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Mayoff season
Junoff season
Juloff season
Augoff season
Sepoff season
Octoff season
Novshoulder season
Decpeak season

Peak season runs from December to April. In the Windward Islands, the winds stay steady throughout this period and the yachting scene is lively. In Antigua, the season opens in early December with the charter yacht show. Christmas and the February school holidays are the most sought-after weeks in the Grenadines.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Charters resume in November, just as winter sets in across Europe and North America.

A week in the Caribbean: 2 itineraries, day by day

Each cruising ground has its own sample week, which the captain adjusts to the wind and weather of the day.

St Martin to Antigua

7 days in the Leeward Islands, from Sint Maarten to English Harbour.

Day 1
St Martin
Embarkation in St Martin, an island with a French half and a Dutch half. The day takes in Orient Bay and Maho Beach.
Day 2
St Barths
A call at Gustavia and the island's beaches. The yacht then anchors in a sheltered bay.
Day 3
Anguilla
Anguilla offers reefs and calm coves for swimming.
30 nm from the previous stop
Day 4
Saba
Diving in Saba Marine Park, then a hike ashore.
Day 5
St Kitts and Nevis
The day takes in the colonial forts of St Kitts and Nevis Peak.
Day 6
Barbuda
A day on the pink-sand beaches, then a night in a secluded anchorage.
Day 7
Antigua
Arrival in English Harbour and a visit to Nelson's Dockyard before disembarkation.
30 nm from the previous stop

St Lucia to Grenada

7 days in the Windward Islands, from Marigot Bay down through the Grenadines to Grenada.

Day 1
St Lucia and St Vincent
Embarkation at Marigot Bay on St Lucia. The first night is spent at anchor off St Vincent.
Day 2
Bequia
From Cumberland Bay, the yacht crosses to Bequia for an evening in Port Elizabeth.
15 nm from the previous stop
Day 3
Mustique
Afternoon tea at the Cotton House, then the evening at Basil's Bar.
8 nm from the previous stop
Day 4
Tobago Cays
The yacht anchors within the marine park, behind Horseshoe Reef.
15 nm from the previous stop
Day 5
Petit St Vincent
A short passage leads to the island of Petit St Vincent.
8 nm from the previous stop
Day 6
Carriacou
Belair National Park fills the day, and the night is spent in Tyrrel Bay.
12 nm from the previous stop
Day 7
Grenada
The longest passage of the week leads to Grenada for disembarkation.
40 nm from the previous stop

Cruising distances

St Martin to Antigua	90 nm
Antigua to Nevis	55 nm
Antigua to Barbuda	30 nm
St Barths to Anguilla	30 nm
St Vincent to Bequia	15 nm
Mustique to Tobago Cays	15 nm

Good to know

In the Tobago Cays, the captain picks up a mooring or anchors on sand clear of coral and seagrass.

Entry to the marine park is subject to a visitor fee, which the captain settles in line with the park's current arrangements.

Scuba dives in the park are made with a registered local dive operator.

Yachts in the Caribbean

Of the yachts shown here, 8 cruise the Caribbean in winter, and the sailing catamaran Āura is also available for charter in the Caribbean. Our broker will confirm availability and the itinerary for each charter.

Loon

67.5 m13 guestsIcon Yachts

From €550,000 per week

Vertigo

67.2 m12 guestsAlloy Yachts

From €360,000 per week

Calex

67 m12 guestsBenetti Yachts

From €680,000 per week

Triumph

65.4 m12 guestsBenetti Yachts

From €650,000 per week

Lemon Tree

61.5 m14 guestsSanlorenzo

From €485,000 per week

Entourage

60 m12 guestsAmels

From €485,000 per week

Come Together

60 m14 guestsAmels

From €490,000 per week

Illusion V

58 m12 guestsBenetti Yachts

From €350,000 per week

Āura

23.50 mSunreef 70

From €80,000 per week

Frequently asked questions

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When is the best time for a Caribbean yacht charter?

Peak season runs from December to April, with steady winds in the Windward Islands. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Charters resume in November, just as winter sets in across Europe and North America.

How far ahead should I book for Christmas or February?

Christmas and the February school holidays are the most sought-after weeks in the Grenadines. For these dates, we recommend booking at least 6 months ahead. Our broker will then let you know which yachts remain available.

Can St Martin, St Barths and Antigua be combined in one week?

Yes. A typical week starts in St Martin and ends in Antigua, with calls at St Barths, Anguilla, Saba, St Kitts and Nevis, and Barbuda. St Martin and Antigua lie 90 nm apart. The captain adjusts the order of calls to the wind of the day.

Where do Grenadines charters start?

The classic start is Blue Lagoon Marina on the south-west coast of St Vincent, a short transfer from Argyle International Airport. Another sample week embarks at Marigot Bay on St Lucia and cruises down the Grenadines to Grenada.

Which airports serve Leeward Islands charters?

Princess Juliana International Airport on Sint Maarten, Antigua Airport and St Barths Airport all serve charters in the region. St Martin is the starting point for most of them. In Antigua, Nelson's Dockyard Marina welcomes yachts in English Harbour.