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Sailing in English Harbour

Antigua Sailing Week

Antigua and Barbuda · Caribbean

Apr 21–25, 2027ConfirmedAntigua Sailing Week 2027

Organized event

Run by Antigua Sailing Week, with published dates and a real program.

Dates & details verified against: Official event site

Why go

English Harbour is where Caribbean sailing has its spiritual home. This deep, hurricane-safe inlet on Antigua's south coast was the Royal Navy's Georgian dockyard, and the restored stone warehouses and sail lofts of Nelson's Dockyard now shelter superyachts and classic wooden boats instead of frigates. The steady 15 to 20 knot trade winds, warm water and a coastline of coves make it a natural racing ground, and every April the island stages Antigua Sailing Week, first run in 1968 and still the flagship regatta of the eastern Caribbean. The five days of racing out of English and Falmouth Harbours draw a huge fleet, from grand-prix maxis to bareboat cruisers crewed by visitors, and the shore scene at the Dockyard and the Antigua Yacht Club is as much a part of it as the windward legs. For anyone learning the ropes, the National Sailing Academy runs lessons from the same water, so you can go from a first dinghy session to crewing a keelboat in one of the world's great sailing settings.

When it runs

Held annually over five days in late April, out of English and Falmouth Harbours. The 58th edition runs 21 to 25 April 2027; a further edition is expected in late April 2028.

  • Apr 21–25, 2027ConfirmedAntigua Sailing Week 2027
  • Apr 26–30, 2028ExpectedAntigua Sailing Week 2028

Dates read confirmed where the organizer has published them, and expected where we've projected the recurrence. Always verify with the organizer before booking.

What to expect

The Caribbean sailing season runs roughly December to May, dry and steady, with the reliable easterly trades building through the winter and into spring. Antigua Sailing Week falls in late April, at the tail of the season when the breeze is at its most consistent, typically 15 to 20 knots. Water is warm all year, around 26 to 28 degrees. Racing and cruising both work out of the twin harbours of English and Falmouth on the protected south coast.

Getting there & around

English Harbour sits about 45 minutes by road from V. C. Bird International Airport near St. John's. The Dockyard, Falmouth Harbour and the Antigua Yacht Club cluster within walking or short-taxi distance of each other, and this is the base for charters, regatta registration and crew berths. During Sailing Week accommodation in the English Harbour and Falmouth area books out well ahead, so plan early.

Where it happens

English Harbour, Antigua and Barbuda.

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