Antigua Sailing Week
About
Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour form the beating heart of Caribbean racing during Antigua Sailing Week — the region's longest-running regatta and one of the most celebrated events on the international sailing calendar. Each year, a spectacular fleet assembles in these storied waters: high-performance monohulls, ocean-going catamarans, cruiser-racers, and sports boats drawn from around the globe to compete in conditions that make Antigua one of the world's most sought-after racing venues.
Chartering a Yacht for Race Week
For those who want to be on the water rather than the shoreline, chartering a yacht is the most direct route into the regatta. The Rock up and Race programme connects visitors with a carefully selected group of reputable charter companies through www.sailingweek.com/charteroptions. Three principal options are available:
Skippered race charter — join an experienced skipper and trained crew, ideal for competitive sailors who want to focus on racing
Bareboat charter with Sunsail — take the helm yourself with a fully equipped yacht for the week
Individual crew place — secure a berth aboard a competing yacht as part of a larger crew
The process is straightforward: book a direct flight to V.C. Bird International Airport, meet your charter provider, complete any required briefing or training, and the racing begins. No prior regatta experience is necessary for many of the available places — Corinthian-class entries welcome family and friends alongside more seasoned sailors.
The Racing Fleet and Course Area
The regatta's racecourse spreads across the waters between Falmouth Harbour and the broader south and west coast of Antigua, offering a picturesque and challenging arena shaped by reliable trade winds. The fleet encompasses everything from grand prix offshore racers to performance cruisers, with class structures designed to give every yacht a genuine chance of distinction. An Ocean Series caters to vessels that prefer longer offshore passages over inshore buoy racing.
The Harbour Scene During Race Week
Falmouth Harbour transforms during Antigua Sailing Week into one of the Caribbean's most vibrant marina environments. The yacht club lawn bars host daily prize-giving gatherings, and the docks fill with crews from dozens of nations — making the harbour itself a remarkable spectacle for anyone connected to the sailing world. For charter crews, the proximity of provisioning, fuel, and marine services in Falmouth and English Harbour ensures a smooth logistical base throughout the event.
For charter enquiries and crew placement, visit www.sailingweek.com or contact the organising team by phone at +1 (268) 725-6651 or by email at info@sailingweek.com. Bookings can be made by phone or email.