The published weekly rate we read for a crewed yacht based in Antigua is US$48,000–US$52,000 for a 23 m sailing yacht in English Harbour, on inclusive Caribbean terms. For comparison, two 58 ft all-inclusive catamarans based in the Virgin Islands list US$45,500–US$47,000 for six guests in winter; they are not confirmed Antigua offers. Taxes and delivery charges are extra. The main season is December to April.
At a glance
| Published rates we read | A 23 m (78 ft) sailing yacht in English Harbour: US$48,000–US$52,000 a week; two 58 ft crewed catamarans in the region: US$45,500–US$47,000 a week for six guests in winter |
| Extras on top | APA of 30% to 40% on plus-expenses yachts; a discretionary crew tip; any taxes and delivery charges |
| Best months | December to April, the driest months and outside hurricane season |
| Busy weeks | Charter Yacht Show (4–9 December 2026), Racing Cup (17–21 March 2027), Sailing Week (21–25 April 2027) |
| The one thing to check | Whether the yacht is actually based in Antigua for your dates, and which taxes apply |
What a week costs
These are published weekly rates for crewed yachts that cruise Antigua or the wider region, read on 29 October 2026. They are listings, not a survey of the market, so ask which yachts are positioned in Antigua for your dates.
| Yacht | Type and length | Published weekly rate | What the rate depends on | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimist | Sailing yacht, 23 m (78 ft), English Harbour | US$48,000–US$52,000 | The listing does not say | Inclusive Caribbean terms: meals, standard drinks and fuel included; tips, premium drinks, dockage and transfers extra |
| Oceans One | Sailing catamaran, 58 ft | US$47,000 for six guests, winter | Number of guests | All-inclusive; cruises Antigua but picks up in the BVI |
| Equanimity | Sailing catamaran, 58 ft | US$45,500 for six guests, winter | Number of guests | All-inclusive; listed for the Virgin Islands |
The two catamarans are regional comparisons, not Antigua offers: a week from Antigua on either would mean asking about delivery and availability.
Three terms you will see on every quote:
- All-inclusive: the weekly rate covers food, standard drinks and fuel for a normal itinerary, with listed exclusions.
- Plus-expenses: the rate covers the yacht and crew; running costs are paid separately, usually through an APA.
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): an advance, set as a percentage of the charter fee, that the captain spends on running costs and accounts for with receipts. Unused money is returned and a shortfall settled under the contract. See what APA is.
Yacht Warriors puts the APA on larger Caribbean motor and sailing yachts at 30% to 40% of the charter fee. Denison Yachting gives 15% to 20% as the common range for Caribbean crew tips; the tip is at your discretion.
Illustration: a week on the 23 m sailing yacht
| Line | Assumption | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Charter fee | Upper published rate, inclusive terms | 52,000 |
| Crew tip | 15% of the fee, at your discretion | 7,800 |
| Illustrative funding before tax | 59,800 |
The US$59,800 is an illustrative pre-tax subtotal. Because the listing describes inclusive terms, there is no APA line; the listed exclusions (premium drinks, dockage, transfers) and any tax on the charter or delivery charges come on top. Ask the broker for the exact inclusions in writing.
A yacht cruising Antiguan waters also needs a cruising permit, and anchoring in some harbours carries National Parks Authority fees on top of Port Authority fees (Noonsite). Ask whether these are in the rate or paid from the APA.
When to go
December to April is the main season: the driest part of the year and outside the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from 1 June to 30 November (NOAA). At V.C. Bird airport, February averages about 45 mm of rain and October about 142 mm, against about 1,049 mm a year (CIMH, 1981–2010 averages).
| Period | Average daily high | Average night low | Average rain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec–Apr | from 28.3 °C (January) | down to 22.2 °C (February) | lowest; about 45 mm in February | The main season; busiest at Christmas and around Sailing Week |
| May–Jun | rising towards summer highs | about 24–25 °C | rising | Fewer yachts; hurricane season starts 1 June |
| Jul–Nov | up to 31.2 °C (August) | up to 25.5 °C (August) | highest; about 142 mm in October | Hurricane season; many yachts move to the Mediterranean |
Climate figures: V.C. Bird station, 1981–2010 averages (CIMH). For the wider region, see the best time for a Caribbean yacht charter.
Events in 2026–27
- Antigua Charter Yacht Show: 4–9 December 2026 at Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua Yacht Club Marina and Falmouth Harbour Marina. It is trade-only, but many charter yachts are tied up for it, so early-December dates are tight.
- Antigua Racing Cup: 17–21 March 2027.
- Antigua Sailing Week: 21–25 April 2027. Expect busy harbours and higher demand.
Where a week from Antigua goes
Most weeks start in English or Falmouth Harbour and stay around Antigua's coast and anchorages. Barbuda, to the north, is a possible addition when the weather allows; the captain decides the route and the timing on the day.
What to ask your broker
- Is the yacht in Antigua for my dates, or is there a delivery charge?
- Is the rate all-inclusive or plus-expenses, and what APA percentage applies?
- What does the quoted rate depend on: the number of guests, the season, or both?
- Which taxes, permits and park or port fees apply, and are they in the quote?
- Which charter agreement will we sign, and what do its cancellation, weather, expense and liability clauses say?
When this is not the right choice
- You want to travel July to November. Fewer yachts are on offer and storms can disrupt a week; if you go, choose the yacht and the contract with that in mind.
- You want a new island every day with short hops. The British Virgin Islands or the Grenadines have more islands close together.
- You need one fixed price. Ask about all-inclusive yachts, and expect separate taxes and delivery charges either way. For wider prices, see the cost of a crewed Caribbean charter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to charter a yacht in Antigua for a week?
The published rates we read run from US$45,500 to 47,000 a week for six guests on 58 ft all-inclusive catamarans that cruise the region, to US$48,000 to 52,000 for a 23 m plus-expenses sailing yacht in English Harbour. Plus-expenses yachts add an APA, and taxes, delivery charges and the tip are extra.
What is the best month to charter a yacht in Antigua?
February is a strong choice: it is the driest month on average at V.C. Bird, with about 45 mm of rain, and it is outside hurricane season. December to April is the main season. Avoid the Charter Yacht Show and Sailing Week if you want quiet harbours.
Is a crewed catamaran in Antigua all-inclusive?
Many crewed Caribbean catamarans are sold all-inclusive, so food, standard drinks and fuel are in the rate, with listed exclusions. Larger motor and sailing yachts are usually plus-expenses with an APA. Check which basis your quote uses.
Can I visit the Antigua Charter Yacht Show as a charter guest?
No, the show is for yachting professionals and needs registration. In 2026 it runs from 4 to 9 December, and many charter yachts are tied up for it, so charters starting that week are harder to find.
Sources
- Boatbookings, Optimist (Swan 78) listing, read 29 Oct 2026
- Yachtwarriors, Oceans One (58 ft catamaran), rates and operating area, read 29 Oct 2026
- Yachtwarriors, Equanimity (58 ft catamaran), rates and operating area, read 29 Oct 2026
- Yacht Warriors, Crewed yacht charter pricing explained (APA 30-40%, catamarans all-inclusive), read 29 Oct 2026
- Denison Yachting, How to tip your yacht charter crew (15-20%), read 29 Oct 2026
- Noonsite, Antigua and Barbuda (cruising permit, National Parks and Port Authority fees), read 29 Oct 2026
- CIMH, Antigua V.C. Bird maximum temperature 1981-2010, read 29 Oct 2026
- CIMH, Antigua V.C. Bird minimum temperature 1981-2010, read 29 Oct 2026
- CIMH, Antigua V.C. Bird rainfall 1981-2010, read 29 Oct 2026
- NOAA National Hurricane Center (Atlantic hurricane season 1 June to 30 November), read 29 Oct 2026
- Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2026 (4-9 December 2026, venues), read 29 Oct 2026
- Antigua Sailing Week, The countdown to Antigua Sailing Week 2027 begins (21-25 April 2027), read 29 Oct 2026
- Caribbean Sailing Association event calendar (Antigua Racing Cup 17-21 March 2027), read 29 Oct 2026
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