Antigua Charter Yacht Show

As a trade-only yacht show, the Antigua Charter Yacht Show plays a vital role in the charter industry, providing charter brokers, central agents, and industry professionals with exclusive access to the Caribbean yacht charter fleet, enabling informed recommendations and itinerary planning well ahead of peak winter demand.

Combining professional yacht inspections with a vibrant programme of social and culinary events, the show has become an influential and enduring fixture on the international yachting circuit.

Location: Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua
Timing: Early December (annually)
Event duration: 5–6 days
Fleet size: Approximately 70–75 charter yachts
Yacht types: Motor yachts, sailing yachts, superyachts
Ideal for: Charter brokers, central agents, captains, crew
Famous for: Chef’s Competition, historic dockyard setting, first-season yacht debuts
Key marinas: Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, Falmouth Harbour Marina, Antigua Yacht Club Marina

The Antigua Charter Yacht Show is widely regarded as the most practical and informative Caribbean yacht show for charter professionals. Its core focus is yacht inspection, allowing brokers to step onboard, meet crews, and gain first-hand insight into the nuances that distinguish one motor yacht charter from another.

One of the defining features of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show is its multi-marina layout, allowing a diverse fleet of Antigua yacht charters to be showcased across English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour.

The historic epicentre of the show, Nelson’s Dockyard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Caribbean’s most atmospheric yacht venues. Smaller superyachts and sailing yacht charters are often berthed here, surrounded by restored Georgian buildings, boutique bars, and waterfront restaurants.

Offering deep-water berths and modern superyacht facilities, Falmouth Harbour Marina hosts many of the show’s largest motor yacht charters. Its proximity to English Harbour ensures seamless access between inspection zones.

A central inspection hub, the Antigua Yacht Club Marina frequently hosts social events, broker lunches, and sponsor activations throughout the week.

Together, these marinas create an efficient inspection circuit, supported by scheduled transfers and coordinated itineraries.

Known to welcome some of the biggest names in the yachting industry, the Antigua Charter Yacht Show is an ideal event for brokers to view some truly innovative yachts either for themselves or on behalf of a client.

Held just after most superyacht charters make their transatlantic crossing for the winter Caribbean season, this show is often the first opportunity for many to see new additions to the yacht charter fleet. 

While yacht inspections remain the primary focus, the Antigua Charter Yacht Show is equally valued for its social and experiential programme.

Welcome receptions, themed parties, broker lunches, and yacht hops provide informal opportunities to engage with crews and fellow professionals. These events allow attending Antigua and Leeward Islands yacht charters to showcase their hospitality, service standards, and onboard atmosphere, key differentiators in the luxury charter market.

For brokers, these interactions are often as valuable as inspections, offering insight into crew dynamics and charter suitability for different client profiles.

The Chef’s Competition is the most anticipated event of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show and one of the most respected culinary contests in the superyacht charter industry.

Antigua’s status as a charter hub extends far beyond the yacht show itself. With consistent trade winds, sheltered anchorages, and short cruising distances, the island provides an ideal introduction to Caribbean yacht charters.

Its central location within the Leeward Islands allows for flexible itineraries to destinations such as Barbuda, charter routes in St. Kitts & Nevis, and Montserrat. Combined with strong aviation links and a well-established yachting infrastructure, Antigua remains one of the Caribbean’s most reliable embarkation points.

The Antigua Charter Yacht Show is strictly invitation-only and open exclusively to industry professionals. Brokers typically coordinate inspection schedules well in advance to maximise efficiency across the week.

Accommodation in English Harbour and Falmouth fills quickly during show week, and early planning is strongly recommended. Attendance is often arranged through broker networks or industry affiliations.

How do yachts qualify to attend the Antigua Charter Yacht Show?

Yachts must be commercially compliant for charter, meet MYBA or equivalent industry standards, and be approved by the show organisers. Many yachts attending are already established in the Caribbean charter market or are entering the region for the upcoming winter season.

Unlike larger European shows, the Antigua Charter Yacht Show is more inspection-focused and relaxed, with fewer crowds and a stronger emphasis on personal interaction. Its timing at the start of the Caribbean season also makes it uniquely valuable for exploring yachts before peak charter demand.

Many yachts use the Antigua Charter Yacht Show as a launch point for the winter season and remain in Antigua or nearby islands immediately afterwards. Others depart to begin charter itineraries across the wider Caribbean, including St Barts, St Lucia, plus St Vincent and the Grenadines.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Antigua Charter Yacht Show, or if you would like to arrange for an industry professional to attend the upcoming edition on your behalf, speak with your preferred yacht charter broker. 

Alternatively, find more inspiration for your next charter vacation by viewing all yacht rentals on YachtCharterFleet, the biggest curated collection of luxury yacht charters.