Antigua & Barbuda - Facts

Antigua & Barbuda FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat: Pre-register with either eSeaClear or SailClear. If entering Barbuda, it's necessary to get permission from Customs first. See Clearance for details.
Pre-Arrival Crew: Visas are not required by nationals from a number of countries. See Immigration for details.
Where can I enter? English Harbour and Jolly Harbour in Antigua and Codrington in Barbuda. Click on the blue "Explore Country" button and then the anchor symbol to access ports of entry.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? Approximately US$40 for a 40ft yacht with 2 crew at Jolly Harbour – see Fees for details.
What security concerns should I know about? Antigua has the lowest violent crime rate in the Caribbean and severe crime against tourists is rare. See Security for more info.

Antigua & Barbuda Facts for Sailors

• Antigua and Barbuda is a state in the West Indies between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, consisting of the two main islands of Antigua and Barbuda and a number of smaller islands including the uninhabited Redonda Island. Barbuda is approx. 30NM north of Antigua
• The majority of the population of 95,000 live on Antigua.
• English is the official language with Antigua and Barbudan Creole the native dialect.
• The currency is the Eastern Carribean dollar though US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted.
• The time zone is UTC – 4.
• The capital and largest port is St John’s on Antigua with Codrington the main town on Barbuda.
• The islands have a tropical climate with a rainy season from September to November. For more details see Weather.
• Hurricane Irma – the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history – ploughed over the top of Antigua and Barbuda in early September 2017. The Category 5 storm had sustained wind speeds of at least 185mph and gusts over 200mph. Barbuda was virtually destroyed and the entire population was evacuated, however Antigua sustained no damage at all.
• The islands are renowned for magnificent white sandy beaches coral reefs and the colonies of Frigate birds which are slowly returning to the island of Barbuda after the devastation of Hurricane Irma.
• Yachts planning on visiting Barbuda should be as self-sufficient as possible for the duration of their stay.
• English Harbour on Antigua is one of the most picturesque harbors in the world. Nelsons Dockyard within English Harbour is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• April and May are busy months on Antigua when cruising boats arrive on their way to Europe or North America, and racing enthusiasts turn up for Antigua Sailing Week held every year at the end of April. There are extensive yachting services on Antigua - for details see the Yachting Essentials section.