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Antigua and Barbuda365
sportsEvent

Antigua Charter Yacht Show

Superyachts and a star chefs' contest in December

When2026: December 4 to 9 (early December; dates vary yearly)
WhereEnglish Harbour, South Coast
CostTrade-only event; on-board yacht tours are restricted to accredited brokers and industry guests. Free to walk the public areas of the harbour.
FrequencyAnnual
Type
Sports
When
December to December
Duration
6 days
Location
English Harbour
Cost
Trade-only event; on-board yacht tours are restricted to accredited brokers and industry guests. Free to walk the public areas of the harbour.
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
Dozens of crewed superyachts and hundreds of charter-industry guests
Family friendly
Yes
First held
1961
Local name
Antigua Charter Yacht Show
Best arrival
Visit mid-week to see the marinas at their fullest with yachts on display.
What to wear
Resort-casual tropical clothing; smart-casual if attending any industry social events.
Food highlights
Harbourside restaurantsCaribbean-fusion menusRum cocktailsLocal Wadadli beer
Warnings
Trade-only event: no public on-board toursMarina areas can be busy with industry trafficRestaurants book up during show week
What to bring
SunscreenSun hatCameraComfortable walking shoesCash (EC$)
The overview

Antigua Charter Yacht Show

The Antigua Charter Yacht Show is where the Caribbean's luxury charter season is launched. For one week each December, the marinas around English Harbour fill with crewed superyachts, and charter brokers from around the world tour the fleet to plan the coming winter's bookings. The 2026 show runs from 4 to 9 December.

Boats are berthed across Nelson's Dockyard Marina, the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, and Falmouth Harbour Marina, lining the docks with some of the largest and most expensive yachts afloat. The show is a trade event rather than a public festival, so on-board tours are reserved for accredited brokers and industry guests.

Its best-known feature is the Concours de Chef, a fiercely contested cooking competition in which yacht chefs plate multi-course tasting menus judged by visiting brokers. Tablescaping contests, crew parties, and seminars fill out the week. For visitors, the spectacle is the skyline of masts and superstructures crowding the historic Georgian harbour.

December also marks the start of Antigua's peak dry season, making it an ideal time to combine yacht-watching with the beaches and forts of the south coast. The overlook at Shirley Heights gives a memorable view across both harbours during show week.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the Antigua Charter Yacht Show?

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The show is held in early December. The 2026 edition runs from 4 to 9 December. It opens the Caribbean luxury charter season, so dates are set well in advance, but confirm on the official Antigua Yacht Show website before planning a visit.

Is the Antigua Charter Yacht Show open to the public?

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It is a trade-only event. On-board yacht tours are reserved for accredited charter brokers and industry guests, not the general public. However, anyone can walk the public areas of English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour to see the assembled superyachts from the docksides.

Where is the show held?

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Yachts are berthed across three marinas around English Harbour: Nelson's Dockyard Marina, the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, and Falmouth Harbour Marina. The historic Georgian harbour fills with masts and superstructures for the week.

What is the Concours de Chef?

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It is the show's signature event: a cooking competition in which yacht chefs prepare multi-course tasting menus judged by visiting brokers, alongside tablescaping contests. It is part of the trade programme, but it has become one of the most talked-about features of the week.
Plan your visit

Antigua Charter Yacht Show

When
2026: December 4 to 9 (early December; dates vary yearly)
Duration: 6 days
Location
Nelson's Dockyard, Antigua Yacht Club & Falmouth Harbour marinas, English Harbour
South Coast
Cost
Free
Get directions →
This event is in English Harbour & Falmouth →