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A 30 to 40m yacht Antigua in 2026 peak runs $110,000 to $165,000 per week plus a 30 percent APA, takes 8 to 10 guests, and bases out of Falmouth Harbour, English Harbour, or Jolly Harbour across the December to April Caribbean season. Antigua carries roughly 60 yachts in the bracket through the season because the island hosts the Antigua Charter Yacht Show in early December and that draws the regional inventory to Falmouth for the show week and a meaningful proportion stays through the season. This page covers Antigua pricing and tactics; for the wider region, see the Caribbean bracket page.
Why Antigua at this bracket
Antigua is a 108 square mile island with 365 named beaches (the marketing line is approximately correct) and three charter ports: Falmouth Harbour (the bracket's primary), English Harbour at Nelson's Dockyard (smaller, historic), and Jolly Harbour (commercial). The south coast offers a string of bays (Carlisle, Mamora, Galleon, Five Islands) that route a seven-night charter inside the island.
The 30 to 40m bracket fits Antigua because Falmouth Harbour berthing handles the size on Mediterranean moor with regular availability outside Charter Show week, the south-coast anchorages run flat through the trade-wind season, and the open-water positioning legs to St Barths (90nm) and Guadeloupe (45nm) fall inside the bracket's weather window.
Above 40m, Falmouth berthing tightens and the south-coast anchorage rotation thins. Below 30m, the bracket overlaps with the heavy bareboat and large-catamaran market that dominates Jolly Harbour.
Weekly rates from Antigua in 2026 to 2027 season
Ranges below are for peak weeks (Christmas, New Year, and President's Day week in February) for the 2026 to 2027 season, before APA at 30 percent and gratuity at 10 to 15 percent. Antigua charges a charter VAT plus a per-day per-yacht cruising permit fee.
| LOA bracket | Motor yacht (low to high) | Sailing yacht (low to high) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 to 33m | $110K to $130K per week | $80K to $110K per week |
| 33 to 36m | $125K to $150K per week | $100K to $135K per week |
| 36 to 40m | $140K to $165K per week | $120K to $160K per week |
Off-peak (mid-January, March outside President's week, April) runs 20 to 30 percent below the peak headlines. The strongest value windows are the second and third weeks of January and late March.
A note on the Charter Show week (typically early December, week 49 or 50): yachts pull off the charter market for the show and are not available for paid weeks. The first paid week of the Caribbean season for Antigua-based inventory usually starts mid-December.
What you get in the Antigua fleet at this bracket
Cabins. 5 cabins for 10 guests on motor yachts. The Antigua sail inventory is significant at the bracket because the destination is a sailing hub and large racing-pedigree sloops cross-list as charter; 4 to 6 cabins for 8 to 12 guests is the spec on sail.
Crew. 7 to 9 on motor yachts, 4 to 6 on sail. Antigua's crew bench is one of the deepest in the eastern Caribbean because the Charter Show concentrates the regional crew labor market in Falmouth for a week each December. Chef quality is workable through January and tightens at peak.
Tenders. Two tenders is the spec because the south-coast bays each carry a distinct beach character and a day-cruise yacht runs the toys harder in Antigua than in the BVI. The race-week season (April for Antigua Sailing Week, slightly outside the charter bracket) means the spec on sail-side inventory is heavily kit-loaded.
At-anchor stabilizers. Useful at the bracket. The Falmouth anchorage rolls when the trade winds drop overnight; Galleon Beach and Mamora are flatter. Yachts in the bracket without at-anchor stabilizers should plan for a Falmouth berth rather than the outer mooring.
Route shapes from Antigua at this bracket
The Antigua loop. Embark Falmouth, work to Carlisle and Mamora Bays, Green Island, Long Bay (north), Jumby Bay, Five Islands, Pinching Bay, return Falmouth. Seven nights, eight anchorages, all inside the island. The bracket fits this and most Antigua weeks default to the pattern.
The Antigua to Guadeloupe to Iles des Saintes route. Embark Falmouth, two nights local, position 45nm south to Deshaies, then Pigeon Island and Iles des Saintes for three nights, return via Antigua. Seven to ten nights. Best at the 33 to 40m end for the Atlantic passage rhythm.
The Antigua to Barbuda day. Barbuda is 30nm north and the sheltered Coco Point anchorage is workable as an overnight inside an Antigua week. Six to seven nights with one overnight at Barbuda.
What this bracket does not do well in Antigua
Late-season weeks. The Antigua trade winds build through April and the south-coast anchorages run wet and windy by month end. Yacht weeks past 25 April price down for a reason. The Sailing Week (late April) is a sail-side fleet event and not a charter week.
Long-passage Caribbean weeks. Antigua to the Grenadines is a 350nm passage and the trip rhythm breaks at the bracket. Reposition through a one-way charter contract for a multi-island Caribbean week, or base St Lucia or the Grenadines directly.
Charter Show week as a paid charter. The first two weeks of December are show inventory and not for paid charters. Inquire only from mid-December onward for Antigua-based charters.
What we would pass on
Yachts at the bracket that price up sharply for the Charter Show week without proven season exposure (year one show participants frequently overprice the inaugural season). We would also pass on yachts that claim Falmouth as a base but have not held a Falmouth berth for at least two consecutive seasons; the berthing rotation favors the established fleet and newcomer yachts often end up at the outer rotation or Jolly Harbour without disclosure.
What we would book
For two couples, seven nights in late January: a 33m motor yacht with 4 cabins, Falmouth base, Antigua loop with two nights at Green Island. Budget $120K plus APA, all-in roughly $155K. Booking lead time: 5 to 8 months.
For a family of 10, ten nights at Christmas: a 38m motor yacht with 5 cabins, Falmouth base, Antigua loop plus a Barbuda overnight and a Guadeloupe positioning leg. Budget $220K plus APA, all-in roughly $290K. Booking lead time: 9 to 12 months minimum.
Build year, refit, condition
The Antigua 30 to 40m fleet rotates more slowly than the BVI or St Martin because Charter Show participants stay on the circuit for multiple seasons. A 2017 build or later with a 2022 refit is the benchmark on motor yachts. Sail-side inventory runs older and the refit history matters more; on a 30 to 40m sailing yacht in Antigua, we want a documented rig survey from the past 3 seasons and a refit covering hull, deck, and electronics.