Antigua Sailing Week

Set Sail for an Unforgettable Experience

Every spring, the calm turquoise waters of English Harbour, Antigua transform into a world-class sailing arena during Antigua Sailing Week, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious and longest-running regattas. First established in 1967, the event has grown into an internationally recognized competition that attracts professional crews, charter yachts, and amateur sailors from around the world.

For approximately seven days, competitors race along Antigua’s dramatic southern coastline, navigating steady trade winds and challenging coastal conditions that make the island a favorite among international sailing enthusiasts. Yet Antigua Sailing Week is about far more than racing. The regatta also delivers an unforgettable mix of dockside celebrations, live entertainment, island cuisine, and Caribbean hospitality, making it one of the region’s most exciting annual events.

Visitors can explore the official race schedule and updates on the Antigua Sailing Week website:  https://www.sailingweek.com/

Nelson’s Dockyard: The Historic Heart of Antigua Sailing Week

The event is headquartered in Nelson’s Dockyard, the beautifully restored Georgian naval base located in English Harbour. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, Nelson’s Dockyard is the only continuously operating Georgian dockyard in the world.

During Antigua Sailing Week, this historic 18th-century complex becomes the vibrant center of the regatta. Yachts dock alongside restored stone warehouses, crews gather around the marina preparing for the day’s races, and spectators line the waterfront to watch the excitement unfold.

Staying at the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel  places you directly inside this historic setting. Housed within a restored 18th-century naval warehouse, the hotel allows guests to experience the regatta not just as spectators, but as part of the dockyard’s living maritime history.

From your suite, you can watch crews preparing their sails in the early morning light, stroll along the dockyard promenade, and walk just minutes to race briefings, prize-givings, and evening celebrations.

For information about Nelson’s Dockyard National Park

What to Expect During Antigua Sailing Week

World-Class Racing

Antigua Sailing Week features multiple racing divisions, ranging from high-performance racing yachts to cruising classes. The courses take full advantage of Antigua’s reliable 15–20 knot trade winds, creating exhilarating sailing conditions that challenge even the most experienced crews.

Spectators can enjoy stunning race views from several locations around English Harbour, including Shirley Heights Lookout, Fort Berkeley, or from chartered spectator boats that follow the action on the water. Daily race results and updates are published on the official Sailing Week website.

Dockyard Nights

When the racing ends each afternoon, the celebrations begin. Nelson’s Dockyard transforms into a lively open-air festival where sailors, visitors, and locals gather to celebrate.

Evenings often feature live Caribbean bands, international DJs, waterfront food vendors, rum tastings, and pop-up cocktail lounges, creating an energetic atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Antigua.

Lay Day at Pigeon Point

Midweek brings one of the most anticipated traditions of the regatta: Lay Day at Pigeon Point Beach. This relaxed beach celebration offers a break from competition and invites both sailors and visitors to unwind.

Guests can enjoy swimming in the calm waters, beach games, music, barbecues, and tropical drinks while crews socialize before returning to the final days of racing.

Grand Finale and Awards Ceremony

The week concludes with a Prize Giving Ceremony celebrating the top-performing crews across all racing classes. The closing celebration typically features live music, fireworks over English Harbour, and dockside festivities that continue late into the evening.

It is a spectacular finale to one of the Caribbean’s most beloved sailing traditions.

Why Stay at Copper & Lumber Store Hotel

During Antigua Sailing Week, location makes all the difference. The Copper & Lumber Store Hotel offers guests a rare opportunity to stay directly inside the historic dockyard where the regatta takes place.

The hotel occupies a beautifully restored 18th-century naval warehouse that once stored copper sheeting used to protect Royal Navy ships from tropical shipworm damage an innovation that helped transform naval shipbuilding in the Caribbean. Today, original architectural features such as exposed brick walls and mahogany beams remain, creating a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort.

Guests enjoy modern amenities including spacious suites, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and easy access to everything happening in Nelson’s Dockyard.

Because the hotel sits within the heart of the marina, guests can walk to race headquarters, waterfront restaurants, dockside celebrations, and evening entertainment without needing transportation.

Waterfront Dining at The Mainbrace Restaurant

Located within the hotel, The Mainbrace Restaurant offers one of the most scenic dining experiences in English Harbour. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood, Caribbean flavors, and international cuisine while overlooking the marina as yachts drift across the harbor at sunset.

After a full day of racing and celebrations, returning to the quiet comfort of your suite provides the perfect balance between vibrant regatta energy and relaxing island hospitality.

Book Early for Antigua Sailing Week

Antigua Sailing Week attracts thousands of visitors every year, and accommodations in Nelson’s Dockyard sell out months in advance. To secure the best location and experience the regatta from its historic center, booking early is strongly recommended.

Plan your stay at the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel: https://www.copperandlumberhotel.com/

Antigua Sailing Week is more than a regatta—it is a celebration of sailing excellence, Caribbean culture, and maritime history. Staying at the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel places you at the center of it all, where colorful sails meet centuries-old stone walls in one unforgettable harbor