- Events and Regattas
Antigua Prepares for the 65th Annual Charter Yacht Show This December
The 65th Annual Exhibition
The international yachting calendar heavily relies on Caribbean exhibitions to set the pace for the winter season. This December marks the 65th instalment of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show, officially recognized as the longest-standing charter yacht show in the world. Running from December 4th through the 9th, the event will draw hundreds of charter brokers, marine vendors, and yacht managers directly to the English Harbour to inspect vessels and finalize bookings for the upcoming season.
Structuring the Three Marinas
Managing the influx of superyachts requires significant infrastructure. The show operates across three primary locations to handle vessels of varying dimensions. Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, a Living UNESCO World Heritage Site, serves as the central meeting point and houses the Hospitality Desk. Falmouth Harbour Marina provides deep-water access and ultra-fast fuel bunkering for superyachts measuring up to 163 metres. The Antigua Superyacht Marina links the two, offering 60-metre berthing capacity directly adjacent to the main evening networking functions. Vessels exceeding 260 feet have the option to remain at anchor and utilize tender transfers.
Inspections and Networking
Unlike retail-focused boat shows, this event is engineered strictly for industry professionals. The primary objective is to allow charter brokers to physically inspect the 70 participating motor yachts, sailing yachts, and catamarans. Attendees utilize colour-coded badges to streamline networking during the daily yacht hops. The schedule provides brokers with direct access to captains and crews, facilitating the essential relationships required to execute high-level charter contracts.
The Concours de Chef Competition
Culinary execution is a critical metric for any successful charter operation. The Antigua show originally launched the world’s first annual Concours de Chef Competition in 2000, establishing a standard now replicated at superyacht shows globally. The 2026 event will host the 26th edition of this competition, requiring yacht chefs and stewards to demonstrate their culinary execution and table design capabilities before a panel of expert judges.
Evening Socials and Historical Context
The six-day event balances rigid daily inspections with structured evening networking. The social calendar includes the Antigua Sundowner Evening charity event, a Caribbean Supper, and dedicated marina nights. The show’s origins trace back to 1961, established by the Nicholson family to highlight the Caribbean’s charter potential. By 2004, a coalition of prominent Antiguan industry figures, currently led by Chairman Paul Deeth, took control of the event to ensure the exhibition remained permanently anchored in Antigua.
