Antigua and Barbuda: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
16 harbours
Antigua and Barbuda: 16 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: East Caribbean dollar
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Ports of entry according to customs: English Harbour, Jolly Harbour, St. John's (Heritage Quay and Deep Water Harbour), Crabbs and Barbuda. Before arrival, give advance notice via eSeaClear (or SailClear, not both); from six hours before, call the coast guard on VHF channel 16, yellow flag (Q), Port Health first, only the skipper goes ashore; clear in within 24 hours. In Codrington (Barbuda) coming from abroad only with permission from the Comptroller of Customs, by email 48 hours in advance. The Port Authority's cruising permit covers all waters of Antigua and Barbuda, for six months at most.
Ausreise: Clear out before departure, pay the port fees first and leave within 24 hours.
Documents: Passport valid for six months; Germans need no visa for up to 90 days, the online entry form is recommended. Crew leaving the boat need a flight ticket to a country that will admit them. Weapons including flare pistols only with an import permit, pets with an import licence.
Fees: Port Authority: entry, garbage, anchoring or berth and cruising permit (according to Noonsite about USD 40 for 40 ft with two people). In Nelson's Dockyard National Park (English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour) park fees on top. On departure after more than 24 hours, embarkation sea port tax EC$ 75 (USD 30) per person.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe.
Nature: Spearfishing only for citizens with a licence, prohibited for visitors.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October. Shelters according to sailors: English Harbour, Falmouth Harbour, Indian Creek, Parham Harbour; boatyards in Jolly Harbour and in the North Sound. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard +1 268 462 0671 (works with MRCC Fort-de-France), ABSAR volunteers +1 268 562 1234; VHF channel 16.
Sources: Customs and Excise Antigua and Barbuda: Temporary Importation, ABYMA: Yacht Entry and Clearance Procedures, Antigua Marine Guide: Entry Procedures, Noonsite: Antigua and Barbuda, SARcontacts: Antigua and Barbuda, Auswärtiges Amt: Antigua and Barbuda, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Antigua (English Harbour, Falmouth, Jolly Harbour, St. John's)
- Blue Waters
- Crabbs
- English Harbour (Nelson's Dockyard)
- Falmouth
- Five Islands
- Glanvilles
- Johnsons Point
- Jolly Harbour
- Maiden Island
- Nonsuch Bay (Willikies)
- Old Road
- Parham
- St. John's
Barbuda (Codrington, Cocoa Point)
Frequently asked questions
Antigua and Barbuda: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Ports of entry according to customs: English Harbour, Jolly Harbour, St. John's (Heritage Quay and Deep Water Harbour), Crabbs and Barbuda. Before arrival, give advance notice via eSeaClear (or SailClear, not both); from six hours before, call the coast guard on VHF channel 16, yellow flag (Q), Port Health first, only the skipper goes ashore; clear in within 24 hours. In Codrington (Barbuda) coming from abroad only with permission from the Comptroller of Customs, by email 48 hours in advance. The Port Authority's cruising permit covers all waters of Antigua and Barbuda, for six months at most.
Antigua and Barbuda: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; Germans need no visa for up to 90 days, the online entry form is recommended. Crew leaving the boat need a flight ticket to a country that will admit them. Weapons including flare pistols only with an import permit, pets with an import licence.
Antigua and Barbuda: What fees apply?
Port Authority: entry, garbage, anchoring or berth and cruising permit (according to Noonsite about USD 40 for 40 ft with two people). In Nelson's Dockyard National Park (English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour) park fees on top. On departure after more than 24 hours, embarkation sea port tax EC$ 75 (USD 30) per person.
Antigua and Barbuda: What is the emergency number at sea?
Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard +1 268 462 0671 (works with MRCC Fort-de-France), ABSAR volunteers +1 268 562 1234; VHF channel 16.
Antigua and Barbuda: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 16 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.