National Parks Authority Featured on Antigua Barbuda Today Show
March 19, 2026
Dockyard Day 2026 Brings Community, Culture and Celebration to Nelson’s Dockyard
May 7, 2026
Throughout April 2026, Nelson’s Dockyard remained at the center of Antigua and Barbuda’s sailing season, welcoming competitors, crews and visitors from around the world for three major regattas that brought the UNESCO World Heritage Site to life.
From the debut of the Antigua Racing Cup, to the return of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the energy of Antigua Sailing Week, the Dockyard once again became a meeting place for sport, heritage and community.
Antigua Racing Cup Opens a New Chapter
From April 8 to 12, the first Antigua Racing Cup introduced a new addition to the Caribbean racing calendar.
Created as a competition-focused regatta, the event delivered high-level racing along Antigua’s south coast. Sailors were met with steady trade winds, tactical courses and professional race management that produced close competition across the fleet.
From grand prix yachts to performance cruisers and sportsboats, the event showcased the range of modern racing while reinforcing Antigua’s reputation as a premier sailing destination.
The Antigua Racing Cup marked a strong beginning for what is expected to become an important event on the regional racing calendar.
The Spirit of the Classics
From April 15 to 20, the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta returned to English Harbour, filling the waterfront with restored yachts and traditional craftsmanship.
Among the standout performances:
- Charm III, Richard West’s 1928 Alden schooner, claimed First Overall for the second consecutive year
- Carrack & Tyden Jones secured first in the Modern Classics class aboard Blue Peter
- The crew of Cherub earned the Kenny Coombs Trophy, representing the spirit of the regatta
The event once again combined competitive sailing with the heritage and character that make Classics one of Antigua’s most distinctive annual events.
Close racing and leisurely cruising on the final day of Antigua Sailing Week © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
Antigua Sailing Week 2026
From April 22 to 26, Antigua Sailing Week continued the momentum with a revised format that combined competitive racing with rally cruising around the island.
Crews faced a range of conditions throughout the week, from Atlantic swell to lighter tactical winds, testing both skill and adaptability.
The event included:
- Coastal point-to-point racing
- Scenic anchorages
- Beach gatherings
- Prizegiving celebrations in Nelson’s Dockyard
Top performers included:
- Kali, winner of the Lord Nelson Trophy
- Contigo Team HI-1, winner of CSA Racing Class 2
- High Tension, winner of CSA Racing Class 3
- Troika, winner of the Multihull class
The final prizegiving in Nelson’s Dockyard brought crews together in one of the Caribbean’s most historic maritime settings.
A Month That Defines Nelson’s Dockyard
Across all three events, Nelson’s Dockyard once again demonstrated its importance as one of the Caribbean’s leading sailing destinations.
Throughout the month, the National Park served as:
- a race village
- a cultural gathering place
- a historic landmark
- a showcase of Antigua and Barbuda’s maritime identity
Restaurants, vendors, tour operators and local businesses across the Dockyard also benefited from the increased activity throughout the month.
Looking Ahead
As another sailing season comes to a close, the National Parks Authority thanks the organizers, volunteers, sailors, partners and visitors who helped make April 2026 a success.
Each regatta brought its own character, and together they once again showed why Nelson’s Dockyard remains one of the most important sailing destinations in the region.
