How to Find Yacht Work in Antigua
The Complete 2025 Guide for New Crew – Featuring Real Advice from a Trilogy Student Currently in Antigua
If you're planning to start your superyacht career in the Caribbean, Antigua is one of the best places in the world to find your first yacht job. Every season, hundreds of eager new crew arrive to dockwalk, network, and pick up daywork as the marinas fill with some of the world’s most impressive superyachts.
This guide covers everything you need — crew houses, realistic budgets, marinas, the Antigua Yacht Show, networking spots, and real-world tips for landing work fast.
Whether you’re aiming for your first role as a stewardess or deckhand, this is your complete starter guide to finding work in Antigua.
🛥️ Why Antigua Is the Best Place to Start Your Yachting Career
Search any yachting forum or speak to any chief stew, and Antigua will always be on the list of top places for new crew. With warm weather, two major marinas side-by-side, and a buzzing crew community, Antigua is the perfect island for finding yacht work quickly.
During the Caribbean season (November–April), the island becomes a hub for:
• Superyachts preparing for charter
• Yachts crossing over from the Med
• Crew agencies and industry events
• Captains hiring temps and permanent crew
If you want to work on yachts, Antigua offers the right conditions, opportunities, and timing.
🛏️ Where to Stay – Crew Houses & Budget-Friendly Options
The right accommodation will make your job hunt smoother, safer, and much more enjoyable. You want to be close to English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour, where all the action happens.
Top crew accommodation in Antigua:
• Pineapples Crew House – Highly recommended and one of the best crew houses on island. Clean, organised, social, and perfectly located for dockwalking. Rooms start at USD $65 per night, and it’s absolutely worth the price for the comfort and community.
• The Lodge – Central, friendly, and always buzzing with new crew.
• Ocean Inn – Scenic, calm, and ideal if you want quieter evenings.
• The Waterfront Hostel – Great for budget travellers wanting a sociable environment
• Airbnb rooms in English Harbour & Falmouth – Ideal for longer stays or sharing with friends
🔺 Budget Guide
With rising prices on island, here’s a realistic budget for new crew:
• Crew houses: USD $45–$75 per night
• Pineapples Crew House: USD $65 per night
• Shared Airbnb: USD $950–$1,450 per month
• Food & essentials: USD $180–$300 per week
• Local SIM/data: USD $30–$50
To stay comfortable while job hunting, aim to arrive with USD $3,400–$4,600 to cover a few weeks on island.
✈️ Budget to Get There & Daily Costs
Arriving prepared financially gives you confidence — and more time to find the right job.
Estimated costs:
• Flights to Antigua: USD $800–$1,500
• Airport taxi to English Harbour: USD $25–$35
• Local meals: USD $12–$15
• Laundry: USD $10 per load
• Transport: Most of English Harbour is walkable, which is perfect for dockwalking.
⚓ Where to Find the Yachts – The Main Marinas
All yacht job hunting in Antigua centres around English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour. These two areas are a short walk apart and home to hundreds of yachts during the season.
Key marinas to visit:
These are the best spots to dockwalk, drop off CVs, meet crew, and find daywork.
⛵ Antigua Charter Yacht Show – Early December
The Antigua Charter Yacht Show, held in early December, is one of the biggest events in the yachting world. Even if you don’t have a show pass, being in the area during this week is incredibly valuable.
Why this week is ideal for job hunting:
• Yachts are preparing for a busy charter season
• Captains and senior crew are finalising their teams
• Loads of daywork becomes available
• Cafés, bars, and marinas are full of industry professionals
• Networking happens naturally, everywhere you go
🍹 Networking – Where Crew Hang Out
Antigua has a lively crew culture, and you’ll meet yachties everywhere — from cafés to beach bars.
Top crew hangouts in Antigua:
• Skullduggery Café – Morning coffees and smoothies with free Wi-Fi.
• Cloggy’s (Antigua Yacht Club) – A major crew hub, great views, lively atmosphere
• Abracadabra (Abras) – Well known for big nights out.
• The Lime – Relaxed, friendly, and easy to meet people.
• Catherines Café – Beachfront brunches and chilled afternoons
• Boom at Gunpowder House – Ideal for slow Sundays.
• Shirley Heights Lookout – The iconic sunset party with steel drums and loads of yacht crew.
• Beaches & gyms – Crew train early morning to avoid the heat.
🏃 Top 5 Tips for Finding Work in Antigua on a superyacht
Be physically ready.
Dockwalking can easily push you past 20,000 steps a day. Antigua is hot and humid, so stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, and pace yourself.
Print 20–30 copies of your CV.
Neat, professional, and ready to hand over.
Start early.
Aim to be at the marinas between 07:00–09:30.
Stay positive and consistent.
It can take time to land work, but attitude goes a long way.
Network everywhere.
Every café, bar, and beach run is a networking opportunity — use it.
🌊 Final Thoughts – Antigua Is One of the Best Places to Begin Your Yachting Journey
With world-class marinas, a friendly crew community, and constant daywork opportunities, Antigua remains one of the top islands to launch your yachting career. With the right budget, the right crew house, and a consistent approach to networking and dockwalking, you’ll give yourself every chance of landing your first job.
If you’d like help with STCW, stewardess or deckhand training, CV guidance, or interview preparation before heading to the Caribbean, Trilogy Luxury Training is here to support you every step of the way.
This article can give you great guidance on how to get started with your yachjting career.