The Antigua Bermuda Race Returns: 935 Miles of Open Atlantic Await
The classic 935-mile offshore race from Bermuda to Antigua returns. Here is what you need to know.
The fifth edition of the Antigua Bermuda Race launches on April 29, and the fleet assembling in English Harbour is shaping up to be one of the most diverse yet. After a two-year hiatus, this 935-nautical-mile bluewater classic is back — and its timing couldn't be better for cruisers already winding down their Caribbean season.
A Race Built for Cruisers
Unlike many offshore races that cater exclusively to purpose-built racing machines, the Antigua Bermuda Race has always kept its arms open to cruiser-racers. The entry classes include IRC and CSA racing yachts, multihulls, superyachts, and — crucially — a cruiser-racer division with a motor-sailing handicap under CSA rules. That means you can fire up the iron genny if conditions go light and still get a result, subject to a time penalty. For boats already in the Caribbean looking to head north, it's a rare chance to race a proper ocean passage without stripping the boat of its creature comforts.
Double-handed entries have their own category too, which is a welcome nod to the reality of how many couples and shorthanded crews actually sail these waters.
The Course
The start line sits off Antigua, and once the fleet clears Barbuda to the north, it's open ocean all the way. No land in sight for roughly a thousand miles until Bermuda's low coral profile appears on the horizon — assuming you haven't overshot it, which historically has happened to more than a few navigators in the pre-GPS era.
The routing is straightforward in concept but tactically rich. The Bermuda-Azores High dominates the weather picture, and the fleet will be threading between the high's light-air center and the active weather systems tracking east off the U.S. seaboard. Getting the balance right between easting and northing in the first few days sets up the rest of the passage.
Why the Timing Matters
The race kicks off right after Antigua Sailing Week wraps up, so boats are already congregating, crews are warmed up, and the social infrastructure is in full swing. The finish in Bermuda dovetails with SailGP Bermuda on May 9-10, making for a compelling reason to linger at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club rather than immediately pressing on.
For cruisers planning to head to the U.S. East Coast or continue across to the Azores and Europe, this is a natural routing waypoint. Bermuda has always been the mid-Atlantic pit stop, and arriving as part of a racing fleet means better camaraderie, organized social events, and the motivation of a deadline to actually get the boat moving north before hurricane season encroaches.
The Bigger Picture
The revival of the Antigua Bermuda Race reflects a broader trend in offshore sailing: events that blend racing and cruising are thriving. Pure grand prix offshore racing continues to push boundaries, but the events drawing growing fleets are those that welcome well-found cruising boats and the people who sail them. The Salty Dawg Rally, the Caribbean 1500, and now this race all fill the same niche — organized passages with safety infrastructure, weather routing support, and a party at the other end.
Registration opened in November and entries are still being accepted. The Notice of Race and entry details are available at antiguabermuda.com. If you're in the Caribbean and your bow is pointed north, this is worth a serious look.
The Antigua Bermuda Race is organized by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in partnership with Antigua Sailing Week, with support from the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Goslings Rum, and Fairhaven Shipyard.
