Yacht Jobs in Antigua 2026: Crew Jobs and How to Get Hired

If you want to work on yachts in the Caribbean, Antigua belongs at the top of your list. This small island in the eastern Caribbean punches far above its size in the yachting world, and every winter its harbours fill with charter yachts, private sailing yachts, and superyachts that all need crew. From roughly December to May, the docks at English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour turn into one of the busiest hiring grounds in the region, and a green crew member who shows up ready to work can go from zero experience to a paid deckhand or stewardess job in a matter of weeks.

The short answer to "how do I get a yacht job in Antigua" is this: arrive during the season with your STCW certificate and ENG1 medical in hand, base yourself near the harbours, walk the docks every morning, take every day-work shift you can get, and apply online to the boats that are hiring before you even land. Antigua rewards people who are present, reliable, and easy to work with far more than it rewards people with fancy resumes. This guide walks through the whole process, the season, the money, the paperwork, and the exact steps to land your first or next job.

Yacht Service Network is a free marketplace where crew and captains find each other directly, and you can start browsing and applying to open positions right now. Create a free crew profile and start applying to Antigua yacht jobs today, then keep reading so you know exactly what to do when you get to the dock.

Why Antigua Is a Major Caribbean Yachting Hub

Antigua sits at a natural crossroads. It is one of the first landfalls for yachts crossing the Atlantic from Europe on the traditional trade-wind route, so every autumn a steady stream of boats arrives after the ARC and other rallies. The island has deep, protected natural harbours, a long British naval history, and a set of marinas that can handle everything from a 40 foot sailboat to a 100 metre superyacht. That combination is rare in the Caribbean, and it is why so much of the region's charter and racing activity funnels through here.

English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour, side by side on the south coast, form the heart of it. This is where the Antigua Charter Yacht Show happens in December and where the big sailing regattas launch in spring. During those weeks the town is packed with owners, brokers, captains, chefs, and crew, and the demand for extra hands spikes hard. A stewardess who can polish glassware and a deckhand who can drive a tender and detail a hull are both in short supply when forty charter yachts are trying to look perfect for the same show.

The other reason Antigua matters is that it acts as a base, not just a stop. Many yachts spend the whole winter season working out of Antigua, running charters through the Leeward Islands and back. Crew who land a permanent spot on one of those boats get a stable job with a home port, which is very different from the constant movement you get on a yacht that never stops in one place. That stability is a big part of why crew keep coming back to the island year after year.

The Island in Practical Terms

Antigua is small, about fourteen miles across, so getting around is easy. Most of the yachting life is concentrated on the south coast around Falmouth and English Harbour, with Jolly Harbour on the west coast serving as a second hub with its own marina, boatyard, and a more residential feel. The capital, St. John's, is on the north side and handles cruise ships and general commerce. For a crew member, you can live in the Falmouth area and be within walking or short-bus distance of nearly every boat that might hire you. That density is a gift when you are dockwalking, because you can cover a lot of yachts on foot in a single morning.

The Antigua Season: December to May

Timing is the single biggest factor in whether you find work quickly. Show up in the right window and boats are actively looking. Show up in the wrong month and the harbours can feel half empty. The Caribbean yacht season runs roughly from December to May, and Antigua's rhythm follows two big anchor events: the Antigua Charter Yacht Show in early December and the spring regatta stretch that runs from Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta into Antigua Sailing Week around late April and early May.

The Charter Yacht Show is the season's starting gun for the charter fleet. Boats gather to present themselves to brokers, and they want full, sharp crews for it. If you arrive in mid to late November, you position yourself right before that hiring push. Then activity stays high through the winter charter months of January, February, and March. Spring brings the racing crowd, and Antigua Sailing Week in particular pulls in a huge number of sailing yachts that need extra deck crew, both paid and semi-paid, for the regatta itself.

If you want a deeper look at how the Caribbean and Mediterranean seasons connect and where the work moves through the year, read our companion piece on yacht work seasons and where to find work. It explains the annual crew migration that sends people between Antigua, Palma, Antibes, Fort Lauderdale, and Newport, and it will help you plan more than one season at a time.

Month-by-Month Hiring Calendar

Month What Is Happening Hiring Demand
November Atlantic crossings arrive, boats prep for the show Rising, best time to arrive early
December Antigua Charter Yacht Show, holiday charters begin Very high, peak day work and permanent hiring
January Winter charter season in full swing High, permanent gaps get filled
February Busy charter month, valentine and holiday bookings High, steady day work
March Charters continue, some crew changes ahead of spring Moderate to high
April Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, racing crowd arrives High for sailing and deck crew
May Antigua Sailing Week, then season winds down High early, then boats leave for the Med
June to October Off season, most yachts have crossed to Europe Low, few boats remain

The takeaway is simple. Aim to be on the island from late November through May if you want the widest set of chances. If you can only come for a short window, target the two weeks around the Charter Yacht Show in December or the run-up to Sailing Week in spring, because those are when boats are most desperate for reliable extra crew. When you are ready to line up interviews before you fly out, set up your free profile and message boats hiring in Antigua so captains can reach you the moment they have a gap.

The Key Spots: Where the Boats and the Jobs Are

Knowing the geography saves you time and money. You do not want to be staying an hour away from where the boats dock. Here is how the main areas break down for a job seeker.

English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard

English Harbour is the historic core of Antigua yachting. Nelson's Dockyard, a restored Georgian naval base and a UNESCO World Heritage site, sits right inside it, and the docks there host classic yachts, traditional sailing boats, and a rotating cast of charter vessels. The atmosphere is beautiful and the crew scene is tight-knit. Many of the classic and sailing yacht jobs come out of here, and the dockyard itself has offices, chandleries, and bars where crew gather. If you love traditional boats and sailing over pure luxury motor yachts, English Harbour is your patch.

Falmouth Harbour

Falmouth Harbour, just around the headland, is where the big superyachts go. The marina here can take very large vessels, and during the Charter Yacht Show the docks are lined with impressive motor and sailing superyachts. This is prime dockwalking territory for stewardess and deckhand roles on larger, better-paid boats. Falmouth also has the Antigua Yacht Club, plenty of crew accommodation, provisioning shops, and the bars and cafes where captains and crew mix. If you are chasing a spot on a proper superyacht, Falmouth is where you spend your mornings.

Jolly Harbour

Over on the west coast, Jolly Harbour is a quieter, more residential marina with a boatyard capable of hauling large yachts. It sees less charter show traffic but plenty of maintenance and refit work, plus private boats that base there. Jolly Harbour can be a good place to pick up day work on boats in the yard, painting, sanding, cleaning, and general prep, which is a legitimate way to earn while you keep looking for a permanent seat. It is also calmer and cheaper to live in than the Falmouth area, so some crew base here and commute to the south coast for the busier scene.

St. John's and the North

St. John's is the commercial capital and cruise port. You will not find much yacht crew work here directly, but it is where you handle official business, larger shopping runs, and some immigration matters. For job hunting, keep your focus on the south coast harbours and Jolly Harbour. Once you have a job, save your certificates and references to your YSN profile so a captain can verify you in minutes instead of days.

Types of Boats Hiring in Antigua

Not all yacht jobs are the same, and the kind of boat you join shapes your daily life, your pay, and your career path. Antigua has a wide mix, which is one of its strengths for a job seeker.

Charter Yachts

Charter yachts carry paying guests and run a tight, service-heavy operation. These boats hire hard before and during the season because they need full crews to deliver a five-star experience. Charter work is demanding, with long days when guests are aboard, but it comes with tips that can significantly boost your income. Antigua's charter fleet includes both motor yachts and crewed sailing yachts, and the Charter Yacht Show in December exists precisely to market these boats to brokers, which is why hiring peaks around it.

Sailing Yachts and Classic Yachts

Antigua has a strong sailing culture, and the spring regattas bring in a large sailing fleet. Sailing yachts, from performance racers to classic wooden beauties, need deck crew who can handle lines, sails, and winches. Some of this work is paid, some is done for a berth and food during a regatta, and some of it turns into a longer job. If you have sailing skills or want to build them, Antigua is one of the best places in the world to get on the water fast. Crew who help deliver boats and race them often build the contacts that lead to permanent positions.

Superyachts on the Dock

The largest motor and sailing superyachts, often over forty metres, base or visit here through the season. These boats offer the most structured career path, the best pay, and the most professional environment. They also have the highest standards, so they tend to want crew with at least a little experience or a very sharp, well-presented attitude. Landing day work on a superyacht is a proven route to a permanent job, because captains use trial shifts to test new people before offering a contract. Get one boat to know and trust you, and that reference opens the next ten doors.

Yachts in Refit and Maintenance

Between charters and during the shoulder weeks, many boats sit in the yard or on the dock getting cleaned, painted, and repaired. This creates a steady stream of day work that has nothing to do with guest service. Sanding, varnishing, washing down, polishing stainless, and general labour all pay by the day and require no certificates to start. For a green crew member, refit and maintenance day work is often the very first paid job you get, and it is how you prove you show up on time and work hard.

Roles in Demand and What They Involve

Yacht crew jobs fall into a few clear categories, and Antigua hires across all of them. Understanding each role helps you pitch yourself for the right one.

Deckhand

The deckhand is the entry point to the deck department. You wash and detail the boat, handle lines when docking, drive and maintain tenders and toys, help with anchoring, and keep the exterior spotless. It is physical, outdoor work, and it suits people who like being hands-on and on the water. No formal experience is required to start as a green deckhand, though a powerboat or tender licence helps a lot. Antigua's mix of charter and sailing boats means deckhands are always in demand. You can see what is open right now on our deckhand jobs in Antigua page and apply directly.

Stewardess and Steward

The interior department is run by stewardesses and stewards, who handle housekeeping, laundry, service, table setting, bartending, and guest care. Attention to detail is everything, because interior crew keep the guest-facing spaces flawless. Hospitality, hotel, or high-end service experience transfers well here, and no yachting certificate beyond STCW is strictly required to begin. Interior roles are among the most consistently available, especially on charter boats that turn cabins around fast. Browse and apply through our stewardess jobs in Antigua listings.

Deck/Stew

On smaller yachts, one person often covers both deck and interior duties, a role called deck/stew. You wash the boat in the morning and set the table in the evening. It is common on sailing yachts and smaller charter boats, and it is a great way for a versatile new crew member to get aboard, because the captain gets two skills in one hire. If you are flexible and willing to do a bit of everything, positioning yourself as a deck/stew widens your options considerably.

Chef and Cook

Yacht chefs are in constant demand and are among the hardest roles to fill well. A good charter chef who can produce restaurant-quality meals for demanding guests, day after day, in a small galley, is worth a lot to a boat. Pay reflects that. If you have professional kitchen experience, yachting is a strong path, and Antigua's charter fleet needs cooks and chefs throughout the season. Even without full chef credentials, a competent cook can find work on smaller boats and build up from there.

Mate, Bosun, and Senior Crew

Above the entry roles sit the bosun, who runs the deck team, and the mate or first officer, who supports the captain in running the vessel. These positions require certification, sea time, and experience, so they are not entry points, but they are worth knowing as the career ladder you climb. On sailing yachts, an experienced mate who knows rigs and sails is especially valued during the Antigua racing season. Once you have a season or two behind you, keep your sea-time log and qualifications on your YSN profile so you can step up to these roles when a boat needs them.

What the Full Crew Structure Looks Like

To see how these roles fit together, here is a quick view of the typical departments on a mid-size charter yacht and where new crew usually enter.

Department Roles Entry Point for New Crew
Deck Captain, mate, bosun, deckhand Green deckhand, deck/stew
Interior Chief stew, second stew, junior stew Junior stewardess, deck/stew
Galley Head chef, sous chef, cook Cook on smaller boats
Engineering Chief engineer, second engineer Requires qualifications, rarely green

Day Work vs Permanent Positions

Two very different kinds of work exist side by side in Antigua, and new crew almost always start with the first before landing the second.

Day Work

Day work means you are hired for a single day, or a few days, to help a boat with a specific push. Washing down after a charter, prepping for the show, detailing before guests arrive, or extra hands during a regatta. It usually pays cash by the day, requires no long commitment, and is the fastest way to start earning and, more importantly, to get seen. Every day-work shift is an audition. If you work hard, stay cheerful, and do not need to be told twice, the captain remembers you, and day work has a way of turning into permanent offers. Many crew who now hold great full-time jobs got their first break as a random day-work hire during a busy December week.

Permanent and Seasonal Positions

A permanent or seasonal position is an actual job with a contract, a salary, a cabin to live in, and food provided. On a charter yacht this can mean a full winter season based in Antigua, running trips and earning tips on top of your salary. These jobs are what most crew are ultimately after, because they offer stability, better money, and a real career path. The usual route is to do enough day work that a captain trusts you, then step into a permanent seat when someone leaves or the boat expands its crew. Applying online in advance also lands you interviews for these roles, which is why building your profile early matters. Post your availability and let Antigua captains find you before the season even starts.

Typical Pay for Yacht Crew in Antigua

Money is one of the biggest questions, so here are honest ranges. Pay depends on the size of the boat, whether it is private or charter, your experience, and your role. Charter boats often pay a bit more and add tips, which on a busy charter can add hundreds of dollars per guest trip. Larger yachts pay more than smaller ones. These figures are in US dollars and reflect typical monthly salaries for permanent crew, plus common day-work rates.

Role Experience Level Typical Monthly Salary (USD) Day Work Rate (USD)
Green deckhand New, no experience 2,500 to 3,500 120 to 180 per day
Experienced deckhand One season or more 3,000 to 4,500 150 to 220 per day
Junior stewardess New to one season 2,800 to 4,000 130 to 200 per day
Chief stewardess Experienced 4,500 to 6,500 Rarely day work
Deck/stew New to experienced 2,800 to 4,200 130 to 200 per day
Cook or chef Varies widely 4,000 to 8,000 200 to 350 per day
Bosun Experienced 4,000 to 5,500 Occasional
Mate Certified, experienced 5,500 to 9,000 Rare

Remember that on a permanent boat your food and accommodation are covered, so your salary is close to pure savings. That is a big reason yachting attracts people who want to build a nest egg fast. Add charter tips on top, and a strong season in Antigua can leave you with far more saved than a shore job paying the same headline number. Keep a clear record of every boat you work and every reference you earn, because that history is what raises your pay each season. You can track your yachting experience and references for free on YSN and show it to any captain who asks.

How to Dockwalk and Network in Antigua

Dockwalking is the classic way crew find work, and in a compact place like Antigua it is genuinely effective. The idea is simple: you walk the docks, introduce yourself to boats, and ask if they need day work or crew. Here is how to do it well rather than badly.

Look the Part and Time It Right

Show up early. Deck crew start washing boats not long after sunrise, so being on the dock by seven or eight in the morning means you catch them when they might actually need a hand. Wear clean, plain clothes, a polo or a plain shirt and shorts, closed shoes or boat shoes, and look tidy and sober. First impressions on a dock are instant. A neat, awake, friendly person gets a shot. A hungover person in flip-flops does not.

Have a Short, Honest Pitch

When you approach a boat, be brief and polite. Ask permission before stepping anywhere near the passerelle. Say who you are, that you are looking for day work or a position, what your experience is, even if it is none, and hand over a crew CV. Keep it short. Crew are busy, and a quick, respectful ask lands far better than a long story. Carry printed CVs, because not everyone will take a digital one on the spot, and make sure your phone number and email are on it.

Work the Social Scene

A huge amount of hiring in Antigua happens through word of mouth in the bars and cafes around Falmouth and English Harbour. Places where crew gather in the evening are where you hear which boat lost a stewardess or needs a deckhand tomorrow. Be genuinely friendly, remember names, buy a round now and then, and do not be the person who only ever talks about needing a job. The crew community is small and reputations travel fast, in both directions. Being known as reliable and easy to be around is worth more than any certificate.

Combine Dockwalking With Online Applications

Dockwalking is not the only channel, and the smartest crew use every channel at once. Applying online means you reach boats you would never physically bump into, and captains who are planning ahead. When a captain posts a role, the crew who already have a profile and can respond within the hour win. Set yourself up so you are one of them. Build your free crew profile now so you can apply the instant a job is posted, then dockwalk in person on top of that. Two channels beat one every time.

Visas and Immigration Basics for Crew

Immigration is where new crew often get confused, so here is the practical version. This is general guidance, not legal advice, and rules change, so always check the current requirements before you travel.

Entering Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda allows citizens of many countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, the EU, and Australia, to enter as visitors without a visa for a set period, often up to about six months, provided you have a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, and proof you can support yourself. You enter as a visitor first. That gives you time to look for work, dockwall, and pick up day work while you sort out a permanent position.

Working Legally

The key thing to understand is that when you join a foreign-flagged yacht as crew, you generally work under the rules tied to that vessel rather than as a local land-based employee. Yachts are their own world. Your legitimacy to work usually comes through the boat itself, its flag state, and its paperwork, along with a Seaman's Book or discharge book that records your service. When you sign onto a boat, the captain handles the process of adding you to the crew list and dealing with immigration on the vessel's behalf. This is normal and the captain knows the drill.

Practical Advice

Keep your passport valid with plenty of time left on it, carry proof of funds and an onward ticket in case immigration asks, and be honest that you are a yacht crew member looking for work. Do not overstay your visitor allowance. If you land a permanent boat, the captain and management company will guide you through the correct crew paperwork. If you are unsure about anything, ask experienced crew or the marina office, and confirm current rules with official sources before you fly. Getting the basics right keeps you out of trouble and makes you easier to hire, because a captain wants crew who will not create immigration headaches.

Certificates You Need to Get Hired

Two documents are effectively mandatory to work on yachts, and a few others help. Get the mandatory ones before you arrive, because a boat cannot legally take you to sea without them, and no captain wants to wait while you chase paperwork.

STCW Basic Safety Training

STCW, the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping course, is the fundamental safety qualification for anyone working at sea on a commercial vessel. It covers personal survival techniques, fire prevention and firefighting, elementary first aid, personal safety, and social responsibility. The course usually runs about five days and is offered at maritime training schools around the world, including hubs like Fort Lauderdale, Antibes, and Palma. Without STCW, you are not getting a job on a commercial yacht, full stop. Budget for it, take it before the season, and keep the certificate with you.

ENG1 Medical Certificate

The ENG1 is a seafarer medical fitness certificate issued after an examination by an approved doctor. It confirms you are physically fit to work at sea, with adequate eyesight, hearing, and general health. Boats require it because they cannot risk crew who might have a medical emergency far from shore. The exam is straightforward for a healthy person and the certificate is valid for a couple of years. Like STCW, get it done before you arrive so you can say yes the moment a boat offers you a spot.

Helpful Extras

Beyond the two essentials, a few qualifications make you more hireable. A powerboat licence, such as an RYA Powerboat Level 2, helps deckhands who will drive tenders. A food hygiene certificate helps interior crew and cooks. A basic first aid or medical care course, a sailing qualification, or a diving certification can all set you apart depending on the boat. You do not need all of these to start, but each one you hold is a reason for a captain to pick you over the next candidate. Once you have them, upload your STCW, ENG1, and licences to your free YSN profile so captains can confirm your credentials at a glance.

Certificate Summary

Certificate Required or Helpful Rough Cost (USD) Validity
STCW Basic Safety Training Required 900 to 1,300 About five years, with refreshers
ENG1 Medical Required 100 to 250 Up to two years
Powerboat Level 2 Helpful for deck 350 to 550 Does not expire
Food hygiene certificate Helpful for interior and galley 30 to 120 A few years

Step-by-Step: How to Get Hired in Antigua

Here is the whole process in order. Follow these steps and you give yourself the best possible odds of landing a job during the season.

Step 1: Get Your Certificates and Documents Ready

Before anything else, complete your STCW course and your ENG1 medical. Make sure your passport has plenty of validity left. Prepare a clean, one-page crew CV with a clear photo, your certificates listed, any relevant experience, and your contact details. This is your ticket to even being considered, so do it first.

Step 2: Build Your Online Presence and Apply Ahead

Do not wait until you land to start looking. Create a crew profile, list your qualifications and availability, and begin applying to Antigua jobs online before you fly. Captains often plan crew weeks ahead, and being early puts you in front of them first. Start with the live listings for crew jobs in Antigua and apply to everything that fits. Sign up free and start applying to open Antigua yacht jobs right now so your name is already in front of captains when you arrive.

Step 3: Arrive at the Right Time and Base Yourself Well

Plan to be on the island from late November if you can, and no later than mid-season if you want a permanent spot. Find accommodation near Falmouth or English Harbour, or in Jolly Harbour if you prefer cheaper and quieter, and set yourself up so you can be on the docks early each morning.

Step 4: Dockwalk Every Morning and Take Every Day Shift

From the moment you arrive, walk the docks daily, hand out CVs, and say yes to every day-work offer. Each shift is a chance to prove yourself and to be remembered. Work hard, stay positive, and be the person captains want back. Day work is how most permanent jobs begin.

Step 5: Network Relentlessly and Be Reliable

Get to know the crew scene. Be friendly in the bars and cafes, remember people, and build a reputation as someone dependable and easy to work with. Word of mouth fills a large share of jobs here, and a good reputation travels faster than any advert.

Step 6: Convert Day Work Into a Permanent Seat

When a boat you have impressed has a permanent gap, you want to be the obvious choice. Keep in touch with captains you have worked for, follow up politely, and be ready to step in. Combine that with the online applications you started in step two, and you attack the job from both sides. Keep your profile and references updated so captains can hire you on the spot, and you turn a single good day-work shift into a full season aboard.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

New crew tend to make the same mistakes. Sidestep these and you get ahead of most of your competition.

Arriving Too Late in the Season

Showing up in February or March, after most permanent seats are filled, makes the search much harder. The fix is to arrive in November or early December when boats are actively crewing up for the show and the season ahead.

Missing Certificates

Turning up without STCW or ENG1 is a common and costly error, because boats simply cannot hire you until you have them. Sort these out before you travel, not after.

Running Out of Money

Job hunting takes time, and Antigua is not free to live in. Arrive with enough of a financial cushion to cover several weeks of accommodation and food while you find work. Picking up day work early helps, but do not arrive broke and desperate, because it shows and it limits your choices.

A Poor Attitude or Presentation

Yachting is a small, reputation-driven industry. Being late, unreliable, hungover on the dock, or difficult to work with will follow you around the harbour fast. The crew who succeed are the ones who are reliable, humble, hardworking, and pleasant. That is genuinely more important than experience for entry roles. Protect your reputation from day one.

Only Using One Job-Search Channel

Crew who only dockwalk miss the boats hiring online, and crew who only apply online miss the day work on the dock in front of them. Use both. The people who find work fastest are visible in person and reachable online at the same time. Get your free profile live so you never miss an Antigua job posting while you keep walking the docks.

How YSN Helps You Land a Yacht Job in Antigua

Yacht Service Network is a free marketplace that connects crew directly with the captains, owners, and boats that need them. There is no agency fee to find work. You build a profile, list your certificates, references, and availability, and apply straight to the boats hiring in Antigua and across the Caribbean. Captains can search for crew and message you directly, which means opportunities can come to you while you sleep or while you are out dockwalking.

The advantage of having your profile ready is speed. When a charter yacht in Falmouth loses a stewardess two days before a trip, the captain wants someone now, and the crew who can respond instantly with a complete profile win the job. Being registered and ready puts you at the front of that line. It also lets you keep every certificate, reference, and season of experience in one place, so your growing track record is always a click away when a captain asks for it.

Start with the live openings for your role. Browse deckhand jobs in Antigua, stewardess jobs in Antigua, and the full board of crew jobs in Antigua, then apply to everything that fits your experience and timing. Combine that with dockwalking and networking on the ground, and you cover every channel available to you. To make the most of your season, also read our guide to yacht work seasons and where to find work so you can plan your whole year of crew work, not just Antigua.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to get a yacht job in Antigua?

No, you do not need previous yachting experience to start. Green deckhand and junior stewardess roles are open to newcomers who have the right attitude, are willing to work hard, and hold the basic certificates. What matters most for entry roles is reliability, a good attitude, and presenting yourself well. Experience helps you earn more and move up, but plenty of crew get their first job in Antigua with nothing but STCW, an ENG1, and the willingness to dockwalk and take day work.

When is the best time to look for work in Antigua?

Aim to arrive in late November or early December. The Antigua Charter Yacht Show in early December kicks off the season and creates a surge in hiring for both day work and permanent positions. The season then runs through to about May, with a second burst of activity around the spring regattas and Antigua Sailing Week. Arriving before the December show gives you the widest set of opportunities and the best chance of landing a permanent seat for the winter.

What certificates do I absolutely need?

You need STCW Basic Safety Training and a valid ENG1 medical certificate. These two are effectively mandatory to work on a commercial yacht, and boats cannot legally take you to sea without them. Get both done before you arrive in Antigua. Extra qualifications like a powerboat licence or a food hygiene certificate are not required but make you more hireable, so add them when you can.

How much can I earn as new yacht crew in Antigua?

A green deckhand or junior stewardess typically earns roughly 2,500 to 4,000 US dollars a month on a permanent boat, with food and accommodation provided on top, so most of that salary is savable. Day work commonly pays around 120 to 220 US dollars per day. On charter yachts you also earn tips, which on a busy season can add a meaningful sum. Experienced crew, chefs, and senior positions earn considerably more.

Is dockwalking still worth it, or should I just apply online?

Both, and the crew who find work fastest do both at once. Dockwalking puts you face to face with boats that need a hand today and lets captains size you up in person, which is how a lot of day work and first jobs happen. Applying online reaches boats you would never physically meet and captains who are planning ahead. Rely on only one channel and you miss half the jobs. Set up a free profile so you can apply the moment a role is posted, then walk the docks every morning on top of it.

How do visas and working legally as crew work in Antigua?

Most crew from countries like the UK, US, Canada, the EU, and Australia can enter Antigua and Barbuda as a visitor without a visa for a period that is often up to about six months, with a valid passport, an onward ticket, and proof of funds. When you join a foreign-flagged yacht, your ability to work generally flows through the vessel and its flag state rather than as a local land employee, and the captain handles adding you to the crew list. Always confirm the current rules with official sources before you travel, since immigration requirements can change.

Can I get a permanent job or only day work?

Both are available, and day work is usually the path to permanent. New crew commonly start with day work, prove themselves over several shifts, and get offered a permanent or seasonal seat when a boat has a gap. Permanent charter jobs based in Antigua give you a salary, a cabin, food, and tips through the whole winter season. The combination of consistent day work, strong networking, and online applications is what turns a temporary shift into a full-time job.

How do I get started right now?

Get your STCW and ENG1 sorted, prepare a clean crew CV, and build a free online profile so you can start applying to Antigua boats before you even fly out. Then plan to arrive before the December show, base yourself near the harbours, and dockwalk daily while your online applications run in the background. Create your free YSN crew profile and start applying to yacht jobs in Antigua today, and you give yourself every advantage the moment the season opens.