Yacht Service Providers in the Eastern Caribbean

In a Nutshell...

Cruising in the Eastern Caribbean is a truly rewarding experience, offering an unparalleled blend of stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures and welcoming communities. To make the most of your journey, it is essential to be prepared for all eventualities, particularly concerning boat maintenance and repairs. While the region is well-equipped to serve the needs of cruising yachts, it is important to know where to find the right services. This guide provides a starting point for locating the boatyards, marinas and specialists you may require on your voyage.

Services & Facilities
Major Yachting Hubs (Full-Service)
Well-Equipped Marinas (Good Service)
Islands with Limited Services
Frequently Asked Question

The Eastern Caribbean sailing season runs from November to May, offering favourable sailing conditions and a lively cruising community. When it comes to yacht services, the region offers a comprehensive range of options, from a simple gas bottle refill to major hull repairs. The availability and quality of services vary from island to islands, but it's true to say that the most comprehensive facilities are located at full-service boatyards and marinas in the major yachting hubs. If they are unable to offer you what you need "in house", odds are they will know someone who can.

Services & Facilities

The following is a list of common yacht services that are available throughout the islands of the Eastern Caribbean:

Boatyards and Marinas
Chandleries and Fishing Gear
Diesel Mechanics
Dinghy Repair and Liferaft Services
Dive Centres and Services
Electrical and Electronic Services
Gas Bottle Refills
Hull Painting and Brightwork Specialists
Hull Repair and Gelcoat Specialists
Laundries for Cruisers
Outboard Motor Servicing and Repairs
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
Rigging Services
Sailmakers, Canvaswork and Upholstery
Shipwrights and Carpenters
Watermaker Services
Welding and Stainless Steel Fabrication
Yacht Management and Guardianage
Yacht Surveyors

For a more comprehensive guide to navigating all aspects of the region, including weather patterns, safety, and local regulations, you can refer to our main pillar page on Sailing in the Caribbean: Information for Skippers & Crew.

Major Yachting Hubs (Full-Service)

These islands are recognised for having extensive boatyard facilities, travel lifts capable of handling large vessels and a wide network of specialist contractors for all types of marine work. They are the best places to go for a major refit or repair work.

Antigua: A key hub, especially around English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour. It offers multiple full-service boatyards, including Antigua Slipway and Jolly Harbour Marina, with facilities for haul-outs, refits and access to a full range of marine trades.

Grenada & Carriacou: Known as a premier hurricane-safe destination for summer storage, Grenada has a robust marine industry. Boatyard services are extensive, with large travel lifts and a wide variety of contractors for everything from rigging to fibreglass work.

Sint Maarten & St Martin: This island is a major yachting centre and a popular destination for superyachts. The marinas and boatyards, particularly around Simpson Bay, offer extensive services, chandleries and specialist marine businesses on both the Dutch and French sides.

Trinidad: Known for its extensive and cost-effective boatyard facilities, Trinidad is a major location for haul-outs and refits. Companies like Peake Yacht Services offer a huge range of on-site services, making it a one-stop-shop for complex maintenance tasks.

The British Virgin Islands (BVIs): While primarily a charter destination, the BVIs have excellent full-service marinas, particularly on Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Nanny Cay and Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour provide haul-out, repair and refit services.

The US Virgin Islands (USVIs): St. Thomas in particular offers robust marine services, with marinas like Yacht Haven Grande catering to both superyachts and smaller vessels. It provides a full range of repair and maintenance services.

Many cruisers choose to lay-up their boats ashore in these yachting hubs. If you're considering this, you should definitely take a look at our article "Choosing a Caribbean Boatyard for Hurricane Season..."

Well-Equipped Marinas (Good Service)

These islands have well-equipped marinas and some repair facilities, but may not offer the same extensive list of specialist contractors as the major hubs. They are excellent for minor repairs, general maintenance and provisioning.

Martinique: Home to one of the largest marinas in the Caribbean, Marina du Marin. While it has extensive berthing and facilities, the range of specialist contractors for major refits may be less than in other hubs.

St Lucia: Rodney Bay Marina is a significant port of entry and offers a good selection of yacht services, including haul-out facilities and contractors for various repairs.

Guadeloupe: The island has several marinas with good mooring facilities and basic services. While some repair work can be done, it may be necessary to order parts from other islands.

Islands with Limited Services

These islands are beautiful cruising destinations but offer limited to no full-service repair facilities. Services are generally limited to small-scale repairs, provisioning and basic mooring.

Dominica: Yacht services are available, but they are typically provided by local agents and a few smaller workshops. It is not a place for major repairs or refits.

St Barts: Known as a luxury destination for superyachts, it has excellent marina facilities but does not have the large-scale boatyards for major refits. Services are largely limited to high-end provisions, dockside assistance and minor repairs.

St Kitts & Nevis: The marinas are generally focused on superyacht berthing and tourist-related services rather than extensive refit or repair work.

St Vincent & the Grenadines: Primarily a cruising and charter destination with numerous anchorages and moorings. The services on these islands are generally limited to provisioning, water and fuel. There are no major boatyards for haul-out or refits.

Summary

The Eastern Caribbean offers a full spectrum of yacht services, though the availability of specific expertise varies significantly from island to island. For major refits and repairs, focus on the key hubs of Antigua, Grenada, St Maarten, Trinidad, and the British and US Virgin Islands. For smaller repairs and provisioning, a wider range of islands, including Martinique and St Lucia, are excellent choices. By planning your voyage with your maintenance needs in mind and using reputable online resources, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable cruising season.

Finally, it would be remiss of me were I not to mention that each island nation has its own rules, fees and processes for "clearing in" and "clearing out." For that reason you should take heed of the advice in our article "Yacht Clearance Procedures for Sailing in the Caribbean..."

This article was written by Dick McClary, RYA Yachtmaster and author of 'Offshore Sailing' published by the Royal Yachting Association ( RYA) and member of The Yachting Journalists Association (YJA).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are the main yachting hubs in the Eastern Caribbean?

Major yachting hubs in the Eastern Caribbean include Antigua, St. Maarten and Grenada. These islands offer the most extensive range of services and facilities. Other islands such as St. Lucia and Martinique also have well-equipped marinas and boatyards.

2. Is it possible to find specialist services on every island?

While you can find some services on most islands, it is not guaranteed that specialist services will be available everywhere. Services like rigging, watermaker repairs or marine electrical work are more commonly found in the main yachting centres. For complex jobs, it is always best to plan your itinerary to visit one of the larger islands.

3. Do I need to book services in advance?

During the peak sailing season, it is highly recommended to book services in advance, especially for haul-outs, major repairs or refits. Many popular boatyards can be booked out for months.

4. What is the best way to find a reliable service provider?

The best way to find a reliable service provider is through a recommendation from a fellow cruiser. You can ask for recommendations on cruisers’ nets and in Facebook groups, as well as on online forums. You should also check directories of reputable service providers.

5. How do I get a gas bottle refilled?

Gas bottle refills are available on most islands. You can usually find a service provider at a local marina or boatyard. Some islands have mobile services that can meet you at a specific location. It is a good idea to research the availability on a specific island before you arrive.