The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services has issued an urgent small craft advisory for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, warning mariners of hazardous sea conditions across the region. According to Antigua News Room, the advisory was issued at 5:45 pm on Monday, June 1, 2026.
The advisory primarily affects open waters on the Atlantic sides of the islands, extending out to 20 nautical miles. Timing varies by territory: the advisory runs from pre-dawn Monday until Thursday midday for Antigua and Barbuda, from Tuesday midnight until Wednesday afternoon for Anguilla, and from Wednesday pre-dawn until Wednesday midday for the British Virgin Islands.
Meteorological authorities attribute the dangerous conditions to moderate to fresh winds generating a combination of wind waves and wind swells. Winds over open waters are forecast at east to east-southeast, ranging from 24 to 35 km/h (13 to 19 knots), with strong gusts reaching up to 56 km/h (30 knots).
Significant wave heights are expected between 1.4 and 2.1 metres (4 to 7 feet), with occasional peaks approaching 2.7 metres (9 feet). The dominant wind-wave period is 6 to 9 seconds. A small craft advisory is triggered when wind speeds of 17 to 21 knots and/or wind waves or swells of 7 feet or greater are occurring or imminent.
Authorities assess the threat level to the life, livelihood, property, and infrastructure of mariners as moderate, with the potential for significant impacts. Listed risks include loss of life at sea, injuries to mariners, capsize or damage to vessels and marine equipment, financial losses, disruption to fisheries, scarcity of fish products, and disruption to marine transportation.
Inexperienced mariners, particularly those operating smaller vessels, are strongly advised to avoid navigating in these conditions.
The public is urged to monitor updates from the Meteorological Office at antiguamet.com and via social media at @abmetservice on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, as well as through ABS Radio and TV. The advisory was issued by forecaster Letitia Humphreys.
