The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued a Small Craft Advisory affecting Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, according to Antigua News Room. The advisory, issued at 2:45 pm on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, warns of hazardous sea conditions primarily on the Atlantic sides of the islands.
The advisory covers open waters up to 20 nautical miles from the Atlantic-facing coastlines. Timing varies by territory: the advisory runs until Saturday dawn for St. Kitts and Nevis, until Sunday dawn for Montserrat and Anguilla, until Sunday morning for Barbuda, until Sunday mid-morning for Antigua, and until Saturday morning for the British Virgin Islands.
Moderate to fresh winds are generating a combination of wind waves and swells, creating dangerous conditions at sea. Winds over open waters are blowing from the east at 22 to 35 km/h (12 to 19 knots), with strong gusts reaching up to 54 km/h (29 knots). Significant wave heights are forecast between 1.5 and 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet), with occasional peaks near 3.1 metres (10 feet). The dominant wind-wave period is 6 to 9 seconds.
Authorities describe the threat level to mariners' lives, livelihoods, property, and infrastructure as moderate, with the potential for significant impacts. 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.
Potential impacts listed in the advisory include loss of life at sea, injuries to mariners, capsizing or damage to vessels and marine equipment, financial losses, and disruption to fisheries and marine transportation, which could result in reduced availability of fish products.
Inexperienced mariners, particularly those operating smaller vessels, are strongly urged to avoid navigating in these conditions. Forecaster Letitia Humphreys signed the advisory.
Residents and mariners are urged to monitor updates through the Meteorological Office at antiguamet.com and on social media at @abmetservice on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Updates are also available through ABS Radio and Television.
