The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued a Small Craft Advisory covering Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, warning mariners of dangerous sea conditions driven by moderate to fresh winds.
According to Antigua News Room, the advisory was issued at 2:10 pm on Sunday, July 5, 2026, and applies primarily to open Atlantic waters extending up to 20 nautical miles from the affected islands. For Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, and Anguilla, the advisory remains in effect until Saturday morning. For the British Virgin Islands, it takes effect tonight and continues through Saturday morning.
Forecasters report that a combination of wind waves and wind swells is generating hazardous marine conditions across the Atlantic-facing sides of the islands. Sustained easterly winds of 22 to 35 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 54 kilometres per hour, are driving the rough seas.
Significant wave heights are forecast between 1.5 and 2.4 metres — five to eight feet — with occasional seas reaching close to 3.1 metres, or 10 feet. The dominant wind-wave period is between six and nine seconds.
The Meteorological Service characterised the conditions as posing a moderate threat to the life, livelihoods, property, and marine infrastructure of those at sea. Potential impacts include loss of life, injuries to mariners, capsizing or damage to vessels and equipment, financial losses, disruption to fishing activities and fish supply, and interruptions to marine transportation.
Inexperienced mariners — particularly those operating smaller vessels — are being strongly urged to avoid navigating in open waters until conditions improve. The advisory was prepared by forecaster Letitia Humphreys.
The Meteorological Service said it will continue monitoring the situation. The public is encouraged to follow updates through the agency's official website at antiguamet.com, its social media channels at @abmetservice on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, and through ABS Radio and Television.
