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West Indies Regatta Festival

A major cultural event in the heart of the Caribbean.

The West Indies Regatta Festival is an annual cultural event that takes place every year at the end of April in Gustavia, on the island of Saint-Barthélemy, in the heart of the French West Indies.

For three days, the port and the quays are transformed into a true meeting place between the sea, culture and Caribbean traditions.

The regatta, the market and the concerts together make up a vibrant festival, deeply inspired by the maritime history of the islands.

Vue aérienne nocturne du quai de Gustavia pendant la West Indies Regatta Festival : les tentes blanches du marché artisanal, la foule le long du quai et un grand voilier illuminé en rouge à quai.

Preserving Caribbean maritime heritage

A unique expertise, passed down from generation to generation.

The West Indies Regatta began in 2009 with the aim of honoring the “Carriacou sloops”, these traditional West Indian boats, built entirely of wood and handcrafted on the beaches of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

These unique boats are made using techniques passed down from generation to generation, demonstrating exceptional maritime expertise.

Today, only about ten of these sloops remain seaworthy, making them true symbols of Caribbean heritage.

Beyond the regatta, the event plays a vital role in preserving this heritage, notably through major initiatives such as the construction of the last sloop “Free in Saint Barth” in 2015, and the making of the film Vanishing Sail in 2015, or their inscription on the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 2023.

Gros plan sur le mât en bois verni d'un sloop traditionnel caribéen : colliers de fixation de la corne, cordages en fibre et voile cousue main, en navigation.

The regatta

A unique encounter between tradition, navigation and Caribbean spirit.

The regatta takes place every year on the last weekend of April, just after the famous Classic Regatta in Antigua. This choice allows boats coming from afar, particularly from Carriacou, to participate in both events without difficulty.

Alongside the iconic Carriacou sloops, there are also other classic wooden boats, often from Europe or the United States, which stop over in the Caribbean before their return crossing.

The regatta is open to all enthusiasts of traditional sailing, in a spirit that is sporting, friendly and deeply rooted in the maritime culture of the islands.

The deliberately simple route allows for unique moments, notably the lunches at sea on Saturday and Sunday, where the boats tie up together to form a real “flotilla”, a symbol of sharing and conviviality.

Six sloops traditionnels des Caraïbes rassemblés bord à bord au mouillage pendant la West Indies Regatta, équipages debout sur les ponts bras levés, un marin grimpé dans le mât.
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Promoting cultural exchange between the islands

A festival that brings together much more than just boats.

The West Indies Regatta is first and foremost a meeting of Caribbean cultures, a moment when the islands reconnect around their shared history.

Regatta participants, market artisans and musicians come, as much as possible, from neighboring islands, bringing with them their traditions, their know-how and their identity.

This spirit of openness promotes exchanges, encounters and sharing between the different communities of the region, in a warm and authentic atmosphere.

The event thus celebrates the richness and diversity of Caribbean cultures, in a spirit of diversity, respect and maritime fraternity.

Remise des prix nocturne sous chapiteau : les équipages venus des différentes îles des Caraïbes rassemblés sur scène avec leurs trophées peints à la main, devant un public assis.

Perpetuating the “West Indies” spirit”

Rediscovering the soul of the Caribbean of yesteryear.

One of the festival's objectives is to revive the atmosphere of the early 20th century Caribbean, a time when the sea connected the islands long before it separated them.

At that time, traditional boats sailed from island to island to transport food, spices, fruit, rum and handcrafted items, creating a true network of life and exchange between the territories.

Upon arrival in each port, the quays naturally came alive: goods were exchanged, an impromptu market took shape, and music accompanied these moments of encounter.

The West Indies Regatta seeks to recreate this warm and authentic atmosphere, where the sea, commerce and culture come together to revive the Caribbean spirit in all its simplicity and richness.

Les tentes blanches du village de la West Indies Regatta alignées sur le quai de Gustavia au crépuscule, devant la mairie de Saint-Barthélemy portant la devise Liberté, égalité, fraternité, un sloop à quai au premier plan.

The craft market

A place of life, flavors and know-how.

The West Indies Regatta market has become, over the years, the largest annual market in Saint-Barthélemy.

Around forty exhibitors take part, some from neighbouring islands, others from Saint-Barth, creating a unique mix of cultures and traditions.

You will discover a wide variety of products: tropical fruits and vegetables, plants, agricultural products, handcrafted wooden items, pottery, ceramics, clothing, jewelry as well as numerous local food stalls.

The market recreates the atmosphere of the old Caribbean ports, where products, know-how and traditions mingled in a warm and authentic ambiance.

Montage de vingt-et-une photos du marché artisanal de la West Indies Regatta : stands de bijoux, minéraux, épices et piments, sérigraphies et cartes d'artistes, T-shirts du festival, colliers et bracelets en coquillages, cuisine préparée sur place et dégustations, créateurs et visiteurs sur le quai de Gustavia.
Become an exhibitor

The concerts

Music at the heart of the experience.

Music plays a vital role in the spirit of the West Indies Regatta, naturally extending the festival's energy into the night.

The concerts offer a harmonious mix of local artists and musicians from neighboring islands, providing a rich and authentic program.

On stage, you will discover both young talents and groups already recognized in the region, creating an atmosphere that is both festive and friendly.

The musical styles reflect the full cultural diversity of the Caribbean: reggae, zouk, traditional West Indian music, as well as more contemporary influences.

Each evening thus becomes a moment of sharing, where music extends the spirit of the sea and brings cultures together in a single energy.

Scène de concert du festival avant le début du set : batterie, congas et cymbales sous les projecteurs, micros et retours installés devant la toile blanche du chapiteau.
Perform at the next event

Circus and street arts

An artistic and vibrant dimension to the festival.

For several years, the festival has incorporated an artistic dimension through circus, theatre and street arts.

A company visits schools during the week preceding the event, offering children workshops to introduce them to these disciplines and share their passion.

These artists then provide entertainment on certain evenings at the market, before closing the weekend with a final show on Sunday evening.

This approach strengthens the link between the festival and the local community, making the event a moment of transmission, creativity and sharing.

Acrobate suspendu tête en bas à la vergue d'un grand voilier pendant un spectacle nocturne de la West Indies Regatta, mât et gréement éclairés en rouge sur ciel noir.
Perform at the next event

Our volunteers

Those who make the festival run.

Des bénévoles de la West Indies Regatta réunis après le festival

The financial and administrative management of the festival is handled by the Collectivity of Saint-Barthélemy, which also manages the setup of the festival village. However, all the day-to-day running of the event is done entirely by volunteers. The festival wouldn't exist without them.

In return, they help to safeguard and promote a heritage. They participate in sailing trips, meet lots of wonderful people, and are even sometimes invited to neighboring islands to visit these new friends.

In the end, volunteers, vendors, sailors, musicians, circus artists form a large multicultural family.

Les bénévoles de la West Indies Regatta sur la scène lors de la remise des prix
Join the family!

OUR PARTNERS

They support the West Indies Regatta Festival

Become a sponsor

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT US

The West Indies Regatta Festival in the press, on the web and on social media

No publication date displayed

Print media — no online version

  • April 23, 2026 — The Journal of Saint-Barth in English, No. 1662: "West Indies Regatta: three days of festivities," with the complete three-day program.
  • April 2026 — Rendez-vous Saint Barth, Monthly agenda, page 18: presentation of the 15th edition
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