St Barths Bucket Regatta 2026 Guide | Edmiston VIP experiences and luxury yacht charters in St. Barths

Held in peak Caribbean charter season each year, the St Barths Bucket 2026 is one of the most highly regarded yacht racing events in the world. Since its inception in 1986 when it was held to settle a friendly debate, the St Barths Bucket Regatta has grown to become one of the most exclusive events of the yachting calendar.

That debate took place in August 1986 in Nantucket, Massachusetts, when a group of friends gathered on the eve of Nelson Doubleday’s birthday. As conversations turned to yacht design and sailing prowess, a question emerged: who among them was truly the better sailor? The answer would be decided the following day in an impromptu 15-mile race around Nantucket Sound. The prize was simple: bragging rights. To mark the winner’s victory, a nearby champagne bucket was presented as a trophy, inadvertently giving the event its name and beginning an annual tradition.

What started as a spontaneous race between friends has since evolved into a pinnacle event for the global superyacht community. The fleet has grown in scale and spectacle, attracting some of the most technically advanced and beautifully crafted sailing yachts in the world. Yet despite its growth, the essence of the Bucket has remained unchanged. The organisers have carefully protected its founding spirit, ensuring that enjoyment, sportsmanship and camaraderie sit firmly ahead of outright competition.

When the regatta moved to the French Caribbean island of St Barths in 1995, it found a natural home. Here, the dramatic coastline, steady trade winds and intimate harbour setting elevate the experience both on and off the water. For four days, the island transforms. Gustavia becomes a showcase of superlative yachts. Owners, captains and crew gather not simply to race, but to celebrate the art of sailing itself.

Edmiston’s Bruce Brakenhoff has been closely involved since the event’s Caribbean chapter began. As the former president of Perini Navi USA, he has brought clients and their yachts to compete and has raced himself, witnessing first-hand the atmosphere that sets the Bucket apart. For Bruce, sailing does not get much better than this. “Amazing people, amazing location, amazing yachts, amazing everything.”

It is this rare combination of world-class yachts, serious yet friendly racing and an unmistakable sense of community that makes the St Barths Bucket so notorious. More than a regatta, it is a gathering of like-minded owners and sailors who return year after year for something that feels both prestigious and deeply personal. For those fortunate enough to attend, it is not just a date in the racing calendar. It is an experience that defines it.

St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2026 overview: Dates, schedule, location & what to expect

The St Barths Bucket 2026, taking place from 12-16 March 2026, is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best Buckets ever, with entries and early commitments running well ahead of recent years, according to organisers.

Held out of the glamorous port of Gustavia, the St Barths regatta adheres to a pursuit racing format with yachts divided into separate classes. Each year, a team of ‘Bucket Stewards’, supported by a panel of racing experts, select and invite yachts to participate. The yachts are rated according to aspects such as draft and displacement and an ORC handicap system is then applied to ensure a fair competition.

Whoever crosses the finishing line of each race is named the winner of that race, but only one yacht is chosen as the overall winner of the tournament with its captain allowed to lift the legendary Bucket at the end.

As has become the norm over the years, there will be three official days of Bucket Series racing, but the 2026 St Barths Bucket will also see the introduction of a fourth day of racing.

This optional day of racing, on the Thursday, is a standalone race that precedes the main races, and comes in response to requests for more racing due to less than dependable trade winds in recent years. Depending on how this additional race day goes, Bucket Stewards may consider extending the Bucket Series to include four official days of racing in 2027.

As well as the racing itself, the St Barths regatta is renowned for its busy social scene. This includes a dockside party at the Capitainerie on the Saturday night, a closing party traditionally held at Eden Rock, and lots of VIP gatherings where guests can network or unwind in the company of like-minded sailing fans.

Gustavia itself is a magnet for the superyacht set thanks to its large marina berths and safe anchorages, the exclusive atmosphere of the Gustavia Yacht Club and its proximity to some of the island’s most in-demand restaurants. It’s also the place to be if you want to join the famous ‘yacht hop’, which encourages guests to ‘hop’ between soirees aboard different yachts.

The St. Barths Regatta racing fleet: A look at the magnificent superyachts competing

The invite-only policy ensures a high calibre of sailing yachts and adds to the exclusive nature of the event, which is a stunning showcase of elite sailing. While rules have been sharpened over the years, the sailing spirit and good-old fashioned competitiveness of the original event are still very much alive.

Eligible yachts are typically sailing yachts of over 30m that have been designed with both performance and luxury in mind, but there are some exceptions. As well as standard superyacht classes, in 2026 the Corinthian class (without spinnaker) will return, following its introduction at the 2025 event.

Organisers also say that the early entries indicate that the 90-foot class will be back in play as well as the 100-foot racing class, which debuted at the 2025 Bucket, which invites performance sloops not considered cruising superyachts as per the criteria set out by the Super Yacht Racing Association.

The 2026 St Barths Bucket is already attracting some big names in the sailing world with the 65m Royal Huisman yacht AQUARIUS expected to compete. Its crew no doubt is hoping to match the success of its yard mate, HYPERION, which was named the overall winner for the St Barths Bucket Regatta in 2025. 

Other yachts participating in 2026 include the 60m Perini Navi PERSEUS^3, and the 59m Vitters’ yacht MAXIMUS. 

Look out too for three-time Grande Dames Class 3 winner and Perini Navi Cup winner ROSEHEARTY from the Edmiston fleet, to see if she can grab a fourth title at the Bucket.

From Bruce’s experience there is one common trait all winners of the St Barths sailing regatta share: preparation, because although the regatta swings heavily towards the more fun side of sailing, make no mistake: everyone wants to win.

Experience the St. Barths Sailing Regatta from a luxury yacht charter. 

If you’re not competing yourself at the Bucket regatta, St Barths, the next best thing is to watch the action unfold from the deck of your own superyacht. A St Barths yacht charter is the ideal base for race spectators, as it guarantees you’ll be well placed in prime race viewing locations, plus you will be able to enjoy five-star hospitality and accommodation between the races.

Our charter teams can design custom itineraries that blend regatta action with some of St. Barths’ best beaches, while our concierge service can make bookings at some of the island’s best restaurants, obtain invites to the most sought-after parties, and arrange seamless transfers before and after the regatta.

Charter yachts available for the 2026 St Barth’s Bucket include the 41m Benetti yacht LIV LOVE, whose expansive decks provide an ideal viewing platform, and the 50m yacht ODESSA from Turquoise yachts, where guests can enjoy alfresco fine-dining on the main deck between races.

Meanwhile, the 56m mega sailing yacht ZENJI offers an authentic nautical atmosphere, plus silent passages and calm anchoring for an all-round carefree Caribbean sailing experience.

Beyond the regatta: With a superyacht charter, St. Barths has a lot to offer 

St. Barths is not just a fabulous superyacht destination during the Bucket but is a premier yachting destination year-round. Chartering a yacht beyond race week will give you the chance to explore this beautiful Caribbean island at your leisure, enjoying close encounters with vibrant marine life and switching off from the rest of the world at some top anchorages.

Our charter teams can also help you combine attendance at the regatta with nearby Caribbean escapes, from St. Martin to Anguilla. Bruce is exceptionally knowledgeable on both sailing yachts and the wider cruising ground and can offer invaluable advice on planning a St Barths Bucket yacht charter for an all-round exclusive and effortless experience.

Secure your front-row seat at the St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2026 with Edmiston

A longstanding fixture of the sailing calendar, the St Barths Bucket Regatta is part of yachting lore and remains the place to be each March. With a fleet of premium superyachts and exceptional crews, a superyacht charter in St Barths offers an elevated way to experience the event, with access, privacy and comfort assured.

For more information, please contact our brokers to explore the best luxury yacht charters for the St Barths Bucket Regatta and beyond.