Every March, the calm turquoise waters surrounding St. Barts become the stage for one of the world’s most prestigious superyacht sailing events — the St. Barths Bucket Regatta. Magnificent yachts, many over 30 meters long, gather in Gustavia to compete in a unique format built around “gentleman’s racing,” where safety, elegance, and camaraderie matter just as much as performance on the water. It’s less about pure competition and more about celebrating the art of sailing among owners, crews, and enthusiasts who share a passion for the sea.
The island’s atmosphere shifts with the rhythm of the regatta. Mornings begin with spectacular race starts just outside Gustavia harbor, while afternoons bring the fleet back to shore as crews and spectators gather for celebrations along the quay. With superyachts lining the harbor, champagne flowing at sunset, and the island buzzing with energy, the Bucket Regatta captures the perfect blend of refined sailing culture and relaxed Caribbean spirit.
The 2026 Official Entry List (38+ Yachts). This year’s fleet is divided into specialized classes.
Below are the confirmed participants as of late January 2026:
Yacht
Class
LOA (m)
Builder
Galateia
Les Cent Pied (100')
30.5m
Green Marine
V
Les Cent Pied (100')
30.5m
Persico
Hetairos
Les Gazelles
66.7m
Baltic Yachts
Nilaya
Les Gazelles
46.8m
Royal Huisman
WinWin
Les Gazelles
33.0m
Baltic Yachts
Maximus
Les Elegantes
59.0m
Vitters
Aquarius
Les Elegantes
65.0m
Royal Huisman
Yacht
Class
LOA (m)
Builder
M5
Corinthian Spirit
78.0m
World’s largest single-masted yacht
Burrasca
Grande Dames
56.0m
Perini Navi Legend
Seahawk
Grande Dames
60.0m
Perini Navi
Rosehearty
Grande Dames
56.0m
Frequent winner in class
BeCool
Mademoiselles
39.0m
Nautor Swan performance
Spiip
Elegantes
34.0m
Defending Overall Champion
Adix
Elegantes
65.0m
Iconic 3-masted schooner
Other Confirmed Entries: Action, Arabella, Atlantic, Atlantide, Aurelius, Canova, Geist, Gitana, Inukshuk, Kawil, Red Dragon, Sunleigh, Whisper.
For the first time in 2026, organizers have added an optional race on Thursday, March 12th. This is a response to the “lighter” wind years recently—owners wanted more time on the water. It doesn’t count toward the overall Bucket trophy but provides a “winner-takes-all” warm-up event. The Return of the 100-Footers
The “Les Cent Pied” class is back in full force. Keep an eye on the battle between Galateia and V. These are essentially Formula 1 cars of the sea, and they will be doing specialized “Windward/Leeward” races on Thursday before joining the coastal tours.
The presence of M5 (78 meters) is a major draw. Because of her sheer size and the height of her mast, she often has to take slightly different lines around the island, making her a “spectator favorite.”
The yacht Spiip is the current team to beat. They have a reputation for incredible tactical precision and have consistently sat at the top of the leaderboard in recent years.
Colombier
The Master 2026 Bucket Timeline
Date
Time
Category
Event & Insider Tip
Location
Wed, 11 March
09:00 – 17:00
Logistics
Race Office & Registration: Watch the yachts arrive in the harbor.
Bucket Marquee (BMQ)
17:00 – 17:30
Official
Captains’ Briefing: The serious talk before the fun starts.
BMQ
Thu, 12 March
11:25
Racing
First Signal – Optional Race: The new 4th day of action. Best viewed from Fort Karl.
Coastal Waters
17:30 – 21:00
Social
Bucket Bar Opens: The social heart of the regatta.
BMQ
18:00 – 18:15
Social
Daily Awards: Quick celebrations for the day's winners.
BMQ
19:00 – 21:00
Social
Fleet Welcoming Party: The official "Hello" to the 2026 fleet.
BMQ
Fri, 13 March
11:25
Racing
First Signal – Bucket Race 1: The official series begins. Head to Colombier for views.
Coastal Waters
18:00 – 18:15
Social
Daily Awards: See the winning crews in their team uniforms.
BMQ
19:30 – 22:00
Social
Dockside Crew Party: The most energetic night of the week.
BMQ
Sat, 14 March
11:25
Racing
First Signal – Bucket Race 2: Tactical mid-series racing.
Coastal Waters
20:00 – 22:00
Social
The Bucket Bash: The legendary island-style party.
BMQ
Sun, 15 March
11:25
Racing
First Signal – Bucket Race 3: The final showdown for the Bucket trophy.
Coastal Waters
18:00 – 21:00
Awards
Final Awards Ceremony & Party: The grand finale.
Collectivite
Hall of Fame: Overall Bucket Winners (2019–2025)
The Bucket Trophy is the regatta’s most prestigious prize. It is not necessarily awarded to the fastest yacht, but to the winner of the most competitive class, determined by the narrowest point differentials and overall performance.
Year
Overall Winner (Yacht)
Class Winner
Notable Detail
Builder & Length
2025
Hyperion
Les Elegantes
Royal Huisman (47.4m)
Clinched victory in light air conditions with 2 firsts and 1 second place finish.
2024
Gelliceaux
L'Esprit 1
Southern Wind (35.5m)
The newly launched Southern Wind 108 won the trophy in her maiden event.
2023
Nakupenda
Les Mademoiselles
Royal Denship (33.2m)
Sailed flawlessly to win all three races in her class.
2022
Hetairos
Les Gazelles
Baltic Yachts (66.7m)
Marked a glorious return for the regatta after a two-year hiatus.
2021
Cancelled
—
—
Event cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
2020
Cancelled
—
—
Event cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
2019
Hetairos
Les Gazelles
Baltic Yachts (66.7m)
Won by a narrow margin on the final day of racing.
The schedule tells you when, but here is where you should be to get the best content for your article:
For those seeking more than just a place to stay, Villa NYX in Colombier offers a “command center” with the island’s most coveted views. Nestled in the prestigious Lotissement Les Etoiles (The Village of Stars), this villa is where high-end luxury meets the perfect vantage point for the St. Barths Bucket.
Front-Row Seats. Its elevated position in Colombier provides an unobstructed, panoramic view of the northwestern racing circuit. From the comfort of your terrace, you can watch the Les Gazelles class yachts round the point of Colombier as they battle for the lead.
Privacy & Prestige. Located in one of the island’s most exclusive and quiet gated communities, it offers a serene escape for yacht owners and guests looking to unwind after the high-energy evening events in Gustavia.
An Apres-Sail Hub. With its expansive outdoor lounging areas and stunning infinity pool, Villa NYX is the perfect venue for hosting private “after-race” cocktails in true Bucket Spirit style.
Logistics & Location. Address: Lotissement Les Etoiles, lots 2-3, Colombier 97133, St. Barthélemy. Proximity: A convenient 10-12 minute drive to the Gustavia harbor (BMQ) and only 5 minutes from the trailhead to Colombier Beach—another legendary spot for fleet viewing.
Insider Tip. Due to its prime location overlooking the racecourse, Villa NYX is in high demand for the month of March. We recommend inquiring about availability at least 6–8 months in advance of the March 12–15, 2026 dates.
