The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services has issued an urgent High Surf Warning for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, cautioning residents and visitors to stay out of the water along affected coastlines as dangerous ocean conditions take hold.

The warning is in effect for Antigua until midnight tonight, and until Wednesday midday for Barbuda, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands.

Large north swells are building across the region, pushing wave heights to between eight and eleven feet, with occasional waves reaching as high as thirteen feet. In some areas, breaking waves could reach over ten feet — and in certain spots could be twice the height of the swell itself. The waves are arriving in powerful sets, with a swell period of eleven to thirteen seconds, meaning each wave carries significant force.

Beyond the waves themselves, the conditions are generating dangerous rip currents along northern and north-facing coastlines — fast-moving channels of water that can pull even strong swimmers away from shore with little warning. Authorities are also warning of coastal flooding, beach erosion, sea spray onto low-lying roads, hazards for vessels navigating harbours, and possible damage to reefs and desalination operations.

Residents and visitors are being urged in the strongest possible terms not to enter the water along affected coastlines. People should also stay away from rocks, jetties, and any coastal structures that could become dangerous in these conditions. If you must swim, authorities advise using only sheltered beaches on the south and eastern sides of the islands, and even then to exercise extreme caution.

If anyone finds themselves caught in a rip current, the advice is to stay calm, relax, and float rather than fighting the current. Do not attempt to swim directly back to shore against it as this will exhaust you quickly. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the current’s pull, then make your way back to the beach. If you are unable to do so, wave and call for help immediately.