The 9 Best Snorkelling Trips in Antigua

1.Turtle Beach Power Snorkeling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 521 reviews · from $132Our pick

At Freeman’s Bay, you’ll learn to use a small sea scooter before exploring coral, fish, turtles, rays, and a shipwreck with guides such as Rex and Renek. The two-hour shore trip includes equipment, drinking water, underwater photos, and transfers from listed hotels and pickup points. Afternoon departures give you the best chance of seeing turtles.

“Could not recommend this excursion enough. Definitely the coolest thing we did on our trip. The guide, Renick, was fansastic and we had a great time with him?”

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2.Snorkel – Lobster Lunch Cruise to Bird Island and Paradise Reef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · from $185

Spend about six hours aboard a 55-foot motor catamaran with Captain Demari and crew members such as Vonte and Quante. Snorkel at two sites, visit Bird Island and Maiden Island, then eat grilled lobster on a secluded beach. Chicken or fish replaces lobster during the May and June closed season.

“We enjoyed our cruise and the crew was very friendly and enjoyable. Lobster season was closed, so we had chicken, fish, and shrimp as a substitute. The food was well prepared and fresh. The only down side was the snorkeling. The Bird Island location was a nice secluded cove, so the water was generally calm, but either due to the rains the day before or the time of year there was very little to see. There was some coral, a few small fish, and a couple of turtles hanging around, but it was hard to get over and get good a picture. Some of our group were able to get…”

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3.Private Snorkeling and Sightseeing Tour of Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 221 reviews · from $125

Spend about 4.5 hours touring Antigua with local guide Johnny, visiting Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights before shore snorkeling at Galleon Beach. The calm harbor is suitable for beginners, and you may see turtles, octopuses, stingrays, fish, and shipwrecks. This is a private vehicle-and-beach tour, not a boat trip.

“Johnny was an excellent guide with an immense knowledge of the islands history; a great half day tour seeing Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights and snorkeling in Galleon Bay. Johnny picked us up promptly at 9am as we requested, and drove us across the island to Nelson's dockyard. It was a great history lesson about the British military, and the use of the island as a good fortification and stronghold. It was amazing to learn how Antigua has so many natural harbors and was a heavily sought after place for that reason. We then went to Shirley Heights which was a beautiful spot to see the harbor and on a good…”

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4.SoCoHo Eco Half Day – Mangrove Kayak & Reef Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · from $135

Spend four hours with South Coast Horizons kayaking through a mangrove lagoon to a beach, then taking a boat to Cades Reef for about 30 minutes of snorkeling. Guides such as Andrew, Jensen, Alex, and Swande may lead different parts of the day. Gear, pickup, snacks, water, fruit punch, and rum punch are included.

“Don't hesitate - just book it!!! We had an amazing experience from the start to the end. We were on a cruise and the pick up was a very short walk from the cruise port. Very professional, friendly and knowledgeable staff. If you can book the half day tour, you are given a snack and some (by some, I mean a fair bit) of rum punch. Just to note, the snorkeling is a fair way out by boat and the current is rather strong in order to get the the reef. When we came back in from snorkeling we were able to just spend some time lingering in the ocean…”

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5.Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $89Best value

You’ll paddle clear kayaks through a calm Antigua bay with guides such as Vashti, Beaver, Ernest, and Orville, watching fish, jellyfish, starfish, and mangrove life below. A boat ride leads to a snorkeling stop, followed by showers, snacks, and rum punch. Transfers are included when conditions apply.

“Loved kayaking in the crystal kayaks. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the route taken was an easy paddle.”

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6.Snorkel and Exclusive Beach Exploration in Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · from $257

From Jolly Harbour, your private captain cruises Antigua’s west coast to reef and shipwreck snorkeling sites. Gear, drinks, rum punch, pineapple, plantain chips, and sandwiches are included, followed by quiet beach time. Captains including David, Aquil, Ekiel, and Akaele have hosted past trips aboard Red Red Wine.

“We had a wonderful experience on the Red Red Wine with Aquil. He knew the perfect spots for snorkeling and threw in some history and comedy as well. Thank you!”

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7.Sail and Snorkel at Cades Reef

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · from $110

Join Tropical Adventures Antigua for a six-hour catamaran trip to Cades Reef. Snorkel among coral and tropical fish, eat a barbecue buffet, relax at a secluded beach, and sail back with drinks and music. Crew members including Elroy, Chad, Theo, and Ishmael have been praised for friendly service and island commentary.

“Absolutely loved this! An entire day enjoying the beautiful seas of Antigua and spotting neighboring islands. If you don’t want to snorkel, you still get to free swim and explore by the boat. Prepare for the rum to rum and a nice little beach hang out after you’re done snorkeling. 10/10”

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8.Snorkeling, Kayaking and Paddle Board Activity in Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $110

Spend about two hours kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling around Antigua’s Galleon Beach and Freeman’s Bay. Guide Cheyvone helps all skill levels, points out turtles, fish, shipwrecks, reefs, yachts, and historic sites, then offers cold drinks. Pickup by air-conditioned 4x4 truck is available.

“We had a great time! Perfect weather, good snorkeling experience 🤿 Chavonne was great, the tour at end was cool as well, great view of the entire English Harbor. Highly recommended !”

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9.Power 360 Sightseeing and Snorkel Cruise Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · from $146

Spend about six hours circling Antigua aboard a power catamaran, with hotel pickup at selected properties. You’ll pass Devil’s Bridge and the Pillars of Hercules, stop to snorkel or relax on a beach, eat lunch onboard, and cruise toward English Harbour. Expect open-sea motion, music, drinks, and a large group.

“We booked this 360 Catamaran cruise and what a fantastic trip! The 20 minutes across the Atlantic was like a roller coaster - great fun!”

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