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Antigua and Barbuda / Day Sails/Boat Trips

By Deana Bellamy, James Henderson

With its superb shallow seas, reefs, endless coves and offshore islands, Antigua has many coastal sailing trips and a day out can be the highlight of a visit to the island. Many of the sailing trips head to the north-east of the island, where there are small islands and cays with calm beaches and snorkelling, and others to Cades Reef in the south-west. Another popular option is the island circumnavigation trip, which takes in a brisk reach on the Atlantic winds as well as on its course around Antigua.

Adventure Antigua – Eco Tour & Xtreme Circumnav - Eli Fuller’s Eco-Tour offers a day of activities around North Sound aboard a 52ft power cat. The tour includes snorkelling, a nature trail or cave exploration on Great Bird Island, a swim in the natural Jacuzzi at Hell’s Gates along with snippets of Antiguan history and ecology. Lunch is served on board. There is a fresh water shower and restroom on the boat. Eli also offers the Xtreme Circumnav tour on 45ft off-shore racer (3 x 225hp Four Stroke Yamaha engines), which was specifically designed for the trip. The new high speed tour is the only trip to include Stingray City. There is a guided snorkelling trip at the Pillars of Hercules, a tour of Nelson’s Dockyard nearby, a buffet lunch served at Green Island and the chance to beachcomb at Rendezvous Beach.

Adventure Seafaris - Four hour Circumnavigation Eco Adventure, aboard 40ft RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) taking in North Sound, Bird Island, Green Island, Nelson’s Dockyard and Cades Bay. They also operate a ‘power’ snorkelling trip to Cades Reef with the chance to use their hand-held water scooters. Note that restrictions apply – pregnant women, children under 12 and people with previous back/neck injuries.

Ondeck Antigua - Ondeck offers full day, half day and sunset cruises that encourage guests to take part and learn all aspects of sailing - though it's also fine to just relax, enjoy and snorkel! They also offer 2 hour 'try sailing' tours along with the Antigua Yacht Race experience which is a slice of Caribbean racing using the same yachts, crew [and rum!] that you would experience during Antigua Sailing Week. Ondeck also offers Royal Yacht Association accredited courses. See also under 'Sailing'.

Miguel’s Holiday Adventure, Prickly Pear Island - A day’s excursion to Prickly Pear, a small uninhabited island (besides a rustic bar and kitchen), swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing and a spot of exploring. A West Indian buffet lunch with open bar, snorkelling gear, umbrellas and beach chairs are included. The island is leased by Miguel and his family, who have been operating trips to the island since the 60s. The short boat ride (around 10 minutes) from Hodges Bay to Prickly Pear Island leaves every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10am and returns at 4pm. Reservations required. Private excursions available.

Jabberwocky Yacht Charters/Adventure Caribbean Yacht Charter, English Harbour - A private day charter yacht (a 50ft Beneteau) for 2-10 people with sports equipment, gourmet lunch and wine. Operated and owned by Paul and Kate Smith, who will also do wedding and honeymoon packages, weekend and weekly charters.

Tropical Adventures - They offer the Antigua circumnavigation trip or trips to Barbuda on Excellence, an 80ft power catamaran, and Tiami catamaran cruises to Bird Island or Cades Reef. They also offer private charters.

Wadadli Cats - Popular 60-66ft catamarans offering a choice of day sails that include the 60-mile circumnavigation trip of Antigua, a snorkelling trip to Bird Island, a Cades Reef trip again for snorkelling with lunch on the beach, and a Triple Destination trip which takes in Green Island for a picnic, then sails on to English Harbour where a taxi collects guests and drives up to Shirley Heights for the Sunday party (and eventually the return trip to hotel by taxi). Barbecue lunch and drinks included. Available for private charters.

Antigua Paddles Kayak Eco Adventure, Seatons Village - A half day trip exploring the North Sound Marine Park by kayak and motor boat, plus reef snorkelling and a visit to Bird Island. Minimum age 7 yrs.

Day trips to other islands

There are day trips to some of the islands in the area, including Antigua’s sister-island Barbuda and nearby Montserrat, which is visible from the west coast of Antigua when the weather is reasonably clear. Montserrat has had problems with its volcano recently and is only now gradually becoming visitable again. It has always been a lovely, gentle island, but its town had to be abandoned and the new settlements (in the north of the island) are modern.

Barbuda

Excellence - A luxury high speed catamaran offering an almost daily link to Barbuda, departing form Heritage Quay. Once you reach the island there is a choice of either a tour of Barbuda by sea or a land tour. Lunch (lobster when in season) and drinks are included.

It is also possible to reach Barbuda on the more regular ferry Barbuda Express, which runs twice a day five days a week.

Montserrat

Opale Express - The high-speed ferry Opale Express operates every Tuesday and Thursday. The day includes a tour of the island with a trip to view the live volcano Soufrière, a visit to the observatory, plus visits to various historic sites with a drive through the rainforest. Lunch is also included.

Ondeck Antigua - The Montserrat Eco Adventure begins with the Ocean Race Experience from Falmouth Harbour to Montserrat. The idea is that the thrill of ocean racing is followed by the exciting activities available on this interesting island where you can hike, dive, snorkel, ride or just walk, amongst the tropical landscapes, clear waters and solid lava flows from the volcanic eruption back in 1997. There are local bars aplenty and some fun accommodation so a day trip could turn into an island hop. 

Browse Day Sails/Boat Trips on other islands

Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda | Barbados | British Virgin Islands | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada & Carriacou | Jamaica | Nevis | St Barthélemy | St Kitts | St Lucia | St Martin/St Maarten | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Tobago

Or read our other island guides

Anguilla | Antigua | Aruba | Bahamas | Barbados | Bermuda | Bonaire | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Cuba | Curacao | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada and Carriacou | Guadeloupe | Haiti | Jamaica | Martinique | Montserrat | Nevis | Puerto Rico | Saba | St Barthélemy | St Eustatius | St Kitts | St Lucia | St Martin/St Maarten | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Tobago | Trinidad | Turks & Caicos Islands | US Virgin Islands

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Antigua and Barbuda’s weather

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When to go and weather

Looking for inspiration?

  1. Visit Nelson's Dockyard, the oldest functioning naval facility in the world
  2. Party at Shirley Heights Lookout on Sunday at sunset followed by barbecue and live music
  3. Stay at the spectacular Jumby Bay
  4. Hop over to Barbuda for stunning beaches and excellent birdwatching
  5. Race a yacht to nearby Montserrat for the day

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