Antigua Snorkelling Review: Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua
Looking for an Antigua snorkelling review? You’ve come to the right place.
Famous for its 365 beautiful beaches, Antigua is a snorkeller’s dream. Vibrant corals, a wide variety of marine life, and an expert local guide set the stage for a memorable snorkelling experience.
I went snorkelling in Antigua with Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua. Whether you’re an experienced snorkeller or a first-timer, the experience is equal parts fun and informative.
Let’s get right into what it’s like to go snorkelling in Antigua with Bernie’s Snorkeling.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) on qualifying purchases so we can continue to create helpful content. Thank you, and we appreciate it. See our disclosure policy for more information.
Snorkelling in Antigua is more expensive than my other Caribbean experiences snorkelling in Barbados and Aruba, BUT the experience was worth it and I found the underwater scenery to be better in Antigua vs Aruba.
About Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua W.I.
Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua W.I. is a snorkelling tour operator in southern Antigua.
Regardless of your age and experience, Bernie will make you feel welcome and comfortable in the water.
All snorkelling tours come with a personalized video which is a great keepsake to remember your time in Antigua.
In addition to snorkelling, Bernie offers private island tours which include sightseeing and snorkelling time, perfect for those short on time while visiting the island.
He is one of the only tour operators on the island that offers snorkelling from the shore.
Location
Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua is in English Harbour, Antigua.
Located at Galleon Beach, which is known as one of the best beaches on the island.
There is a small parking lot in front of the beach. You can leave everything that you don’t need to snorkel.
There are no washrooms or outdoor showers available.
If you are not renting a car while in Antigua, take a taxi to reach English Harbour.
Address: Galleon Beach, Freeman Bay, English Harbour, Saint Paul, Antigua W.I., Antigua and Barbuda
The Scenery
Located within Antigua’s southeastern coast, you will walk along the beach and snorkel over to the famous Pillars of Hercules as you swim in the harbour.
You will see this scenic region of Antigua from a unique viewpoint: at the water’s surface.
Snorkelling with Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua
Here is what it is like snorkelling with Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua:
Once you’ve booked your snorkel tour and arrive, you will try out gear to make sure it fits and is comfortable. Snorkel gear is provided but if you have your own, you are welcome to use it. I packed my travel snorkel set, so I used mine.
Your tour guide will give a detailed explanation of what to expect and prepare you for a fun day of snorkelling.
You will walk along the beach with your gear and get ready to enter the water.
Pro Tip: If you have long hair, tie it up and check your mask to make sure no hairs are in your mask. Otherwise hair in your mask would cause water to slowly leak in your mask.
Whether you are new to snorkelling or experienced, Bernie accommodates all guests. The other couple on our tour was newer to snorkelling and he taught them how to snorkel more relaxed and not scare away the sea life.
Keeping up with Bernie, you will slowly snorkel all the way to the Pillars of Hercules. Which is a pretty cool spot!
The tour ends where it started, but even on the way back, you can find things you didn’t see before.
There was one larger turtle in particular that was hiding from us due to the poor visibility on my tour day and Bernie was on a mission to find it for us. I really appreciated his determination to go the extra mile for his guests.
On my snorkelling tour, I saw 3 turtles, 3 stingrays, jellyfish, colourful fish, and the Pillars of Hercules. Even with the poor visibility, I saw a lot and had a great experience.
Prices
Prices for Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua start at $80 USD per person.
Tours are private or semi-private, with your group often being the only ones on the tour. If you have a group, Bernie welcomes up to 20 people on a single tour.
Transportation to the tour location can be arranged for an additional cost, for up to 6 people. Which is helpful if you are coming from a cruise ship or don’t have a rental vehicle.
Private island tour prices depend on how long the tour is and for how many people.
Tips for Snorkelling in Galleon Beach
- Visibility is worse after rain, so you won’t as far underwater the day of or the day after rain.
- Summer is the slowest season of travel in Antigua. You will find less snorkel tour options in September and you might even end up having the tour to yourself.
- If you get motion sickness, take medication before snorkelling. The waves can upset sensitive stomachs and you don’t want to feel unwell while snorkelling.
- Bring an underwater camera to capture marine life. I brought my Insta360 in a dive case for pictures and videos and the other couple on our tour brought their GoPro.
Things to Do Nearby
- Scuba Diving – diving in English Harbour with Dive Carib
- Nelson’s Dockyard National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in English Harbour
- Shirley Heights – a lookout with epic island views and a restored military site
Antigua Snorkelling Review & Final Thoughts
This was my first time doing a snorkel tour right off the beach instead of on a boat like I’m used to and I was very impressed.
The snorkelling experience in Antigua is one-of-a-kind, combining the beauty of the island’s turquoise waters and an abundance of marine life.
The expertise that Bernie has about the area, really shows. He’ll show you the best spots that you might never discover on your own. He knows where to find the turtles, the stingrays, corals, and cool trick places.
The personalized video provided was incredible and brought so much joy to see. It’s something I haven’t seen with other snorkelling tours before, and I’d love to see more places do.
So when planning a trip to Antigua, make sure snorkelling is at the top of your to-do list. Galleon Beach and Stingray City are two of the best snorkel spots.
To learn more about Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua and book your Antigua snorkelling adventure visit their website.
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