9 Antigua Snorkelling Tours to Book in 2025
Antigua is home to 365 beaches and great snorkelling excursions that include some of the best snorkelling spots in the Caribbean I’ve seen.
The Antigua snorkelling tours featured here range from self-driving boat snorkel tours to your classic sailboat tours. You can swim with tropical fish, turtles, and even stingrays!
Regardless of the experience you’re after, there’s a snorkelling tour in Antigua for everyone. Let’s find the right one for you!
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My Top 3 Picks: Best Snorkelling Tours Antigua

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Extreme Circumnavigation
✅ 5.5-6 hours
✅ 3 snorkel spots
✅ food & drink included

Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour
✅ 3.5 hours
✅ 10 people max
✅ AM & PM Option

Eli’s Original Eco Tour
✅ 5-6 hours
✅ 2 snorkel spots
✅ Snorkelling & caving
9 Best Antigua Snorkelling Tours

1. The Xtreme Circumnavigation
⭐ 5/5 (497+ Reviews) | ⏳ 5.5-6 Hours | BOOK NOW
The Xtreme Circumnavigation is one of the best Antigua snorkelling tours, starting at Jolly Harbour.
This full-day boat tour is a great way to see many of the 365+ beaches around the island. You’ll pass by Great Bird Island, Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, and other notable places.
The first stop is Stingray City, where you’ll have an hour to swim with stingrays and time to relax on the sandbar.
I had an unforgettable experience at Stingray City. You’ll get to swim alongside the wild stingrays for a safe and guided experience.
The next stop is Pillars of Hercules, one of the best snorkelling spots in Antigua and my personal favourite. You’ll also get the option to partake in some short hiking activities.
Finally, Rendezvous Bay Beach is a private beach with great snorkelling and soft, white sand.
Snacks, lunch, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and snorkelling equipment are all included. And with hotel pickup also included, all you need to do is bring your swimsuit and towel and have a fun day!
“Energetic and enthusiastic crew kept us entertained for 6 hours as we powerboated around the island !!! Stingray city was excellent and everyone had a chance to pose with the stingrays – very nice lunch on the beach and good snorkling after Unexpected was the really detailed and interesting tour of english harbor – everyone enjoyed the history and details nice comfotable boat and an experience you should not miss in Antigua” – Warren K (see more reviews)

2. Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour
⭐ 5/5 (384+ Reviews) | ⏳ 3.5 Hours | BOOK NOW
Antigua Reef Riders is a unique, action-packed way to explore the reefs and experience the best of Antigua snorkelling.
Instead of a traditional snorkel boat, you’ll hop on a two-seater motorized boat. Although they look like jetskis, they are smaller and safer.
You’ll follow your local guide to some of the best-kept secrets around the island and snorkel spots on the Cades Reef.
This is a popular small-group tour because you can drive your little boat around, which is exhilarating, and you’ll take some breaks to jump into the crystal clear waters and snorkel around the reef.
And with a morning and afternoon option, it’s easy to fit into your Antigua itinerary.
The tour includes pick-up from your hotel, bottled water, snorkelling equipment, and a guide.
The price is based on two people sharing one boat, so choose a solo boat if you want to drive your own boat.
“I would highly recommend this trip, the boats were great fun, the views of local beaches wonderful and we saw loads of fish when snorkelling at the reef. I am not confident at snorkelling but that wasn’t a problem I felt totally ok with this trip. A great morning.” – Michele T (see more reviews)

3. Eli’s Original Eco Tour
⭐ 5/5 (137+ Reviews) | ⏳ 5-6 Hours | BOOK NOW
Eli’s Original Eco Tour is a great combo tour with snorkelling, caving, and tons of information about Antigua’s North Side ecosystem.
The tour starts with a stop at Great Bird Island, where you’ll swim, snorkel, bird watch, and take a short nature walk with your group. Your guide will teach you about the plants and animals you will see along the way.
Then head to Hell’s Gate, where you’ll swim, snorkel, and even go caving. Hell’s Gate is a small island near Antigua with several saves and channels that draw tourists worldwide.
Finally, end with a short visit to Long Bay Island, where you’ll learn about the Turtle Project, which has been going on for 30 years.
The tour includes lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, all snorkel equipment, and an onboard restroom.
This Eco Tour is the perfect way to mix adventure and knowledge. Not only will you have plenty of time for snorkelling and exploring, but you’ll also learn about Antigua’s ecosystem.
“The memorable moments of the tour was snorkelling in the cool waters and seeing the fish. The atmosphere was great and the tour leaders were very entertaining and they were extremely knowledgeable about their country. Lastly, they made me feel comfortable in the sea since I am not a great swimmer. Overall, it was great fun, and I felt very comfortable as a solo female traveller.” – Channing I (see more reviews)

4. Snorkel – Lobster Lunch Cruise to Bird and Maiden Island
⭐ 5/5 (374+ Reviews) | ⏳ 6 Hours | BOOK NOW
Snorkel – Lobster Lunch Cruise is an exciting snorkelling tour that includes a stop at Maiden Island and six hours of exploring on a large catamaran.
You’ll snorkel the coral reef, where you can spot sea turtles, starfish, and other marine life. Enjoy time at a secluded beach, swimming in the water, or relaxing under the sun.
You’ll enjoy a fresh grilled lobster lunch during lobster season, with grilled chicken and fish as alternatives. You’ll also snack on some fresh pineapple with drinks and other snacks included.
The tour includes alcoholic beverages, a guide, snorkel equipment, and pick-up from the west and north coast, starting from Jolly Harbour to Dickenson Bay.
This is a great snorkel tour for those who are more of a full-day adventure.
Most snorkel tours are around three or four hours, but this six-hour tour starts right in the morning. And the freshly-made lunch is just the cherry on top. The lobster is delicious!
“An amazing trip! The staff was excellent! First they picked us up on the beach at our hotel-loved this!…Even the bathroom was clean! I’ve never seen a clean bathroom on a tour boat! And the toilet worked it was great! Next we went to a beautiful snorkeling location by bird island. The crew was great with giving instructions and snorkeling gear…We got to see fish, giant turtles and a big starfish!” – Margaret E (see more reviews)
➜ Book the Lobster Lunch Snorkel Cruise to Bird & Maiden Island

5. Snorkel and Exclusive Beach Exploration in Antigua
⭐ 5/5 (31+ Reviews) | ⏳ 3 Hours | BOOK NOW
Snorkel and Exclusive Beach Exploration is a private snorkel tour to Antigua’s west coast.
Because it’s a private tour, the itinerary is pretty loose. The boat first takes you to a reef teaming with beautiful marine life, including tropical fish and other sea creatures.
Afterward, the captain will cruise a little longer and find your group a private beach with very few people.
The tour is only about three hours, but it is a great introduction to snorkelling in Antigua, especially if you don’t want to go with another group.
In addition to snorkel equipment, the boat tour provides drinks and snacks. The snacks include fresh fruit, plantain chips, and finger sandwiches.
This exclusive exploration tour is an excellent fit for groups travelling together without sharing a boat or travellers looking for a more personalized experience.
“It was our first trip to Antigua and we wanted to explore as much as possible. This snorkel trip was a great choice! We told our captain we were excited to see the sunken ship in Deep Bay…Soon we were seeing the ruins of the ship and the large variety of fish that were swimming around the hull. We didn’t feel rushed and when our captain saw how much the boys were enjoying it, he told us to take our time at the site. On our way to the next site, he told us a little about the areas we were passing. The scenery was beautiful! Our next stop had quite a few fish and there were rocks to swim around and explore” – William I (see more reviews)
➜ Book the Private Snorkel & Beach Exploration Tour in Antigua

6. 3-Hour Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City
⭐ 5/5 (23+ Reviews) | ⏳ 3 Hours | BOOK NOW
3-Hour Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City is one of the best snorkelling tours in Antigua for those who want to focus on the famous Stingray City.
Unlike other tours, this one only includes a short 8-minute boat ride to Stingray City, so there’s much less emphasis on exploring by boat. And more time for Stingray City.
This is great for non-swimmers, as well. You can always touch the sand in Stingray City, so if you want a little snorkelling adventure without the pressure of being in deep water, this is the perfect place.
The tour includes alcoholic beverages and any equipment you may need.
Stingray City was one of my favourite places I visited during my time in Antigua.
“Our guide Guiliana was wonderful , proving snacks helping to take pictures and make sure we all had a great experience . This was the highlight of my Caribbean cruise , picked up from port and transported to stingray city where you are given safety info , followed by a great speedboat to small kind of island and them completely surrounded by stingrays of all sizes and beautiful fish . Didn’t feel rushed , back for some rum punch and then lovely drive back to port . Really great trip Thankyou x” – Helen K (see more reviews)

7. Snorkeling, Kayaking, and Paddle Board Activity in Antigua
⭐ 5/5 (21+ Reviews) | ⏳ 2 Hours | BOOK NOW
The Snorkelling, Kayaking, and Paddle Board Activity in Antigua is a little different from other Antigua snorkelling tours, as there’s no boat involved.
You will use a kayak or paddleboard to reach some of the best snorkelling spots offshore. You’ll have plenty of time on the water, control your boat, and get your body moving.
Glide through the lagoons between Galleon Beach and Nelson’s Dock, learning about several historical sites along the way.
You’ll have time to snorkel around Galleon Beach (Freeman’s Bay), where you’ll spot sea turtles, a shipwreck, and lively coral reefs. Afterward, you’ll hop back on your kayak or paddle board and explore.
This is a unique snorkel tour, as you’ll be able to get out into the water and snorkel some excellent spots without stepping foot on a motorized boat. Enjoy paddling around and the beauty and peacefulness of nature on your own.
We snorkeled through shipwrecks and even saw a turtle ! After everything was done our guide took us to a mountain top with an amazing view of the island ! Best experience ever ! – Deborah B (see more reviews)
Best Antigua Snorkelling Tours From Shore
Being out on the water isn’t the only way to experience snorkelling in Antigua as some of the best tours leave right from shore.

8. Turtle Beach Power Snorkeling Adventure
⭐ 5/5 (357+ Reviews) | ⏳ 2 Hours | BOOK NOW
Turtle Beach Power Snorkeling Adventure is an action-packed snorkelling tour with a sea scooter that propels you through the water to make the most of your time in the sea.
You’ll head to Freeman’s Bay with the guide and equipment. From here, you’ll jump in the water and explore with a small, motorized sea scooter.
After pickup at your hotel, you’ll be given a brief tutorial on using the sea scooter and all the necessary snorkel equipment.
I found the snorkelling compared to Barbados, but the scooters take it to the next lvel!
The group is capped at a maximum of 10 people, so it’s more of a personal experience.
Lasting 2 hours, it’s a great half-day snorkel adventure for those who are tight on time.
My wife and I had an incredible time with this! The guides were so nice and helpful, the scooters were very easy and fun to use and the sights we saw while snorkeling were incredible! First off, the beach where we were snorkeling was gorgeous, with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. The snorkel trip went over several very interesting landmarks and we saw so much beautiful sea life! We saw three gorgeous turtles up close and more fish than I could ever count. This was truly a blast, and was worth every cent. I would highly recommend! – William I (see more reviews)

9. Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua Tour
Bernie’s Snorkeling Antigua is one of the best snorkelling tours in Antigua from shore. It takes you to the Pillars of Hercules at Galleon Beach.
You’ll snorkel around an active coral reef with unique rock formations and plenty of sea life. There’s a good chance you’ll spot turtles, stingrays, and colourful fish.
I did Bernie’s Snorkeling Tour and loved every second of it. It’s an excellent snorkel tour for those who don’t want to spend a day on a boat.
The tour includes photos and an edited video of your snorkelling experience, water, and snacks. Photos and videos were something my snorkelling tour in Barbados didn’t include, and I thought was a great touch.
One of the best things about this tour is they try to keep it semi-private, even if you don’t book a private tour. He limits the group size, but if you have a larger group, he can accommodate up to 20 people.
It’s an excellent half-day adventure, with professional staff who help make the day unforgettable.

Where to Stay Before Your Snorkelling Tour
Most tours offer hotel pick-up, but not all. Here are a few places to stay conveniently near Jolly Harbour for easy pick-up and transportation, as driving in Antigua and Barbuda isn’t always the best option for your needs.
Buccaneer Beach Club – a beautiful resort on the island’s north side with direct access to Dickenson Bay (My favourite place to stay in Antigua)
Cocobay Resort – an adults-only, all-inclusive resort on Valley Church Beach, just south of Jolly Harbour Marina
Jolly Beach Resort – an affordable all-inclusive beachfront resort on Jolly Beach (I stayed here)
What to Bring for Your Snorkelling Tour
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Change of clothes
- Daybag to hold your items
Final Thoughts: Best Snorkelling Tours in Antigua
There are plenty of snorkelling tours in Antigua, from action-packed boat tours to relaxing off-shore snorkelling.
No matter your preferences, there’s a little something here for you. The Xtreme Circumnavigation is the most popular snorkelling tour in Antigua, full of beauty and adventure.
The Self-Drive Boat and Snorkel Tour is a more adrenaline-filled excursion where you’ll drive your own boat.
Snorkelling in Antigua & Barbuda is a must for all ocean lovers and adventure-seekers visiting the islands. But if you want to take it to the next level, consider scuba diving around Antigua!
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