Best Snorkelling in Antigua – 14 Amazing Spots By a Local
Looking for the best snorkelling in Antigua?
We are an adventure loving, digital nomad family of four that lives in Antigua, and loves snorkelling. We’ve created a list of the best snorkelling in Antigua based on our own local experiences. Carl works as the captain of a yacht sailing around the coast of Antigua. This has given him the chance to explore the best snorkelling by boat.
Antigua is perfect for families, like ours, with young kids because some of the best spots are accessible from the shore. Which is prefect for teaching kids to snorkel. With turtles and rays to see, there’s some incredible marine life to see when you snorkel in Antigua.
Quick Guide to The Best Snorkelling in Antigua
Best snorkelling for families – Galleon Beach or Pigeon Point Beach
Best snorkelling in the Caribbean – Cades Reef
Easiest for beginners – Galleon Bay, Long Bay Beach & Half Moon Bay
Nearest to St John’s – Dickenson Bay
Best snorkelling in Barbuda – Gravenor Beach
Best for seeing stingrays – Stingray City
The Best Snorkelling in Antigua From The Shore
1. Dickenson Bay
Dickenson Bay offers a tranquil haven for snorkellers, boasting serene, crystal-clear waters. The bay’s gentle conditions make it an ideal spot for beginners to explore underwater treasures confidently.
At the heart of this snorkelling paradise lies Paradise Reef, a vibrant ecosystem teeming with an array of marine species. You’ll need to hire a kayak or paddleboard to reach it. Fortunately, there are plenty of hire places on the beach.
From colourful schools of tropical fish to soft corals swaying in the current. You’ll get a chance to see schools of Bermuda chubs, creole wrasse, needlefish, yellowtail snappers as well as anemones and elkhorn. The reef presents a mesmerizing spectacle.
Enthusiasts can dive into this underwater world, relishing the chance to get up close to nature’s wonders. This is why it’s one of the best snorkelling experiences in Antigua.
Dickenson Bay also has a huge amount to offer outside of snorkelling such as kayak/paddleboard hire, bars and restaurants. We love that there is so much to do on the beach. One of us tends to look after the boys whilst the other paddles off for a snorkel.
Top tip from a local: This beach is located just 10 minutes from St. John. This makes it the perfect snorkelling spot if you’re visiting Antigua for the day from a cruise ship.
2. Deep Bay and the Andes Shipwreck
Deep Bay, on Antigua’s west coast, is renowned not only for its stunning beach but also for the wreck of the Andes. The Andes was a merchant ship that sank in 1905. The wreck lies in less than 30 feet of water, making it one of the best snorkelling spots in Antigua. Over the last 100 years, the shipwreck has become home to corals, sea sponges, turtles and colourful reef fish.
Exploring the wreck and the surrounding sea life is one of the highlights of our snorkelling adventures in Antigua. It’s a unique blend of history and natural beauty.
3. Long Bay Beach
The shallowness of the water makes it an accessible spot for snorkelling alongside vibrant marine life. Here, sea fans gracefully sway, adding a touch of elegance to the underwater landscape. A diverse array of tropical fish dart in and around the corals, presenting a kaleidoscope of colour beneath the waves. This makes Long Bay Beach a prime location for those seeking a peaceful snorkel experience.
This is one of our favourite beaches, it never feels busy, not even at the weekend when the locals come to hang out!). It’s a super easy swim out to the reef and great for beginners. To reach the best snorkelling you’ll want to swim out from the righthand side of the beach. About 30m from the shore you’ll find the reef. On the reef, you can spot small colourful coral fishes, different kinds of sponges, eelgrass, moray eels, parrotfishes, and schools of pale purple surgeonfish and you may even spot green sea turtles.
While the beach does have a few resorts such as Pineapple Resort, Long Bay Beach remains relatively undeveloped. You can easily spend a day there as it’s got an awesome pasta restaurant and a few snack and souvenir stalls
Top tip from a local: Whilst you’re at Long Bay Beach then head over to Devil’s Bridge for sunset as it’s only a 10-minute drive away.
4. Half Moon Bay
This is one of the most stunning beaches in Antigua because it’s stunning and has no development on it. It’s a horseshoe shape with the safer (less wavy) part of the beach just a short walk around to the left of the beach entrance. This part of the beach is so calm it’s like a swimming pool as it’s protected by a naturally formed rock wall. Near to the rocks is where you’ll find the best snorkelling spot on this beach within shallow water. Here you’re likely to see cuttlefish, barracuda, and pufferfishes.
Sometimes when we visit there are local spear fishermen diving into the waves on the bottom edge of the bay near the car park. Cameron loves to chat with them and see what they’ve caught. We’ve seen them bring in lobster, barracuda and other unusual fish that they take home to grill.
Top tip from a local: Book a table at Beach Bum Cafe as it’s one of the best beach bars in Antigua (we love the fish burger!).
5. Galleon Beach
Galleon Beach is super accessible for beginner snorkelers. You can swim right from the shore and have a chance to see a turtle or two. We’d recommend getting there first thing in the morning when the turtles haven’t been disturbed by the noise of swimmers or boats. You’ll often hear a shout of “turtle, turtle over here’. This is when someone has spotted one and is calling a friend over to catch a glimpse.
This blend of natural beauty and ease of access positions Galleon Beach as one of the best snorkelling destinations in Antigua.
To find the best snorkelling we’d suggest heading to the the far left-hand side of the bay. This is where you’ll find a small shipwreck to explore. The wreck gives you the chance to see a graceful southern stingray. Or, the casual swim of sea turtles right from the shore. We often head out there on a paddleboard with Cam as he can watch for the fish from the board as we swim next to it – yes, the water is that clear!
Further round from here are the Pillars of Hercules – but you’ll need a boat to be able to best explore them.
Top tip from a local: Galleon Beach is part of English Harbour and it’s worth spending a day in the area. You can add on a visit to Nelson’s Dockyard, or hike up to Shirley Heights Lookout!
6. Carlisle Bay
The long beach at Carlisle Bay is has palm trees backing the beach next to low lying lush green mountains. Its white, sandy beach gives you a beautiful Caribbean setting. This deep bay faces south west and gives lots of shelter along the beach. You can access the beach near the small town of Old Road on Antigua’s south coast.
Carlisle Bay’s calm waters make it an ideal spot for families and the shallower waters are low enough for less confident swimmers. Nestled on the west coast, its turquoise waters are home to an array of sea creatures, including moray eels, sea fans, and tropical fish.
This bay is also a busy diving spot divers because there are six wrecks to be explored within the Carlisle Bay Marine Park. These wrecks vary from a stranded tugboat to a sunken former drug-smuggling shipping freighter.
For snorkellers, there are shallower wrecks that you can enjoy, these include ones like a barge that lies just ten feet below the water. There are lots of tropical fish to discover in this bay such as small sea horses, turtles, octopuses, as well as a variety of rays.
7. Pigeon Point Beach
Pigeon Beach is one of our favourite beaches in Antigua, especially for families with young kids as it’s got safe swimming areas and a playground. Whilst the snorkelling from the beach itself isn’t as great as the nearby Galleon Bay, there are still some lovely snorkelling spots to explore. And what makes it very convenient is the easy access and that there are several tasty restaurants to choose from.
For less confident swimmers you can swim at the edge of the swimming area and spot a variety of multicoloured fish. For the more confident swimmer if you head to the far left side of the beach past the wooden jetty you’ll get to a rocky outcrop in the water at the edge of the Winward Estate. It’s here that we’ve been able to spot small rays and the occasional turtle.
8. Gravenors Beach on Barbuda
All of the other beaches that we’ve mentioned are in Antigua. It would be only fair to also mention the best snorkelling spot on Barduda, Antigua’s little sister island.
Gravenor Bay Beach is one of the best spots in Barbuda for snorkelling. The waters there are crystal clear, and the bay itself is home to a reef and several shipwrecks. Meaning that you’ll be able to take in some incredible sights without having to go too far from the shoreline. Keep your eyes peeled for rays at the wrecks!
The beach itself is very relaxing too, with soft sands that let you take it easy when you’re not exploring the water.
The best snorkelling in Antigua From A Boat
9. Cades Reef
Cades Reef a submerged coral barrier reef is a popular destination. It is arguably the crown jewel of Antigua’s snorkelling sites. Stretching over two miles, this protected area is a sanctuary for tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional nurse shark. The outer reef drops to about 80 feet, offering a spectacle for those who venture a bit deeper.
To make the most of visiting the reef most people opt for a half-day or full-day snorkelling tour. You can choose to board a catamaran, whizz off on a sea scooter or kayak for a fun snorkel safari experience. Taking a tour is great as it means that they provide all of the snorkel gear too.
The reef is protected within Cades Bay Marine Park, and it has 20 dive sites that vary greatly in depth. Once you have visited you’ll understand why it has been listed as one of the best places in the Caribbean for snorkelling!
10. North Sound of Antigua (including Hell’s Gate and Great Bird Island)
We recommend exploring the North Sound of Antigua by boat for an exceptional snorkelling journey to see some of the 22 small islands within the sound. This area encompasses unique spots like Hell’s Gate and Great Bird Island, known for their untouched beauty and rich biodiversity.
The crystal-clear waters in the area serve as a sanctuary for a myriad of marine life, making each dive an unforgettable discovery. As it is only accessible by boat this area promises serene snorkelling conditions away from the bustling shores. Dive into these waters, and you’re likely to encounter vibrant coral gardens and schools of colourful fish that call these pristine environments home.
Because it is a protected area we’d suggest that the best way to explore is to choose a sustainable company such as Eli’s Original Eco Tour. This is one of the most popular and authentic tours of the island.
Bird Island is a great spot for a day trip combining snorkelling and exploration. The surrounding waters are shallow and clear, making it perfect for spotting sea life like peacock flounders and southern stingrays.
11. Prickly Pear Island
This tiny oasis offers exceptional snorkelling experiences, where the vibrant underwater world remains undisturbed and pristine. Access to this secluded paradise is usually via boat tours. This makes it a unique journey into tranquillity and breathtaking natural beauty.
The water stays shallow far out from the shore line, and is helpful if you need to reassure any beginners in your group. Roughly 20 metres from the shore you’ll find the small reef that flourishes with sea life, so it’s no wonder that you can spend many hours enjoying looking at the reef.
Top tip from a local: You can paddleboard or kayak to the island from the beach at Hodges Bay without needing to join a tour.
12. Green Island
Green Island, is a private island accessible by boat and is a snorkeller’s dream. Its crystal-clear waters are a haven for tropical fish and soft corals. This tiny island, its remote location and the fact that it is uninhabited means that snorkelling here is often a serene, crowd-free experience.
Carl often heads to Green Island with the yacht as guests love to go there and we join him for some snorkelling. We always see turtles when we drive out to the yacht from the local fisherman’s jetty. You’ll see lots of yachts anchored off of the small beaches and people snorkelling.
Besides the turtles, there are plenty of birds, and other wildlife to see on both land and sea. Green Island really is a slice of paradise!
Top tip from a local: If you want to explore Green Island without joining a tour then head to the Willikies’s fishermen dock. From there you can ask for the local water taximan who can drop you at one of the secluded beaches.
13. Pillars of Hercules
The Pillars of Hercules is a towering rock formation at the entrance to English Harbour, offering some of the most dramatic snorkelling in Antigua. The steep underwater cliffs are adorned with a tapestry of corals and sponges, creating a stunning backdrop for the diverse sea life. Snorkeling at the Pillars is an awe-inspiring experience and a reminder of nature’s grandeur.
You can expect to see plenty of fish among the rocks, as the area is part of a coral nursery program where they are trying to reintroduce more coral.
You can visit the Pillars of Hercules easily as part of a boat tour. This is what we did when we took a snorkelling tour there with Soul Immersions. Or, for a fun different way of getting to them, you can take a sea scooter tour from the beach at Galleon Bay!
As well as brightly coloured fish you can expect to see rays and turtles hiding out there.
Top tip from a local: Visit during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and see the Pillars in the best light.
14. Stingray City
After a safety briefing on land where you’ll learn the stingray shuffle, you’ll head out on a brief ten-minute boat journey to reach Stingray City itself. Taking part in snorkelling here is one of the best experiences in Antigua. It boasts crystal-clear, shallow waters resting upon a bed of pristine white sand, teeming with a variety of colourful reef fish.
After docking at the pier, you’ll see about 50 southern stingrays start to come towards you. These particular rays are used to interact with humans. So much so, that the guides have given each of them a name.
You are given the chance by the guides to take part in feeding squid to the stingrays. The rays don’t bite, however, you’ll learn that they can exert a strong suction force which makes it essential to remember from the safety briefing to keep your thumb tucked in.
We love it so much that we’ve been 5 times!
Top tip from a local: When you visit Stingray City you can add on Laviscount Island as an extra stop on the way back. It’s brilliant fun for kids (and big kids too, haha) as you can feed giant tortoises!
Snorkelling in Antigua: FAQ’s
Does Antigua have many shipwrecks?
Antigua has 127 shipwrecks recorded along its shores that are a direct reflection of the dangers of its rocky coastline, alongside its key position as a major hub on the trade routes. Fortunately for us, there is now modern navigation equipment that makes it easier to sail its waters.
Does Antigua have good snorkelling?
Yes, Antigua offers exceptional snorkelling. The island boasts abundant marine life and clear waters, making it one of the Caribbean’s top snorkelling destinations. From vibrant coral reefs to shipwrecks, snorkelers can explore a diverse underwater world.
Which side of Antigua is best for snorkelling?
Both the Caribbean and Atlantic sides of Antigua offer exceptional snorkelling experiences. The Caribbean coast provides gentle, crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, ideal for both novices and expert snorkelers. Meanwhile, the Atlantic side boasts an array of underwater life, thrilling for those seeking adventure. Each side showcases the island’s diverse marine ecosystems and stunning coastal beauty, making Antigua a prime snorkelling destination.
Which side of Antigua has the best beaches?
Both coasts of Antigua boast remarkable features for beachgoers and snorkelers alike. The west coast is celebrated for its tranquil, turquoise waters and stretches of white sand, making it a haven for relaxation and swimming. On the east side, you’ll find more rugged shores and lush, palm-fringed beaches. These eastern waters invite adventure with their vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Each side offers a unique charm, ensuring every visit uncovers new delights and pristine snorkelling opportunities.
What time of the year is best to visit Antigua?
The best time for snorkelling in Antigua is from December to April. These months mark the dry season, offering clearer water and more favourable conditions for marine exploration. The rainy season, from May to November, can reduce visibility and affect the snorkelling experience. Visiting during the dry months ensures you enjoy the island’s vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters to the fullest.
Best Snorkelling in Antigua: Final Thoughts
There are so many great beaches to choose from in Antigua that offer some amazing snorkelling for both beginner snorkellers and the more experienced divers. We have loved taking our time to explore the different locations and see what amazing marine life they have to offer. Whether you decide to swim from the beach at one of our recommended snorkel spots or take. boat tour, you are bound to see some beautiful reefs with an abundance of colourful marine life.
