The experience
Tropical Adventures is the only operator running organised day tours from Antigua to Barbuda, and this is the one to take. You board at Lower Redcliffe Street in St. John's at 9:00 am and cross in roughly 90 minutes, with the crew serving drinks on the way.
The Excellence noses right onto the sand at Low Bay — the 17-mile beach that runs the length of the island — and lowers a set of steps so you can walk straight into the water. Depending on the season you may see turtle tracks in the sand, and pockets of pink shell that give parts of the beach their colour.
From Low Bay you transfer to small fishing boats for a 45-minute guided tour of the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, home to one of the largest colonies of magnificent frigate birds in the world. Your guide explains the nesting cycles and the birds' extraordinary courtship displays while you drift beneath them.
Back on board, the crew serve a Caribbean lunch of chicken and fish. The afternoon is spent at Princess Diana Beach before the crossing home, arriving back in St. John's in the late afternoon.
What to expect
Barbuda is the quiet sister island — 62 square miles of low scrub, pink-tinged sand and one of the longest beaches in the Caribbean. The Excellence power catamaran is the way to see it: a 90-minute crossing from St. John's, then a day on Low Bay and Princess Diana Beach, with a guided run through the Frigate Bird Sanctuary in between.
- Check in, St. John'sMeet the crew at Lower Redcliffe Street at 9:00 am and board the Excellence.
- The crossingRoughly 90 minutes at sea to Barbuda, with drinks served on the way.
- Low BayThe boat beaches at the 17-mile Low Bay for a swim and a beach walk.
- Frigate Bird SanctuaryA 45-minute guided tour by small fishing boat, with commentary from a local guide.
- Lunch on boardCaribbean chicken and fish prepared by the crew, with the open bar open.
- Princess Diana BeachA second long beach stop at one of the most photographed beaches in the twin-island state.
- Return crossingBack to St. John's in the late afternoon.
What's included
Included
- Experienced captain and crew
- Chicken and fish lunch
- Open bar
- Two long beach breaks
- Frigate Bird Sanctuary boat tour
- 90-minute crossing each way
Not included
- Hotel transfers
- Gratuities
- Souvenirs and local purchases
What to bring
- Sunblock
- Towel
- Money for drinks ashore or souvenirs
- A camera — the bird sanctuary is the highlight
Who it's for
Best for travellers who want a full day off Antigua, birders, photographers and families with children aged 7 and over. The crossing can be choppy, so it suits guests who are comfortable at sea.
Good to know
- No children under 7
- Special prices for children aged 7 to 12
- Not recommended for guests with back or neck problems, or for pregnant travellers
Booking and cancellation
Seats are confirmed by the Tropical Adventures reservations team when you book. Cancellation, weather and rescheduling terms are confirmed at the time of booking — call +1 (268) 480-1225 or email reservations@tropadantigua.com before you reserve if you need flexibility on dates.
If the weather prevents your tour from running, the team will contact you with the options available for your date.
Reviews
Tropical Adventures is rated 4.3 out of 5 from 629 reviews on Tripadvisor, based on the Excellence Catamaran listing. The company holds a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and was named Antigua & Barbuda's Leading Tour Operator at the World Travel Awards in 2023.
