The experience
You may think you have seen everything Antigua has to offer until you see it from the sea. The Excellence leaves St. John's at 9:00 am and heads up the coast past the Pillars of Hercules, Jumby Bay and Bird Island, then close in to Devil's Bridge — the limestone arch on the Atlantic side that has taken thousands of years to form.
The boat anchors off the uninhabited Green Island, where you can swim, snorkel the nearby reef with a guide, or simply lie on the beach. While you are in the water the crew cook lunch: chicken or fish with salad, rice and peas and pasta, served with drinks from the open bar.
The return leg runs down the west coast through the calm, clear water where most of Antigua's white-sand beaches are, before the boat docks back in St. John's in the mid-afternoon.
What to expect
This is the full loop: 28 miles around Antigua aboard the Excellence, a state-of-the-art power catamaran. You see the island's cliffs, bays and uninhabited islands from the water, stop to snorkel at Green Island, and eat lunch on deck with the open bar running.
- Check in, St. John'sBoard the Excellence at Lower Redcliffe Street from 9:00 am.
- North and east coastThe Pillars of Hercules, Jumby Bay, Bird Island and Devil's Bridge from the water.
- Green IslandAnchor off the uninhabited island for a guided snorkel, swim or beach stop.
- Lunch on deckBBQ chicken or fish with salad, rice and peas and pasta, plus the open bar.
- The west coastA calm run past the western beaches on the way home.
- Return to portBack in St. John's after 5.5 hours on the water.
What's included
Included
- Experienced captain and crew
- BBQ lunch
- Open bar
- Beach break
- Guided snorkeling
Not included
- Hotel transfers
- Gratuities
- Snorkel gear hire if you prefer your own
What to bring
- Sunblock
- Towel
- Money
- Swimwear you can move in
Who it's for
Travellers who want to see the whole island in a day, cruise passengers with a full port call, and families with older children. The boat covers open water, so it suits guests who are happy on the sea.
Good to know
- Not recommended for guests with back or neck problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- Alcohol is served after snorkeling
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.
