The experience
The jeeps leave St. John's at 8:30 am and head for Betty's Hope, the 17th-century sugar plantation, with stops for photos along the way. Your driver points out banana trees, hibiscus and the fruit huts that line the roadside — depending on the season you may pass papaya, pineapple or raw sugar cane.
At the north of the island you transfer to a boat for a short ride through the North Sound, past the small uninhabited islands that make the scenery so distinctive. Then you arrive at Stingray City, where you can stand in waist-deep water and let the southern stingrays swim around you.
After the stingrays there is time to snorkel the reef, with bright reef fish and coral in clear, shallow water. Lunch and cold drinks — fruit punch, soft drinks, water or rum punch — are served during the day, and the jeeps bring you back to St. John's in the afternoon.
What to expect
Half the day is spent in the open-back jeeps, winding through Antigua's villages and farmland. The other half is in the water at Stingray City in the North Sound, where southern stingrays glide around a shallow sandbar.
- Check in, St. John'sBoard the safari jeep at Lower Redcliffe Street at 8:30 am.
- Betty's Hope and the countrysideThe sugar plantation, local villages and roadside fruit stalls.
- North SoundA short boat ride through the sheltered sound and its uninhabited islands.
- Stingray CityWade in with southern stingrays on the shallow sandbar.
- Reef snorkelSnorkel the coral reef nearby, with reef fish and clear water.
- Return by jeepLunch and drinks along the way, back in St. John's in the afternoon.
What's included
Included
- Experienced tour guides
- Scenic drive
- Lunch
- Beverages
- Photo stops
- Boat ride to Stingray City
- Swim with stingrays
Not included
- Hotel transfers
- Gratuities
- Underwater camera hire
What to bring
- Sunblock
- Towel
- Money
- Swimwear
- Water shoes if you have them
Who it's for
Families with children, first-time snorkellers and anyone who wants both the island and the water in a single day. The stingray interaction happens in shallow water, so swimming ability is not essential.
Good to know
- Not recommended for guests with back or neck problems
- Not recommended 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.
