Antigua snorkeling tour: 5 hours, 365 beaches

Five hours hits four centuries of Antigua history and one of the 365 beaches

A five-hour guided tour of Antigua combines colonial sites (Nelson's Dockyard, Betty's Hope sugar plantation, Devil's Bridge natural arch, and Shirley Heights) with a beach stop where you swim and snorkel in powder-white sand. The tour includes a professional local guide, air-conditioned transport, all entrance fees, hotel or port pickup, and a 15-minute video at Dow's Hill on Antiguan history and culture.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Nelson's Dockyard National Park15m · entry included
2. Betty's Hope Historic Sugar Plantation15m · entry included
3. Devil's Bridge National Park15m · entry included
4. Shirley Heights15m · entry included

Explore Antigua's historic sites and beach

• Visit Nelson’s Dockyard National Park
• Explore Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation
• Walk on Devil's Bridge natural arch
• Relax at Valley Church Beach
• Watch video at Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre
• Stroll Shirley Heights fortifications
• See the Blockhouse ruins

The experience

The day starts at Nelson's Dockyard, the largest of Antigua's national parks and still a working harbor for yachts and ships. Restored eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings now house shops, hotels and marina businesses. Hiking trails lead to historic forts scattered through the park. From there you move to Betty's Hope, a sugar plantation established in 1650 and operated by the Codrington family for 270 years. The twin windmills, boiling house with its copper hoppers, and still house (where rum was made) stand restored. A visitor center in a converted cotton storehouse holds estate plans, artifacts and a model of the central site.

Devil's Bridge comes next: a natural limestone arch carved by Atlantic waves over centuries, where calm days let you walk the rocks and rough days send sea spray across the formations. Then Dow's Hill, where a 15-minute video walks through Antiguan history, culture and heritage in a climate-controlled interpretation centre with a café and gift shop. The tour ends at Shirley Heights, old military fortifications adapted into a restaurant and bar, sitting high above English Harbour with a view across both harbors that appears on postcards of the island.

Before returning to your hotel or port, you stop at Valley Church Beach or another of Antigua's 365 white-sand beaches. Bring swimwear and a camera. The stop is yours to swim, snorkel, or bury your feet in the sand. The guide is local and speaks English; the vehicle is air-conditioned; water and beverages travel with you.

What’s included

• Professional local guide speaking English.
• air-conditioned vehicle with hotel or port pickup and drop-off.
• entrance fees to Nelson's Dockyard, Betty's Hope, Devil's Bridge, and Shirley Heights.
• a 15-minute video presentation at Dow's Hill on Antiguan history and culture.
• bottled water and beverages throughout the tour.
• a beach stop for swimming and snorkeling.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Antigua VIP Tours

Is this one for you?The five-hour window fits a port day or a morning-to-early-afternoon slot without consuming your whole day. If you land late or need flexibility for other plans, a shorter beach-only option might suit better. This one chains four historical sites together, so it works best when you have the full block free.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What is Betty's Hope and why does the tour stop there?

Betty's Hope is a restored sugar plantation from 1650 where you see twin windmills, the boiling house with copper hoppers used to crystallize sugar, and the still house where rum was distilled. A museum in a converted cotton storehouse shows early estate plans, pictures, maps and artifacts from the plantation's 270-year history under the Codrington family.

Can I swim and snorkel on this tour?

Yes. The tour includes a stop at Valley Church Beach or another of Antigua's 365 white-sand beaches, where you can swim, snorkel, relax or walk in the sand. Bring your swimwear and a camera.

What is Devil's Bridge and what will I see there?

Devil's Bridge is a natural limestone arch carved by Atlantic waves over centuries in the northeastern part of Antigua. On calm days you can walk on the rocks that form the bridge. On rougher days you see sea spray shoot up from the water hitting the formations.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price, along with all entrance fees to the sites and bottled water throughout the day.

How long is the tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs five hours. Your guide will confirm the start time when you book, based on your hotel or port location.

What is Shirley Heights and why is it on the tour?

Shirley Heights is a restored military fortification high above English Harbour in Nelson's Dockyard National Park, now adapted as a restaurant and bar. The view across English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour is the iconic image of Antigua and appears on postcards of the island.