Antigua snorkeling takes you below the surface into a fascinating and colorful world. With an abundance of beautiful beaches and marine life to see, it's easy to add snorkeling to your Caribbean getaway.

Thanks to the warm waters and consistent weather, Antigua snorkeling is a possibility no matter what time of year you plan vacations. The ocean temperature averages around 80 degrees, as does the air temperature. Beyond excellent weather, Antigua snorkeling sites also have been blessed with wide visibility—sometimes up to 140 feet. With smooth waters and more than 300 days of sunshine every year, the chances for a successful trip are very high.

One of the best parts about snorkeling in Antigua and Barbuda is that it's easy to get started. It doesn't take much equipment or advance preparation to get started at one of the most popular things to do off shore. With a good mask, some flippers, and a snorkel, of course, you will be enjoying your time in the water in no time. It also helps to bring along an underwater camera and a sense of adventure to your Antigua snorkeling sites. Many of the local dive sites and hotel gift shops can help you with the gear, so you don't have to worry about packing it in your suitcase.

Antigua Map

If you choose one of the Antigua snorkeling tours, equipment is often included in the price of the excursion. The professional guides know the best places to go, and many times they'll go underwater with you and lead you right to a friendly turtle or a colorful coral reef you might not have found on your own.

When you decide to add snorkeling in Antigua and Barbuda to your vacation plans, you have many options for where to go. Both of the islands offer a bounty of beaches where you can get started. Most of the beaches feature smooth white sand, while some on Barbuda are soft and pink. After you've stepped off the sand, you'll dip below the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean.

Beneath the surface, Antigua snorkeling sites are quite spectacular. The variety of natural and manmade reefs provide a home to an array of fish, sea turtles, and living corals. Shelf formations, off the southern and eastern coasts of main island, provide an excellent setting for snorkeling and shallow diving.

Farther out from shore, experienced divers will find more challenging spots to explore. Whether you're spending the afternoon on Darkwood Beach, for example, or you start at a private beach at one of the hotels, you can easily add snorkeling to list of vacation activities.

Under the water of Deep Bay, you can explore an interesting shipwreck that's now a reef teeming with marine life. The Andes, an elegant sailing ship, met ruin in 1905, never making its destination. Ironically enough, the water was rather shallow, despite the name of Deep Bay. Over the years, the marine life have taken over, turning the Andes into a fascinating reef to explore.

The small island of Barbuda, which is accessible by ferry and charter cruises, may be little, but it's not short on things to do. Antigua's sister island is ringed by underwater shelves and countless interesting shipwrecks. If you're really excited about snorkeling in Antigua and Barbuda, the 90-minute ride ferry ride is worth your time.

The ferry runs five days a week, so most of the time, it's possible to visit for the day. If you're not ready to go back, there are plenty of hotels and resorts are available for you, giving you place to stay and more time to enjoy the scenic snorkeling opportunities.