Visiting Cades Bay and snorkelling in Cades Reef, Antigua

Antigua still had secrets to reveal to us in our second week there, and this excursion, from South Coast Horizons to Cades Bay in Kayaks, which enabled us to snorkel in Cades Reef, meant we saved the best of our three excursions to last. Our Island Safari with Stingray City, and the trip to D-Boat, were wonderful, but it isn’t possible to improve on getting up close and personal with some of the marine wildlife in Antigua’s biggest reef.

We opted for the half day tour, at $75 for the adults, and $50 for the kids. It was well worth it.

Introduction to Antigua’s coastline

Antigua’s coastline is a true paradise for anyone seeking natural beauty and relaxation. With its palm fringed beaches stretching along the turquoise Caribbean waters, the island’s south coast is a haven for those who love the sea and the outdoors. As you sail along this stunning stretch, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Cades Reef, one of Antigua’s most celebrated natural wonders. The vibrant marine life and the ever-changing hues of the water create a sense of awe that makes it easy to leave your world’s worries behind. Whether you’re planning a full day of adventure or simply want to soak up the sun, Antigua’s coastline offers endless opportunities for enjoyment and discovery. The island’s rich history, welcoming atmosphere, and spectacular scenery make it the perfect destination for travelers looking to experience the very best of the Caribbean.

Exploring Cades Bay’s palm fringed beaches

Nestled on the south coast of Antigua, Cades Bay is a picture-perfect escape that captures the essence of island beauty. The palm fringed beaches here are the stuff of dreams, with soft sand underfoot and the gentle sound of waves creating a soothing soundtrack to your day. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, the bay offers panoramic views that invite you to pause and take it all in. Whether you’re in the mood for a refreshing swim, a lazy afternoon sunbathing, or simply lounging in a hammock with a glass of rum punch in hand, Cades Bay delivers the ultimate in relaxation. The tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty of this beach make it an ideal spot to unwind, recharge, and truly appreciate the magic of Antigua.

Getting to the reef

Reaching Cades Reef is an adventure in itself, and one that’s as enjoyable as the destination. From the south coast of Antigua, you’ll board a boat for a scenic trip that takes about 30 minutes. As you glide across the turquoise waters, keep an eye out for playful marine life and the vibrant colors of the coastline. The anticipation builds as the boat approaches the reef, where the crystal-clear sea reveals a dazzling world of coral and fish just below the surface. Once you arrive, it’s time to snorkel or swim and immerse yourself in the beauty of Cades Reef. The easy accessibility of the reef means you can focus on enjoying every moment of your snorkeling or swimming experience, discovering the wonders that await beneath the waves.

Snorkelling in Cades Reef

Snorkelling in Cades Reef is truly a highlight of any trip to Antigua. The reef is teeming with marine life, from schools of colorful fish like parrotfish, blue tang, and angelfish, to graceful turtles gliding through the water. The coral formations are equally impressive, with intricate brain coral, delicate fan coral, and striking staghorn coral creating a vibrant underwater landscape. The calm, clear waters make it easy for snorkelers of all levels to relax and explore at their own pace, soaking in the beauty of this underwater paradise. Every moment spent at Cades Reef is a chance to enjoy the wonders of the sea, making memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeler or trying it for the first time, the experience is nothing short of wonderful.

Tour Details and Activities

The Cades Reef tour is designed to give you a full day of adventure, relaxation, and indulgence. Your excursion begins with a leisurely sail along the coast, where you can lounge on deck and take in the stunning views of Antigua’s shoreline and the sparkling Caribbean Sea. Once you reach the reef, you’ll have plenty of time to snorkel, swim, and marvel at the incredible marine life and coral formations. After working up an appetite, you’ll be treated to a sumptuous meal served right on the beach, featuring fresh seafood, crisp salads, tempting desserts, and a selection of soft drinks, water, and, of course, refreshing rum punch. The friendly crew is always on hand to ensure you’re pampered and comfortable throughout the day. With a flexible cancellation policy offering a full refund for changes made more than 96 hours in advance, you can book your tour with confidence. This excursion is recommended for people of all ages and is perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers looking to enjoy the beauty of Antigua. Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the reef, or simply savor the food and views, the Cades Reef tour is an experience you’ll treasure long after you return home.

Get a taste of Antiguan fruits from your driver

We had a half hour trip to get to Cades Bay from our hotel, and we were expecting an uneventful trip. Our driver, Niall, had other ideas. He was an excellent guide, explaining a huge amount about the scenery on our way, including the different fruits that grew on Antigua alongside the road.

Figs are Bananas on Fig Tree Drive, for example. Antiguans call Bananas, Figs. They don’t have figs on the island, and so there is no confusion. Simple.

We stopped along the way to sample some of the many fruits that grow in the country:

• Breadfruit,
• Gnippits,
• Sugar Apples,
• Mangos,
• Avocados,
• Bananas,
• Passion Fruit,
• Papaya, and
• Black Pineapples.

The lay-bys of Antigua could easily provide you with a delicious fruit salad, as well as the sellers that line the roads…

We were treated to Mango, Papaya, and Banana along the way to our kayaking location on the South Coast of the Island.

We were treated to Mango, Papaya, and Banana along the way to our kayaking location on the South Coast of the Island.

South Coast Horizons is a hotel that offers tours as well. As soon as we arrived, we were kitted out to take a short trip in a Kayak amongst the mangroves and fiddler crabs to Cades Bay.

Kayaking isn’t something that I was likely to be good at though.

Directional control isn’t my strongest point in a car; and you turn the steering wheel the same way you need to go……unless you are reversing; which is why I am rubbish at reversing.

It seems that Kayak’s and I don’t get on; I become a little over-acquainted with the mangroves at times, but my son and the kayak were sturdy partners, so we made it to Cades Bay in one piece.

After our kayaking, which took about 20 minutes, we caught the boat out to Cades Reef for our snorkel expedition. The crew took time to prepare the boat and snorkeling equipment for everyone, ensuring we were comfortable and ready for the adventure. The boat trip itself was a relaxing cruise along the coast, giving us a chance to view the beautiful Antiguan shoreline and sparkling Caribbean waters. It truly felt like we could leave the world’s worries behind as we set out for the reef.

Before we went, we read rumours that the reef was dying, that there wasn’t as spectacular life to be seen there anymore as the coral was no longer an important feeding ground for the colourful fish around Antigua’s azure blue sea.

The rumours are false.

We saw everything from Parrot Fishes, to Blue Tang, Angel Fishes, Jacks, Needlefish, and even a single Southern Stingray just as we were about to get back into the boat. Caribbean reef life has so much to offer. The Cades Reef Sail & Snorkel is a popular reef sail excursion for those wanting to explore this vibrant underwater world.

My only criticism of the tour was that 30 minutes just wasn’t enough to see everything that this wonderful snorkelling experience in Cades Reef had to offer us.

We have asked the kids what their favourite part of the holiday was; it was this 30 minutes at the reef for both of them. That’s crystal clear for us. We all enjoyed the experience so much that we wish we had time, and budget, to go back and do it again. Simply a stunning experience. Snorkelling in such high visibility where you can see the fish over 40-60ft below you is unparalleled on the rest of the island.

Visiting the reef is a must for anyone that comes to the island. Give yourself more time there than we got though, perhaps through a full day experience. However you do it, just get it done.

Our tour wasn’t finished there, though. We were back to the bay for drinks, and a sneaky little trip to collect some Conch shells from the beach. During the excursion, a delicious lunch was served on board, allowing us to relax and enjoy a meal with a view of the sea. The crew were attentive and served both food and beverages, making sure everyone was well taken care of.

Sadly we got these beautiful shells confiscated at the airport. Oops. You can find out why in our ten things to do in Antigua article if you would like.

Do check out the other tours that we did while we were here to Stingray City, and D-Boat. Both are well worth a visit while you are on the blog if you can.

Do check out the other tours that we did while we were here to Stingray City, and D-Boat. Both are well worth a visit while you are on the blog if you can.

We paid full price for this tour, but did get a slightly reduced holiday to Antigua with Tropical Sky due to our press status. All opinions are our own.

Sharing is caring!