The Adventure Islands Tour has been tailor made to include visits to a selection of interesting sites including spending a couple of hours on Laviscount island for a nature walk followed by a delicious lunch in a shady pavilion. At this sanctuary, expect to feed giant Aldabra tortoises, interact with a talking Macaw, learn about Antigua's endangered Lesser Antillean iguanas and hold baby red foot tortoises. Afterwards explore the cave-like structure of Hells Gate Island, hike over it, swim near it or snorkel around the clear waters. Last stop before a delicious rum punch and home made banana bread is a visit to an offshore reef for an exhilarating snorkelling session.
Price and location of The Adventure Islands Tour
US$182 per person (under 3s free) to include entrance to Laviscount Island, drinks, lunch, loan of snorkelling equipment and water shoes.
The crew pick up from 2 locations at around 8:20 am from Jolly Harbour Marina or later at Dickenson Bay. Passengers are returned by 4:30pm latest.
Children must be over the age of 2 unless agreed by the Management in advance.
Safety
A safety briefing is given at the start of the tour and at the beginning of each activity.
The Adventure Islands Tour
Three knowledgeable crew members, Lesley, Arion and Adino introduce themselves and share our itinerary for the day as we set off on the boat. As we power through the waves Lesley shows us some of Antigua's historical sites and points of interest including ...
Fort James - an 18th Century fort built to protect St Johns from a French invasion.
Sleeping Indian - a mountain range
Prickly Pear Island - an offshore island named after the fruit from the prickly pear cactus
While cruising, we see a bottle nose dolphin, turtles and ballyhoo skittering across the surface of the azure waters.
Laviscount Island
Privately owned Laviscount Island is framed by mangroves and accessed via a boardwalk. It is home to a sanctuary mainly for Aldabra giant tortoises, one of the world's largest species of tortoise. Each can weigh up to 600 lbs and live for up to 200 years. The group is given a safety briefing by one of the tour guides before being led to the tortoise enclosure ready for their feeding time. Carrots are distributed to us as we are surrounded by the creatures, varying in size, eager to munch on the food we have. Though the tortoises walk slowly, they come from all directions so can creep up on you and take you by surprise.
The tour continues with a walk around the island exploring local flora such as the agave plant, Antigua's national flower. It is sometimes called the Century plant and flowers only once in its lifetime after 10-20 years. There are plenty of photo opportunities on this nature tour with striking sea views between the trees.
Next we head to see the baby red footed tortoises with a chance to handle them, visit endangered Lesser Antillean Iguanas and chatty Macaws. We learn about other birds at the sanctuary, including Lucky and Cindy, who never learnt how to fly as they were bred in captivity.
Lunch
A generous sized lunch is served in a shady area with picnic tables. Help yourself to pasta with olive oil, parmesan and garlic, bbq chicken wings, salad with an Italian dressing, fried plantain and green fig salad, a local dish.
Hells Gate Island
Hell's Gate Island is a stunning rock formation that narrows forming a bridge-like structure with a natural blow hole in the centre, resembling the shape of the African continent. From the boat, swim across to the compact beach area with crystal clear water and soft white sand. If you prefer not to snorkel, the more adventurous might follow Lesley and weave through the captivating hidden caves. Make sure you bring a waterproof case for your phone because you don't want to miss taking 'instagrammable' photographs from inside the caves and on top of the bridge.
Snorkelling at an offshore reef
Towards the end of the day, we are taken to an offshore reef for a guided snorkelling experience. Choose whether to snorkel freely around the boat or join one of the team for a beginners or advanced snorkelling session to see a wide variety of marine life. If you prefer not to snorkel you can relax on the boat and take in the beautiful scenery and soak up the sunshine.
Return Journey
The return journey is a chance to reflect on an incredible day, sharing our experiences with other passengers and the crew members while relaxing with some delicious home made rum punch and tasty banana bread.
Other recommended tours with Adventure Antigua
Learn about the fragile eco systems in the North Sound of Antigua, the mangrove system of Guiana Island and the turtle project at Jumby Bay. Explore the underwater world by snorkelling at two fabulous spots and visit the cave-like structure of Hells Gate Island.
Adventure Antigua also offer an 'Xtreme Circumnavigation' boat tour, Click on the link for full details, It is a popular excursion that includes a 'Swimming with Stingrays' experience at Stingray City.
Email me at info.worldwidetravelideas@gmail.com or WhatsApp me on +44 7732 329863 for further information or to book a tour.
Note: I will receive a small commission if you book this recommended activity.
Note: If you make any bookings based on my recommendations your contract will be directly with the travel company/hotels/short term rental or activity providers you book through. I am acting as a referral point only based on information from my most recent visit which may be subject to change at any time.