Diving and Snorkeling

Antigua is almost completely surrounded by coral reefs, which harbor exotic sea animals, plants and even shipwrecks—boasting conditions such as eighty-degree water, visibility to depths of 140 feet, and limited currents that allow for spectacular snorkeling and diving. Cades Reef, stretching for more than two-and-a-half miles, is one of the best-known diving spots and is partly contained within an underwater park. It offers a variety of incredible dive sites and marine life, notably the Ariadne Shoals and the Pinnacles of Hercules. Another popular spot for diving is the wreck of the three-mast steel merchant ship The Andes, which was sunk in 1905 in Deep Bay while traveling to Panama delivering pitch for paving roads before the Panama Canal was constructed. For beginner and intermediate divers, the Southern and Eastern shore is a safer option for shelf diving, but for the more advanced crowd, a popular site is the ledge of the Sunken Rock. Dives usually range from twenty-five to eighty feet, while some may reach 180 feet in depth. Boat trips out to dive sites range from five to fifty minutes. Talk to your hotel concierge or your Indagare travel expert to arrange.