4.9(436)· Five Islands Village· By Antigua Reef Riders Free cancellation
Captain your own 11-foot, 2-seater inflatable motorboat, the Reef Rider, as you and a friend explore the stunning west coast of Antigua, heading towards the magnificent Cades Reef. Gear up with your provided snorkel, mask, and fins, and dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Our boats are small enough to be moored inside the reef lagoon, bringing you closer to the incredible marine life, including stingrays, lobsters, parrotfish, surgeonfish, and wrasse, as well as the vibrant coral reef. Depending on the time of day, you might even spot a turtle swimming in the lagoon!
- ✓Transportation via air-conditioned vehicle
- ✓Snorkeling gear
- ✓Pricing is based on two people sharing one boat.
- ✓2.5-hour self-drive boat tour
Activity Schedule
3 h 30
Embark on an exciting self-drive boat adventure along Antigua's beautiful west coast to the renowned Cades Reef with our award-winning Antigua Reef Rider snorkeling tour.
This popular half-day excursion, perfect for cruise ship passengers or hotel guests, allows you to drive your own boat (shared by two people) equipped with a 25 hp outboard motor. Cruise along the picturesque Antiguan coastline and enjoy snorkeling at the island's premier snorkeling spot.
Availability is limited, so don't miss this unique opportunity.
The Reef Riders offer a thrilling, safe, and secure experience, far more secure than jet skis, and no prior experience is necessary. This is why our tours are highly recommended by most cruise lines visiting Antigua.
Hold on tight as you pilot your boat seven miles along the stunning west coast of Antigua to explore the protected area of Cades Reef, widely considered the best snorkeling reef in Antigua.
Equipped with your provided snorkel, mask, and fins, immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Our guided snorkeling tour ensures your guide is with you in the water at all times to show you the reef's wonders.
Your mobile or paper ticket is accepted. One ticket is required per booking.
We provide pick-up services from all hotels, ports, or villas in Antigua. Your exact pick-up time will be communicated to you. Please check your messages and reply to confirm your pick-up; otherwise, your booking may be canceled.
Morning Tour: Pick-up is scheduled between 8:15 AM and 9:30 AM, with the exact time depending on your location. Drop-off will be between 12:30 PM and 1:15 PM.
Due to the nature of this tour and for the safety of all participants, the tour operator reserves the right to deny service to individuals who are intoxicated or exhibit signs of intoxication. If your tour is canceled as a result, you will not be eligible for a refund.
- This tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.
- This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
- Participants should possess a moderate level of physical fitness.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- The minimum age for passengers is 5 years old.
- The minimum age for drivers is 18 years old.
- The maximum weight capacity per boat is 400 lbs.
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour
- Pick-up service is included.
- Confirm your pick-up time by replying to messages to avoid cancellation.
- Bring a moderate level of fitness as you'll be actively participating.
- Children aged 5 and above can join the adventure.
- Drivers must be at least 18 years old.
- The boat has a maximum carrying capacity of 400 lbs.
- Gratuities for your guide are not included but are appreciated.
To receive a full refund, please cancel your booking at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 9530P2
Activity offered by Antigua Reef Riders via Viator.
- Adventurous couples
- Friends seeking a unique experience
- Nature and marine life enthusiasts
- Cruise ship passengers
- Hotel guests
- Captain your own boat for a unique adventure.
- Explore the stunning west coast and Cades Reef.
- Snorkel in crystal-clear Caribbean waters.
- Observe diverse marine life and coral reefs.
- Suitable for beginners with no prior experience required.
- Award-winning tour recommended by cruise lines.
- Currency
- Eastern Caribbean dollar
- Official languages
- English, Spanish
- Driving
- on the left
- Power plugs
- A, B · 230 V
- Emergency number
- 999
- Capital city
- St. John's
Average temperatures- 26°Jan
- 26°Feb
- 26°Mar
- 26°Apr
- 27°May
- 28°Jun
- 28°Jul
- 28°Aug
- 28°Sept
- 28°Oct
- 27°Nov
- 27°Dec
Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is the duration of the Antigua Reef Riders tour?+
The tour lasts for 3 hours and 30 minutes, with approximately 2.5 hours spent on the self-drive boat.
What is included in the tour?+
The tour includes transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, snorkeling equipment, and the self-drive boat experience for two people.
What is the cancellation policy?+
You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Is there a minimum age requirement for drivers?+
Yes, the minimum age for drivers is 18 years old.
Can I drive the boat alone?+
No, the boats are designed for two people to share and drive.
Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Great snorkeling adventure!
L4331LHjoyw, August 2026
We had so much fun on our snorkeling tour with our guide Scooby. Scooby was so much fun and helped my husband when he had issues with his snorkel mask. The reef was truly beautiful!
★★★★★Viator review
Beautiful scenery
Michael_G, June 2026
The conditions were not the best for our adventure (windy (rough, choppy seas) but the Reed Riders part they could control was great. Service was excellent from start to finish, and our guide was very fun and knowledgeable. The scenery was beautiful, snorkeling on Cades Reef was ok but not great, everything was stirred up and most of the fish were hiding due to the low visibility. All in all, a good time and a great company to work with, next time maybe Mother Nature will cooperate a little better.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
A super fun trip—mega fun guaranteed!
Marcus1035, June 2026
This tour was a blast...the "boats" are simply designed for fun and are also super enjoyable for two people.
Everything seemed very well organized!
We would have loved to go longer :)...the reef for snorkeling also offers an interesting variety of marine life. Very important:
Sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen :)
Our guide was also great :)
And a huge thank you to the owner of Reef Riders... I left my phone in the office and only realized it later at the hotel. After a brief phone call with the crew, I was told that they had already tried to contact me... anyway, they offered to bring my phone in the evening, in case I didn't need it before then.
In the evening, the owner came personally and made me very happy... first the cool trip and then my phone back ;)
He firmly declined a thank you in the form of a tip. What wonderful and honest people - love goes out to the crew and the owner of Reef Riders ;)
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Brilliant
I3802FHjasonp, May 2026
Absolutely brilliant days experience driving own boat to Cades Reef & snorkelling experience. Our guide Scooby was brilliant, pleasant, funny & engaging & very knowledgeable. I cannot recommend this trip enough.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
The corals at Cades are dead!
hanneo871, May 2026
The tour was reslly disappointing, We saw some youtube videos beforehand and realized, that the corals at Cades might be dead. We asked about it at the counter of Reef Riders office in advance, but they said the corals are not dead and that the experience at Cades will be amazing. Well, the corals truly were dead, white and grey, and there were basicly no fish. Very very disappointing, and totally dishonest from the tour operators to lie to us about the state of the corals.
Response from the operator · Reef_Riders
Hi.
We’re sorry that you didn’t seem to enjoy the amazing marine life that we experience every day at Cades Reef. Many, many other reviewers have commented on how good the snorkelling experience is. To accuse us, and by extension, all the other reviewers of dishonesty is simply not correct.
Whilst we can’t turn back the clock on the global problems affecting our fragile coral reefs, we can still responsibly enjoy seeing hundreds of fish, a mixture of hard and soft corals and the occasional friendly shark, turtle or ray. Importantly, we do so, with small guided groups and an emphasis on caring for our marine ecosystem.
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