Cades Reef
Cades Reef

Cades Reef

Antigua

The Basics

On calm-weather days, visibility at Cades Reef can be up to 100 feet (30 meters) deep. You may even be able to spot an old sunken yacht on the outer reef.

Boat tours offer a convenient way to visit Cades Reef, and typically include round-trip transport, snacks, and use of snorkeling gear. Most tours are led by a guide with knowledge of the reef’s best sealife-viewing locations. Self-guided boat rentals, available for those with some experience driving, allow visitors to explore the sparkling Caribbean waters at their leisure.

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Sail and Snorkel in Cades Reef
Sail and Snorkel in Cades Reef
star-4.5
$100.00 per adult
Traveler Favorite
What a day!
This was such a fantastic day - can’t recommend enough. The crew & service was great, great communication with everyone throughout explaining what was happening, important information, about the island and points we passed. An amazing atmosphere, food and drink was great, and the sail bk to port was a lovely party vibe 🥳🥳 Also to add - when asking questions with your operator in the lead up to the cruise - always had a decent and quick response.
Kassie_D, Apr 2024
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Things to Know Before You Go

  • Cades Reef is ideal for snorkelers, scuba divers, and families with children looking for an alternative to another day at the beach.

  • To round out a day trip to Cades Reef, take a kayak for a spin through the nearby mangrove trees.

  • Remember to tote sun protection and plenty of drinking water.

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How to Get There

Cades Reef is a short 10-minute boat ride from Carlisle Bay or Jolly Harbor on the south side of Antigua.

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When to Get There

Tours to Cades Reef depart year-round. For the best ocean visibility, go when the weather is clear. Antigua’s peak travel season is December through April, so for a quieter visit consider the off-months, even though there will be a slightly higher chance of rain; October tends to be the wettest.

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The Chimney

One of the reef’s noteworthy features is the Chimney, a collection of huge coral pillars that create a natural staircase for scuba divers, descending from 40 feet (12 meters) to 80 (24 meters) feet deep. Tucked below the Chimney is a tunnel that divers can swim through and observe sleeping nurse sharks.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Cades Reef?
A:

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