My DH and I are on the 9/18 Antigua cruise. We booked an all day excursion for our stop at Antigua through
www.adventureantigua.com. Before making a deposit, I asked about refunds if our ship could not dock at Antigua due to weather conditions, and I was assured a full refund. I found this website while browsing through a
RCCL message board and many cruisers gave this tour outstanding reviews. The eco tour begins at 10:a.m. and gets us back by 4:15 p.m., well ahead of the 5:30 departure. Here's some info from the website:
Once we are safely aboard we will pass along the scenic Leeward side of Antigua towards the North coast where we find the pristine ecosystem of the North Sound area and as its interesting human history. As we pass Long Island and Jumby Bay we speak about the endangered Hawksbill turtle, which lays eggs there between May and November. Next we zigzag through the reef along Maid Island, half of which was build by the US Army during World War two, on towards historic Parham Harbour, one of the oldest colonial towns in Antigua, and home to healthy mangrove habitat. After a brief history of Parham we cruise along to Guiana Island, one of the last undisturbed ecosystems on Antigua, with its beautiful mangrove and reef habitats. Here we enjoy the amazing variety of wild life both above and under the warm protected waters. Turtles, Frigate Birds, Herons, Pelicans, Spotted Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Barracuda, and Osprey are a few of the inhabitants of this are that we may meet. Guiana Island has a very interesting and controversial history, which I will touch briefly as well. From Guiana Island we briefly enter into the Atlantic on our way to an area the locals call "Heaven" here the water turns an amazing azure between Pelican Island and the mainland off Seatons. We anchor here for a special snorkeling tour. After our intimate guided snorkeling where we point out all the interesting aspects of the coral reef we zoom back to Guiana Island's North Beach where we stop in proper Robinson Crusoe like surroundings for lunch. After a buffet lunch and some relaxing on this beautiful beach, we navigate through the reef towards the famous "Hell's gate". Here you will have a choice of snorkeling once again or for the more adventurous a little expedition to explore Hells Gate's hidden caves. From Hells Gate we zigzag through the reef to Bird Island where our tour culminates. Bird Island didn't get its name by accident, and after a gentle hike to the top we will join whichever birds happen to be visiting Antigua at that point. Depending on the time of year Ospreys, Falcons, Frigates, Turns, Noddies, Laughing Gulls, and the beautiful Tropic Birds can be seen above the island. It is an amazing view of the entire North Sound from up there, so our group can see where we have been. After drinks and a little swim we are on our way back along the North Coast toward the setting sun. This is when our special Traditional Rum Punch is served. This tour takes seven hours in Wellcraft comfort. On this tour we serve local fruit juices like Passion, Tamarind, Guava, and Lime fruit juices. Above all I aim to ensure that each person who comes on my boats is looked after without exception as if they were family members from abroad. My attention to making their tour as personal and as enjoyable is what makes my tour different. I grew up spending most of my free time in the amazing ecosystem of the North Sound and know it like the back of my hand.
Jan