Antigua Private Sailing Charter with Snorkeling — Your Own Boat for the Day
Want the reef, the rum punch and the deck-time all to yourselves? This Antigua private sailing charter with snorkeling gives your group the entire boat for a half-day out of Jolly Harbour — sail the coast, drop in over crystal-clear water and vibrant reefs, then float on the lily pad with a drink in hand. It's fully customizable and priced for the whole boat (up to 8 guests), so split between a group it's genuinely great value. Here's everything to know before you go, plus how it compares with the other antigua and barbuda snorkeling tours.
About the Private Sailing Charter
The whole boat is yours — no strangers, no fixed schedule
One flat price for the boat, ideal split between a group
Roughly four relaxed hours of sailing, snorkeling and lounging
Your captain handles everything and finds the best reef spots
Masks, snorkels and fins provided for clear-water reefs
Drinks served as you relax on deck or the floating lily pad
Check Dates & Availability
Why Book a Private Sailing Charter
Most Antigua snorkel trips put you on a shared boat with a fixed route and a fixed clock. This one flips that completely: the whole sailboat is yours, just your party of up to eight, with a private captain who shapes the day around what you want. Sleep in and start late, linger longer at the reef you love, or skip ahead to a quiet beach — it's your call.
That freedom is the whole point of chartering, and it's why couples celebrating, families and small groups of friends pick this over a packed catamaran. Compare it head to head with the island's other trips on our antigua and barbuda snorkeling tours page.
About the price: the charter is $1,000 for the whole boat, not per person. That's the entire sailboat for up to 8 guests, so the real cost depends on how many of you come along. Split between a group of six or eight it works out to a very reasonable per-head rate for a fully private day on the water — often comparable to or cheaper than booking individual seats on a shared tour, with none of the crowds.
Bring your people and the value adds up fast.
What You'll See Underwater
Your captain anchors over the clearest, liveliest reefs along Antigua's coast, and because it's private you can take your time in the water. On a typical snorkel stop you can expect:
- Crystal-clear water with excellent visibility over the reef
- Vibrant living coral in shades of gold, purple and green
- Parrotfish, sergeant majors and clouds of tropical reef fish
- Southern stingrays gliding across the sandy patches
- The occasional green or hawksbill turtle grazing the reef edge
- Sea fans and soft corals swaying in the gentle current
- Quiet, uncrowded reef with only your group in the water
What's Included (and What Isn't)
What's Included
- The entire private sailboat for your group (up to 8 guests)
- A private captain and crew for the half-day charter
- Mask, snorkel and fins for everyone on board
- Rum punch and drinks served on board
- Floating lily pad and deck space to relax between swims
- A fully customizable route along Antigua's coast
Not Included
- Gratuities for the captain and crew (optional but appreciated)
- Hotel transfers to and from Jolly Harbour marina
- Your own towel, swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen
- Optional add-ons such as a private beach stop or paddleboarding, if arranged
How the Day Flows
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Start
Board at Jolly Harbour
Meet your captain at Jolly Harbour marina, settle in on deck and talk through the route you'd like for the day.
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Underway
Sail Antigua's coast
Raise the sails and cruise the coastline, taking in the views and the breeze on your own private boat.
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In the water
Snorkel a vibrant reef
Anchor over a clear-water reef and snorkel at your own pace among coral, tropical fish and the occasional turtle.
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Relax
Lily pad & rum punch
Float on the deck or the lily pad with a rum punch in hand, soaking up the sun between swims.
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Optional
Private beach stop
Customize the day with a stop at a quiet beach, add paddleboarding, then sail back to Jolly Harbour.
Important Things to Know Before You Go
A little preparation makes the day smoother. This is a relaxed, flexible charter, but a few things are worth knowing before you board.
- What to bring: swimwear under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Not allowed: glass bottles and single-use plastics are discouraged to protect the reef; no standing on or touching the coral
- The price is per group (the whole boat, up to 8 guests), not per person — confirm your headcount when you book
- The itinerary is fully customizable — tell your captain in advance if you'd like paddleboarding, the lily pad or a private beach stop
Want a private snorkel day but with food, sightseeing or a different style of boat? Compare this with the smaller private snorkel & beach charter, or for a full day with a grilled meal and rum punch see the lobster lunch cruise to Cades Reef.
Where It Starts — Jolly Harbour, Antigua
Who This Tour Is For
This is the pick when you want the water and the boat entirely to yourselves and the freedom to set the pace.
- Couples and families who want a private, unhurried day on the water
- Small groups of friends splitting the cost of the whole boat
- Anyone celebrating a birthday, honeymoon or special occasion
- Travelers who'd rather customize their route than follow a fixed schedule
Not Suitable For
- Solo travelers or couples on a tight budget (the boat is priced as a whole)
- Anyone wanting the lively, social feel of a big shared catamaran
- Non-swimmers who don't plan to relax on deck while others snorkel
Antigua Private Sailing Charter — FAQ
Is the price per person or for the whole boat?
It's $1,000 for the entire private sailboat, not per person — that covers up to 8 guests. Split between a group it's excellent value for a fully private day, and it's worth comparing per-head against shared trips on our antigua and barbuda snorkeling tours page.
Where does the charter depart from?
From Jolly Harbour marina on Antigua's west coast, with the route sailing the nearby coast and reefs. See how the starting point compares with other trips on our snorkeling tour list.
Can we customize the itinerary?
Yes — the day is fully customizable. You can add paddleboarding, the floating lily pad or a private beach stop, and your captain shapes the timing around your group. For a similar private feel see the private snorkel & beach charter.
What will we see when snorkeling?
Crystal-clear water over vibrant reefs with tropical fish, coral, rays and the occasional turtle, all at your own pace because the boat is private. Browse other reef trips on our antigua and barbuda snorkeling tours page.
How long is the charter and what's included?
It's a half-day charter that includes the private boat, captain and crew, snorkel gear, the lily pad and rum punch on board. Confirm your dates and headcount when you check availability.
What Travelers Say About the Private Charter
We booked the whole boat for six of us and it was the highlight of our trip. The captain was so attentive, took us to the clearest reef I've ever snorkeled, and the rum punch flowed all afternoon. Splitting the cost it was a brilliant deal for a private day.
Having the sailboat just to our family was magic. The water was crystal clear, the kids loved the lily pad, and our captain happily added a quiet beach stop when we asked. Worth every penny shared between us.
Perfect honeymoon afternoon. We sailed out of Jolly Harbour, snorkeled a gorgeous reef with hardly anyone around, then relaxed on deck with rum punch as the sun dipped. Our captain couldn't have been more welcoming — a private charter we'd book again in a heartbeat.