There is no shortage of boat and catamaran trips to be made around Antigua, with the emphasis - not, it must be said, everyone's cup of tea - normally on being part of a big crowd all having a fun time together. Most of the cruises charge a single price, including a meal and all the drinks you want, and the two main cruise companies, Kokomo and Wadadli Cats, offer virtually identical trips, travelling on large and comfortable catamarans. A more interesting and unusual eco-tour is offered by Adventure Antigua.

The most popular cruise sails right round Antigua, taking in some snorkelling and lunch at Green Island off the east coast. There is also a superb snorkelling trip to Cades Reef on the south coast, stopping off for lunch on one of the west coast beaches, and another to uninhabited Great Bird Island - where there's plenty of birdlife - off the northeast. Finally, there's a "triple destination" cruise on Sundays to English Harbour via Green Island, ending with a taxi ride up to the steel-band party on Shirley Heights and another taxi home.

Each of the trips is offered by Kokomo and Wadadli, and both will pick up passengers from a number of locations on the west coast. All are out from around 9am until 4pm, apart from the triple-destination tour (roughly 10am-sunset). The circumnavigation cruise costs US$75 per person, Cades Reef US$60 and the triple-destination cruise US$90, all prices including snorkelling gear, a buffet lunch and an open bar. Children under 12 are half-price