Jackie DeCapite
Google
Absolutely worth a day trip if you're staying on Antigua. I took the Express ferry, make sure you check the wave forecast before booking the day before - I hear it can make people very seasick. The ocean was like glass when I went and I did not get sick, but two people on my boat did. It was a 2hr trip for me both ways in good weather, website said 90min. I did the Hillside Tour, it was worth it for me because you get access to do Pink Sand beach and Princess Diana beach. I wasn't much interested in seeing the birds or doing the caves, but the bird sanctuary is near Pink Sand and it seemed you could only get there by boat, which was included in the tour. Alternatively, you could take a taxi to the fishing pier and hire a small boat (dinghy) to take you there. The pink sand is seasonal, I went the 2nd week in December and it was very pink and beautiful. Well worth the trip on the ferry. The lagoon that you pass through to get there had sea turtles and manta rays that you can see from the boat. It was mating season for the frigate birds when I went, which was neat because you could see hundreds of the birds displaying for each other right next to you on the mangroves. Princess Diana beach is the most gorgeous beach I've ever seen. Pillowy white sand, perfect sea floor - so soft under your feet. The water was very clear and gentle. Great snorkeling right off of the beach. With the tour, you get maybe 30/45 min here. I would consider if I came again, going to Nobu by taxi from the pier and staying on their beach all day after lunch there. A couple on our ferry did that and really enjoyed it - it's on Princess Diana beach. The island doesn't have many taxis, not many tourists, about 4 restaurants, only a few places to stay. The roads are way rougher than in Antigua, not a lot of signage, and cellular service is minimal.