Barbuda Express Ferry

9 months ago

The Barbuda Express gets you between Antigua and Barbuda, but it’s far from a comfortable ride. The ferry is slow, and seating is challenging across all sections. There are three seating areas: • Lower-level indoor cabin with reasonably sized chairs, but it’s very difficult to move in and out, especially when the ferry is full. • Outdoor wooden benches are tight, and in rough seas you can easily get soaked by spray. • Top deck rocks significantly, and access is via very steep, narrow stairs — closer to a ladder than steps, making it uncomfortable and potentially unsafe for some passengers. That said, schedules are generally reliable, and there are few practical alternatives unless you own or charter a yacht. Functional, but uncomfortable — plan accordingly, especially if seas are rough or you have mobility concerns.

2 months ago

The Barbuda Express Ferry is a good transportation option as long as you're not prone to motion sickness. The crossing takes about two hours, and while I personally had no issues, I saw quite a few passengers become seasick during the trip. If you've ever experienced motion sickness on amusement park rides, long car rides, or boats, I'd recommend flying instead. However, if motion sickness isn't a concern, the ferry is a reliable, affordable, and convenient way to travel between Antigua and Barbuda. Just be sure to plan accordingly based on your tolerance for rough water.

a year ago

The dock is the first place where you take your first steps on the island, especially if you came by ferry from Antigua. I recommend the Leeward Express ferry. Thanks to the captain for a safe journey and many tanks for the staff. If you suffer from sea sickness, it will be better if you take the appropriate pills before the trip. If you want to take the ferry it is good to be there early. (One suggestion: it would be very practical to hear before the trip some advice on what to do in an emergency, e.g. where are the life jackets for passengers, etc). What interesting things are happening at the dock ( Barbuda ) where the ferry arrives? Sometimes there is not much going on in the dock, but there is a lot of traffic when ships with goods or ferries arrive. It is very interesting to observe how smoothly everything works. Here you can buy freshly caught fish. I recommend it. At the dock, you can see pelicans hunting for fish, of which there are really a lot here. If you are a bird photography enthusiast, this is the right place to take good pictures of pelicans and other birds diving to catch fish. I am attaching a few photos.

a year ago

As of June 2025, the price for a roundtrip to Barbuda costs 100 usd. After having completed successfully enough this roundtrip , I went through the reviews to see if this experience happened to me only. Considering the stories I've read , I was one of the lucky ones I have to say. I didn't vomit. I didn't faint. I didn't fall in the water. But nobody can guarantee you that you won't during this trip. On my way to Barbuda , I did the mistake to sit on the low deck. I arrived so wet that I had been struggling to dry my pair of shorts during the whole tour that I did after in Barbuda. They should warn you in order to take an umbrella or a raincoat. Besides , they can just put some tent to stop the water from falling inside and. As they have done on the upper deck (where I sat on the way back, and everything was much better). Regarding how much it shakes.. yeah.. that a lot. And there were not even great waves in the sea. But I suppose this is happening cause it is a relatively small vessel. So yeah, make sure you take you nausea pill. It shakes a lot and it is a 2 -hour journey. Speaking of the journeys duration, the trip is supposed to be 1.5 hrs but it took us 2hrs both ways. In regards to punctuality, they left the port of Antigua 3' later and the port of Barbuda 5' earlier. I hope no one missed the boat due to that.. The staff is kind and helpful. And since Barbuda is dreamful, I think you should take your measures and go. Unfortunately there is no other way to get there, so if the sea doesn't look too ugly (I believe that with stronger waves this trip would have been a disaster for my stomach) , give it a chance. The boat leaves at 3pm. You should be there by 8am. You gonna have 6 full hours to enjoy.

5 months ago

Either skip Barbuda or fly there! This was the worst experience I’ve ever had on a ferry. So not worth it. The ferry isn’t appropriately equipped. There isn’t enough room to sit inside and they allow ppl the lay out in the lower room. The waves come up so high so it doesn’t matter where you sit: Once you sit outside whether up top or down below you will be getting drenched. And I do mean from head to toe. A horrible experience didn’t even deserve the one star.