Information & Resources — Antigua & Barbuda Ocean Trust

Speed limit 4 knots/5mph — applies in English & Falmouth Harbours from the first channel markers

No sewage discharge within 3 miles of the coastline — strictly prohibited

50m buffer around any vessel displaying a dive flag

Use moorings rather than anchors to protect reefs and seagrass beds

Motorized water sports are prohibited within the National Park

Observe all "No Prop", "No Wake" and "Swim Zone" harbor rules at all times

All foreign vessels require a fishing license from the Fisheries Division to fish in Antiguan and Barbudan waters — valid 3 months, available from the Fisheries Division

Recycling facilities are available inside Nelson's Dockyard — plastics #1 & #2, aluminum/tin and corrugated cardboard

Do not touch or remove coral or any other marine life

Dive operators must display a dive flag whenever guests are underwater

Spearfishing requires a license from the Fisheries Division

Use reef-safe mineral sunscreen only — chemical sunscreens damage coral reefs. See the Sunscreen tab for guidance.

Download boat card PDF

Jan 1 — Mar 31

Nassau Grouper, Red Hind & Coney

Illegal to fish for, take, place for sale, purchase or possess during this period.

May 1 — Jul 31

Parrot (Chub) Fish

All species. Illegal to fish for, take, place for sale, purchase or possess during this period.

May 1 — Jun 30

Lobster

Also illegal to harm, take, possess, sell or purchase lobster carrying eggs, molting (soft-shelled), undersized (under 95mm / 3¾") or with a tar spot.

Jul 1 — Aug 31

Conch

Also illegal to harm, take, possess, sell or purchase undersized conch: shell <7", flared lip <5mm (1/5") thick, or meat weight <225g (8oz).

No open season — protected year-round

Marine Turtles

Illegal to take, capture or disturb any turtle found on shore; disturb, alter or destroy any nest; or disturb, take, sell, purchase or possess any turtle eggs. All species fully protected year-round.

It is illegal to fish for, take, place for sale, purchase or possess any of these species during the closed season — maximum fine EC$50,000. To report illegal fishing activity contact the Fisheries Division: 462-1372, 462-6106, 462-3206 or 462-2841 · fisheriesantigua@gmail.com

Download closed seasons PDF

All foreign vessels require a license from the Fisheries Division to fish in Antiguan and Barbudan waters, regardless of method

Licenses are valid for 3 months and available from the Fisheries Division

All vessels/individuals intending to catch fish commercially require a Fisheries Division license

Marine Reserve

Diamond Reef Marine Reserve

Off the north coast. Fishing and anchoring restrictions protect this important reef system.

Marine Reserve

Cades Bay Marine Reserve

Southwest coast including Cades Reef — one of ABOT's most active cleanup sites.

Management Area

NorthEast Marine Management Area (NEMMA)

Protecting diverse habitats on Antigua's northeast coast including seagrass beds and coral formations.

UNESCO World Heritage

Nelson's Dockyard National Park

English and Falmouth Harbours. Full marine conservation rules apply — see the Boaters tab.

National Park

Greencastle & Fort Barrington National Parks

Protecting natural and historical coastal heritage.

National Park

Devil's Bridge National Park

The dramatic limestone arch on Antigua's eastern coast and its surrounding coastal ecosystem.

Go slow in harbors, marinas and seagrass beds — manatees surface to breathe and are at serious risk from boat strikes

After being hunted to near-extinction in the 1800s, the manatee has been reported in Antigua for the first time in over a century

Please help monitor and protect these animals to support their safe return to the island

Report any sightings

+1 (268) 783-3587

info@anublue.org

Download manatee flyer

Greater Caribbean Manatee awareness poster

4 knot speed limit in English & Falmouth Harbour from the first channel markers — boat strikes are one of the greatest threats to turtle survival

Illegal to take, capture or disturb any turtle found on shore

Illegal to disturb, alter or destroy any turtle nest

Illegal to take, sell or purchase turtle eggs

All species of marine turtle are fully protected year-round in Antigua & Barbuda

Does your sunscreen damage our reefs?

Just because a label says "reef safe" doesn't mean it actually is. Many sunscreens still contain chemicals — oxybenzone, octinoxate and others — that are toxic to coral larvae and contribute to reef bleaching.

What to look for

Only use mineral sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide as the sole active ingredient — even if labeled "reef safe"
"Reef safe" is not a regulated term — always check the ingredients list

Ingredients to avoid