Pillars of Hercules
Pillars of Hercules
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Pillars of Hercules and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
53 within 5 kms
Attractions
23 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
160 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
45
Average
22
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Stephane H
3 contributions
Nov 2022
Did a hike via Shirley's Heights and then down along the Coast over the rocks to Pillars of Hercules. Difficulty I would say was medium. Be prepared to get wet if you are going from the land side. You can also view the Pillars of Hercules from a boat tour.
Written 17 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bsmedmedphd
Pennsylvania1,539 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
One of the best and most memorable experiences of our vacation in Antigua! Hubby and I visited in March and decided to access the pillars via Galleon Beach (reviewed separately). We hiked a trail around the coast to the left of the beach, past the giant anchor. The trail was definitely rough but I made it wearing flip flops carrying a bunch of snorkel stuff, so it’s doable (but I suggest better shoes). We got in the water at the farthest point to which we could walk and then snorkeled further to the left to the Pillars. It was fairly easy to access them via water from that point. The Pillars are even more breathtaking in person than the pics and we highly recommend it! Definitely a bucket list item! They truly are stunning and just emerge out of the water with such magnificence. The waters are shades of green and blue, with terrific visibility. The waves could get a rough but it was cool to float along with them without fear of hitting anything nearby. The water was quite deep with impressive stones underwater, too. The snorkeling wasn’t that good, to be honest, but the amazing views were so worth it. When we were done, we decided to swim around the “corner” into the bay to see the little shipwreck. We did not swim far enough out/around and the water got very shallow, with tons of little sea urchins, and difficult to manage. Be sure to go further out/around than you think will be needed for a better experience if you decide to do that. Hubby flew his drone and captured amazing pics from the air after we captured pics from the water. I hope you enjoy the photos I posted at, above, and below sea level!
*Thank you for reading my review! If it was helpful to you, please click the “thumbs-up” below. : )
*Thank you for reading my review! If it was helpful to you, please click the “thumbs-up” below. : )
Written 24 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daniel f
Kemble, Canada979 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
A sea carved formation that looks interesting from the sea, But other than that? Not sure on the hype
Written 1 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ianjonz
Fort Lauderdale, FL105 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Great snorkeling here. Turtles, huge sea urchins and lots of fish. Beautiful beach.you can hike up the trail to get to the best snorkeling spot. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elle P
Washington DC, DC122 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
I was told you needed a boat or a guide to see the pillars but I am so glad that I took a chance to hike down the trail! I reached the "Pillars of Hercules" point on google maps from the top and was confused to see a (beautiful) simple lookout with a bench. Luckily, I saw a small trail leading to the right and passing through a little grassy field. That is where I found a trail that went down to the water. At low tide, it was easy (in sneakers) to do some boulder-jumping and finally reach the pillars. Nobody was there, no boats. Absolutely stunning. I did it at about 11 am. Crabs running around the rocks and little spiky red sea-anenome things that I was careful not to touch but overall felt safe and SO glad I went.
Written 11 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JLC-mtl2015
Montreal, Canada373 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
ok, so the Pillars were on my "must do list" in Antigua.
I knew that we could snorkel there, walk or take a boat.
My first recommendation is, if you wish to do it on your own (drive and snorkel) bring your own snorkeling equipment since if you want to rent on site it might not be an option and if you plan to buy them (like we had in mind usually cheaper that taking an extra luggage) at the store it is very expensive for very base item and not many choices.
So, I did some snorkeling but I'm not a strong swimmer so I could not reach far enough. However, the boys went but confirmed it was demanding with good current from Galleon beach.
I tried to walk from the end of Galleon Beach but you have to find a path over large slippery or pointy boulders. I tried but you would need better shoes than flip flops. So again, could not reach.
Since I absolutely wanted to see the Pillars, we took a boat tour. We had to go from Dickenson Bay since none were available in August from the shore of Galleon Beach which would have been great. Yes, I can say I saw the Pillars of Hercules and happy I did. Anyone not paying attention, will pass by quickly. You need to pay attention and not be asking for a drink at the time.
There are organized groups that offers the snorkeling to the Pillars. From the pictures the boys took, it seems the best way to appreciate them. With the water scooter, palms and life belt, I probably would have made it but once at the beach it was not an option.
Just as a reminder, the natural pillars were carved by wind and sea and forms impressive entrance to the area.
Located in the English Harbor, you can combine this visit with Shirley's Height (you can reach Shirley's Height by the Look-out trail about 20min walk up the mountain)
If you are driving, beach access and name are not indicated on the main road, use a GPS.
I knew that we could snorkel there, walk or take a boat.
My first recommendation is, if you wish to do it on your own (drive and snorkel) bring your own snorkeling equipment since if you want to rent on site it might not be an option and if you plan to buy them (like we had in mind usually cheaper that taking an extra luggage) at the store it is very expensive for very base item and not many choices.
So, I did some snorkeling but I'm not a strong swimmer so I could not reach far enough. However, the boys went but confirmed it was demanding with good current from Galleon beach.
I tried to walk from the end of Galleon Beach but you have to find a path over large slippery or pointy boulders. I tried but you would need better shoes than flip flops. So again, could not reach.
Since I absolutely wanted to see the Pillars, we took a boat tour. We had to go from Dickenson Bay since none were available in August from the shore of Galleon Beach which would have been great. Yes, I can say I saw the Pillars of Hercules and happy I did. Anyone not paying attention, will pass by quickly. You need to pay attention and not be asking for a drink at the time.
There are organized groups that offers the snorkeling to the Pillars. From the pictures the boys took, it seems the best way to appreciate them. With the water scooter, palms and life belt, I probably would have made it but once at the beach it was not an option.
Just as a reminder, the natural pillars were carved by wind and sea and forms impressive entrance to the area.
Located in the English Harbor, you can combine this visit with Shirley's Height (you can reach Shirley's Height by the Look-out trail about 20min walk up the mountain)
If you are driving, beach access and name are not indicated on the main road, use a GPS.
Written 8 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teamtango
Shoreham by Sea325 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
I’ve dived off here and snorkelled so it’s a good place to do both. The pillars themselves are just plain interesting to look at. Allied with the fact they are right near the entrance to Nelson’s Dockyard you really must go take a look.
Written 27 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
7wonderstraveler
Hugo, MN1,260 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
We had two different opportunities to see the Pillars of Hercules. We saw this beautiful landscape from our water taxi and from the Middle Ground Trail Hike.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bunsen_x
South Brent, UK84 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Our party of four snorkellers were indecicive about taking a tour out to this amazing rock feature just outside the calm waters of english harbour. In the end deciding to go it alone, which turned out to be no problem. It is a short swim from Galleon beach and while I would suggest starting from the beach it is not that much of a swim around the headland to some breattaking veiws of the cliff structures. Excellent reef veiw below but if you want to see turtles then just stay in the bay and look for the lifeboat moored there.
Written 12 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
83Nancy
Bowmanville, Canada72 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
We saw this from the catamaran the "Excellence" - pretty amazing natural wonders of this island, some areas are rugged and rocky and others like this one while also rugged and rocky are weathered into natures art.
Written 2 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi! is it possible to hike to see the pillars but unguided? If so is it hard to find? Thanks
Written 1 March 2020
It is possible, however, we saw them from a boat and from a hiking trail across the bay. There is a way to hike to them, but the view won’t be as good. We hiked the Pigeon Beach Trail and saw them from there.
Written 1 March 2020
The rock formations don’t have a phone number lol. Seriously??
Written 11 November 2019
Are these worth going to see by land? We are taking a land tour that does not include diving or snorkeling and was wondering if this is a good stop to go see?
Written 18 August 2015
Yes. my trip was by land but I guess you can see more if by sea.
Written 6 January 2019
Are these worth going to see by land? We are taking a land tour that does not include diving or snorkeling and was wondering if this is a good stop to go see?
Written 5 August 2015
Showing results 1-4 of 4
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing