All-terrain vehicle (ATV) or utility task vehicle (UTV) excursions are popular options at many cruise ports, such as Cozuumel, Grand Turk, Costa Maya, San Juan, Aruba, and others. I’ve always had my eye on such an excursion and I finally had the opportunity to do it at a recent stop in Basseterre, St. Kitts.
Cost of an ATV Excursion
The cruise lines offer ATV excursions, or you can book independently. With my experience, I went with Spectrum ATV Tours, where the per-person cost is around $110, or $50 for children under age 16 who ride along with someone else. It’s important to check the requirements of your ATV excursion, as they may vary, but in my experience, the minimum age to drive an ATV was 16, and no driver’s license was necessary.
What to Bring to an ATV Excursion
Most ATV operators will recommend that participants wear close-toed shoes, but I wore sandals and didn’t have an issue (although close-toed shoes are definitely a much safer option). Participants with long hair should tie their hair back, because otherwise it’s an annoyance, and wearing sunscreen is strongly advised since you’ll be out in the sun for much of your experience. If the local climate has been dry, it’s wise to wear a bandana or face covering if you have one. While not required, it will help keep dust out of your face, nose, and mouth. Your tour operator will provide you with safety gear, including a helmet and glasses.
Cruise Ports with ATV Excursions
While my ATV excursion was in St. Kitts, this is a commonly offered activity at many cruise ports, including the following:
- Cozumel, Mexico
- Belize City, Belize
- Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Ocho Rios, Jamaica
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
What an ATV Cruise Excursion is Like
Most operators provide tours in small groups, and ours was somewhat large, with 12 participants and three guides. They did a great job keeping everyone safe, and we had multiple stops to allow the slower drivers to catch up. We traversed some rocky hills, straightaways that allowed us to put the pedal to the metal, and a part of the path that afforded a stunning ocean view. Wildlife was abundant, which was a highlight of the excursion for me.
I absolutely loved my ATV experience, although it was a bit intimidating at first since it had been years since I had driven an ATV. Many of the folks in my group were newbies, so our tour guide instructed us on how to operate the vehicle, and we took a couple of practice laps before heading off onto the path. The tour took about 3 hours, including about an hour and 45 minutes of ATV drive time, 25 minutes each way to and from the cruise port (our operator provided transportation included with the cost), and time to sign waivers and get prepared before driving off. The staff of Spectrum ATV Tours were outstanding, friendly, and always kept us safe.
I knew I would get dirty, but I was surprised at the extent of it. St. Kitts was in a dry period, so I had dust all over me. If you participate in an ATV excursion, be certain to wear clothes that you don’t mind to soil. If it’s rainy, you will very likely get muddy. While it’s a filthy experience, it’s one worth doing and I loved every moment of it. I’m an active person who tends to get bored on lengthy standard group port tours, so this is right up my alley in presenting a unique way to explore a port city.
