Day Trip from St Maarten to Anguilla : The Complete Guide

Just 20 minutes north of Saint-Martin lies one of the most beautiful islands in the entire Caribbean. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of a day trip to Anguilla.

Anguilla is consistently ranked among the top Caribbean destinations in the world — and for good reason. Its beaches are extraordinary: impossibly white sand, water so clear and turquoise it looks almost unreal, and a laid-back island atmosphere that feels a world away from the busier resorts nearby. The best part? From Saint-Martin, it's just a short boat ride away. Here is your complete guide to a day trip from Saint-Martin to Anguilla.

🗺️ Where Is Anguilla and How Far Is It?

Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory located approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Saint-Martin. It's a flat, elongated island roughly 26 km long and 5 km wide, home to around 18,000 inhabitants and 33 beaches — many of them among the finest in the Caribbean.

Despite its proximity, Anguilla feels remarkably different from Saint-Martin. There are no casinos, no high-rise hotels, no party scene. What you get instead is a quiet, unhurried island where the beaches are the main event — and what beaches they are.

⛵ How to Get from Saint-Martin to Anguilla

There are two ways to make the crossing: the public ferry or a private boat charter.

The public ferry departs from Marigot on the French side and arrives at Blowing Point in southern Anguilla in about 20–25 minutes. Ferries run throughout the day from around 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The round-trip cost is approximately $76 USD per adult, plus departure taxes of around €7 from Saint-Martin and $11 USD from Anguilla. You must have a valid passport to board.

The private charter option — like our CaptainSup Anguilla full-day tour — is a completely different experience. You depart from Anse Marcel directly on a private catamaran or speedboat, arrive by sea with open bar and snacks already in hand, and visit the best spots on and around the island without ever dealing with immigration lines or shared buses. The crossing takes around 30–40 minutes by catamaran, or under 20 minutes by speedboat.

📋 Entry Requirements for Anguilla (2025)

This is the part most visitors forget to check. Even though Anguilla is just minutes away, it is a separate British territory with its own immigration requirements.

• Passport required — a valid passport for all nationalities, no exceptions
• Return ticket or proof of onward travel may be requested
• Departure tax from Saint-Martin : approx. €7 (euros or card, no USD)
• Departure tax from Anguilla : approx. $11 USD (cash or card)
• No visa required for most Western nationalities for stays under 3 months
• When arriving by private boat, customs clearance must be completed at Road Bay marina

🏖️ The Best Beaches to Visit in Anguilla

With 33 beaches to choose from, where do you go on a day trip? Here are the absolute highlights:

Shoal Bay East is regularly voted one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. Two miles of powdery pinkish-white sand, turquoise water protected by a coral reef, and an extraordinary underwater world just below the surface. Sea turtles, rays, and hundreds of reef fish are common sightings here. There are a few restaurants on the beach for a great local lunch.

Little Bay is the spot that makes jaws drop. Accessible only by boat, this dramatic cove is framed by towering ochre cliffs that plunge straight into the sea. The snorkeling is exceptional and the cove is calm enough for paddleboarding. It's one of Anguilla's best-kept secrets — and one of the reasons a private boat charter beats the public ferry every time.

Prickly Pear Cays are two small uninhabited islands about 8 km north of Anguilla's main coastline, surrounded by healthy reef and crystal-clear water. The snorkeling here is some of the best in the entire area. Two small beach restaurants operate on the main cay — the grilled lobster is legendary.

Meads Bay is where Anguilla's luxury meets its natural beauty. This long, elegant stretch of white sand is home to the island's finest hotels and restaurants. The water is impossibly clear with a sandy bottom free of reef, making it ideal for swimming. Perfect for a stylish afternoon after a morning of snorkeling.

🐢 Marine Life & Snorkeling in Anguilla

Anguilla has five marine reserves, covering much of its coastline and surrounding waters. Fishing and jet-skiing are strictly prohibited within these zones, which means the underwater ecosystem has remained remarkably pristine. For snorkelers, this translates into exceptional visibility, healthy coral, and abundant marine life.

Green sea turtles are a highlight — Anguilla is one of the few places in the region where they come ashore to lay eggs between April and November, and they are commonly spotted in the waters around Shoal Bay, Little Bay, and Prickly Pear. Stingrays, eagle rays, parrotfish, and barracuda are regular encounters too.

At Captain SUP SXM, snorkeling equipment is included in every Anguilla charter. Our crew knows exactly where to anchor for the best encounters.

🕗 How to Organize Your Day

A well-organized day trip to Anguilla from Saint-Martin can comfortably cover three to four spots. Here's an example itinerary:

1. Morning (departure 8:00–9:00 AM) — Depart Anse Marcel, crossing to Anguilla. First stop: Prickly Pear for snorkeling before the crowds arrive.
2. Late morning — Swing by Little Bay for a swim in the cove and a look at the cliffs.
3. Lunch (around noon) — Anchor at Shoal Bay East for a beachside lunch and an afternoon swim in the world-famous bay.
4. Afternoon — Relaxed cruise along Meads Bay or back via Sandy Island before the return crossing.
5. Return (around 4:30–5:00 PM) — Head back to Anse Marcel with the day's memories.

🎒 What to Bring for a Day Trip to Anguilla

Whether you're taking the ferry or a private charter, here's what to pack: your passport (absolutely essential — no exceptions), reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water shoes for rocky entry points, a dry bag for your phone and valuables, and an underwater camera. Cash in both USD and euros is useful for tips and any extras on the island.

If you book with Captain SUP SXM, our Anguilla full-day catamaran tour includes a light breakfast, snacks, open bar, and snorkeling equipment — so your packing list gets a lot shorter.

⛵ Ferry vs. Private Charter — Which is Right for You?

The public ferry is the most affordable option and works well if you're happy to spend most of your day on one or two beaches accessible by road. You'll deal with immigration queues, need to arrange taxis or a rental car on the island, and won't see spots like Little Bay or Prickly Pear that are only accessible by boat.

A private charter costs more but gives you a fundamentally different experience: you see Anguilla from the sea, visit the boat-access-only spots, have everything handled by your crew, and travel with your own group at your own pace. For anyone spending just one day in Anguilla, a charter maximizes every single hour.

At Captain SUP SXM, we offer both a catamaran option and a speedboat option to Anguilla, depending on how fast you want to get there and the vibe you're after.