Anguilla is close enough to St. Martin for a real day trip, but it is still an international crossing. You need your passport, enough time for immigration on both sides, and a clear plan for the last return ferry. Done well, the day is simple: take the early public ferry from Marigot, spend most of the day on one or two beaches, eat a proper lunch, and return before the terminal gets rushed.
What you need to know before you go
- Passport required. Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory with its own immigration controls. A driving licence or national ID is not enough.
- Public ferry fare is cash only. Bring USD or Eastern Caribbean dollars for the ferry fare.
- Departure fees are separate. Marigot charges a EUR 7 exit fee for adults and children over 4. When leaving Anguilla for the French side, adult visitors pay $28 USD.
- No advance booking for the public ferry. Buy your ticket at the terminal on the day and arrive early enough for payment and immigration.
- Watch the return time. The last public ferry from Blowing Point to Marigot is at 5:15 PM. Same-day visitors should aim for the 4:30 PM ferry and treat 5:15 PM as the backup, not the plan.
Getting from St. Martin to Anguilla
Option 1: Public ferry from Marigot
The public ferry departs from Marigot on the French side of St. Martin and arrives at Blowing Point Ferry Terminal in Anguilla. It is the best-value option for most day trippers, especially if you are already staying on the French side or can get to Marigot easily.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Departure point | Marigot Ferry Terminal, French St. Martin |
| Arrival point | Blowing Point Ferry Terminal, Anguilla |
| Crossing time | About 25 minutes |
| Adult fare | $30 USD one way |
| Child fare | $15 USD one way for ages 2 to 11 |
| Infants | Free for children under 2 |
| Payment | Public ferry fare is cash only; USD and XCD accepted |
| Booking | No advance booking required; walk-up service at terminal |
| First departure from Marigot | 8:30 AM |
| Last return from Anguilla | 5:15 PM; aim for 4:30 PM as a same-day visitor |
Option 2: Private/shared charter from the Dutch side
If you are staying near Simpson Bay, Maho, or Princess Juliana International Airport, a private or shared charter from the Dutch side can be more convenient. Shared charter fares start from $65 USD per adult one way and $30 USD per child one way. Operators include Funtime Charters, Calypso Charters, and GB Ferries. Confirm current pricing, meeting point, and availability directly with the operator.
- Best if you are already near SXM Airport, Simpson Bay, or Maho
- Avoids the taxi or drive across to Marigot
- Advance booking is strongly recommended
- Higher base fare than the public ferry
- Return departure fees from Anguilla differ by route: adult visitors leaving to the Dutch side pay $36 USD
Departure fees and taxes
Departure fees are separate from the ferry ticket. This is the most common budgeting mistake for first-time day trippers. The public ferry fare is one payment, the Marigot exit fee is another, and the Anguilla departure fee is paid before you board the return ferry.
| Fee | Amount | When paid |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving Marigot for Anguilla | EUR 7 per person for adults and children over 4 | Paid at Marigot; euros or card, not USD cash |
| Leaving Anguilla to the French side | $28 USD adult visitor fee | Paid at Blowing Point before the return ferry |
| Leaving Anguilla to the Dutch side | $36 USD adult visitor fee | Applies to Dutch-side private/shared charter route |
| Public ferry fare | $30 USD adult / $15 USD child one way | Cash only; separate from departure fees |
| Infants | Public ferry fare is free under age 2 | Other terminal fee rules may vary by age and route |
What to do on a day trip to Anguilla
A good day trip does not try to cover the whole island. Pick one main beach, one lunch stop, and one optional second beach or beach bar. Anguilla rewards a slower pace, and the ferry clock matters.
Shoal Bay East: classic first stop
Shoal Bay East is the classic day-trip beach: bright water, long white sand, beach restaurants, chair rentals, and snorkeling areas. From Blowing Point, plan roughly 20 to 25 minutes by taxi depending on traffic and routing. Arriving on the first ferry gives you the best chance of a calmer morning before the beach gets busier.
- Rent chairs and umbrellas if you want to settle in for several hours
- Bring your own snorkel gear or rent locally when available
- Use beach restaurants and bars for lunch, drinks, and restrooms
- Avoid overplanning; Shoal Bay can easily fill most of the day
Crocus Bay and da'Vida Bayside Grill
Crocus Bay is a sheltered north-coast bay close to The Valley, and da'Vida Bayside Grill is one of the easiest lunch anchors for a relaxed day. It works well if you want a calm swim, a beachside meal, and a shorter taxi ride back toward Blowing Point than you would have from the far east end.
West End alternative: Rendezvous Bay or Meads Bay
If you prefer less time in the taxi, choose a West End beach day instead. Rendezvous Bay and Meads Bay are easier from Blowing Point than Shoal Bay East and give you a strong beach day without crossing the island twice. This is often the smarter plan if you are nervous about the return ferry.
A realistic same-day itinerary
Sample Itinerary
- 7:45 AM
- 8:30 AM
- 9:15 AM
- 9:45 AM
- 12:30 PM
- 2:15 PM
- 3:30 PM
- 4:30 PM
What a day trip actually costs
Your exact cost depends on taxis, lunch, chair rentals, drinks, and whether you share transport. The fixed ferry-related costs are easier to estimate.
| Item | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip public ferry fare | $60 USD per adult | $30 each way, cash only |
| Marigot exit fee | EUR 7 | Paid in euros or by card |
| Anguilla departure fee to French side | $28 USD per adult visitor | Paid before the return ferry |
| Core adult ferry and fee subtotal | About $96 USD plus EUR/USD conversion | Before taxis, food, rentals, and tips |
| Taxi and beach transport | Variable | Share with others when possible |
| Lunch, drinks, chairs, snorkeling | Variable | Budget based on your beach plan |
| Practical full-day budget | About $175 to $230+ per adult | Depends heavily on taxis, lunch, drinks, and rentals |
Getting around Anguilla
For most day trippers, taxis are simpler than renting a car. Taxis meet ferry arrivals at Blowing Point, and a driver can often help you plan a beach-and-lunch route that still gets you back for the ferry. Confirm the fare before you leave the terminal and ask whether the quoted price is per vehicle or per person.
- Taxi: best for one or two main stops.
- Shared taxi: often lowers the per-person cost if other day trippers are going the same direction.
- Rental car: only worth considering if you want several stops and are comfortable driving on the left.
- Walking between beaches: not realistic for most day-trip routes in the heat.
Mistakes that catch day trippers
- Leaving Marigot too late. The 8:30 AM ferry gives you the most usable island time.
- Budgeting only for the ferry ticket. Add the EUR 7 Marigot exit fee and the $28 Anguilla adult visitor departure fee for the French-side return.
- Assuming every fee is USD cash. The Marigot exit fee is euros or card, while the public ferry fare is cash.
- Forgetting a passport. No passport means no entry to Anguilla.
- Trying to see too much. One main beach, lunch, and one optional second stop is enough.
- Cutting it close on the last ferry. Aim for 4:30 PM rather than relying on the 5:15 PM last departure.
What to pack
- Passport for every traveler
- USD or XCD cash for the public ferry fare and small tips
- Euros or a card for the Marigot exit fee
- Swimsuit and cover-up for terminal and immigration areas
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
- Dry bag or waterproof pouch for passport, phone, and cash
- Reusable water bottle
- Snorkel gear if you prefer your own
Common questions about Anguilla day trips
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport for a day trip to Anguilla from St. Martin?
Yes. Anguilla has its own immigration controls, and every traveler needs a valid passport.
How much does a day trip to Anguilla cost?
The core adult public-ferry subtotal is about $96 USD plus EUR/USD conversion: $60 in round-trip ferry fares, EUR 7 leaving Marigot, and $28 leaving Anguilla for the French-side return. After taxis, lunch, beach rentals, drinks, and tips, a practical full-day budget is about $175 to $230+ per adult.
What time does the first ferry leave Marigot for Anguilla?
The first public ferry from Marigot departs at 8:30 AM. Check the live schedule before you go.
What is the last ferry back from Anguilla to St. Martin?
The last public ferry from Blowing Point departs at 5:15 PM. Same-day visitors should aim for 4:30 PM where possible.
Can I book the public ferry in advance?
No. The public ferry is a walk-up service at the terminal. Bring cash for the ferry fare and arrive early.
Is a day trip to Anguilla worth it?
Yes, if you start early and keep the plan simple. The best version is one main beach, a relaxed lunch, and a comfortable return buffer.
Can I use euros or cards in Anguilla?
US dollars and Eastern Caribbean dollars are widely used in Anguilla. The Marigot exit fee is paid in euros or by card. Public ferry fares are cash only. More formal restaurants may accept cards, but carry cash for taxis, ferry fare, small vendors, and tips.
Bottom line
A day trip to Anguilla from St. Martin works best when you start with the first ferry, budget for both ferry fares and departure fees, pick one main beach, and avoid gambling on the last return. The logistics look bigger on paper than they feel in practice, but the numbers matter: plan for the $30 one-way ferry fare, the EUR 7 Marigot exit fee, and the $28 adult visitor fee when leaving Anguilla for the French side.
