How Early Should You Arrive for the Anguilla Ferry?
June 17, 2025
5 min read
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Jahmal Richard
Anguilla Ferry Times
Article
The crossing between Blowing Point and Marigot takes about 20 minutes. The process of getting on the boat takes considerably longer. Between paying departure taxes, clearing passport control, and waiting for boarding, the pre-departure routine at both terminals runs closer to a short-haul flight than a bus stop. Arriving late means missing the boat, and the next one may be full.
Travel tip
Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before your intended departure. During peak season or on weekends, give yourself a full 60 minutes.
Jahmal Richard is a born-and-raised Anguillian who frequently uses the Blowing Point ferry crossing for personal and business travel. As an experienced software engineer, he built Anguilla Ferry Times to give local and international travelers clear ferry schedules, practical trip-planning tools, and useful insights for visiting Anguilla.
Why Showing Up Early Matters
The public ferry does not hold for late arrivals. Once the boat is full or the cutoff passes, it leaves. Your pre-departure checklist includes paying departure tax, presenting your passport to immigration, and finding your spot to board. Each step takes time, and the steps run sequentially. If any one of them slows down, the others back up.
Here is what a typical pre-departure timeline looks like at either terminal:
Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure
Pay departure tax and join the check-in queue
Clear passport control and immigration
Check-in typically closes around 5 minutes before departure
Boarding usually begins right at departure time
Public Ferry vs Private Charter: Different Standards
The public ferry between Marigot and Blowing Point runs on a fixed schedule and will not wait. Boarding moves quickly and the process is the same for every passenger. The 45-minute buffer is the right minimum here.
Private charters like GB Ferries and Calypso Charters offer more flexibility. They know who they are waiting for and can sometimes accommodate slight delays. That said, customs and immigration still run on their own timeline regardless of which boat you are on. Arriving at least 30 minutes before departure is the sensible baseline even on a private charter.
Important
Check-in on the public ferry typically closes 5 minutes before departure. If you are not through customs and at the boarding point by then, the ferry will leave without you.
Peak Season vs Off-Peak: Adjusting Your Buffer
During high season from December through April, and on holiday weekends throughout the year, both Blowing Point and Marigot get busy. Departure tax queues back up. Immigration lines lengthen. Ferries fill earlier. A full hour before departure is the right buffer during these periods.
In slower months like June or September, 30 to 45 minutes is often enough at quieter departures. Earlier is always the safer choice, and arriving with time to spare also means better seat options on the boat.
If You Are Connecting from SXM Airport
If you are arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport and continuing to Anguilla by ferry, build in more time than you think you need. The taxi ride from SXM to the Marigot terminal on the French side takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Add immigration clearance at SXM, the taxi, and the terminal process at Marigot, and you are looking at 90 minutes minimum from wheels down to boarding the ferry, and longer during busy periods.
If using a private charter from the Dutch-side terminal near SXM, the transfer is more direct and your operator will often coordinate timing. Still confirm the departure window with them when booking.
Quick Reference
Situation
Recommended Arrival Before Departure
Public ferry, off-peak
45 minutes
Public ferry, peak season or weekend
60 minutes
Private charter
30 minutes minimum
Connecting from SXM Airport
90 minutes from landing, minimum
FAQ: Ferry Arrival Times
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the ferry cutoff?
Your spot is forfeited. Some operators may allow standby on the next departure, but there is no guarantee, particularly on busy travel days or when the next ferry is already full.
Can I check in online before arriving?
Most public ferry operators do not offer online check-in. Some private charters handle paperwork in advance, but customs and immigration clearance must happen at the terminal regardless.
Do I need to arrive as early for private charters?
Private charters are more accommodating, but 30 minutes early is still the sensible minimum. Immigration and departure tax still run on their own schedule. If you are connecting from SXM Airport, your operator will usually help coordinate timing.
Is the departure tax paid at the terminal or in advance?
It is paid at the terminal on the day of travel, in cash. Factor this into your arrival time, as the departure tax queue can be a bottleneck during busy periods.
The Bottom Line
For the public ferry, arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure. For private charters, 30 minutes is the minimum. If you are connecting from SXM Airport, plan for at least 90 minutes from landing to boarding. The crossing itself is short. The process of getting on the boat is where time goes, and it is not a process that waits.
For live departure times, schedules, and local travel updates, bookmark Anguilla Ferry Times.
