Private vs Public Ferry to Anguilla: What is the Difference?
June 20, 2026
8 min read
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Jahmal Richard
Anguilla Ferry Times
Article
Most travelers flying into St. Maarten for Anguilla choose between two practical water-transfer options: the public ferry from Marigot on the French side, or a private/shared charter from the Dutch side near SXM Airport. Both get you to Blowing Point, but they differ in cost, payment, timing, and how much airport-to-dock logistics you want to manage.
Good to know
The public ferry adult fare is $30 USD one way, paid in cash. The Marigot exit fee is EUR 7 per person for adults and children over 4. Private/shared charter planning fares start from $65 USD per adult one way, before any route-specific departure fees on the return.
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.
Public ferry
Private/shared charter
Departure point
Marigot Ferry Terminal, French St. Martin
Airport Dock / Simpson Bay near SXM Airport
Arrival point
Blowing Point Ferry Terminal
Blowing Point Ferry Terminal
Crossing time
About 25 minutes
About 20 to 25 minutes, depending on operator and conditions
Base adult fare
$30 USD one way
From $65 USD one way as a planning fare
Payment
Public ferry fare is cash only; USD and XCD accepted
Varies by operator; book and confirm directly
Booking
No public ferry reservation required
Advance reservation strongly recommended
Best for
Budget travelers, couples, visitors already near Marigot
SXM airport arrivals, families, groups with luggage, tighter timing
The public ferry from Marigot
The public ferry is the budget-friendly route between Marigot and Blowing Point. The adult fare is $30 USD one way for ages 12 and up, children ages 2 to 11 pay $15 USD, and infants under 2 travel free. The ferry fare is paid in cash; cards are not accepted for the public ferry fare.
If you are coming from SXM Airport, remember that the public ferry does not leave from the airport. You first need a taxi to Marigot, usually around 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic, costing roughly $20 to $30 USD per vehicle.
Travel tip
Marigot exit fee: when departing Marigot toward Anguilla, passengers pay a EUR 7 St. Martin port exit fee for adults and children over 4. It is paid in euros or by card. USD cash is not accepted for this fee. Children 4 and under are exempt.
Public ferry cost example from SXM to Anguilla
Cost item
Amount
Notes
Taxi from SXM to Marigot
$20 to $30 USD
Per vehicle planning range
Public ferry adult fare
$30 USD
Cash only
Marigot exit fee
EUR 7
Euros or card; USD cash not accepted
Solo traveler estimate
About $58 to $68 USD plus small tips
Taxi paid alone
Two travelers sharing taxi
About $48 to $53 USD each plus small tips
Taxi cost split between two adults
What the public ferry is good at
Lowest base fare. At $30 USD per adult, it is the cheapest water crossing.
Simple local route. Marigot to Blowing Point is the standard public ferry connection.
Good for pairs and groups. The taxi to Marigot is a vehicle cost, so the per-person total improves when more travelers share it.
No advance reservation. You can show up at the terminal, pay the fare in cash, and board the next available public ferry.
Where the public ferry falls short
Extra airport transfer. SXM arrivals need to cross to Marigot before boarding.
Cash requirement. Public ferry fares are cash only, even though departure fees may accept card.
Less control over timing. If you land late or miss the last public ferry, a charter may be the practical fallback.
More steps with luggage. Taxi, terminal payment, immigration, ferry boarding, and arrival processing all happen separately.
Private and shared charters from near SXM Airport
Private and shared charter operators use the Dutch-side airport dock near Princess Juliana International Airport. Operators include Funtime Charters, Calypso Charters, GB Ferries. These services are most useful when you want to avoid the taxi across to Marigot.
Shared charter planning fares start from $65 USD per adult one way and $30 USD per child one way. Round-trip planning fares run from $130 USD per adult and $60 USD per child. Operator quotes can vary by schedule, route, luggage, demand, and booking conditions, so confirm directly before travel.
Good to know
Private charters avoid the Marigot EUR 7 exit fee when departing from the Dutch side toward Anguilla. On the Anguilla-to-Dutch-side return, visitor departure fees are $36 USD for adults via the Dutch-side route, including passenger service, Tourist Board levy, and security fee.
What private charters are good at
Airport convenience. The dock is near SXM, so you skip the Marigot taxi leg.
Better for luggage and families. Fewer moving parts can matter after a long travel day.
Advance planning. You can coordinate your crossing with an operator before arrival.
Late or tight connections. A charter may help when the public schedule does not fit.
Real cost comparison
For a traveler arriving at SXM and going to Anguilla, the headline price difference is not the whole story. The public ferry has a lower boat fare, but you add the taxi to Marigot and the EUR 7 Marigot exit fee. The private/shared charter has a higher per-person fare, but removes the Marigot transfer step.
Scenario
Public ferry
Private/shared charter
Solo traveler inbound from SXM
About $58 to $68 USD plus tips
From $65 USD+ per adult
Two adults sharing taxi inbound
About $48 to $53 USD each plus tips
From $65 USD+ each
Adult return leaving Anguilla
$30 fare + $28 French-side visitor departure fee
$65+ fare + $36 Dutch-side visitor departure fee
Best value pattern
Usually best for couples/groups who can share the SXM taxi
Often worth it for convenience, luggage, families, or tight timing
Which option should you choose?
Choose the public ferry if you want the lowest base fare, are comfortable taking a taxi to Marigot, have enough cash for the ferry fare, and are traveling at a time when the public schedule works. It is especially good value for two or more travelers because the taxi cost can be shared.
Choose a private or shared charter if you are arriving at SXM with luggage, children, a late flight, or a tighter schedule. The base fare is higher, but the route is more direct from the airport side and usually feels smoother on a long travel day.
Payment and fee reminders
Public ferry fares are cash only. Bring USD or Eastern Caribbean dollars for the ferry fare.
Departure fees are separate from ferry fares. Do not compare only the boat ticket.
Marigot exit fee is EUR 7. Pay in euros or by card; USD cash is not accepted for that fee.
Leaving Anguilla has route-specific fees. $28 USD for adult visitors leaving Anguilla to the French side and $36 USD for adult visitors leaving Anguilla to the Dutch side.
Carry small bills for tips. Porter and luggage assistance may involve small cash tips.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the private ferry faster than the public ferry?
The water crossing itself is not dramatically different. The real time saving is that private/shared charters depart near SXM Airport, so airport arrivals avoid the taxi to Marigot.
Can I book the public ferry in advance?
The public ferry is a walk-up service at the terminal. Bring cash for the ferry fare and arrive early enough for ticketing and immigration.
What is the cheapest option for one person arriving at SXM?
The public ferry is usually still the cheapest, but the gap can be small for a solo traveler because you may pay the full taxi from SXM to Marigot yourself. A solo public-ferry transfer runs roughly $58 to $68 USD plus tips before onward transport in Anguilla.
What is the cheapest option for two people?
The public ferry usually pulls ahead because the SXM-to-Marigot taxi can be split while the private charter fare stays per person.
Do private charters include departure fees?
Do not assume they do. Ferry and charter fares are separate from route-specific departure fees. Confirm directly with the operator and budget for the applicable terminal fees.
Which operators run private/shared charters near SXM?
Operators near SXM include Funtime Charters, Calypso Charters, GB Ferries. Availability, pricing, and schedules should be confirmed directly with each operator.
Bottom line
For most budget-focused travelers, the public ferry from Marigot is still the better value. For SXM arrivals who care more about convenience, have a late connection, or are managing family luggage, a private/shared charter from near the airport can justify the higher fare. Compare the full route cost, not just the boat ticket.
Travel tip
Before traveling, check the live ferry schedule and the ferry cost calculator on Anguilla Ferry Times. Prices, fees, operator schedules, and payment rules can change.
