– The one day trip every visitor should make.
Anguilla is only 20 minutes from St Maarten by boat.
And yet somehow, it feels worlds away.
I’ve seen it happen so many times over the years. People leave SXM thinking they’re “just doing a day trip”… then come back quiet on the ride home, salty-haired, slightly sunburned, already scrolling through their photos before the boat even docks.
Anguilla has that effect on people.
Maybe it’s Shoal Bay and that unreal turquoise water. Maybe it’s the atmosphere — luxurious, but without trying too hard. Calm. Elegant. Unhurried.
The beaches really are that beautiful, honestly.
One thing I always tell visitors though: don’t wait too long to book. The best catamarans and speedboat tours fill surprisingly early during high season — especially from December through April.
If you only do one island day trip during your vacation, make it this one. After 25 years living in St Martin, these are the Anguilla tours I’d personally look at first.
What's in this article
In full transparency
Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you choose to book through them, I may earn a small commission — usually spent somewhere between a rum punch, a local lunch at the lolos in Grand Case, or a cold beer while watching the planes land in Maho. All of this happens at absolutely no extra cost to you, of course.
If you're in a hurry
Want a quick answer? These are the three tours I'd book myself
Is a day trip to Anguilla worth it?
Best boat tours to Anguilla from St Maarten
If you’ve searched for Anguilla excursions online already, you probably noticed one thing pretty quickly: they all start sounding the same after a while.
Same turquoise photos. Same promises. Same “best day ever” descriptions.
So I made the sorting easier for you.
These are the tours I’d personally look at first depending on the kind of day you want — snorkeling, turtles, relaxed catamaran atmosphere, smaller groups, or simply spending as much time as possible in Anguilla’s ridiculously clear water.
And because vacation plans sometimes change, I only selected excursions offering instant confirmation and flexible cancellation policies.
Most popular : Boomerang's best of Anguilla - Swim with turtles
⭐ 4.8 · Recommended by 94% of travelers · 395 reviews
📍 Meeting point: Simpson Bay · ⏱ Approx. 7 hours · From $169
This is usually one of the first Anguilla tours to sell out during high season. And honestly, it makes sense once you see what’s included in a single day.
You’re not just going to one beach or one snorkeling stop. The tour covers multiple places around Anguilla and Prickly Pear, with time to swim, relax, snorkel with turtles, eat, drink, and actually enjoy the day without feeling rushed from one stop to another.
That balance is probably what Boomerang does best.
In a nutshell
→ Swim with turtles around Prickly Pear
→ Multiple beaches & snorkeling stops
→ Open bar + BBQ lunch onboard
→ Excellent “full Caribbean day” experience
Why I recommend this tour
Some catamaran tours are mostly about drinking. Others focus almost entirely on snorkeling. This one sits somewhere nicely in the middle. You get turtles, beautiful beaches, snorkeling, music, food, drinks and enough variety that the day never feels repetitive.
And if you’re hesitating between several Anguilla boat tours, this is probably the safest all-around choice for a first trip. It simply does a lot of things very well.
★★★★★"It was so much fun. We..."
It was so much fun. We saw so many turtles at the first stop, even 2 baby ones. Also saw a small shark and some stingrays. The water was so clear and nice. The food and drinks were great. The staff were amazing and friendly. Such a fun day.
— Nicole_T, Apr 2026, via Viator
Best overall : Prickly Pear catamaran trip — Lunch included
⭐ 4.6 · Recommended by 94% of travelers · 380+ reviews
📍 Meeting point: Simpson Bay · ⏱ Full day · From $135
This is the kind of excursion people book when they want a beautiful Caribbean boat day without turning it into a full expedition.
Two main stops. Plenty of time on the water. Open bar flowing all afternoon. A big catamaran, warm wind, and absolutely no reason to look at your phone for the next few hours.
The first stop is usually Prickly Pear Cay, where the water turns that unreal electric turquoise Anguilla is famous for. Most people spend the next hour swimming, snorkeling, floating around or standing in waist-deep water with a drink in hand wondering if places like this actually exist outside Instagram.
In a nutshell
→ Open bar + BBQ lunch onboard
→ Spacious boat & easy atmosphere
→ Great option if you prefer fewer stops and more relaxation
Why I recommend this tour
Some Anguilla tours try to squeeze too much into one day. This one doesn’t.
And honestly, that’s exactly why many people end up loving it.
You’re not constantly getting back on the boat every 30 minutes trying to “see everything.” The pacing stays relaxed from beginning to end, which makes the whole day feel much more enjoyable.
If your idea of a perfect Anguilla day is more “relaxed Caribbean sailing” than “checklist excursion,” this is probably the tour you’ll naturally prefer.
★★★★★"This is an extremely well..."
This is an extremely well organized crew! The service was exceptional, the food was delicious! We had a windy day and the captain and crew made sure to give us an excellent day, we snorkelled and made our way to Anguilla for a short visit ~ if you wanted. I absolutely would do this tour again! Don’t forget to tip the crew!!!!! They went way above and beyond!
— Jolene_W, Feb 2026, via Viator
Best classic cruise : Anguilla getaway
⭐ 4.8 · Recommended by 95% of travelers · 700 reviews
📍 Meeting point: Simpson Bay · ⏱ Approx. 7 hours · From $149
Some excursions look amazing online… and then completely depend on luck once the day actually starts.
This one doesn’t really have that reputation.
After hundreds and hundreds of reviews, people still come back mentioning the same things: the crew, the atmosphere, the beaches, and how smoothly the entire day flows from beginning to end.
And honestly, that matters more than flashy marketing photos.
This is a powerboat excursion, not a slow catamaran sail, so the rhythm feels a little more dynamic. You move faster between beaches, cover more coastline, and spend the day hopping around Anguilla with music playing, drinks flowing, and salt drying on your skin between swims.
In a nutshell
→ Faster-paced powerboat experience
→ Multiple beach stops around Anguilla
→ Open bar included onboard
→ Snorkeling with turtles possible depending on conditions
→ One of the island’s most consistently reviewed excursions
Why I recommend this tour
Some boat days feel slightly chaotic from the beginning. Too many people. Too many stops. Too much trying to entertain everyone every second.
This one somehow avoids that.
The crew keeps the entire day moving naturally without making it feel “organized” in the annoying touristy way. Beaches, drinks, snorkeling stops, music, lunch… everything just flows.
If you want an Anguilla tour that feels easy, reliable and genuinely enjoyable from beginning to end, this is probably one of the safest choices on the island.
⚠️ Not available for cruise ship passengers
★★★★★"An AMAZING experience!!"
This was an amazing excursion. Junior and Noah took excellent care of us. The tended to every single need in a thoughtful way. I loved going from location to location, instead of them just dropping us off at a beach in Anguilla and returning hours later. This was very engaging, fun and educational. I would absolutely do this again. 10 out of 10.
— Heather_S, Apr 2026, via Viator
Best fun speedboat day: Anguilla in style
⭐ 4.9 · Recommended by 98% of travelers · 263 reviews
📍 Meeting point: Simpson Bay · ⏱ Approx. 6 hours · From $149
The name says “In Style,” but don’t expect a quiet luxury yacht kind of day.
This is more of a fun, fast Anguilla speedboat escape — music, drinks, beach hopping, snorkeling, sandwiches, snacks, and that very simple vacation feeling of being out on the water with nothing complicated to manage.
And honestly, that’s probably why people like it.
The boat is smaller than the big catamarans, so the day feels more direct. You move faster between stops, spend time on beautiful Anguilla beaches, jump in for snorkeling, then get back onboard with music playing and something cold in your hand.
In a nutshell
→ 40–50 ft speedboat experience
→ Around 6 hours on the water
→ Beach hopping around Anguilla
→ Snorkeling possible depending on conditions
→ Sandwiches, snacks & drinks included
→ Fun, casual atmosphere rather than luxury-yacht style
Why I recommend this tour
I’d recommend this one for people who want Anguilla to feel fun and easy, not overly polished.
It’s not the quietest option on the list, and it’s not trying to be the most luxurious either. The appeal is different: a smaller speedboat, good music, clear water, several beautiful stops, and a crew that keeps the day moving without making it feel heavy.
If you want a lively, simple, no-drama Anguilla day trip — with snorkeling, beaches and drinks included — this one makes sense.
★★★★★"So much fun!"
Highly recommend! We had a blast! Amazing vibes, great music, yummy sandwiches, strong liquor. There’s so much to say about this day trip. The captain and co-captain are kind and make sure everyone enjoys. I definitely will be booking again on my next visit.
— Keleisa_Q, May 2026, via Viator
Best private experience: Private speedboat charter to Anguilla
⭐ 5.0 · Recommended by 100% of travelers · 47 reviews
📍 Meeting point: Simpson Bay · ⏱ Flexible private day · From $404
Forty-seven reviews. Every single one five stars.
And honestly, once you understand the experience, that starts making perfect sense.
This doesn’t really feel like a “tour.” It feels more like having your own boat for the day with a captain who knows exactly where to go depending on the weather, the water conditions, or simply what kind of atmosphere your group wants that day.
No strangers onboard, no fixed schedule and no rushing back onto the boat because thirty other people are waiting.
Just your group, open water, Anguilla, and the freedom to let the day unfold naturally.
In a nutshell
→ Completely private speedboat experience
→ Flexible itinerary around Anguilla
→ Swim, snorkel & beach hop at your own pace
→ One of the highest-rated experiences on this list
Why I recommend this tour
Shared catamarans are fun. But private charters create a completely different feeling.
You stop where you want. Stay longer where you want. Change plans depending on the mood, the weather, or how badly nobody wants to leave a particular beach.
And honestly, that flexibility changes everything.
Yes, it costs more than the shared tours. But for birthdays, couples, families, or simply people wanting one unforgettable day during their vacation, this is usually the kind of experience they remember long after they’re back home.
★★★★★"Incredible experience!"
Sam was very responsive the day before our tour, promptly answering our questions, and he was there to meet us as soon as we arrived. There were six of us, and we specifically wanted a private experience to fully enjoy the day without the presence of other groups or children—and this tour delivered exactly that. It was an incredible experience.
— Addie_D, via Viator
What the day actually feels like
The crossing takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the boat. Some days the channel is glassy flat and you barely feel it. Other days it’s a bit choppy — if you’re prone to seasickness, sit towards the back and keep your eyes on the horizon. It passes quickly either way.
The moment the water shifts from deep blue to that impossible turquoise, you understand why people come back.
Most tours make three to five stops throughout the day. You snorkel, you swim, you eat a proper BBQ lunch cooked fresh on board — not packed sandwiches. The open bar runs all day. At some point, you stop checking the time. That’s usually the best sign.
You’ll be back at the marina by late afternoon — just enough time to shower and make it to dinner in Grand Case.
One thing I always tell people: bring your passport, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry bag for your phone.
(If you’re unsure what to pack, I’ve put together a simple guide here.)
Best beaches on an Anguilla day trip
The beaches are the reason people come back. Not the restaurants, not the hotels — the beaches.
Here’s what you’ll actually see on most boat tours.
Shoal Bay East
The one everyone talks about — and it lives up to it. Two miles of white sand, turquoise water so clear you can see the bottom from the boat, and somehow never crowded. The Guardian ranked it among the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world. I’ve been there more times than I can count. It still stops me every time.
If you end up at Shoal Bay — and you will — don’t leave without stopping at Madeariman Restaurant. It’s right there on the sand, feet-in-the-water lunch, Caribbean food, the kind of place where you order one more thing because you’re not ready to leave yet.
I filmed this a long time ago. The beach hasn’t changed. Time flies…
Meads Bay
More elegant, more lively.
Lined with beachfront restaurants and that effortless Anguilla feel — relaxed but refined.
If your tour stops here for lunch, you’re exactly where you want to be.
Rendez vous Bay
The quietest of the three. Long, soft, almost empty.
On a clear day, you can see St Maarten from the shore — close enough to feel familiar, far enough to feel like a proper escape. That contrast is very Anguilla.
How to choose your Anguilla day trip from St Maarten
With a few good options on the table, here’s how to think about it in 30 seconds.
You want the best value shared tour → Prickly Pear Catamaran. Open bar, BBQ lunch, Shoal Bay — everything included from $135.
You want the most stops and the best crew → Boomerang. 4-5 beaches, hand-shaken cocktails, consistently the most talked-about tour on the island. Book early — it sells out 41 days in advance.
You’re traveling as a group or family → Private Speedboat Charter. Your boat, your schedule, your beaches. No strangers, no fixed itinerary.
You’re on a cruise ship → Boomerang — cruise ship friendly, guaranteed return time.
Your budget is tight → Prickly Pear at $135 is the best entry point without compromising on quality.
Anguilla day trip — frequently asked questions
🌊 Looking for more adventures on the water?
→ See all things to do in St Maarten
→ Best catamaran tours in St Maarten
