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Prickly Pear Catamaran
Best overall — open bar, BBQ lunch, Shoal Bay, and an easy full-day rhythm.
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Anguilla day trip from St Maarten
Only 20 minutes from St Maarten by boat — and somehow, it feels worlds away.
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.
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.
Quick answer
Want a quick answer? These are the three Anguilla day trips I would look at first, depending on how you want the day to feel.
Photos: Boomerang
Most popular pick
This is usually one of the first Anguilla tours to sell out in high season, and it makes sense once you see the day: not one beach or one snorkeling stop, but multiple spots around Anguilla and Prickly Pear, with time to swim, snorkel with turtles, eat and drink without feeling rushed from one stop to the next.
Travelers who want variety, energy, snorkeling and several stops.
Open bar, BBQ lunch, turtle swim and a Caribbean-style boat day.
“It was so much fun. We saw so many turtles at the first stop, even 2 baby ones. The food and drinks were great. The staff were amazing and friendly. Such a fun day.”
— Nicole_T, Apr 2026, via ViatorPhotos: Aqua Mania
Best overall pick
This is the kind of excursion people book when they want a beautiful Caribbean boat day without turning it into a full expedition — relaxed, scenic and easy. Plenty of time on the water, an open bar, lunch on board, and the main stop at Prickly Pear Cay, where the water has that almost unreal Anguilla blue everyone comes for.
Travelers who want a relaxed catamaran day rather than a rushed checklist tour.
Open bar, BBQ lunch on board, snorkeling and a beach stop around Prickly Pear.
“This is an extremely well organized crew. The service was exceptional, the food was delicious, and everyone on board had a wonderful day. A beautiful catamaran day with great stops, drinks, lunch and Caribbean views.”
— Joanne_M, via ViatorPhotos: Billy Bones Charters
Best classic cruise
Some excursions look amazing online, then depend a lot on luck once the day starts. This one doesn’t have that reputation. After hundreds of reviews, people keep mentioning the same things: the crew, the atmosphere, the beaches, and how smoothly the day flows. It’s a powerboat excursion, not a slow catamaran sail — faster between beaches, more coastline, music playing and salt drying on your skin between swims.
Travelers who want an easy, lively and reliable Anguilla boat day.
Open bar, lunch on board and several beach or swim stops around Anguilla.
“This was an amazing excursion. Junior and Noah took excellent care of us. The itinerary was thoughtful, the locations were beautiful, and the whole trip was fun, engaging and easy from start to finish.”
— Heather_S, Apr 2026, via ViatorPhotos: All About Charters
Best fun speedboat day
The name says “in style,” but don’t expect a quiet luxury-yacht day — this is a fun, fast Anguilla speedboat escape: music, drinks, beach hopping, snorkeling, snacks, and that simple vacation feeling of being out on the water with nothing to manage. The boat is smaller than the big catamarans, so the day feels more direct — faster between stops, more time on beautiful beaches.
Travelers who want a lively, simple speedboat day without too much fuss.
Snorkeling, beach stops, sandwiches, snacks, drinks and around 6 hours on the water.
“Highly recommend! We had a blast. Amazing vibes, great music, yummy sandwiches, strong liquor. The captain and co-captain were kind and made sure everyone enjoyed the day.”
— Keleisa_Q, May 2026, via ViatorPhotos: private speedboat operator
Best private experience
Forty-seven reviews, every single one five stars — that already tells you this isn’t the average group excursion. It’s for travelers who want Anguilla on their own terms: no fixed group rhythm, no waiting for strangers, no crowded deck. Your captain plans the route around the weather and what you actually want to do — beaches, snorkeling, quiet coves, beach bars, or simply that perfect patch of turquoise where nobody feels like rushing.
Couples, families or small groups who want a private Anguilla day.
A private speedboat, captain, fuel, snorkeling gear and flexible stops.
“This was by far the best day of our trip. The boat was very comfortable, the captain was professional, and every stop felt perfectly chosen. It was peaceful, flexible, beautiful and exactly what we hoped for.”
— Viator traveler reviewHonest answer
Yes. Very easily, yes.
Especially if you’ve never seen Anguilla before. The beaches there are simply on another level compared to most of the Caribbean — the water around Shoal Bay alone is worth the crossing. I’ve seen plenty of visitors arrive thinking it was “just another island tour” and come back saying it was the highlight of their entire vacation.
And honestly, it’s also one of the easiest day trips you can do from St Maarten. The crossing is short, most tours are fully organized, and the day feels relaxed from beginning to end. You leave in the morning, spend the day sailing, swimming, eating, snorkeling or beach hopping, then you’re back in SXM before dinner.
It feels much bigger than a one-day excursion.
The only thing people tend to regret is waiting too long to reserve the better boats during high season. If Anguilla is high on your list, check availability early — especially from December through April.
Out on the water, far from everything — the perfect setting to surprise someone you love.
FAQ
Yes — without hesitation. It is the excursion I recommend to visitors who have one free day during their stay in St Martin or St Maarten. The crossing is short, and the beaches feel completely different from SXM.
Yes. It is one of the most popular excursions from St Martin and St Maarten. Tours usually depart from Simpson Bay or Philipsburg, cross the Anguilla Channel in about 20 to 30 minutes, and return by late afternoon. Most include beach time, snorkeling stops, open bar, and lunch.
For a relaxed all-around day, Prickly Pear Catamaran is one of the easiest choices, with open bar, BBQ lunch, and beautiful water around Prickly Pear. For a livelier multi-stop day, Boomerang’s swim with turtles tour is usually the better fit.
Choose Prickly Pear if you want a relaxed catamaran day with lunch, open bar, and a slower rhythm. Choose Boomerang if you want more stops, more energy, and a livelier boat atmosphere. Both are strong options; it mostly depends on the kind of day you want.
It depends on the day. The Anguilla Channel can be choppy, especially in the afternoon or on windy days. If you are prone to seasickness, sit toward the back of the boat and keep your eyes on the horizon. The crossing is usually around 20 to 30 minutes.
Yes. Many Anguilla boat tours are family-friendly, especially the catamaran and larger group excursions. The beaches are usually calm and shallow, and snorkel gear is often available in different sizes. Just remember that children also need valid passports.
Yes. Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory and is separate from St Martin and St Maarten. A valid passport is required for all travelers, even for a day trip. Your tour operator will usually check passports before departure.
Group boat tours usually start around the mid-$100s per person, depending on the operator, season, and what is included. Private charters cost significantly more, but they give you your own boat, flexible timing, and a more personal experience.
Book as early as you can during high season, especially between December and April. The most popular boats can fill earlier than people expect. If your vacation dates are already fixed, it is better to secure your preferred tour before arrival.