We’ve lived in Grand Case for over 25 years. We’ve watched hundreds of visitors leave on the morning boats and come back with that same look — slightly sunburned, slightly overwhelmed, already wondering when they can go back. Shoal Bay does that to people. The whole island does that to people.
Chic without being showy. Authentic without trying too hard. It attracts billionaires and celebrities every winter season, but it never lost the quiet, unhurried soul that makes it special. Less jet-set than St Barths, more real and more authentic.
Shoal Bay was recently ranked among the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world by The Guardian. USA Today put two Anguilla beaches in their global top 10. These aren’t random accolades — anyone who’s stood on that sand understands immediately.
One thing we tell every visitor: don’t wait to book. The Boomerang — consistently the most in-demand tour — sells out on average 41 days in advance. December through April, the best boats are gone weeks before people even land at SXM.
If you have one day to spend on a neighboring island, make it Anguilla. We say this to every visitor who asks — and none of them have ever come back disappointed.
Note : This page covers organized boat tours only — catamarans, speedboats and private charters departing from St Maarten. If you’d rather go independently, here’s our guide to the Anguilla ferry from St Maarten.
Shared tours from $135. We’ve picked the ones worth your time.
Want a quick answer? These are the three tours we'd book ourselves.
Yes. And we’d say that even if we weren’t local.
But since we are — here’s the honest version.
Anguilla is not St Maarten. It’s quieter, slower, and somehow even more beautiful. The beaches are in a different category entirely — the sand is finer, the water clearer, the crowds thinner. Shoal Bay East is one of those places that makes you question every beach you’ve ever been to before.
The crossing takes 20 minutes. A well-organized tour handles everything — the boat, the passport check, the snorkeling gear, the rum punch, the BBQ lunch on board. You leave St Maarten in the morning and you’re back in time for dinner in Grand Case.
The only people we’ve seen regret the Anguilla day trip are the ones who didn’t book early enough and missed their preferred tour. Nobody who actually goes comes back disappointed.
Worth it? Without hesitation.
4.6 ⭐ (+380 reviews) – From $135/person
Two stops, one unforgettable day. The catamaran sails from Simpson Bay across the Anguillian Channel to Prickly Pear — a tiny, almost deserted island with turquoise water and coral reef you can snorkel directly from the shore. Then it heads to Meads Bay in Anguilla for a second swim stop before sailing back.
What people consistently mention in their reviews: the crew, the food, and the rum punch. BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, Johnny cakes — served on board with an open bar running all day. It’s an all-inclusive experience that actually delivers on that promise.
The best choice if you want a relaxed, well-organized day with no logistics to think about. Everything is included, the boat is spacious, and the stops are genuinely beautiful.
One thing to know: Bring your passport — you’re crossing into Anguilla, a British territory. It will be checked at departure.
4.8 ⭐ (378 reviews)
· Full day · 4-5 stops · Open bar · BBQ lunch · from $169
This is the tour that keeps selling out — and the one travelers mention most when they say Anguilla was the highlight of their trip.
Four to five stops in one day: snorkeling with sea turtles at Little Bay, Prickly Pear Cay, Shoal Bay, Meads Bay and sometimes Maunday’s Bay. The boat is a fast, stable catamaran — it gets to Anguilla quickly and covers more ground than most tours on the island.
What everyone talks about after this tour — way more than the beaches — is the crew. They’re genuinely fun. Not just professional, actually fun. The kind of people you’d want to spend a day on the water with.
The bar runs all day — hand-shaken signature cocktails — and lunch is a proper BBQ cooked fresh on board while you swim. It costs a little more than the catamaran option. It’s worth it.
One thing to know: The turtle sighting isn’t guaranteed — it depends on conditions. But the beaches, the crew, and the food are consistently exceptional regardless.
4.8 ⭐ (682 reviews)
· Full day · Powerboat · Beach hopping · from $149
682 reviews. 4.8 stars. This tour has been running for years and keeps delivering — which is exactly why it’s on this list.
It’s a powerboat excursion from Simpson Bay — faster and more dynamic than a catamaran, with multiple stops around Anguilla’s most beautiful bays. Beach hopping, snorkeling, swimming, drinks flowing all day. The crew consistently gets mentioned in reviews: knowledgeable, fun, genuinely attentive.
If you want a well-organized, reliable day in Anguilla without overthinking the choice — this is it.
One of the most trusted tours on the island, and the reviews back it up year after year.
4.9 ⭐ (226 reviews) · Full day · Speedboat · 4 stops · from $149
Same price as the Getaway Cruise — but with a 4.9 rating and a very different vibe.
With Anguilla In Style, you feel less like you’re on an organized tour and more like you’re spending the day on the water with friends. Small group, attentive crew, relaxed pace. Four stops including some of Anguilla’s most beautiful beaches — Shoal Bay, Little Bay, Meads Bay, Maunday’s Bay.
Professional without being corporate. Fun without being a party boat. For the price, it’s one of the best days you can spend on the water from St Maarten or St Martin.
5.0 ⭐ (47 reviews) · Private · Flexible itinerary · from $404
Just you and your group. No strangers, no fixed schedule, no compromises. You tell the captain where you want to go — he makes it happen.
This is the tour for a family reunion, a birthday, an anniversary, or anyone who wants Anguilla without sharing it with 30 other people. The captain customizes the itinerary based on conditions and your preferences — beaches, snorkeling, lunch stops, all of it tailored to your day.
It costs significantly more than the group tours. But the reviews speak for themselves — consistently 5 stars, and people describe it as the best day of their entire vacation.
The crossing takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on the boat. Some days it’s glassy flat. Some days it’s choppy — if you’re prone to seasickness, sit at 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 3 to 5 stops across 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 noticing the time. That’s always the best sign.
You’re back at the marina by 4-5pm — enough time to shower and make your dinner reservation in Grand Case.
One thing we always tell people : bring your passport, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry bag for your phone. Everything else is provided.
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.
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. We’ve been there more times than we can count. It still stops us every time.
More elegant, more alive. Lined with beachfront restaurants and the kind of effortless luxury Anguilla does better than anywhere else in the region. If your tour stops here for lunch — you’re in the right place.
The quietest of the three. Long, soft, almost empty. On a clear day you can see St Maarten from the sand — close enough to feel familiar, far enough to feel like you’ve escaped. That contrast is very Anguilla.
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.
Fallen in love with Anguilla?
If your schedule allows an extra night — or you’re already planning a longer stay — Anguilla has some of the most beautiful boutique hotels and private villas in the Caribbean.
I've lived in St Martin for 25 years — and I'm an epicurean at heart, in love with my island. I've been giving out insider tips for almost 15 years.
Let me help you plan your perfect vacation in St Martin / St Maarten!
Fallen in love with Anguilla?
If your schedule allows an extra night — or you’re already planning a longer stay — Anguilla has some of the most beautiful boutique hotels and private villas in the Caribbean.
