Self-Organized Day Trip from Saint Martin to ANGUILLA

A day trip to Anguilla is the easiest excursion you can take from Saint Martin, and if you go self-organized, it’s also the cheapest one.

As I rummage through my bag for my lip balm, a few bills and coins fall into my hands. It’s 23 dollars. However, they’re Eastern Caribbean dollars, a currency valid on eight islands. Converted, my 23 EC$ are about 8.50 US$. Still, something. I’m currently on Saint Martin, where you can pay with various currencies, but the EC$ isn’t one of them.
So what to do?

When I look more closely at the bills, I see that each one represents one or more of the participating islands. There are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
I have two tenner and on them is, beside other motives, the Warspite schooner in Anguilla. As a matter of fact, Anguilla is less than ten kilometers from Saint Martin. Every day I see the island practically within arm’s reach from my beach lounger. That can’t be a coincidence! I think I have no choice but to follow Anguilla’s calling.
Indeed, a day trip to Anguilla is the easiest and cheapest excursion you can take from Saint Martin.
Although it costs more than my 23 EC$, obviously.

Just Another Day in Paradise

And so, one Sunday morning, I made my way to the ferry terminal in Marigot, the capital of the French part of Saint Martin. At the time, I had the advantage of being based in Marigot, so I could simply stroll to the port in fifteen minutes. But it’s also very easy to get to Marigot from other parts of the island – whether by rental car, taxi, or even public bus.

I also wasn’t under any pressure to be at the port at a specific time. The ferries run hourly from early morning until late afternoon.

It was Sunday. I figured the 9:30 ferry was just right – after all, the crossing only took 20 minutes.

But for those 20 minutes, quite a bit of effort is put into the process. We are leaving Saint Martin, hence, an autonomous country. Therefore, a long queue forms at the counters where passports are checked. Also, a departure tax is to be paid. It’s 7 €uros, since we’re on French territory, those are payable in €uros or by credit card. No US$ whatsoever. Then we will make it through security and finally onto the ship.

Travelling in a Tin Can

I am deeply disappointed: The ship isn’t a sleek catamaran with a spacious sun deck. Oh no, it’s a small, enclosed inside cabin from which we can only vaguely glimpse the passing sea through the rather dirty windows. It feels like we are sailing across the ocean in a tin can like sardines.
You get what you pay for, I think.
But I should point out already at this point that very different ship models operate between the islands. On the return trip, I actually get to sit on the open upper deck and feel the wind in my face at sunset.

First, however, the tin can brings me ashore in Anguilla. After a rather flustered woman checks my passport and I confirm that I’m only on the island for a day trip, I’m allowed to set foot on Anguillan soil. I am amazed that this is the only border crossing on my entire trip through the Caribbean where my passport actually gets stamped.
All other border crossings were completely digital.

A Date With Rendezvous Bay

Before my trip, I had of course done some research. Hence, I knew that one of Anguilla’s best beaches, Rendezvous Bay, was supposed to be within walking distance of the port. It wasn’t my stinginess that motivated me to spend the day at this beach. It was rather the feeling of not depending on taxis or the kindness of strangers.
In fact, there are no public buses on Anguilla.
So it wouldn’t really be my kind of island for a longer stay, but that’s just a side note.

I left the harbor behind and turned onto a street with the promising name Rendezvous Road. There, I dodged a herd of goats and walked along the country road in the direction where I expected Rendezvous Bay Beach to be.

It’s not exactly a stone’s throw. Also, the road runs east to west, and I have the sun at my back instead of the trees along the roadside casting shade. When I cautiously check Google Maps to see how far I still have to go, I realize I’m more than halfway there. This gives me a boost, and I march on confidently. As the main road ends, I studiously ignore the Absolutely No Trespassing sign, cross a short forest path, and the bay opens up before me.

A Promise Kept

The crystal-clear water is fringed by a crescent-shaped beach, which, pleasantly, is only partially developed. Most of it is simply a giant expanse of the finest sand. It’s definitely as beautiful as expected.

After my short but extremely sweaty hike in the heat, I treat myself to a lounge chair with a shady parasol at the Coral Club and order a Coke from the predictably rather pricey menu.
This is the life.

Before I make it back to the jetty, I pay for the chair, parasol, and drink as planned with my 23 EC$.

A Few Words About Anguilla

Like most other Caribbean islands, Anguilla was inhabited by indigenous peoples before the arrival of European conquerors, particularly the Arawak and later the Caribs.

The first documented European sighting is attributed to Christopher Columbus, obviously. In 1493, on his second voyage to the Caribbean, he didn’t actually land on the island, but he did include it on his maps. The island was named for its elongated, serpentine shape Anguilla as in Latin for eel.

The first colonists, predominantly British, arrived from Saint Kitts in 1650. They established small plantations and began farming, primarily sugarcane. African slaves were brought to work on the plantations, and their descendants strongly influence the present-day population.

Politically, Anguilla was long allied with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Following the so-called Anguilla Rebellion of 1967, the island was officially separated from Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1980 and granted the status of a British Overseas Territory. To this day, Anguilla belongs to the British Commonwealth of Nations. The approximately 16,000 inhabitants are predominantly of African descent.

Why Visit?

A visit to Anguilla is particularly worthwhile for those seeking Caribbean beauty without the crowds of mass tourism. The island is renowned for its idyllic beaches with fine white sand and clear water. Water sports enthusiasts find excellent snorkeling and diving conditions, while those seeking tranquility can savor secluded coves and tranquil lagoons.

Anguilla also boasts a diverse culinary scene, with international gourmet restaurants catering to every palate. Overall, the island is a perfect destination for relaxation, honeymoons, or luxury holidays in rather relaxed, almost inactive yet very exclusive surroundings.

There’s More

Anguilla is the easiest, but by no means the only, day trip you can take to one of the surrounding islands. In total, you can visit a handful of islands on a trip to Saint Martin: besides Saint Martin itself, and, obviously, Anguilla, there are also Saint Barthélemy, Saba, Saint Eustatius.

Ferries to Saint Barthélemy aka Saint Barth depart from both Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg on the Dutch side and from Marigot on the French side. The crossing takes about 45 minutes and costs 75 US$ one way and 120 US$ round trip. Day-trip tickets are available for 90 US$.

The ferry to Saba only departs from Bobby’s Marina, not from Marigot. The trip takes about 90 minutes, and a round trip costs approximately 65 US$ one way and 85 US$ round trip. However, these trips only operate on certain days.

The same ferry that goes to Saba also serves Saint Eustatius aka Statia. The journey takes about 75 minutes and costs 65 US$ one way and 85 US$ round trip.

Generally speaking, Anguilla and Saint Barth are the easiest destinations for a day trip, Saba is the most spectacular, and Saint Eustatius is the quietest.

Of course, you should verify the above-quoted prices before booking. You also need to factor in departure taxes, which are around 10 US$ each way.

Practical Information

How to Get There And Around

There are direct flights from the USA and occasionally from Canada to Anguilla’s Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport. However, you often have to fly to Saint Martin first and then take a connecting flight or ferry to Anguilla.

Unlike larger Caribbean islands such as Saint Martin or Barbados, Anguilla is geared more towards exclusive, smaller cruises. Shorter, luxury Caribbean itineraries are more likely to visit the island than standard cruise ships. The main port of call is Road Bay, near the capital called The Valley, where smaller cruise ships can dock. Larger ships often have to anchor offshore, and passengers are brought ashore by tender boat.

Once on the island, you’ll need to rely on rental cars, scooters, or taxis, as there is no public transportation.

Visiting Organized

In this post, I’ll show you how to easily and relatively cheaply visit Anguilla from Saint Martin. Of course, this isn’t the most luxurious way. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can book complete packages that include a modern catamaran. Snorkeling stops are included, and lunch is usually part of the package. So, if you’d prefer less hassle and don’t mind paying a bit more, these are certainly great alternatives*:

Where to Go And Where to Stay

Anguilla primarily attracts visitors who want an exclusive and therefore very expensive vacation. As a result, most accommodations are luxurious resorts or spacious vacation villas, often right on the beach. You can use this map to find accommodations that match your needs and budget*:

Also, I marked the ferry terminal, Rendezvous Bay Beach, as well as The Coral Club that I visited on my day trip, for better orientation.

What to Eat

Food in Anguilla is defined less by a single culinary identity and more by contrast within a very small space. On one side, you’ll find highly polished waterfront restaurants that focus on refined seafood cuisine. Lobster, snapper, and conch are served in carefully designed open-air settings where pacing and location matter as much as the food itself.

On the other side, there’s a strong culture of informal beach bars and grills, where the experience is simpler and more social, built around grilled fish, jerk-style meats, rum drinks, and an easygoing rhythm that makes these places feel like daily gathering spots rather than destination dining.

Either way, prices are significantly higher than, for instance, in Saint Martin.

Cash and Cards

The Eastern Caribbean Dollar, abbreviated XCD or EC$, is the common currency of several island nations in the Eastern Caribbean. It is issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and is the official currency of eight territories, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The EC$ was introduced in its current form in 1983 and is pegged to the US$ at an exchange rate of 1 US$ = 2.70 EC$. Therefore, both currencies are accepted basically everywhere on the islands, and so are all major credit cards.

Language

Anguilla was a British colony, hence, the official language is English. Regardless, the most widely spoken tongue in daily life is Leeward Caribbean Creole. It has a unique rhythm, pronunciation, and slang.

Connection and Communication

As a visitor to Anguilla, you essentially have two sensible options for mobile communication: either a local prepaid SIM card or an eSIM solution. Locally, travelers primarily use prepaid plans from the two network operators, Digicel and FLOW. These SIM cards can usually be purchased directly at the airport or in shops on the island. They can be used without a contract and are simply topped up with credit or data packages, allowing you to flexibly pay only for what you actually need. Digicel is often considered particularly widespread and reliable, especially for mobile data and network coverage.

Alternatively, many visitors now opt for an eSIM, provided their smartphone supports it.

On Anguilla, Type A and B electrical outlets are used, the same as those found in the USA. The mains voltage is 110–120 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz. Since most modern chargers have built-in voltage adapters, these differences are usually not a major issue for smartphones, laptops, or cameras. Nevertheless, you should always check whether your devices are suitable for 110–120 volts or support a voltage range of 100–240 volts. Extra caution is advised with devices such as hair dryers or other high-powered electrical appliances, as these can be damaged without a suitable voltage converter. While a simple plug adapter is often sufficient for the shape of the plugs, it does not replace a voltage converter.

By the way, you’ll find comprehensive travel info in my post World’s Most Complete Travel Information – an indispensable globetrotter classic.

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