Hi, just back from 2 ½ weeks. We went to Anguilla for the day early Feb on a day SXM was to have 5 cruise ships, one of which was the Allure, previous trip was 2013. Went with another couple, one of whom was a little squeamish about the trip so we splurged and took the GB Express. Lovely – 9am or 10 am to and 4:30 or 5:30 back. Leaves from near the airport – you need to book in advance. Not inexpensive, $90 pp rt plus $13 Anguilla depart fee [apparently only the French side from Marigot charges a depart fee from SXM]. About 25 minutes to, but it was exactly 20 minutes back – twin 300hp Yamaha’s. No parking at the Ferry terminal, you either park at the airport and walk or use a cab [which is what we did]
Cabbed to Shoal Bay East – lots of cab options when you get to Anguilla, but we used the cab driver we used before – “Tall Boy” – we reserved with him by email - he knows the island well. He told us when he would be back to get us to the ferry at the time GB said to. Sure enough at the time, a beach boy came by to say Tall Boy was there. Turns out the beach concession person and the lounger person were also related to Tall Boy!
Camped out on Shoal Bay east in front of Madeariman’s – 2 chairs and an umbrella were $10 – the chairs are not associated with any resto
Another beach bar – Hanks?, had a sign no charge for chairs if you eat there
Liked the Madeariman food and free wifi if you ate there – not a basic burger bar, we enjoyed our lunches. Shoal Bay was lovely, walked it end to end.
Gwen’s has moved and was rebuilding up the beach, seemed to serve drinks and had chairs but no food and they were obviously building so not so peaceful if you camped there
Note gigantic house – villa - being built a bit from the beach down from Gwen’s giant observatory pods atop – was told one pod is for a telescope, the other two are bedrooms??
Note, not an inexpensive day, bring dollars – cost per person for a party of 4 - $190 – includes cab to and from the Ferry dock in SXM, GB Express, depart fee, Anguilla cab, lunch and loungers. Had we used the Marigot Ferry, would have been closer to $135pp

You are not on SXM for long - to me I would not go, lots of great suggestions for your limited time - but if on your bucket list, go for it

J&B