We have never visited Anguilla in any of our many visits to St. Martin and are hoping to do so on our next trip (we arrive Saturday). What's the best way to get there? How about transportation once there? Beach and/or restaurant recommendations? Thank you in advance for any responses or suggestions. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

We have been about 6-8 times. We have always used the ferry at Marigot. About a 30 minute trip. I think the total round trip per person is about $35 including taxes. I'm sure someone will correct me on the cost.
We go to Cove Bay - not nearly as crowded as Shoal, and Smokies is a great restaurant.

When we were in Cove bay last week the sea weed was awful. not sure about the other beaches. We took a catamaran trip out of simpson bay resorts aqua mania. It was $100 pp. Included open bar and bbq lunch. It was a lot of fun. We went on the tango. We have also done the ferry. cabs are there when you dock. I suggest shoal bay but no idea what the sea weed situation is there. Have fun. It's a beautiful island.

We were there just a couple weeks ago. We have taken GB Express near the airport and also have done a day trip out of the marina in SXM but we prefer to take the public ferry. Public ferry is $20 a person each way. There is a $5/ person departure tax from SXM, not sure what the tax is to leave Anguilla. We paid $23/person but were staying overnight which is more. There are plenty of taxi drivers who will take you to the beach of your choice. They will also pick you up at a specified time so you can make the ferry back to St.Martin. We took a boat trip one year but were very disappointed. We just wanted to spend our day on Anguilla, not on a boat cruising around. Wish I could remember the name of the boat. Our only
time all day was for lunch for about an hour, no swimming etc on Anguilla. If you do decide on a boat tour, get one that will take you to Shoal Bay East! There is one that goes there and lunch is served at Tropical Sunset. We have seen and talked to the folks many times and everyone seems happy with the trip!

Right now there is a lot of seaweed on the south facing beaches, Cove, Rendezvous, Maundays, Shoal Bay West.
None on Meads or Shoal Bay East.
Take the public ferry, get a cab, go to Shoal Bay East. Set up at Elodias, they rent chairs, umbrellas and even towels. They also have showers.
I think their lunches are outstanding, but walk the beach, and check out the other places.
Tell your driver when to pick you up for your return to the ferry.
Have a great trip.
Ellen

Here is the Meads Bay web cam - this is Viceroy, it does not rent chairs to the public.
Further down the beach Blanchards Beach Shack rents chairs and umbrellas,
Chairs and umbrellas are free with lunch at Ocean Echo, Straw Hat and Jacala.

http://www.earthcam.com/cams/anguilla/meadsbay/?cam=meadsbay_hd

Mead bay and Blanchards is a wonderful choice, great food and crystal clear pristine beach.

I've done the Scoobitoo Catamaran Anguilla Day Trip and thoroughly enjoyed the no-hassle way of seeing Anguilla without worrying about ferry times or car rentals.

http://www.scoobidoo.com/Destinations/anguilla-sail-day.html
They do the Anguilla trips on every Thursday this month except the Third Thursday (21st) where they instead go on a Wednesday (the 20th)

The schedule is usually with three stops on Anguilla
1. Sandy Island
2. Meads Bay near the Malliouhana Resort
3. Maundays Bay near Cap Juluca Hotel

Its $120 all-in and includes lunch (menu on the website - decent selection), snacks and open bar with basic drinks (rum punch, simple mixer cocktails, beer, wine, soda, water etc) and you must bring your passport. My only thought of a downside with that is you don't get a passport stamp from Anguilla. They just need the passport info for their ship's roster.

The boat is pretty big and I've been on cruises with an average 30 people and felt pretty comfortable hanging out between stops. I've also met some great people from all over the world. The boat also provides snorkel gear and has a neat water slide exit to get into the water if you so choose, or you can take their small dinghy to the beaches as well.

Just a thought. I used to do the ferry trips in the past but pretty much stopped after they moved the Pyrat Rum factory to Guyana.

Enjoy the trip!

Agree. ScoobiToo is a great day. We took it out of GCBC and it was easy on easy off. I thought the food was very good for this type of excursion. Only had about 20 people on it. We were waiting for the boat and recognized the people next to us fom OB the couple of days before. Small island, instant friends, good times.
You get to see the island from the water but if you are looking for a little island time, the ferry and a tour would be better.

We plan on doing the Tango to Shoal Bay. 100 each with island time too with three hours on the beach. Food is always good along with the open bar. It's a Tuesday trip. Fun times.

Scuba man, where does Tango leave out of?

Simpson Bay Marina. Aqua Mania runs the boat. Look at www.stmaarten-activities.com

Mucho gracias

Scubaman. We did that last week but stayed in cove bay which was a mistake on our part. Awesome crew though.

We did a day trip in March and initially we planned on doing a catamaran trip, however, the schedules did not work for us. So, we went by ferry from Marigot and hired a taxi and it was so easy. I would definitely do that again as I liked the freedom to choose when I wanted to go and return and where I wanted to go on the island, not to mention choose where I wanted to eat and drink. I am sure the catamaran is great but if you want to do your own thing, it is so easy and you will have no problem getting there or back or getting around the island.

Is Haresh still captain of the Tango? We sure enjoyed doing trips with him during Regatta.

He was as of March.

I saw an ad in the DH the other day, looking for a captain for Aqua Mania, so that's why I wondered.

Anything is possible.

I'll be on their dock Sunday for a Dive. I'll ask around.

I'll be very disappointed if Haresh is not still the captain; I look forward to seeing him every year.

Yes, he is a cool guy, for sure!