We are spending 4 days on Anguilla to start off our vacation and 2 days on the French side of SXM..My question for seasoned travelers, should we take the public ferry from Marigot...take taxi from airport...travel time or, is it more convenient to just cross the street and take the semi/private boat over? My traveling companion is not that fond of boats so I also need to make it as comfortable for her as possible. Second, since we are just bringing carry on, is there a place near either ferry terminals on SXM to purchase sunscreen?

It's probably a lot less expensive, even allowing for the taxi to Marigot, to go from there, but I far prefer the airport service myself at whatever the cost. We usually do GB Express and appreciate their service but they are definitely much more expensive.

Not certain, but I don't tecall anyplace close to the Dutchside ferry dock to buy sunscreen but I know you could easily get it in Marigot or along the way. Safe travels.....

Glad you are heading back.

If money is not a major concern, I would take one of the ferries across from the airport. GB Express is who we have used. Probably any of the little stores at the airport might have some sunscreen so I would check there first. I have taken both the public ferry and GB Express and if there is any issue with boats I think the GB is the better option.

Looks like GB Express has added some new boats also.

Have fun!

You can buy sunscreen at the airport at Dutch Delight convenience store. It is to your left after you leave the baggage area, across from the food court.

We have done GB but found they do not always run on schedule if they have guests they are waiting for. They cost more than the public ferry. You can leave the airport, get right into a taxi that will take you to Marigot. I believe the ferries run every half hour or so. We now just use the public ferry. I am not a fan of boats but in my opinion they are both about the same. Depends on the sea that day, not the captain. I was really nervous with GB but they were great with making me feel calm. I have been nervous with public ferries too but hubby (a boater) says it is the ocean not the captain. He has always felt comfortable with the boats we ride on. Also in my opinion (for next time) you will want to visit St Martin first, then Anguilla. (We have done it both ways!) Anguilla is a nice relaxation after the activity and fun of SXM!

A couple of issues some people have with the public ferries is the crowding of some of the boats, the interior condition and the diesel smell. If you are on one of the nicer/newer ferries it can be a big difference versus one of the older ones with old airplane seats bolted in.

We have used GB 3 times and never left more than a couple of minutes off the scheduled time.

I have used both and only had a problem one time and that was with the public ferry (no reservations as it is first come/first served). A large number of people were heading to SXM for a gathering of some sorts and we just about did not get on and it was the last ferry.

Either way will usually get you there and back but I personally like the convenience of GB since we stay in Simpson Bay. The idea of a reservation is not bad either, just in case.

Lots of good advice. We have taken both and prefer GB express vs the Marigot ferry - kind of like a private taxi service and you get a mini tour of the lagoon.
Having said that, my impression is the return is the slightly better trip in terms of sea conditions.
Given you are landing on the Dutch side, but spending your 2 days on the Fr side I would be inclinded to take GB [or Link] to Anguilla and the public ferry back
GB will want a reservation, while the ferry is 1st come 1st served, so coming back your time to cross is up to you based on how your day is going

The Anguilla ferry times can be found on line - or you can check when you arrive
This way you get to try both!

Buy sunscreen on SXM, nothing at the Anguilla dock, but if you are taking a cab on Anguilla, the driver could stop at a store

Let us know how the trip goes, we have thought of splittling our trip on both islands

J&B

Another alternative, don't leave the terminal, and catch a 10 minute flight over to Anguilla, and avoid questionable seas! Just booked flights over, and only $110 / person, each way. Pick up a rental when you get there at the airport.

You were lucky that GB left on time for you!! And with most people that is probably the case. However we had to wait a long time at the airport (they were waiting for others and for departure. (We left over 45min late as they were waiting for more people they knew) So you just never know! We have never had a problem getting a seat on the public ferry. They seem to count it out just right! But weekends can be busy as locals go back and forth between the islands. My husband is very sensitive to diesel and I tend to get motion sick as well but have never had an issue with the smell on the boats. The boats now are nice- one even had a movie playing while we crossed! We have had plenty of room and for the price we are more than happy. Some say it is easier with GB but we didn't find that the case either. They took our passports and we had to keep asking for them back, not sure why it took so long. In Marigot they check your passport, write the number down and you get it right back. Very easy to get checked in, then have a drink while you wait for the ferry. We usually fill out our immigration paper while waiting. On the GB we had to have all of that done before the boat left the dock. For some using GB will save them a taxi to Marigot but the ride is very quick over the new bridge and you get a quick tour of Marigot- enough for us. Another consideration is that GB takes a deposit to reserve your spot. If something happens and you don't make the boat you loose money. That also happened to us because we had a change of plans. That doesn't happen with the public ferry because you pay as you go. We travel on a budget and while GB is maybe more convenient as far as proximity to the airport, Marigot isn't that far out of the way and we like having the "extra" money to use for meals/drinks! With all this said, again the people at GB were VERY nice especially in dealing with my motion sickness/nervousness. (I found that I do better on a bigger boat than the small motor boat.) The bottom line is that both options will get you to Anguilla!!

And that is why we all have choices and what works best for one might not be best for another. I am pretty sure almost all of us travel to SXM and/or Anguilla on a budget. Convenience and comfort come at a price and only the individuals involved can make their personal financial decisions as to what fits their budget.

I will disagree though with GB and the deposit thing. We had a situation where we had 5 people booked. Two of the people had to leave SXM suddenly due to a death. They not only did not charge them they gave the other 3 of us the option to cancel without penalty and no charge at all if we did not want to go to Anguilla. We simply told them what happened and they were understanding but it was not a case of us changing plans.

Both GB (and other private ferries) along with the public ferry are viable options but what is the "best" is an individual decision.

Your circumstance for cancelling was due to a death....they were kind. Our situation was that we had to change our plans and were charged half the fare. People need to be informed and know. Great to have a reservation but if things change, know what the company's policy is!

I give up.

You had a bad experience. Not everybody does or they would not stay in business or increase their fleet.

Did you know ahead of time what the cancellation policy was? I did as it was clearly stated on their site and the confirmation we received upon booking. It is clearly stated there now. GB also did not have to offer the 3 people not impacted by the death any option to change but they did. Guess what, we went anyhow as we committed to go, just like you did.

Anyone running a business has a right to set policy and the customer has the option to accept or go elsewhere. It is also up to the customer to be informed. They likely turned other business away due to having YOUR reservation.

A voluntary change of plans on your part is not their problem.

From their current site:

Cancellations to a reservation are subject to the following terms: There is no penalty if your reservation is cancelled up to 21 days prior to your trip. A 20% cancellation fee will apply if you cancel up to 14 days prior to your trip. A 50% cancellation fee will apply if you cancel up to 7 days prior to your trip. A 100% cancellation fee will apply if you cancel up to 6 days prior to your trip or if your party is a “No Show”.

I'm not saying that you did expect to in this instance, but I don't think people should EVER expect to be able to cancel with no penalty. Not aimed at you in particular, but this is one of my pet peeves. To ME, I can't really see that much wrong with them charging a cancellation fee in your instance. We have run enough TTOL parties over the years, to know that people change their plans on island ALL the time. If people don't show up for a party, it's not normally a huge deal, other than if the proprietor has made a bunch of free snacks, or blocked off a section of a restaurant for them, but it is still an inconvenience for the business owner. That's totally understandable that people change their plans, as people who are on vacation don't want to be locked into a schedule like they are at home. The problem is, from a business-person's standpoint on island, they have to have some semblance of knowing what they are doing when and if they let everyone cancel for no money, and then they can't re-sell the seat, then they just lose money. And even in the circumstance where you don't have to give your credit card to make a reservation, if your plans change and you can't keep the reservation, I think people need to notify the business as soon as possible. Again, not aimed at you in particular, just this is a situation which I see all the time and the island business really is stuck either way they go.

Interesting, Laurel.

We had a bad experience with our first GB Express trip but it was nothing to do with them. I'm guessing, and I might well be wrong, that a lot of people change their plans, some ending up as no-shows and possibly even without cancelling, and that is probably why they don't generally make refunds and do take advanced reservations and deposits. All my paperwork from them did state the no refunds policy though they might have changed that by the time you used them.

We made our reservation for our first r/t with GBE from home and I brought the confirmation and all the correspondence with me to SXM. The day we were to cross, we went to the place they told us to meet the boat at Simpson Bay (that would be the one before when they picked you up at the Police pier or where they do today....) We saw no sign of the boat, the captain or any office or desk. There was another boat charter company there and I asked them if they knew anything about GB Express and after reading ALL my correspondence, they told me they were actually supposed to take us on their boat. Had I anticipated any problems prior to our departure day I would have called GBE but hindsight being what it is, and coupled with the fact we had no island cell phone back then, we went with the other boat believing what they told us.

We contacted GBE on our arrival at AXA and they were more than a little upset with us because, in their mindset, we were no shows at the SXM pier - I guess it doesn't always pay to be a little early? They told us we would be charged the agreed upon full charge to our cc. And technically, they were right, more or less.

As it turns out, we were scammed by the other company and being fairly easy going people, we accepted their story along with the fact it was as much our fault for not questioning the other boat company more seriously.

Still, when I got back to CT and received my credit card bill from the trip, I sent an email to the owner, Mr. Wagner at the time, and explained the whole situation to him since I'd never spoken directly to him while on either island, and he did in fact refund the charge that was made by him for the one way passage we never took on his boat. And the thing is, he couldn't have been any nicer about it once he got the clear picture of what had happened to us.

As for the Marigot ferries being smelly, OMGoodness, they used to be horrible and I always tried to snag an outside seat if I could. I cant really say what they're like today because I prefer the ease and convenience of GBE. But as we all know, we each have to do what works for us, and I'm sure the OP will be happy with whatever they choose to do.

In all honesty, after reading about the flight over, if I were traveling with any luggage at all, I'm thinking I'd probably take that option these days, even allowing for liking Mr. Wagners fast boats and solicitous service. But wisely, the OP has managed to pack with just carry-ons so all choices are good ones in their case. Bottom line, it's nice to have options as long as you ultimately end up there, right?! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

It is not my plan to get folks upset, just that they need to be aware of the policy of the private ferries. AND yes we were aware! Unfortunately several members of our group got violently ill on a fishing charter the day before so had NO desire to go out on another boat ride anywhere the next day. Yes, we knew that we would loose money. I explained the situation to GB but it didn't matter and although not happy we accepted it. That is their policy! But that isn't the point. I honestly have nothing against the private ferries but sometimes plans have to change. People just need to be aware of cancellation policies when booking. This is mostly the reason we use public ferries now. No commitment if something happens that changes plans!

Pat, you were wonderful with hooking us up with GB! The folks were very nice. But after experiencing the public ferry, we decided that we preferred to travel that way. AND honestly my least favorite thing is the boat ride over. I just want to be there but can't afford the airfare!!

Neutrogena and Aveeno both sell sun lotion in 3 oz. sizes.
I bring that and a sunstick in my carry on and it will get me through the first few days. It will take the pressure off when trying to make connections.

No problem, Laurel, and I'm only sorry it didn't work as well for you as it did for us but in the end we have to do what works best.

I love almost any kind of boats but I have to say, the diesel smell of the fuel does a real number on me. But that's okay because I can usually find an outside seat if it's an issue.

We did the Saba boat, the Edge, one year and many of the people sitting inside the boat and inhaling all the fuel odors were miserable. I know this because some of our family sat inside and almost had to use the white bags they have on board.

You really do need to do what works best for YOU and if it's the ferry or the plane, as long as you're happy in the end....but please, I highly suggest YOU not take the boat to Saba!?... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for all your replies and suggestions. I have been to sxm twice before and stayed on the Dutch side. I loved anguilla during. The day trips we went on and decided this time to spend more time there this trip. Plus, I got a hotel room on skyauction.com for 89.00 night. Since this is a budget trip, ...the public ferry it will be.I week bring my sea bands for her

...and ginger is good for sea sickness also. What about the patch behind the ear thing?
I don't get sea sick and also love all kinds of boats but I have been the recipient of other's misery! LOL
Cheers
irina

On the Marigot ferry - sometimes you cannot stand on deck, you have to sit below
If that happens, our experience is the spray from the waves blows from the north, so when going to Anguilla, the starboard [right facing forward] ports are closed and the port side [left facing forward] ports are open
So if queasy is an issue sit on the port side [left] to get some air

Reverse sides for the trip back to SXM - but in case on deck is the best option if possible. Short trip, 20+ minutes

Remember the ferry is cash
Enjoy
J&B

off topic, but I half-way remember there being a big stash of sunscreen on the Tango to Anguilla in August? or maybe it was the rum?

Could be but that would have nothing to do with either of these options. The Tango or Lambada only do day trips and are not used for transporting people back and forth. They probably have sunscreen for the crew and I am sure the people taking the excursions leave it behind also, probably from the rum!

Just returned from a week in St.Martin and took a catamaran day trip over to Anguilla and saw the nicest most pristine water I have ever seen in my years of traveling...That water is absolutely the clearest calmest water i have ever seen....That beach is a must do when visiting Anguilla!!