TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Best off-island day trips?

A few years ago I probably wouldn't ask this question but so much has changed that I think the question is appropriate now. Plus we're staying for two weeks this time so a day trip will be easier to fit into the 'schedule'. We love beaches (hence our love of SXM) and exploring different places.

I have always wanted to go to Anguilla but with the hurricane damage and the recent beach bars fires I am not sure if I if its worth a try.

Saba has always interested my wife and I, but she is much more interested in St. Barts.

What do others think and why?

Never been to Saba but would like to go some time.

St. Barts once and no desire to return.

Anguilla many times and always want to go back. We like the beaches and the very laid back atmosphere.

Over the years we’ve done all three and also St.Kitts/Nevis and while we never over-nighted on StB, we did stays on each of the others. We’ve always talked about going to Statia but in the end, there just hasn’t been the same level of incentives as the other near Islands have offered.

Purely my personal thoughts but IMHO, Anguilla has the most beautiful beaches of the places mentioned with StB a distant second. St.K has decent beaches but we didn’t find any that came close to those of SXM or the other places mentioned, but that said, we’re not fans of black sand beaches, of which StK has a few, and we did think the beaches we experienced on Nevis were lovely. But the vibes were all so different from each other.

If you want to see and be seen, and spend a fortune doing so, StBarts is probably your best choice. Like most everyone else, we went, we saw, and we even went back a few more times but the novelty wore off after the third or fourth trip. I personally enjoyed the old sailcats over and back but DH not so much and once he discovered the plane he ruled out the boats. The arrival and landing on StB are experiences all by themselves. And be prepared to do some serious spending there. Truthfully, the first trip could easily have been our only one but over the years as other friends came to SXM with us, they wanted to go so we did, too.

Anguilla is easy to get to with the AXA ferry running regularly all day long and a few private carriers as well. Again, as far as I’m concerned, AXA has what I consider to be the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean and the costs associated with being there run from reasonable to high end depending on what and where you choose to stay. There’s not a lot of sight-seeing or shopping but beaching and bar-hopping ops abound and the laid-back atmosphere is great.

My personal favorite day-trip, or over-night trip for that matter, is definitely Saba. By boat or by fast ferry depending on your tolerance level, and once again, DH prefers the flight and I didn’t mind the boat. The first time we went we booked a complete day-trip that included r/t transport on the Edge, a bus tour while there with sight-seeing, shopping and photo stops aplenty, and a lovely lunch at the Queen’s Garden Inn. That last was what made us want to return and overnight there. There are zero beaches most of the year but if you snorkel, dive or hike, it’s an incredible daytrip and so different from what you normally find in most of the Caribbean that we’ve explored. And if you want to do some serious limin’ this is the perfect spot to do it and rediscover the joy of just being..........

Thanks Pat. As always you are a wealth of information. Being an aviation buff, part of the allure of StB or Saba is flying over. I have watched YouTube videos of landings there for years. Of course I am also a boat nerd so it's all good.

In honesty, you can’t miss with any of them and the flights to St Bart’s and Saba are both incredible. Flying around those volcanos and then landing in Saba was the experience of a lifetime and the take-off is mind-boggling, and particularly so if you’ve viewed the runway from the hilltops above it. The taxi tours of Saba are great but in honesty, having seen the roads, you couldn’t pay me to drive over there. A taxi tour is really the way to go whereas, on St. Bart’s driving is not a problem but please remember to check your rental car’s gas gage before you leave the lot in it.

I have not been to Saba so can't address that. I suppose St. Bart's is good for one visit, just so you can say you've been there. But since you love beaches, my vote is for Anguilla. Shoal Bay East has the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. It's a little bit of an expensive day, what with ferry fare, taxes, taxis, etc., although nothing like a day at St. Bart's would be. I think Anguilla is worth every penny and always want to go there at least once each time I visit SXM.

Let us know what you decide.

I join with everyone else in recommending Anguilla. It has really come back since the hurricane, of course the beaches have always been wonderful, but they are now better than ever, with Irma depositing large amounts of sand on Shoal Bay east.
You can take the public ferry, $25.00 per person - runs every 45 minutes, a private shuttle from the airport $65.00 pp around 30 minutes, or, you can fly on Anguilla Air Service $100 pp one way, 8 minutes up and down. Be sure to take your passport.
I recommend the public ferry, when you dock, there will be taxi's, tell them you want to go to Shoal Bay EAST, to Elodias. Elodias has chairs, umbrellas, 10.00 per set, plus showers, beach towels, snorkel equipment etc. They also have a good little restaurant with good prices and service, but you are not obliged to eat there. You can rent your chairs and walk down the beach to other places if you are so inclined. Tell the driver what time you want to be picked up for the return, I suggest 3:30pm. On the way back, if it looks as if you have enough time, tell him you would like to see Rendezvous Bay and Meads Bay just a drive by to get the feel of the beaches and the island.
Saturdays are a busy day on the ferry as the locals go back and for to do shopping. Carnival starts August 2, and boats will be busy then too, but Shoal Bay East will not be over run with people.
Happy planning.

Anguilla was one of our day trips when we first started going to SXM. The beach on Shoal Bay East is to die for, you will never want to leave!! It is WELL worth all the steps you have to take to get there as outlined by Ellen. Elodia's has very good food as do some of the other beach restaurants. Snorkeling is just off the beach. Have a great time!!

I would go with Elodia's also. Years ago I would have suggested Uncle Ernie's but since he passed (and the drunk constantly hanging around) it went downhill. Nice selection of food and not bad prices. They rent chairs but we always use Raymond of Skyline Rentals. He has a shack behind Uncle Ernie's and he will take care of you. They places are next door to each other.

My response is pretty much the same as Rural Carrier.

I love Shoals bay iand usually make 1 trip each visit taking the boat out of Marigot. It was great fun in the old days, when Uncle Ernie would sit and tell you stories and Pressure King was there to rent chairs and tell different type of stories. I go for the beach as I think that it is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean.

I have been to St Bart twice. The catamaran ride over was choppy, but great fun in our younger days. But, we made our own fun by renting 4 jeeps (5 couples) and going up the hill and backing all the way down as there did not seem to be any place to turn around. That was in our younger days and we would never do that now. As I remember or certainly back then, they were not that friendly. Maybe things have changed for the better--don't know and don't see a reason to try to find out.

I also recommend Anguilla. Shoal Bay East has been on the Most Beautiful Beach in the World list many times. We have gone since the early 1990's and stayed many times.

Just go to Shoal Bay East and relax. Lot's of little places to eat.
The bar that burned down, Johnno's, was on Sandy Ground, not on Shoal Bay East.
Also loved Johnno's.

Cheers

Maranjo,

That’s a small part of why St. Barts lost most of its appeal. To us anyway. Coming from SXM where the people tend to be so pleasant and friendly, we felt the welcome and warmth of the StB people was seriously lacking. The ‘attitude’ was all too evident all too often. None of that on AXA or Saba, or none that we ever experienced over many trips.

Ellen,

Are those boat prices round trip or one way? RT they’re not too bad but if the ferry is $25.00 ONE WAY, it starts to become a very expensive daytrip, particularly for a family. I remember when it was just a couple dollars each way and we used to take our girls (and usually a friend each) over for the day. It can become an expensive family day by the time you figure in the ferry, departure taxes on both sides, the taxi to Shoal and then chairs, lunch and drinks but those very beautiful beaches just need to be seen and enjoyed, for sure.

Given the option of AXA or StB, I’d opt for Anguilla in a heartbeat, but again, IMHO, AXA is mostly about the beaches and for a totally different and ‘off the beach’ kind of day, I’d choose Saba anyday for its absolute beauty.

Hi Pat, all prices are one way, and yes, it can get very expensive with all the fees.
It's a great little island, but of late has been plagued with seaweed on some of the beaches, leaving them less than pristine.
Ellen

Ah, the dreaded Sargasso seaweed. Some things in life we can control but sadly, this isn’t one of them. The seaweed has been plaguing some of SXM’s most popular beaches, too, but if you’re willing to drive around a bit you can generally find one that isn’t besieged by it.

Hope all is good with you. It’s been a while.......😊😊

pat,

The last time I took the public ferry it was $15 each way plus+taxes. Looks to be $20+ taxes ($25) now and Anguilla levies an additional departure tax from what I recall. It has been 3 years since I last went to Anguilla. We also like the GB Express but they got to be REALLY expensive.

I loved the GB Express and it’s owners but in all honesty, they priced themselves out of My league a year or two back. As much as I love their service, if I’m doing a daytrip i’ll take the Marigot ferry or perhaps the ‘new?’ Airport connection. Does anyone know what the departure fee for that is? Both islands are putting a real damper on daytrippers with their departure fees but that's just a personal opinion.

I Love SABA. Its the most unique of the surrounding Islands and its like going back in time. The locals are incredibly friendly and its breathtaking! the island is all up hill - literally and its best known for snorkeling/scuba diving and hiking. If your looking for beaches - its not the island. Anguilla is of course the best known for its beaches and a must if you have not been. I would just check on how they are doing with Hurricane recovery and what beaches best suit you. Friends just came off island and told me it was still rather bleak but that the restaurants were running and ok. St Barths is a great island and from family just there, have been told it has bounced back post Irma very well. As everyone knows, its famous for its exclusivity but there are great restaurants and shops and depending on when your there, its a bit of a party scene. Im not sure if I suggest it as a day trip - I suggest spending a few days there to get the full flavor.

Agreed, dmwieser - Saba is in a class all its own and really can't be compared to the other near islands.

But as much as I love it there, I would add the caveat that it's definitely not for everyone, particularly if they absolutely NEED a beach opportunity and personally speaking, anymore than four nights and almost five full days there and I'd go a little stir crazy, much as I love it. There's only so much r and r I can take, even in a spot as beautiful as Saba.

Anguilla

Hi Pat, I am hanging in there, thanks The boats that are again leaving from the airport are the shuttles GB, Calypso, Funtime, they all run around $55-65 one way, I no longer think that is a bargain when Anguilla Air Service can be had for 100.00 one way per person. 8 minutes up and down and very nice reception at the airport.
We have never ventured off island, no desire to go anywhere else, but I do think for those wanting to day trip from SXM, it is the ideal spot for around $200-250 all in - including ferry 50pp round trip, taxi 50, fee's I think are 5.00 per person for daytrippers and then whatever you would spend on lunch, drinks, umbrellas, chairs.
Happy planning to all.
Ellen

My recollection of costs from a trip over in June:

SXM departure fee - $5
Marigot ferry - $20 (or perhaps $25, can't remember)
Taxi to Madeariman - $26 plus tip
AXA departure fee - $8

Ferry and taxi - x 2

Add chair rental and lunch.

Can't wait to do it again in November.

Totallly Agree Pat!! As I said in my suggestions, if your looking for beaches, SABA will not be for you. And yes, its also remote so if your looking for anything other than beauty, views, and quiet, its not going to be a good fit. I say Anguilla is the smart choice for anyone looking for a day destination with beautiful beaches in the equation.

Ok, so consensus is clearly AXA. So, who's the best Blowing Point taxi driver?

They are all lined up in a row, you get the one the taxi dispatcher assigns to you. I don't think one is any better than the other, fares are by zone. You could reserve Maurice's taxi in advance, but I would not restrict myself to a time limit. Just take the public ferry and take the taxi that is assigned to you. In most cases, that driver will not ask for payment, preferring to be paid at the end of the day when he picks you up.
Happy planning.

I would suggest "Toppy" We have used him several times and he has never disappointed. I think just about anyone would be good but we know first-hand he is good. Ask when you get there but a couple of numbers I have are 264-772-0973 and 264-235-6335

This thread/posts has sold me on a daytrip to Anguilla on our trip this winter.