TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin day trip to Anguilla

I will be visiting at the end of the month and would like to take a day trip to Anguilla. It's will be myself, husband and toddler. We are staying in Philipsburg, but I've read that the public ferry leaves from Marigot. Is there free parking at the port? I can't find an official website with information, but from what I've gathered it's $40pp round trip and children under 2 are free. Correct? I'm thinking about renting a car (from Andy) in Anguilla for the day, but with an almost 2-year-old, I'm really wondering how much beach hoping we're going to be able to do. Would it just be better to take a cab to Shoal or Rendezvous and just stay put for the day? This is my first trip of this nature with my child. Any advice?

There is free public parking for the ferry. The earlier you arrive, the better/closer you will find parking. Here is a link with some information.

There was talk about raising the public ferry price but not sure if that has happened yet.

I would suggest just getting a cab at the ferry terminal. There is a dispatcher there and prices are pretty much fixed. You could do an hour or so tour with a driver then be dropped at a beach for a few hours. I prefer Shoal Bay but there is not a bad beach on Anguilla. Make arrangements with the same driver to pick you up at your desired time and usually payment is not made until you are picked up.

dmarie,

Over the years we've done this trip many, many times with all age groups and I would say ruralcarrier is spot on with his suggestions. There is also a public ferry from Simpson Bay Area almost directly across from the airport which, with a small child, might be more doable for you but unfortunately I have no details beyond its existence. Whatever you do, DONT FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORTS as you will need them going both ways. And assuming you take the short cab tour with beach drop off, ask your driver which beach would be best with the little one. Some days the surf does run a little harder than others and he will probably know the best choices for your day. <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 both for your suggestions. Originally I was planning to go to St. Barts, but after reading about the expense and knowing we are not going to shop, Anguilla seemed to make more sense. I just don't know what to expect with my son. Hopefully he won't be bothered by the ferry ride, but I have no idea so I will definitely check out the Simpson Bay port. I'm really just expecting to play in the water and eat. My husband and I may take turns snorkeling--but that's it.

Personally, I would pick Anguilla over St. Barts and especially in your case.

The boat ride may lull your son to sleep. If you go out of Simpson Bay, while more convenient, it is substantially more expensive. We have used GB Express on past trips but you will pay about double the public ferry price. While we like GB Express, you will get more of a "local feel" with taking the public ferry from Marigot.

Regardless of where you depart from, take your passports as pat said and DO NOT leave anything of value in your parked car. This goes for ALL places on the island.

With a 2 year old, I would take the ferry from the airport, yes it's double the cost, but maybe 10-12 people total, and it's quick, more like a large speed boat ride. Parking is next door at the old terminal and it's free. Then just have a taxi driver take you to whatever beach you want, you can also ask them for a quick island tour as well. Just my thoughts. Not dealing with Marigot was most enjoyable!!

I ask because I don't know--would the fare for the 2 year old be the same as an adult fare? If so, you'd be talking over $200, just for the ferry, a somewhat expensive trip, when you add on taxi fare, plus food, etc...

dmarie--have you thought about Pinel as an alternative?

Hi, We day tripped Anguilla this winter - below is a post we made earlier this yr. Note checked my notes and for GB Express, it's $70US for ages 2 - 11

We loved the GB trip vs the Marigot ferry trip, thinking a small child I would take GB. Also we were specifically told no parking at GB or next door at the old terminal, either park at airport or take a cab.

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 with three 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

J&B

Thanks for the detailed info on Great Bay pricing and the other costs, so the OP can decide what is best for her.

John and Bev answered it much better than I did!! I look at it like this, if I do an activity, say Americas Cup pricing for the day is basically the same. Sure a little more, but it's a full day, not a few hours. If we go back next year definitely going out of the airport dock. And we most definitely were able to park next door at the old terminal. That was in Marxh and that's where they told us to park

Thanks for all the responses. A lot to consider. From what I read the public ferry is only 20 minutes--how long is the ride with GB or similar? Also, I'm getting a little confused on the departure tax from Anguilla. Is it $20 or $5?

Carol--we are planning to do Pinel one day as well.

Hi, ferry from Marigot is 20 to 25 minutes. Depart tax from Anguilla in Feb was $13pp. The GB Express was definitely quicker and left on time from SXM and Anguiila. Overall timing depends somewhat where you are starting from. In Feb we were in the maho area, so GB was closer to start with.
It's a cash day vs a cc. Parking next door – check with GB, for early Feb we were told not to park there. Obviously must change month to month. Dont forget passports.
J&B

We have done both public ferry and private- GB ferry. Paperwork entering/ preparing to enter Anguilla is just about the same for both ferries.We were told GB was quicker (because of paperwork) but it really isn't. GB is great and will pick you up at the airport to take you to their boat. They are very friendly. Sadly we had to wait for other passengers, almost an hour before we could leave for Anguilla. The public ferry runs on schedule and is very easy. You park in Marigot or take a taxi up. In Marigot you pay the departure tax($5), get your boarding pass, have your passport checked once more, then wait for the ferry. You pay $20/person cash on board, not sure about babies. Coming back you pay the fee at the counter $20/person, go to the next window for departure tax (over nighters are $23, not sure about day trippers). I wouldn't hesitate to travel with a young child on the boat. As someone who is cautious on the water, it is basically the same ride. With the new bridge the trip to marigot is pretty quick. A ferry trip of 20 min or so and you are in Anguilla!

As a return viistor to Anguilla (many day trips) with a young child I would suggest just going by taxi. The driver will give you a quick tour of the island but with a little one you are probably best doing one beach. (My kids didn't like a lot of transitions!) on Shoal Bay East you can eat, drink, be merry, take turns snorkeling and is very relaxing. I am not sure which other beaches will offer snorkeling.

We are thinking about this one to Anguilla for May 19 for our group of six.
http://www.stmaarten-activities.com/en/activity/35498/tango-to-shoal-bay
Been on the Prickly Pear trip before and thought this sounded great.

I agree with the suggestion of a trip to Pinel if for no other reason than should the child become fussy it's a shorter and less costly trip back to SXM.