Anguilla – Discovery Speed Boat tour

Anguilla’s best feature is its water, and this day trip puts you in it again and again. You’ll speed across from St. Maarten to four striking coastal stops, including tiny Sandy Island, quiet Little Bay, famous Shoal Bay, and polished Meads Bay. I like the small-group boat and the mix of snorkeling, swimming, beach time, lunch, and drinks. The crew, including captains such as Sammy, Nico, Lucas, and Junior, is also praised for keeping the mood easy and safety in view.

The main catch is time. Seven hours sounds generous, but boat travel, border formalities, and several stops can make the day feel brisk. Some outings have allowed a full hour or more at each beach, while others have moved along in about 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll also pay $25 per person for Anguilla immigration, on top of the $149 tour price.

Key points to know before you book

• Four very different Anguilla stops: Snorkel at Sandy Island and Little Bay, eat at Shoal Bay, then finish around Meads Bay.
• Small boat, limited group: The maximum is 18 people, which makes it more personal than a large ferry excursion.
• Open bar and lunch included: Expect freshly made sandwiches, chips, fruit, rum punch, beer, soda, and other drinks.
• Passport required: You must bring a current valid passport and pay the $25 Anguilla immigration fee.
• Best for beach time, not town exploring: This tour focuses on coves, sand, snorkeling, and swimming rather than Anguilla’s villages.
• Weather matters: Rough water can change the route, shorten stops, or send the boat to another beach.

Why this is one of the easiest ways to see Anguilla

Anguilla lies only about 7 miles, or 11 kilometers, from St. Maarten, but arranging a beach-hopping day there on your own takes work. You need to sort out transportation, border requirements, lunch, beach choices, and a way to reach places that are not all connected by a convenient sightseeing route.

This trip bundles those pieces into one outing. You meet at 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay at 9 a.m., board the speedboat, and return to the same meeting point after roughly seven hours. You do not need to plan a taxi between beaches or guess which snorkeling spot is worth your time.

I especially like the scale. With a maximum of 18 people, the boat is small enough for the crew to keep an eye on the group and adjust the day when conditions change. Captains and first mates such as Sammy and Schneider, Nico and Snyder, or Nicolas and Damian have been praised for being friendly, attentive, and careful with less confident swimmers.

This is not a formal sightseeing tour of Anguilla. You will not spend the day walking through island towns or visiting museums. Think of it as a fast, scenic water day with several chances to get wet.

The speedboat crossing from St. Maarten

The boat ride is part of the attraction. You get a quick view of the coast as St. Maarten falls behind and Anguilla comes into sight. A speedboat lets the crew reach small bays that larger vessels cannot enter, especially around Sandy Island.

The ride can also be bouncy. Weather, wind, and recent storms affect the crossing and the comfort of the trip. One account described choppy water after a hurricane had passed north, though the boat still completed the outing. If you are sensitive to motion, consider bringing the seasickness remedy you normally use.

The boat has a canopy, which matters in the strong Caribbean sun. You’ll spend part of the day on the water, and shade gives you a break between swims. Floating devices are supplied, too, so you do not have to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stops.

Safety is handled in a practical way. The crew provides life jackets and can remind you to use one when needed. That is useful at cliff-jumping spots, during rougher water, or anytime you simply want extra support.

Sandy Island, the tiny first stop

Sandy Island is a small, striking sandbar and one of the day’s most unusual stops. Its secluded bay is too tight for some larger boats, so the smaller vessel is a real advantage here.

You’ll have about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The water is the main event. Put on the supplied mask and snorkel, wade in, and look around the shallow areas. Fish sightings depend on nature and water conditions. Some outings have produced turtles and other sea life, while another had very few fish. That unpredictability is part of snorkeling, not a guarantee the crew can control.

The setting is more about simple island beauty than facilities or shopping. If you want a quiet patch of sand, clear water, and a quick swim, this is a strong opening stop. If you prefer a long beach walk or a restaurant nearby, Sandy Island is not that kind of place.

Little Bay brings calm water and a bit of adventure

Little Bay is the more secluded, active stop. You can swim, snorkel, relax with a drink, and, if conditions and your nerve allow, jump from the cliff. The crew may also point out places where turtles appear.

You should treat the cliff jump as optional. This is not a stop where you need to prove anything. The supplied flotation gear and attentive crew make it easier to stay in the water at your own pace, including if you cannot swim well.

The bay’s quiet setting is a welcome change from a busy beach. You’ll have roughly an hour, though the actual timing can shift with weather, water conditions, and the captain’s judgment. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want pictures in the water, but keep your hands free when boarding and moving around the boat.

The open bar is available during the day, but pace yourself. Sun, salt water, and rum punch can catch up with you quickly. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Shoal Bay is the postcard stop

Shoal Bay is the beach most likely to match your mental picture of Anguilla: pale sand, bright water, and a wide stretch of coast made for swimming and photographs. The scheduled stop is about 90 minutes, making it the longest beach visit on paper.

Lunch is served here or on the boat, depending on what you prefer and how the day is running. The meal consists of freshly made sandwiches, chips, and fruit. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

Shoal Bay is where I would spend my time carefully. Do not use the whole stop taking pictures at the shoreline. Swim first, find a comfortable patch of sand, then enjoy lunch with the water in view. The beach is the reason many people choose this excursion, and it deserves more than a quick dash ashore.

There is one practical concern with lunch timing. A report from one outing described sandwiches sitting for several hours before being served, with a warm chicken salad causing concern. That does not mean every departure has the same problem, but it is sensible to ask the crew when lunch will be served and to bring some cash in case you want an alternative food purchase. Do not count on every beach restaurant accepting cards.

Meads Bay closes the beach circuit

Meads Bay is the final listed stop on Anguilla before the return journey. It is known for golden sand, turquoise water, and upscale resorts. You may see fish in the shallow water, and the crew may point out the area’s celebrity connections.

The planned stop lasts about 45 minutes. Some people will find that enough for one last swim and a few photographs. Others may wish this were the longest stop, especially after seeing the beach. One benefit of visiting Meads Bay late is that you already know the rhythm of the day and can get straight into the water.

The route is not rigid. High tides, wind, and sea conditions can make a planned beach difficult or unsafe. In that case, the captain may substitute another beautiful spot. That flexibility is good for safety, but you should not treat every stop and duration as guaranteed.

On some departures, the boat may take a scenic route around St. Maarten on the way back, including views connected with famous beaches and homes. That can be a pleasant bonus, but if you booked mainly for Anguilla beach time, you may prefer longer stops rather than an extra island circuit.

What you get for $149

The listed price is $149 per person, but the real starting cost is $174 once you add the $25 Anguilla immigration fee. That is before any personal purchases.

For that money, you receive:

• The round-trip speedboat journey
• A guide and boat crew
• Four planned coastal stops
• Snorkeling equipment
• Floating devices
• Lunch with sandwiches, chips, and fruit
• An open bar
• Return transport to the St. Maarten meeting point

The value is strongest if you would otherwise spend money arranging separate transport, snorkeling gear, meals, and beach access. The open bar also adds value for people who plan to enjoy drinks throughout the day.

The value is weaker if you want a slow, luxurious beach day with plenty of time at one resort-quality shoreline. Four stops create variety, but they also mean boarding, disembarking, and watching the clock. You are paying for access to several places in one day, not for a long stay at a single beach.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.8 rating from 172 ratings suggest a consistently well-received outing, though the lower scores point to the same real issue: stop lengths can vary, and the day can feel rushed if the boat returns early.

Food, drinks, snorkeling, and comfort

The open bar is one of the trip’s most popular features. Drinks include rum punch, beer, soda, and other beverages, with the crew keeping the service going on and off the boat. Several accounts specifically praised the rum punch and the crew’s attention to keeping everyone supplied.

Drink responsibly. You’ll be exposed to sun, wind, salt water, and boat movement for hours. Water and food should come before a second or third alcoholic drink.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer a familiar fit. Sightings can include turtles, rays, octopus, lobster, lionfish, and smaller reef fish, but the crew cannot promise wildlife. Visibility changes with weather and tide.

The supplied floating devices make the trip more welcoming for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel farther from the boat, while cautious swimmers can stay close and use a noodle or life jacket. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The boat has shade, an important comfort detail. Still, pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a swimsuit, a towel, and a dry change of clothes. Keep valuables to a minimum because you will be moving between boat, beach, and water.

Who should book this day trip

This outing suits you if you want to see several Anguilla beaches without arranging the details yourself. It is particularly good for first-time visitors staying in St. Maarten, families with older children, couples who want a full day on the water, and groups that enjoy music, drinks, swimming, and a social boat atmosphere.

It is also a smart choice if you cannot swim confidently. The crew provides flotation equipment and has been attentive about reminding people to use it. You can still enjoy the scenery, sand, and shallow water without spending the day far from the boat.

You may want another option if you dislike speedboats, motion, loud music, alcohol-centered outings, or changing schedules. It is also a poor fit if your main goal is to explore Anguilla’s villages, shops, restaurants, or local history.

This activity is not available for cruise ship visitors. You need to be staying in St. Maarten with enough time to reach the 9 a.m. meeting point and return there at the end.

Practical details that can save you trouble

Bring a current valid passport. You will need it for the Anguilla crossing, and the $25 immigration fee is not included in the tour price.

The meeting point is 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. Parking can be difficult to locate, so allow extra time rather than arriving just before departure. The location is near public transportation.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. A vegetarian lunch can be arranged if you request it in advance.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of people. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations and changes inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book the Anguilla Discovery Speed Boat tour?

Book it if your ideal Caribbean day means clear water, several beaches, snorkeling, a fast boat ride, sandwiches, and drinks without having to organize the pieces yourself. The crew’s friendly approach, small group size, shade, flotation gear, and flexible routing make this a practical way to sample Anguilla from St. Maarten.

Go in with realistic expectations. You are not booking a leisurely resort day, and the exact amount of time at each beach can change. Add the $25 immigration fee to the price, bring your passport, prepare for a bumpy crossing, and ask about lunch timing.

For a first Anguilla visit, I think the variety is worth the tradeoff. If Shoal Bay or Meads Bay captures you, you may leave wishing for more time, but you will have seen far more of Anguilla’s coast than you could from a single beach stop.

FAQ

How much does the Anguilla Discovery Speed Boat tour cost?

The tour price is $149 per person. Anguilla’s $25 immigration fee per person is not included.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours, starting at 9 a.m. and ending back at the meeting point in St. Maarten.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten.

Is a passport required?

Yes. You must bring a current valid passport on the day of travel.

What beaches and locations does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Sandy Island, Little Bay, Shoal Bay Village, and Meads Bay. Weather and sea conditions can change the route.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes freshly made sandwiches, chips, and fruit. A vegetarian option is available if requested when booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are included.

Can cruise ship visitors join this tour?

No. The activity is not available for cruise ship visitors.