Anguilla – Discovery Speed Boat tour

Anguilla’s best sights are reached from the water, and this small-group speedboat trip gives you four good reasons to leave St. Maarten for the day. You’ll swim and snorkel at Sandy Island and Little Bay, eat lunch at Shoal Bay, and pause at Meads Bay before returning. I like the easy mix of beaches, water time, and boat riding. I also like the friendly crews, especially captains and first mates such as Sammy, Lucas, Coco, Nico, and Damian, who keep the day lively while watching out for safety.

The main thing to consider is pace. The planned stops add up to several hours, but some departures have moved quickly from beach to beach. You also need a passport and an extra $25 Anguilla immigration fee, so the real cost is about $174 per person before any other expenses.

Key things to know before you book

• Four Anguilla stops in one day: Sandy Island, Little Bay, Shoal Bay, and Meads Bay give you a broad taste of the island’s beaches and snorkeling spots.
• A small boat matters: With a maximum of 18 people, the boat can reach Sandy Island’s shallow, secluded bay.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect freshly made sandwiches, chips, fruit, and an open bar with rum punch, beer, soda, and other drinks.
• The crew is a major part of the experience: Sammy, Lucas, Coco, Nico, Junior, Damian, and other crew members are praised for music, humor, drink service, and safety reminders.
• Bring your passport and extra money: The $25 immigration charge is not included in the tour price. You may also want cash for purchases on Anguilla.
• This is not a cruise-port excursion: The tour is not available to cruise ship visitors and starts at 9 a.m. in Cole Bay, St. Maarten.

Why this is one of the better ways to see Anguilla from St. Maarten

Anguilla is only about 7 miles, or 11 kilometers, from St. Maarten, but the two islands feel quite different from the water. St. Maarten is busier and more developed. Anguilla is known for pale sand, clear water, and long beaches where the main activity is simply swimming and sitting in the sun.

I like this trip because it removes the hard parts of planning a day across two islands. You do not need to arrange a private boat, work out which beaches to visit, carry snorkeling gear, or find lunch. The crew handles the route, border arrangements, equipment, food, and drinks.

The boat carries no more than 18 people, which is a useful middle ground. It is more social and affordable than hiring a private charter, but it is not a huge ferry packed with people. That smaller size also helps the boat enter Sandy Island’s sheltered bay, where larger vessels may not fit.

The experience is built around water time rather than sightseeing in Anguilla’s towns. You will not tour villages or spend much time shopping. If your idea of Anguilla is a calm beach day with several swims and a fast ride between islands, this fits well. If you want restaurants, museums, local shopping, or a long stay at one beach, choose a land-based tour instead.

Starting in Cole Bay and crossing to Anguilla

The meeting point is at 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, St. Maarten, with a 9 a.m. start. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you will need to arrange your own way there and back. The location is near public transportation, but parking can be difficult, so allow extra time if you are driving.

Bring a current, valid passport. You are crossing into the British island of Anguilla, and the $25 immigration fee is additional. This is an important cost to add before you compare the trip with other boat tours.

The ride itself is part of the fun. A speedboat makes the crossing feel like an outing rather than a simple transfer, though the sea can be choppy. One departure had rougher water after a hurricane passed north of the area, and Dramamine was suggested for people prone to motion sickness. You may want to take your usual preventative medicine before departure if fast boats and open water bother you.

The boat has a canopy, so you can get shade during the ride and between stops. Floating devices are provided, and snorkeling equipment is included. You should still bring swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a dry place for your phone.

Sandy Island: a small first stop with good water access

Sandy Island is a tiny piece of land with a sheltered bay that suits a smaller boat. The stop usually lasts about an hour, giving you time to swim, use the floating devices, and try the snorkeling gear.

This is a strong opening stop because it gets you into the water early. The setting is compact and simple, with little to distract you from the sea. You may find the snorkeling conditions vary, since visibility, wind, and recent weather affect what you see.

The boat crew provides the equipment and helps people get settled in the water. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to take part, but tell the crew if you need a life vest or extra flotation. One captain reminded a non-swimmer to put on a life vest, a small detail that shows why it is worth being clear about your comfort level.

A practical warning: the stop may not offer the sort of full beach facilities you would find at a large resort beach. Treat Sandy Island as a water and swimming stop, not as a place to spend the whole morning.

Little Bay: snorkeling, calm water, and a cliff jump

Little Bay is the most active water stop. You can have a drink, snorkel, swim, soak up the sun, and, if you dare, jump from a cliff. Turtles are sometimes seen here, and other outings have found fish, rays, octopus, lobster, and lionfish in the area.

That wildlife list should not be treated as a promise. The sea is a natural setting, and one outing may produce an excellent snorkel while another sees only a few fish. The same is true of water clarity. Conditions can change from one day to the next.

The cliff jump is optional. You do not need to take part in every activity to enjoy the stop, and floating devices make it easier to relax in the water. I would ask the crew about the safest jumping point rather than copying someone else.

Little Bay can feel like the most playful stop of the day, especially when the crew puts on music and keeps drinks moving. Several crew combinations have been praised for creating a fun atmosphere, including Sammy and Junior, Coco and Nico, and Nicolas and Damian. The exact crew can vary, but the role is consistent: help with water activities, watch the clock, and keep the group comfortable.

Shoal Bay: the postcard beach and lunch stop

Shoal Bay is the main beach stop and usually lasts about 90 minutes. Its bright sand and clear turquoise water are the reason many people make the trip to Anguilla in the first place.

The schedule allows time for a swim, photographs, and lunch. Sandwiches, chips, and fruit are provided, and vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking. You can eat on the beach or on the boat, depending on the crew’s arrangement and your preference.

The lunch is useful because it keeps the day moving. You are not spending part of your limited beach time searching for a restaurant. Still, I suggest carrying some cash. A stop with food service may not accept credit cards, and having cash gives you more flexibility if you want something beyond the included meal.

There is one practical food concern to keep in mind. Sandwiches are prepared early and may sit until lunch, so check that your food is properly chilled before eating it. If you are especially cautious about food in warm weather, bring a snack of your own and ask the crew when lunch will be served.

Shoal Bay is also where the tour can feel rushed. The advertised schedule allows about an hour and a half, but some departures have spent closer to 40 or 45 minutes at individual stops. Ask the crew at the start how the timing looks that day. High tides, wind, and sea conditions can force changes.

Meads Bay: a final swim before the ride home

Meads Bay is the last listed stop and is planned for about 45 minutes. The beach has golden sand and a more polished resort feel than Sandy Island or Little Bay. The water is shallow enough for a relaxed final swim, and the crew may invite you to feed fish in the clear water.

The stop also comes with a bit of celebrity-spotting talk because Meads Bay attracts well-known visitors. I would treat that as background flavor, not the reason to book. The real value is another chance to get in the water before the boat heads back.

Some people feel Meads Bay deserves more time because it is one of the prettiest stops. If the captain changes the route due to tides or weather, you may visit a different beach instead. One outing replaced a planned stop because high tide made the original location unsuitable. That kind of change is normal on a small boat day and is usually better than forcing an unsafe landing.

Food, drinks, shade, and the small-group feel

The $149 price includes an open bar, snorkeling equipment, guide service, floating devices, and lunch. The drinks may include rum punch, beer, and soda. The rum punch has been described as sweet and easy to drink, so pace yourself, especially under the strong Caribbean sun.

An open bar adds real value, but it can also shape the mood. This is a social boat trip, not a quiet private charter. Music may play, the crew may joke with the group, and people often chat between stops. That suits a birthday, family outing, or friends’ day on the water. It may be less appealing if you want a silent, slow cruise.

The canopy is another useful feature. You can enjoy the speedboat without sitting in direct sun for seven hours. Even so, use sunscreen and drink water along with the alcohol.

Safety is handled by the crew, but you remain responsible for making sensible choices. Wear a life vest when instructed, use the provided flotation gear if you are not a confident swimmer, and speak up if the sea feels too rough.

Is $149, plus $25, good value?

The listed price is $149 per person, with the Anguilla immigration fee adding $25. That brings the basic total to $174 per person. For that, you receive a full day on the water, a boat crossing, four beach or snorkeling locations, lunch, gear, and an open bar.

I consider that fair value for someone who wants variety. A private boat would cost much more, while arranging separate transport, snorkeling equipment, food, and beach visits would take extra effort. The small group also gives you a better experience than a large ferry excursion.

The value drops if your priority is long, unhurried beach time. Because some departures have moved through the stops quickly, you may pay for four locations but feel that you only sampled each one. You are paying for access and variety, not a full afternoon at Shoal Bay.

Ask yourself one simple question: do you want to see several Anguilla beaches in one day, or do you want to settle into one beach and forget the clock? This tour is good for the first choice.

Who should book this speedboat day?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors staying in St. Maarten who want a clear taste of Anguilla without handling the transport plan themselves. It also suits families, couples, and groups that enjoy swimming, snorkeling, music, and a friendly boat atmosphere.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age is 18, but drinking is optional and should not be the focus for families. Non-swimmers can use life jackets and noodles, though you should tell the crew about your ability before entering the water.

This is not available to cruise ship visitors. You also need to be comfortable with a fast boat, open water, changing conditions, and a schedule that may shift. People looking for a quiet cultural tour, a long restaurant lunch, or a walk through Anguilla’s towns should choose another experience.

The tour has earned a 4.8 rating from 172 ratings, with 94 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the crew, the beautiful beaches, the comfortable canopy, the steady drink service, and the chance to snorkel at several locations. The main criticism is consistent too: some people wanted more time at each stop.

Final verdict: book it for variety, skip it for a slow beach day

Book this Anguilla speedboat tour if you want a lively, well-organized day with several beautiful water stops and very little planning. The crew, lunch, drinks, equipment, and small boat make the $174 base cost reasonable for a first visit from St. Maarten.

Skip it if you dislike speedboats, motion, group activities, or a schedule that can feel rushed. If you do book, bring your passport, plan for the extra immigration fee, carry some cash and a snack, and ask about the day’s timing before the boat leaves. With those expectations in place, this is a strong way to sample Anguilla in one ambitious day.

FAQ

How much does the Anguilla speedboat tour cost?

The tour costs $149 per person. An additional Anguilla immigration fee of $25 per person is not included.

How long does the tour last?

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

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Sandy Island, Little Bay, Shoal Bay Village, and Meads Bay. The route can change because of weather, tides, or sea conditions.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch includes freshly made sandwiches, chips, and fruit. An open bar is also included. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are included.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel because the tour crosses from St. Maarten to Anguilla.

Can cruise ship visitors book this tour?

No. This activity is not available to cruise ship visitors.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.