The easiest way to get to Anguilla from St.
Martin is to book the one of the sea shuttles. It’s a motorboat service based
right next to the airport on one of the main companies – Fun Time, Link Ferry,
Calypso, or GB Express.
The round trip price for the sea shuttle is
between $40-60 per person each way. This is more expensive than the public
ferry, which is more like $15-20 but saves a lot of time and effort, plus you
don’t have to take a taxi to the other side of the island, which costs money.
To book, reach out to your reservations
contact at the hotel (including Malliouhana, Anacaona, and Carimar, and
probably just about any other place you stay) and send them your flight
information. They will book you on the boat both ways based on your flight and
will include it on your room bill.
Here’s how it works when you land: You’ll go
through customs in St. Martin then move through to get your bags. You’ll then
exit customs where you’ll see someone holding the sign for your hotel or the sea
shuttle company you’ve been booked on. Go to that person, tell them your name,
and they will put you in a van that will take you on a two minute ride to the
ferry terminal that’s just across the road from the airport.
Since our wedding, they have built a St.
Martin customs office at the ferry dock where you go in and wait (in AC!)
while they check your passport and your ferry arrives. In case you are thirsty,
there is a small bar just in front of the ferry building. There can be a bit of
a wait depending on sea conditions and ferry delays. Once you get to the ferry
terminal, they handle your bags and get them on your boat. We’ve never had any
issue but always a good idea to make sure you see it on the boat you get on.
Then you take the 20-minute ride over to
Anguilla, on which you’ll be offered water, beer, or sometimes rum punch. Have
a drink! You’ll go through customs there as well then exit the building where:
- If staying at Malliouhana, look for a person holding the Malliouhana sign, and they will guide you to a taxi once the porter brings your bags. Hop in the taxi and it’s a 10-15 minute ride to your hotel.
- If staying a Carimar or Anacaona, get your bags from the porter, then grab a taxi from the line waiting at the ferry terminal. It’s a 10-15 minute ride to your hotel.
Insider Tips:
- Always good to have small bills on hand as you’ll want to tip the porters and taxi drivers both ways. If staying at Carimar or Anacaona, you’ll need to pay cash for the taxi as well, which should be around $20-25.
- Try to sit near the back of the boat so you can get off first and avoid the customs line in Anguilla.
- DJ’s Insider Tip: Wear those pants that you can unzip the bottom of the legs. Much comfort once you get to the heat.
- Korinne’s Insider Tip: Don’t wear shants! They are for lame old dudes, apparently like my husband.
More Affordable Ferry Option
For a more affordable option, you can also
take the public ferry to Anguilla. We haven’t done this since our first trip to
the island in 2008, but here’s how it works:
