Anguilla – Discovery Speed Boat tour

Beautiful beaches are only seven miles away. The Anguilla Discovery Speed Boat tour gives you a full day of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and drinks without making you arrange island transport yourself. I like the small boat size, capped at 18 people, and the chance to visit four very different coastal stops. I also like that the crew, including captains and first mates such as Sammy, Lucas, Nico, Coco, and Junior, puts real effort into safety and keeping the day lively. The main catch is pace: some departures have felt rushed, and the $25 Anguilla immigration fee is extra.

From the marina at 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, you leave at 9:00 a.m. and return to the same place after roughly seven hours. The turquoise water and striking beaches are the main event, not shopping or sightseeing in Anguilla’s towns. If you want sand, snorkeling, a speedboat ride, and a steady stream of rum punch, this is a strong day out. If you want a slow beach day with long stays at one place, the schedule may test your patience.

Key points to know before booking

• Four coastal stops: Sandy Island, Little Bay, Shoal Bay Village, and Meads Bay give you a broad look at Anguilla’s shoreline.
• Small-group boat: The maximum group size is 18, which keeps the trip more personal than a large ferry excursion.
• Food and drinks included: Sandwiches, chips, fruit, snorkeling equipment, floating devices, and an open bar are part of the price.
• Bring your passport and $25: Anguilla immigration requires a current passport and an additional $25 fee per person.
• Best for water time: You visit beaches and reefs, but you do not go into Anguilla’s towns.
• Weather matters: Rough water can change the route, shorten stops, or lead to a cancellation with a refund or alternate date.

Why this speedboat trip is a good way to see Anguilla

Anguilla sits just 7 miles, or 11 kilometers, from St. Maarten. That close distance makes a boat trip an efficient way to see the island’s famous beaches without spending your day arranging taxis, ferries, restaurants, and beach rentals.

I like the basic idea here: instead of picking one Anguilla beach and staying put, you get several snapshots of the island. The boat ride itself is part of the fun, with open water, quick runs between stops, and views along the coast. The crew also provides a guide, floating devices, snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks, so you can travel light.

This is not a cultural tour. You will not spend time in Anguilla’s villages or browse local shops. The focus is the sea. That makes the trip a good match for you if your ideal island day means swimming in clear water, lying on bright sand, and moving between coves.

The tour has earned a 4.8 rating from 172 ratings, with 94 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the crew, beautiful beaches, comfortable boats with shade, and a relaxed supply of drinks. The less favorable feedback focuses mainly on short beach stops and the extra immigration cost.

Starting in Cole Bay at 9:00 a.m.

You meet at 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. The site is near public transportation, but parking can be difficult, so allow extra time if you are driving.

This experience is not available to cruise ship visitors. That is an important restriction. You need to be staying on St. Maarten and able to reach the meeting point at the appointed time.

A current valid passport is required for the Anguilla crossing. You also pay a $25 immigration fee per person, which is not included in the advertised $149 tour price. That puts the basic cost at $174 per person before any personal spending.

The boat carries no more than 18 people. That is small enough for the crew to keep an eye on everyone, especially during swimming and snorkeling. Several people specifically praised captains and first mates for reminding weaker swimmers to wear life jackets and for checking that everyone felt comfortable.

Sandy Island: a tiny first stop with clear water

The first stop is Sandy Island, a very small island with a secluded bay that larger boats cannot enter. That limitation is part of the appeal. A smaller speedboat can get closer to the quiet water and bring you straight into a swimming and snorkeling setting.

You have about an hour here. The stop is best used in the water, not as a place for a long walk. Floating devices are available, and the crew supplies snorkeling equipment. If you do not swim confidently, tell the crew early and use a life jacket or noodle.

Sandy Island sets the tone for the day: bright water, a compact beach, and time outside rather than a formal tour of buildings or landmarks. Conditions can change the experience. Wind and recent storms may stir the water, and fish sightings are never guaranteed. Some outings have produced excellent snorkeling, including turtles, octopus, lobster, rays, lionfish, and many smaller fish. Other outings have found fewer fish.

That unpredictability is normal for a sea-based trip. You should book Sandy Island for the chance to snorkel in a lovely setting, not for a guaranteed wildlife show.

Little Bay: snorkeling, drinks, and a possible cliff jump

Little Bay offers another hour of water time. The stop combines snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and drinks from the boat’s open bar. If conditions are suitable, you may see turtles.

There is also a cliff-jump option for people who want a little more excitement. You do not have to jump, and the stop works just as well if you prefer floating or sitting in the sun. The crew’s role matters here. The most useful part of the service is not simply passing out drinks, but helping people judge the water and use the safety gear properly.

The bay is described as quiet and unspoiled, but do not expect complete solitude. The boat carries up to 18 people, and other boats may be in the area. Still, the smaller group gives this stop a more relaxed feel than a large organized beach outing.

The open bar includes alcoholic drinks, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Pace yourself. Seven hours in strong sun, moving water, and rum punch can catch up with you quickly. Water activities are more enjoyable when you stay hydrated and do not treat the open bar as a challenge.

Shoal Bay Village: the day’s famous beach stop

Shoal Bay is the marquee beach on this route. It is regularly listed among the world’s top beaches, and the stop gives you about an hour and a half to enjoy it.

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

This is the stop where timing matters most. Shoal Bay is the kind of beach where you may want to slow down, swim, take photos, and simply sit on the sand. One person felt the overall outing moved too quickly, with stops closer to 40 or 45 minutes than the stated times. Other outings allowed ample time and did not feel hurried. Weather, sea conditions, group movement, and the captain’s schedule can all affect the day.

Lunch timing also deserves a practical note. Most people found the sandwiches tasty, but one account described a sandwich arriving warm after a long wait. I would ask the crew when lunch will be served and keep expectations sensible. If you are especially cautious about food sitting in heat, bring a small personal snack if the operator permits it. Do not assume nearby food sellers will accept cards, either.

Shoal Bay is the best stop for a classic Anguilla beach scene. It is also the place most likely to leave you wishing for more time.

Meads Bay: a final swim before St. Maarten

Meads Bay is the last listed stop, with about 45 minutes for swimming and relaxing. The beach is known for golden sand and upscale resorts, and you may spot fish in the shallow water. The crew may also point out celebrity homes or resorts along the coast.

The shorter time here can be a drawback, especially because many people consider Meads Bay one of the prettiest stops. If you want a long, lazy stretch on one beach, this itinerary is not designed for that. It is designed to give you several coastal experiences in one day.

You can feed fish in the clear water, swim, or stay aboard and enjoy the shade. The boats have been praised for comfortable seating and good canopy cover, which is useful after hours in the sun.

After Meads Bay, the boat returns to St. Maarten. Some departures have finished earlier than expected and included extra sightseeing around St. Maarten, such as views of beaches and celebrity homes. That may be a pleasant bonus for some people, but it is not the main reason to book this trip. If you paid specifically for more Anguilla beach time, an early return can feel disappointing.

What is included for $149

The $149 price covers much more than transportation. You receive:

• Open bar
• Snorkeling equipment
• Floating devices
• Guide and boat crew
• Sandwich lunch, chips, and fruit
• Visits to four Anguilla locations
• Return transport by speedboat

The $25 Anguilla immigration fee is extra. You also need to budget for any personal purchases, though the package is built so you can get through the day without buying lunch or renting snorkel gear.

I think the value is good if you plan to use the water equipment, eat the provided lunch, and make full use of the open bar. Booking separate boat transport, snorkeling equipment, and meals would quickly add up. The value is weaker if you mainly want to sit on one beach for several hours, since the tour’s price pays for movement between multiple stops.

The group limit helps. With 18 people or fewer, the crew can serve drinks, hand out gear, and help swimmers without the scale of a party boat carrying dozens of people. The boat’s canopy is another small but important benefit. Seven hours in Caribbean sun is a long time, and shade gives you a way to recover between swims.

The crew makes a real difference

The most consistent praise goes to the captains and first mates. Sammy, Lucas, Coco, Nico, Junior, Damian, Schneider, Julio, and others have been singled out for being friendly, attentive, funny, and safety-minded.

That matters because this is an active day. You are climbing in and out of a boat, swimming at different beaches, handling snorkeling gear, and crossing open water. A crew that watches conditions and keeps people comfortable can turn a rough patch of water into a manageable part of the trip.

The crew also supplies the social energy. Music, jokes, local commentary, and a steady offer of drinks make the boat ride feel like part sightseeing trip and part casual beach party. One first mate also served as a DJ, which added to the birthday atmosphere for one group.

The tone can vary by crew and by departure. One person felt the trip lacked extra fun, while most found the staff warm and engaging. If you want a quiet, guided nature outing, the music and open bar may feel more active than you prefer.

Who should book this Anguilla day trip?

I would choose this tour if you:

• Are staying on St. Maarten and want to see Anguilla without planning every detail
• Prefer several beaches over one fixed resort beach
• Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and speedboat rides
• Want lunch, gear, and drinks included
• Are comfortable with a full day in the sun
• Can handle some variation in timing and sea conditions
• Are traveling with family members who need floating equipment or extra crew support

I would hesitate if you:

• Are visiting from a cruise ship
• Want to explore Anguilla’s towns
• Need long, unhurried time at one beach
• Get seasick easily
• Do not have a current passport
• Are unhappy paying an additional $25 immigration fee
• Prefer a quiet boat with no party atmosphere

Sea conditions deserve attention. One departure took place after a hurricane had passed north and found the water choppy, though the crew helped make it manageable. Another trip had to replace a beach because of high tides. The operator requires good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions results in an alternate date or full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

My verdict: book it for variety, not for a slow beach day

I would book the Anguilla Discovery Speed Boat tour if I had one open day in St. Maarten and wanted to sample the island’s best-known beaches without handling the logistics myself. The combination of Sandy Island snorkeling, Little Bay swimming, Shoal Bay sand, and Meads Bay gives you a satisfying range of scenery.

The strongest reasons to go are the excellent crew, small group, included gear and food, comfortable shaded boats, and the chance to spot turtles or other sea life. The main warnings are the extra $25 immigration payment, the passport requirement, possible choppy water, and the fact that some departures move faster than expected.

Ask about the day’s expected timing when you arrive, pace your drinks, and bring sun protection. If you value variety and a lively boat ride, the price is fair. If your perfect Anguilla day means claiming one beach chair and barely moving, choose a slower beach excursion instead.

FAQ

How much does the Anguilla Discovery Speed Boat tour cost?

The tour costs $149 per person. Anguilla immigration adds a $25 fee per person, which is not included.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the meeting point in Cole Bay.

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 need a current valid passport on the day of the tour because the boat crosses to Anguilla.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes freshly made sandwiches, chips, and fruit. The package also includes an open bar. A vegetarian lunch is available if requested at booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are included.

Can cruise ship visitors take this tour?

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