If you’re visiting St. Maarten, island hopping may have already crossed your mind, especially to Anguilla. Known for its white sand beaches, exquisite turquoise water, and luxury reputation, Anguilla might seem like a place only the rich and famous go. Personally, I heard Anguilla mentioned in rap songs in a way that seemed out of reach.

But the truth is, anyone can go. A day trip to Anguilla is not only doable, but it’s one of the best add-ons you can make to a St. Maarten itinerary.

The short answer is yes, it’s worth it.

A Quick Look at Anguilla’s History & Reputation

Anguilla is a small British Overseas Territory in the Eastern Caribbean, and unlike some neighboring islands, Anguilla never leaned heavily on mass tourism or large-scale development. It remains tucked away, which undoubtedly gives it some of its luxury appeal. Over time, the island became known for its powdery white sand beaches and clear, shallow turquoise waters.

How I Did My Anguilla Day Trip (and Why I Recommend It)

There are several ways to plan a day trip to Anguilla, including private charters, ferries, or DIY routes. As a solo traveler, the easiest route for me is to check websites like Viator, and in this case, I found a 7-hour $150 day cruise, which was easily one of the best decisions of the trip.

For that price, the experience included:

Boat transportation handled end to end
Multiple beach stops
Lunch, snacks, and drinks

It removed all the logistical friction so that I could simply focus on showing up and experiencing the island.

The Stops: What Each One Offers

Sandy Island

Sandy Island is small, scenic, and surrounded by shallow water. The sand here is slightly rockier than other stops, but the real draw is the setting. There’s a restaurant and bar on the island, making it a great introduction to rest of the island.

Little Bay

Little Bay is less about laying out and more about the experience. As you can see, there is only a small beach, so this is more of an opportunity to be in the water. Tucked between cliffs, this area is known for snorkeling and even rock jumping. The water here is clear and calm, and the surrounding landscape makes it feel more adventurous and secluded than the other beaches.

Shoal Bay (My Favorite)

Shoal Bay is the reason Anguilla has the reputation it does.

This was my favorite stop, hands down. The sand is incredibly soft, the water looks unreal, and everything about the beach just feels expansive. As we arrived by boat, it immediately struck me as the kind of place you see on a postcard. To me, if you only saw one beach in Anguilla, Shoal Bay would justify the trip.

Meads Bay

Meads Bay is calm, polished, and lined with upscale properties and beach clubs. This stop really highlights Anguilla’s luxury reputation.

Why Day Trips Like This Are Always Worth It

Experiences like this are worth it because you’re not just adding an activity, you’re adding an entire other destination.

A day trip to Anguilla means:

You’ve experienced a completely different island
You’ve crossed another place off your travel bucket list without needing a separate trip

If you’re someone who loves maximizing travel without overextending your budget or time (hi, same), this kind of experience makes a lot of sense when building your itinerary. Instead of choosing between St. Maarten or Anguilla, you get both and they offer different experiences. If you wanted to take it a step further, you could even add a day trip to St. Barths.

So Should You Do a Day Trip to Anguilla?

Yes. You should.

Anguilla is close enough to be accessible, different enough to have a totally unique experience, and beautiful enough to justify the extra step it takes to get there. Booking the experience through Viator made it simple, affordable, and stress-free, and it turned a great trip into a layered one.

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