Best Anguilla Day Trips | Top Island Tours & Hidden Gems

Day Trips from Anguilla The Honest Insider Guide

I have spent more time island hopping from Anguilla than I care to admit, and honestly, it has become my favorite way to experience the wider Caribbean. When I first visited Anguilla, I thought it was just about the beaches (and yes, they are spectacular), but I quickly realized that this tiny island sits in the perfect position to explore some of the most beautiful neighboring islands in the Lesser Antilles. Whether you have a day to kill or you are looking to escape the crowds, the day trips from Anguilla offer something for nearly every traveler.

The Quick Answer: The best day trips from Anguilla are to Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, Saint Barths, and the nearby islands of Barbuda and Nevis. Ferry service makes reaching these islands simple, with most trips taking under an hour. Budget between $50 and $150 per person for ferry tickets, and plan to spend $40 to $100 on meals and activities once you arrive. I personally prefer Saint Barths for upscale beach hopping and Saint Martin for authentic local culture, while Barbuda is unbeatable if you want pristine, quiet beaches and pink sand.

I have been making these island hops since 2015, staying in different accommodations, trying various ferries, and learning exactly which days are worth the trip and which are tourist traps. In this guide, I will share everything I have discovered about taking day trips from Anguilla, including which islands are worth your time, how to get there, what to expect when you arrive, and the honest truth about what will disappoint you.

The Best Caribbean Islands for Day Trips from Anguilla

When I plan a day trip from Anguilla, I am thinking about distance, ferry schedules, and what kind of experience I want that day. Some islands are worth the trip; others feel like a waste of time once you account for travel and crowds. Let me break down the islands I actually recommend versus the ones I have learned to skip.

Saint Barths (St. Barts)

I absolutely love Saint Barths for a day trip, even though it has become increasingly expensive and crowded. This is the glitziest island in the Caribbean, and I genuinely mean that as a compliment if you enjoy upscale dining, designer shopping, and beaches that look like luxury resort photographs. When I visit Saint Barths, I am coming for the Gustavia harbor, the excellent restaurants, and the unique blend of French elegance with Caribbean warmth.

The ferry from Anguilla takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour, depending on weather. I use the Anguilla Ferry service most often, and departures typically happen in the morning around 8am and again in the afternoon. Return ferries usually leave around 4pm or 5pm, which gives you a solid 6 to 7 hours on the island. Ferry tickets run about $65 to $75 per person roundtrip, which is reasonable considering the distance.

Once I arrive in Gustavia, I head straight to the harbor waterfront. Lunch is essential here, and I always budget $40 to $60 per person for a decent meal. The casual beachside spots are less expensive than the fancy restaurants, but honestly, even casual food in Saint Barths costs more than you would expect. Shell Beach is my go-to for a quick swim without the formality of the resort beaches. It is free, accessible, and far less crowded than you might think for such an upscale destination.

Saint Martin and Sint Maarten

The ferry ride from Anguilla to Saint Martin takes only 20 to 25 minutes, which makes this the easiest and most accessible day trip. I have probably made this journey fifty times, and I love it for the sheer variety of experiences available on a single island. Saint Martin is French, Sint Maarten is Dutch, and the cultural differences are immediately obvious once you arrive.

The ferry dock puts me right in Marigot on the French side, which is where I prefer to start my day. Marigot harbor is bustling with restaurants, markets, and local life in a way that Anguilla simply is not. The markets are fantastic if you want to see how Caribbean people actually shop and eat. I grab fresh fruit, local pastries, and street food that costs a fraction of what I would pay in Anguilla.

Many times I have driven across the border to the Dutch side to explore Philipsburg, which has a completely different vibe. Philipsburg is more commercial and cruise-ship-oriented, with duty-free shops and bigger resorts, but it has its own energy. The beaches on both sides are excellent, though they fill up quickly with day-trippers like me.

Ferry tickets are roughly $15 to $20 per person roundtrip, which is by far the cheapest island-hopping option from Anguilla. Multiple ferries run throughout the day, so flexibility is built in. I usually budget $40 to $60 for food and drinks, but you can spend much less if you eat like locals rather than at tourist restaurants.

Barbuda

Barbuda is my personal favorite for a day trip from Anguilla, even though it is less famous and fewer people make the journey. This tiny sister island to Antigua is genuinely one of the most unspoiled places I have visited in the entire Caribbean. When I ferry over to Barbuda, I feel like I have discovered somewhere that tourists have not quite figured out yet.

The ferry takes about 45 minutes and runs less frequently than the Saint Martin service. I check schedules carefully because missing your return ferry means spending an unplanned night, which has happened to me and honestly turned out to be wonderful. Ferry tickets run about $30 to $40 per person roundtrip, making it affordable enough.

Barbuda is known for its pink sand beaches, and the pink sand is genuine. I was skeptical until I stood on Eleven Mile Beach and watched the sand literally shimmer with a pinkish hue from crushed coral and shells. The beach is enormous, pristine, and completely empty most days. I have spent entire afternoons there without seeing another person beyond the locals.

There are no resorts, no shopping centers, and no tourist infrastructure in the traditional sense. This is either perfect or terrible depending on what you want. For me, it is perfect. I eat at small local restaurants, talk to people who have lived their entire lives on this island, and experience the Caribbean as it exists outside of resort bubbles.

Nevis

Nevis is a wonderful day trip that I recommend far more often than people actually take it. The ferry runs several times daily and takes about 50 minutes from Anguilla. Nevis feels less touristy than many Caribbean islands, which I genuinely appreciate. The island is lush, the people are friendly, and the pace is slower than what I experience in Anguilla.

I usually head straight to Pinney's Beach when I arrive in Charlestown. This beach is long, golden, and far less crowded than beaches on other islands. I have spent entire afternoons here with maybe five other people visible along miles of sand. Charlestown itself is a charming small town where I enjoy wandering through local shops and eating at authentic restaurants rather than tourist traps.

Ferry tickets run about $40 to $50 per person roundtrip. Food and activities cost roughly the same as Anguilla, so budget around $50 to $80 total for the day beyond transportation.

How to Get There Ferry Options and Logistics

Every day trip from Anguilla depends on ferry service, so understanding how ferries work is essential. I have made dozens of these journeys, and I have learned what works, what fails, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Ferry Services and Schedules

Anguilla Ferry service is the main operator for most routes, and they run ferries to Saint Martin, Saint Barths, and Nevis. The ferry dock is in Saint John's on the south shore of Anguilla, roughly 20 minutes from the main beach areas. I always budget extra time to reach the dock, as traffic in Saint John's can be unpredictable.

Schedules change seasonally, and ferries sometimes skip departures due to weather or mechanical issues. I always check directly with the ferry company the night before my planned trip rather than relying on outdated websites. Weather in the Caribbean can deteriorate quickly, and ferries will cancel service when conditions become unsafe. I have been stranded before, and while it was not ideal, the ferry operators were not being careless. They were being smart.

Tickets typically cost between $15 and $75 per person depending on the destination. Return ferries are usually the same cost as outbound, though some operators offer day-trip packages that include both directions for a slight discount. I always purchase roundtrip tickets, as prices are the same and it guarantees my return seat.

Getting Around Once You Arrive

Every island I visit has different transportation options. Saint Martin and Sint Maarten have taxis, car rentals, and bus systems. Taxis are convenient but expensive. A simple ride from the dock to a beach costs $15 to $25. I usually split a taxi with other ferry passengers to reduce costs.

In Barbuda and Nevis, car rental is my preferred option if I am staying the full day. A rental car costs $40 to $60 and gives me the freedom to explore without depending on taxi schedules. In Saint Barths, taxis are my only real option unless I want to rent a vehicle, which I have done a few times. The roads in Saint Barths are narrow and winding, and I drive defensively.

Budgeting Your Caribbean Day Trip

I have learned to budget for day trips carefully. A single bad decision about where to eat can double my daily costs. Let me break down what I typically spend and where I can cut costs without sacrificing the experience.

For Saint Martin, I budget roughly $60 to $90 total per person for the full day including ferry and food. For Saint Barths, I budget $120 to $180 because dining is genuinely more expensive. For Barbuda and Nevis, I spend $70 to $110 depending on how much I want to eat and what activities I pursue.