The Best Anguilla Ferry System
In our "younger years" we believed that flying direct to the Anguilla airport was the wisest way to get to Anguilla.
Yes, somehow, Montreal-JFK, JFK-San Juan, San Juan-Anguilla was the most appealing route down.
We would roll out to the airport at 4:00 AM, only to touch down in AXA 18 hours later.
It was bad, but we thought, it can always be worse, right?
It could always be worse (and trust us, we experienced worse, ie. snowed in at JFK!), but it could also be a heck of a lot better.
Sometime around 2005, we discovered the beauty of flying direct to St. Maarten's Princess Juliana Airport! No connections, no Homeland Security, bliss! Our day still started at 4:00 AM, but we were in Anguilla by 2:00.
Finding a direct flight to St. Maarten can still be a bit of a hunt, but thankfully, once you are there, hopping over to Anguilla is a breeze.
Blowing Point Terminal, Anguilla
There are a couple of ways to get from St. Martin to Anguilla...
Anguilla Ferry
The perk of taking the Anguilla ferry is the reduced cost: $5 departure tax + $15 for the ferry.
You will have to catch a cab over to the French side of St. Martin to the port, Marigot. It is a 20 minute taxi ride and shouldn't cost you more than $20.
From Marigot, the ferry to Anguilla departs every 30-45 minutes. It is very reliable and only a short ride across the channel.
The last ferry from St. Martin is at 7:00 pm.
Anguilla Taxi
There are many Anguilla taxi services from St. Maarten to Anguilla...
- Link: 264 497 2231/3290
- Gotcha: 264 497 2956
- Funtime: 264 497 6812
- Cheers: 264 235 6205
- M.V. Shauna VI: 264 476 6275/6534
These boats operate on their own schedules, and will pick you up at their designated areas. They may or may not assist you in getting from Princess Juliana Airport to their dock, so make sure you ask when you give them a call. Also, their boats may dock in Blowing Point or in Sandy Ground. Double check with them to ensure a way to your Anguilla villa or hotel!
Costs will vary. Many work like a "private" Anguilla ferry system, where you and a few other travelers share a boat and work by their clock. This is less costly, fluctuating between $30-50. If you prefer to charter the boat, set the departure time, and have it to yourself, the price can climb to $300-500.
In the past we always traveled on and recommended Funtime. However, since customer reviews started slipping, we tried something new on our St. Barts vacation...
The Link
Mom & Kay
Franklyn Connor owns the Link boats and operates an efficient business! His boats are clean and comfortable and his staff is most accommodating and helpful.
He owns three boats...
The Link Cat...
The Link...
And, Another Link...
We took "The Link" from Blowing Point, headed for Princess Juliana.
The price to the Dutch side is almost half of Funtime's, only $85/person round trip. That's only $42.50 each way. And it's only $50 one way, 33% cheaper than Funtime.
This is the same boat Yuki takes to school in St. Maarten everyday, so we knew they would also be reliable and safe!
Somedays Yuki and her schoolmates do get off the boat looking pretty green, but those are only on particularly rainy, windy, stormy afternoons. The Link is large enough to deliver a smooth ride to St. Maarten's Dutch side.
Right on time, we were called to the dock...
Dad Boarding The Link
Inside, the Link is cushy and comfy.
The sheltered sides inside are lined with a comfortable bench, but my favorite spot is the bench at the back of the boat!
It's more exposed, letting the salt air weave through your hair while you bask in the sun.
Mmm, relaxation.
The Link slowed to a halt outside...
The Police Station in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten
They checked us in at the police station in Simpson Bay, and cleared us for entry into the Dutch side of the island. Our luggage was also taken care of. And from there?
Well, that was as far as they went, but they made sure we were well taken care of, safely put on a taxi straight to Princess Juliana Airport, only a five minute drive away.
It was all smooth sailing!
Coming home to Anguilla was just as easy... Upon exiting the airport, a kind man was waiting to bring us back to Simpson Bay's police station. Sylvester and Darren from The Link were there to take us home!
You can reach the people at The Link here: 264 497 2231/3290.
The reports I'm getting, and our own experience, is that The Link runs on time, as promised, and doesn't make you wait until the next jet from wherever gets in so that they can maximize the number of people on the boat.
This Anguilla ferry taxis you to and from the Dutch side of St. Maarten with maximum efficiency and minimal cost. Highly recommended.
More on Anguilla Ferry and Boat Tours...
Gotcha! Caribbean Charters
Garfield offers an excellent Anguilla boat tour service. You can do a Caribbean charter to any Anguilla off-island, to St. Barts, and St. Maarten. They do not offer a scheduled water taxi service to and from St. Maarten's airport, but you can arrange for a private charter.
Sea Grape: Anguilla Boat Tours
Shaun Webster and his late brother Jeff Webster, were our two favorite Captains on Anguilla!
We had a wonderful, entire, 'round the island boat tour trip with the brothers. They also used to run an Anguilla (water) taxi service. Sea Grape is now out of the water, but we hope to see Shaun back in the sea soon!
Chocolat Sail Boat Tours
Jacquie Ruan and her husband Rollins run this tasty catamaran ride! It is a must try on any (and every) Anguilla vacation.
Funtime Charters
Chris Cutler runs Funtime Charters. They really saved Yuki and my Dad one year during their lost passport fiasco. Oh, Dad!
Perks of Riding The Anguilla Ferry
The Anguilla ferry generally inspires sad thoughts of going home, leaving Anguilla, more traveling, flights, connections... But not when you take it for a day trip in St. Martin!
