Traveling to Anguilla: Your ultimate guide to flights and ferries from St. Maarten Airport

The charming Caribbean island of Anguilla may be a bit tricky to reach, as its airport has limited direct flights from the U.S. Currently, the only nonstop service to Anguilla's Clayton J. Lloyd Airport (AXA) is from Miami (MIA), which operates three times weekly, transitioning to daily in April 2022.

For most travelers, the ideal choice is to fly into St. Maarten's Princess Juliana Airport (SXM), which is well-connected to several major U.S. cities. From there, a quick boat ride or regional flight will get you to Anguilla. But how do you decide? If you opt for water travel, should you choose the public ferry or a shared charter?

On a recent trip to Zemi Beach House on Anguilla, I experimented with both travel methods — flying one way and sailing back. Let’s dive into my experiences with each mode of transport to determine which one might suit you best.

Ferry

The most economical way to travel between the islands is via public ferry. However, it may not be the most convenient option, so you'll have to weigh whether the savings justify the inconvenience. Unfortunately, I couldn't try this option as it wasn't operating during my visit.

The public ferry departs from Marigot port on St. Martin (the French side), while SXM Airport is located on St. Maarten (the Dutch side). There’s no physical border or customs checkpoint between the two, but you will need to exit the airport (which involves passing through immigration) and take a taxi to the ferry port, adding both time and cost. The ferry arrives at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal in Anguilla.

The ferry ride lasts about 25 minutes, with departures from St. Martin approximately every 45 minutes between 8:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. Return trips from Anguilla are available from 7:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. The fare is $20 one-way for passengers aged 12 and older, and $10 for those under 12. A taxi ride from the airport to Marigot takes about 15 minutes and costs around $20 for two people.

When departing Anguilla, you will also need to pay departure taxes. Tourists are charged $28 for passengers aged 12 and older, $15 for those between 5 and 11, and $3 for children under 5.

Considering ferry tickets, taxi fares, and taxes, an adult should budget between $88 and $108 for a round-trip journey, depending on whether you share a taxi with someone. Advance reservations for the public ferry are not available.

Charter boat

Another alternative is taking a charter boat (usually shared, but private options are available for an additional fee). These are more expensive than public ferries but can save you time since they depart from the Dutch side of the island, close to the airport. I opted for this option on my return from Anguilla.

The four primary charter operators include Funtime Charters, Calypso Charters, GB Express, and Link Ferry Services. All of them operate from the St. Maarten Ferry Terminal, which is conveniently located right across from SXM Airport, except for GB Express, which departs from the Simpson Bay Police Station Port, about five minutes away.

No matter which company you select, ground transportation between the airport and the dock is included in your fare. All charter boats arrive at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal in Anguilla.

The schedules and fares vary slightly among the operators. However, the charter boats generally run quite frequently, costing approximately $65 each way for adults and $35 each way for children.

As noted, ground transportation from the dock to SXM is covered, but you are still liable for departure taxes. These taxes are slightly higher if you're heading to the Dutch side rather than the French side of Saint Martin: $36 for passengers aged 12 and older, $23 for ages 5 to 11, $11 for ages 2 to 4, and $8 for children under 2.

An adult should budget approximately $166 for a round-trip, including the fare and taxes. You can book your tickets directly with the company or through your hotel's concierge, as I chose to do.

My hotel arranged my trip with Funtime Charters because it had the most convenient departure time for my schedule. Check-in was simple—I just needed to present my passport and the Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) form to enter St. Maarten.

Porters were available to assist with loading and unloading bags from the boat. Just keep in mind that they are not employed by the ferry terminal and rely solely on tips.

The boat was quite simple, yet sufficiently comfortable for the approximately 25-minute journey. Don’t anticipate a luxurious yacht experience.

The weather was perfect during my trip, allowing me to sit at the front of the boat and take in the sights. However, I've heard the journey can become quite rough when conditions worsen.

The main challenge during the transfer was having to go through immigration upon our arrival in St. Maarten. It would have been ideal if there were a program that permitted us to clear immigration before leaving Anguilla.

Flight

Flying was definitely my favorite choice. It was the quickest and most hassle-free option, and the price was similar to that of a shared charter boat.

Anguilla Air Services operates flights between St. Maarten's Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) and Anguilla Clayton J. Lloyd Airport (AXA). This route holds the record for the world's shortest international flight, lasting only 10 minutes. The best part is you don't have to go through immigration when you first arrive at SXM.

Even better, Anguilla Air Services schedules its flights to coordinate with the major airlines. Round-trip fares for adults range from about $200 to $240 and include one complimentary checked bag. Unlike ferries, all taxes and fees are already included in the ticket price.

Anguilla Air Services does not have any codeshare partnerships, so you'll need to book your flights separately from your flights to the U.S. It's advisable to allow at least 90 minutes between connections in case of delays with your incoming flight. Still, the transfer process is nearly as straightforward as a typical connecting flight.

After landing at SXM, a representative from the airline will meet you and take you directly to the transfer desk. Unlike the ferry options, you won't need to go through immigration.

Once your identity is confirmed, you'll receive your boarding pass and be asked how many bags you have checked. The airline will then handle your luggage and transfer it to your next flight. You will need to go through security since you arrived from an international flight, but there's no immigration process since you won't actually be entering St. Maarten.

Unfortunately, the situation is different when returning from Anguilla to St. Maarten. Since Anguilla Air Services cannot issue boarding passes for other airlines or transfer your bags to them, you must go through immigration and recheck your luggage for your return journey.

The flight covers a distance of 12 miles and lasts just 10 minutes on a small Britten Norman Islander, which has four rows of two seats each. Due to limited space, a second aircraft usually follows to carry the luggage.

The legroom is a bit cramped but still manageable, considering the short duration of the flight. Be aware that due to the smaller aircraft size, turbulence can be more pronounced.

The true highlight of the flight for me was the breathtaking views. Not only did flying save time, but it also provided a wonderful sightseeing opportunity.

Bottom line

There are two primary modes of transport between St. Maarten Airport and Anguilla: by sea or by air. Your ideal choice will depend on your available time and how you weigh comfort, cost, and convenience.

Many travelers opt for the charter boat as it's reasonably priced and recommended by hotels. However, I prefer flying, as it allows you to enjoy more beach time for just a slight additional cost.