Anguilla does have its own airport, Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA), but most visitors from North America arrive via Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on St. Maarten, then continue to Anguilla by ferry or a short regional flight. The ferry crossing from St. Maarten to Blowing Point takes about 25 minutes, making a day trip from St. Maarten genuinely doable with kids in tow. Ferry schedules vary, however, so you’ll want to plan carefully around departure and return times.
Filter out the noise and find what works for your family.
Every resort we review gets one of four Family Fit ratings. The rating is based on kids programming, amenities, vibe, and who the resort actually markets to - not just whether they allow children.
Discover My Ideal Resort →This guide covers the ferry schedule and fares, what the terminal process actually involves with children, the regional-flight alternative, realistic cost for a family, and how to structure the day so you’re not rushing a tired toddler through immigration to catch the last boat back.
The Short Version
- Public ferries run daily between Marigot (French St. Martin) and Blowing Point (Anguilla), about 5 round trips a day, first departure from Anguilla at 7:30 AM and last at 5:15 PM; return service runs 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
- Crossing time is about 25 minutes each way
- Ferry fare is $30 USD per adult one-way (ages 12+) and $15 USD for children ages 2–11, cash only
- No advance reservations — it’s first-come, first-served, so build in buffer time rather than cutting it close
- All passengers clear customs and immigration at Blowing Point Ferry Terminal in both directions
- Anguilla Air Services also flies the St. Maarten–Anguilla route directly, several times daily, if you’d rather skip the ferry line entirely
- Plan on roughly $250–300 total for a family of three (2 adults, 1 child) round trip once ferry fares and terminal taxes on both the Anguilla and St. Martin sides are added up
Why a Day Trip from St. Maarten Works
Families staying on St. Maarten for a cruise stopover, a multi-island trip, or simply because Princess Juliana has more direct flight options than Anguilla itself can still get a real taste of Anguilla’s beaches in a single day. The island is small enough — about 16 miles end to end — that a day trip covering one or two beaches near Blowing Point is realistic without a rental car, especially if you keep the itinerary simple and build in slack around the ferry times rather than trying to see the whole island.
The Ferry Schedule and What It Costs
The public ferry connects Marigot Ferry Terminal on the French side of St. Martin to Blowing Point Ferry Terminal in Anguilla, a crossing of about 25 minutes. Ferries run daily with roughly five departures in each direction — the first boat leaves Anguilla for St. Martin at 7:30 AM and the last at 5:15 PM, while the return leg from Marigot runs 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. There are no advance reservations for the public ferry, so arrival order determines your boat, and fares are cash only: $30 USD per adult (12 and up) and $15 USD per child ages 2–11 for a one-way ticket. If your family wants a guaranteed departure time instead of working around the public schedule, private charter operators run from roughly $65 USD per adult one-way — worth pricing out if you’re trying to protect a tight day-trip window.
Flying Instead of the Ferry
The ferry isn’t the only way to cover the St. Maarten–Anguilla gap. Anguilla Air Services runs scheduled flights between Princess Juliana Airport and Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport several times a day, with one-way fares reported from roughly $93 USD from Anguilla to St. Maarten and from around $167 USD in the other direction — confirm current pricing directly, since fares fluctuate. A short flight skips the Marigot taxi ride, the ferry line, and one round of customs, which can be worth the extra cost for a family traveling with a lot of gear, a napping toddler, or a genuinely tight day-trip window. For most budget-conscious day-trippers, though, the ferry remains the cheaper and more straightforward option.
Terminal Process, Taxes, and Timing with Kids
Every passenger clears customs and immigration at Blowing Point Ferry Terminal in both directions, and the terminal recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before departure to allow time for tickets, departure tax, immigration, and boarding — worth padding further with young kids, strollers, or beach gear in tow. Anguilla’s departure tax runs about $28 USD per adult and $15 USD per child ages 5–11 (younger children pay a smaller security-only fee), collected when you leave Anguilla for St. Martin. On the Marigot side, there’s a separate passenger fee of around €7, payable in euros or by card. Altogether, a family of two adults and one child (ages 5–11) doing a same-day round trip should plan on roughly $250–300 total once ferry fares and both terminals’ taxes are added up — confirm current rates at the terminal, since fees can shift.
If you’re flying into St. Maarten the same day as your ferry crossing, build in the taxi ride from Princess Juliana Airport to Marigot Ferry Terminal as its own leg of the trip rather than assuming you can walk straight from baggage claim to the dock — work backward from your flight time and protect enough buffer for the taxi, the ferry line, and check-in.
If the Ferry Is Delayed or Cancelled
High winds, rough seas, heavy rain, or a mechanical issue can all delay or cancel a scheduled crossing, and holidays or weekends tend to bring longer terminal queues even when the boats are running on time. There isn’t always advance notice — the practical approach is to check the live schedule before you leave your hotel and watch for terminal staff announcements once you’re there. If your boat is cancelled, terminal staff can typically point you to the next available sailing or a private charter alternative; let your hotel or any onward connection know if you’re running behind. With kids along, avoid booking the absolute last ferry of the day as your return — 5:15 PM from Anguilla or 6:00 PM from Marigot — since a delay on that sailing leaves no fallback option until the next morning.
Making the Most of a Single Day
With a 25-minute crossing eating into the day on both ends and two rounds of customs and departure-tax lines, a day trip leaves a workable but not unlimited window on the ground in Anguilla — generally the middle of the day, roughly late morning to mid-afternoon, once you account for the earliest realistic departure and the need to clear a return ferry well before the final boat rather than cutting it close. Pick one beach near Blowing Point rather than trying to cross the island and back, keep lunch simple (a beach bar or casual spot near your chosen beach beats driving to find a specific restaurant), and treat anything beyond that as a bonus rather than the plan. Families who find they want more time than a single day allows can look at our full guide to getting to Anguilla with kids for what an overnight stay adds.
Nearby Hotels and Resorts
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel
Shoal Bay VillasPacking and Practical Tips for the Crossing
Bring cash in small denominations for the ferry fare and Anguilla’s departure tax, and euros or a card for the Marigot-side fee — don’t count on being able to break a large bill at the terminal counter. Sunscreen, water, and snacks are worth packing before you leave St. Maarten, since options directly at Blowing Point are limited. Keep boarding passes or ferry tickets and any ID together in one bag you can hand over quickly at both immigration checkpoints, since juggling documents while also managing kids and beach gear is the most common source of delay at the terminal. If anyone in your family gets seasick, ask about seating options when you board — a seat toward the center and lower in the boat generally rides smoother than the open upper deck on a choppy crossing.
Quick Answers
Can you visit Anguilla for a day without a rental car? Yes — taxis at Blowing Point can take you directly to a beach, and several are within a short ride of the terminal.
Is the ferry or the flight better with young kids? The ferry is cheaper and simpler for most families; the flight is worth it if you’re short on time or traveling with a lot of gear and want to skip an extra security and immigration line.
What if we miss the last ferry back? You’ll need to arrange a private charter or overnight in Anguilla — another reason to target an earlier return sailing rather than the last one of the day.
Things to Do in Anguilla
Browse family-friendly tours and activities in Anguilla, ranked from real traveler reviews.
Ready to Plan Your Anguilla Trip?
Get a personalized family itinerary built around your kids’ ages, interests, and travel style — free.
