St Maarten to Anguilla & Prickly Pear: Catamaran Snorkel, BBQ & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.68 (537 reviews) 84% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration8h

GroupUp to 45

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sail turquoise waters from st maarten with bbq lunch and snorkeling stops

You’ll sail by catamaran from St Maarten to Anguilla and Prickly Pear Cays for snorkeling in clear blue water, then relax over an island-style BBQ lunch onboard with open bar drinks flowing all day. Expect laughter with your crew, Champagne at sunset, and those little moments you don’t plan for but remember anyway.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sailing and snorkeling around Anguilla

Check in at Bobby's Marina
Sail past Sint Maarten snorkeling spots
Process immigration at Simpson Bay
Sail past Maho and Mullet Bay
Cross channel to Anguilita with snacks
Snorkel and relax at Prickly Pear
Sail to Meads Bay for lunch and swim
Sail along Anguilla shoreline at sunset
Watch planes land at airport beach
Toast with champagne before disembark
Return to shore and end tour

The Experience

“Wait, is that really Anguilla?” I asked, squinting past the rail as our catamaran left Bobby’s Marina. The sun was already up but not too harsh yet — just enough to make the water look almost fake, like someone had cranked the color up. Our guide, Jean-Luc (who kept calling everyone “my friend”), pointed out the mega yachts bobbing near Simpson Bay Bridge. I’d never seen boats that big outside of movies. There was a bit of fuss with passports — you do need yours for this day trip from St Maarten to Anguilla — but they handled it while we munched on baguette sandwiches. I tried not to spill crumbs on my shirt. Didn’t work.

The wind picked up as we crossed toward Prickly Pear Cays. You could smell sunscreen and salt in the air, and someone’s Rhum Punch already (it was barely 10am). Snorkeling here felt different — quieter than I expected, with just the sound of fins kicking and Jean-Luc’s muffled instructions about coral (“don’t touch!”). The water really is that clear. Afterward, snacks showed up out of nowhere, cold beers appeared in hands, and a couple from Toronto started a debate about potato salad recipes with one of the crew. For some reason that stuck with me.

Lunch happened anchored off Meads Bay — ribs, chicken, island rice, all laid out buffet style on deck while everyone found their own spot in the sun or shade. I still think about that Gouda cheese (weird detail maybe). Swimming after eating felt lazy in the best way; nobody rushed us back on board. Sailing along Anguilla’s shoreline later, watching birds skim over water so flat it looked painted — there was this hush for a minute where nobody said anything at all. Then laughter again when someone tried to pronounce “Anguilita” and failed spectacularly.

Heading back toward St Maarten as the sky started changing colors — not quite sunset yet but close — our captain passed around glasses of Champagne. It wasn’t fancy or anything but tasted better than most things do after a day like that. We watched a plane come in over Maho Beach (yeah, right over our heads), snapped some blurry photos none of us will probably print out… and then suddenly we were docking again. Still salty-skinned and tired in that good way you get after swimming all day.

What’s included

Your full-day adventure includes sailing by catamaran from St Maarten with use of snorkel equipment (vests and noodles too), snacks like French baguette sandwiches before snorkeling stops near Prickly Pear or Little Bay depending on weather conditions.
unlimited open bar serving Rhum Punch and beers.
a buffet BBQ lunch onboard featuring ribs, chicken, salads and cheese.
afternoon cake.
Champagne toast at sunset.
plus crew handling immigration paperwork for you along the way before returning to port tired but happy.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Eagle Tours N.V.