Boomerang’s Best of Anguilla: Swim with Turtles Adventure

Anguilla’s best feature is its water, and this day trip puts you in it again and again. Boomerang’s catamaran visits four beautiful stops, including secluded Little Bay, famous Shoal Bay, the Prickly Pear Cays, and Meads Bay. The reward is a full day of swimming, snorkeling, sandy beaches, cold drinks, and easy island scenery.

I like the open bar and generous BBQ lunch, since you do not need to keep buying extras once you board. I also like the crew’s friendly, safety-minded approach, with first mate Angelo earning special praise for diving in after a guest’s lost sunglasses. The main drawback is that the boat can feel tight with up to 55 people, and four stops can make the day feel long or each visit feel a little short.

Key things to know before booking

• Four Anguilla stops: Little Bay, Shoal Bay, Prickly Pear Cays, and Meads Bay give you different types of beach and water time.
• Turtle spotting at Little Bay: This quiet cove is the best stop for a chance to see turtles, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• Food and drinks are included: The open bar, tropical fruit, and BBQ lunch add real value to the $179 price.
• Bring a towel and expect wet belongings: Swimming access means splashes are part of the day, and towels are not supplied.
• Budget $25 in cash: Anguilla’s port and immigration fee is extra and must be paid in cash.
• Not designed for cruise ship schedules: The tour leaves at 8:30 a.m. from the Sint Maarten Police Station in Simpson Bay and returns there.

Sailing from Simpson Bay to Anguilla

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. near the Sint Maarten Police Station on Simpson Bay Road. This is a meeting-point tour, so private transportation is not included. The location is near public transportation, and there is a McDonald’s nearby if you need a quick breakfast before boarding.

You will need to provide passport information to complete the booking and send an email to finish the required online form. That is worth handling early. You also need to bring cash for the $25 per-person Anguilla port and immigration fee, which is not part of the advertised price.

The boat is a spacious catamaran with indoor and outdoor seating. It cruises at roughly 15 to 20 knots, giving you a fairly smooth ride over gentle Caribbean water. The stable design matters here because the tour spends much of the day moving between islands and swimming stops.

This is a social boat trip, not a private sailing charter. The maximum group size is 55 people, and the exact feel on board depends on how full the boat is. I would choose an outdoor seat early if you want the best breeze and views, while indoor seating gives you a break from the sun.

There is a restroom on board, but no Wi-Fi. That is not a problem for most of the day, though you should download anything you need before leaving and bring a water-resistant way to protect your phone.

Little Bay: secluded water and possible turtles

Little Bay is the first stop, with about an hour and 15 minutes to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the cove. Since it is accessible only by boat, the setting feels quieter than a regular beach stop. It is also a calm anchorage, which helps make the first water session a relaxed start to the day.

This is the stop most closely tied to the tour’s turtle theme. You may see turtles while snorkeling, along with fish and other sea life, but sightings depend on natural conditions. Some people see turtles and even an octopus, while others find the snorkeling less impressive than expected.

You can also use the provided noodles, floating lily pad mat, or paddleboards. The cove may offer cliff jumping for those who want more action, but you should treat that as an optional possibility rather than a promised part of the schedule.

I would use this stop to get comfortable with the equipment and water. If you are not a strong swimmer, a noodle or the floating mat can make the session easier. One important tip from the day’s practical experience: the current can feel stronger than expected, so do not swim farther from the boat than you can comfortably manage.

Shoal Bay: Anguilla’s classic beach stop

Shoal Bay gets about an hour and 30 minutes, making it one of the longer stops. Its soft white sand and clear turquoise water are exactly what many people picture when they think of Anguilla.

You can swim from the beach, snorkel around the reef, or simply enjoy the shore. This stop gives you more room to slow down after the first water session, though the timetable still moves at a steady pace.

The appeal of Shoal Bay is visual as much as aquatic. Even if you are not interested in snorkeling, the sand and water make this a strong beach stop for photographs and an easy swim. I would not expect a long, quiet beach afternoon, however. The boat has several more places to visit, so your time here is fixed.

One point to keep in mind is that weather and sea conditions can affect the route. The captain may change the planned stops for safety. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should think of the itinerary as a plan rather than a guarantee.

Prickly Pear Cays: reefs and uninhabited islands

About five nautical miles north of Anguilla, the Prickly Pear Cays offer a different setting. These small islands are uninhabited apart from two restaurants, and the tour allows about an hour and 15 minutes here.

This stop is best for combining snorkeling with a little exploration on land. You can look around the island, meet some wildlife, stroll along the shore, or spend your time in the water. The reef gives the day another snorkeling setting rather than repeating the same beach experience.

The cays are also the part of the itinerary most vulnerable to rough water. One planned visit was changed because conditions were too choppy, and an alternative stop may be used instead. That can disappoint you if Prickly Pear is the place you most want to see, but a captain should put safety first.

Snorkeling quality can vary across the day. Some people see turtles, fish, and an octopus, while others describe the tour as more of a beach and swimming outing than a dedicated snorkeling trip. Bring your own fins if you have them, since the included equipment is snorkeling gear but fins are not specifically listed among the supplies.

Meads Bay: a final stretch of soft sand

Meads Bay receives about an hour and is one of Anguilla’s most attractive beach stops. The sand is soft, the water is clear, and the setting provides a pleasant final chance to swim before the return ride.

After several stops, you may find this hour either perfectly timed or slightly rushed. One benefit of four locations is variety. The tradeoff is that no single beach gets a long, unhurried afternoon.

I like Meads Bay as a closing stop because it lets you finish with classic beach scenery rather than another narrow snorkeling session. If you have spent much of the day in the water, you can use this stop to dry off, float, or sit on the sand.

BBQ lunch, cocktails, and the social mood

Lunch is served on board and includes Jamaican jerk and curry chicken skewers, garlic shrimp skewers, Greek pasta salad with feta and a zesty dressing, baguette, and garlic bread. A tropical fruit platter with pineapple and watermelon is also included.

The food is one of the strongest reasons the price makes sense. You are not paying $179 for transportation alone. The day includes a substantial meal, snacks, drinks, equipment, and access to several Anguilla beaches.

The open bar includes assorted beers, liquors, sodas, juices, water, and hand-shaken cocktails. The bar service and music help create a lively party-boat mood. If you want a silent, private sail with long stretches of peace, this is probably not the right match.

The social atmosphere is a good fit for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children or teenagers. It can also work for families with very young children, but the equipment deserves attention. One family traveling with a toddler under two found that the available life jacket did not fit properly, so the child and parent were taken ashore by tender instead of swimming in.

The crew’s tone is a major part of the experience. Captain, mate, and bartenders handle the safety information, stops, food, and drinks. First mate Angelo has been singled out for making an extra effort when a guest lost sunglasses in the water. Small acts like that matter on a full-day boat trip.

What to pack for a wet, active day

Bring a towel. It is not included, and you will likely want one after several swims.

You should also use a waterproof pouch or sealed bag for your phone, wallet, passport copies, and other items. One practical warning is worth taking seriously: anything you bring may get wet. Keep sunglasses secure, and use a strap if you have one.

Pack sunscreen, a hat, and a change of clothes if you dislike sitting in damp swimwear during the ride back. Bring cash for the $25 Anguilla fee, and consider bringing fins if snorkeling comfort is important to you.

Life jackets are provided in adult and child sizes, along with noodles, a floating lily pad, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment. Still, check the fit of any child’s life jacket before entering the water. The boat has no Wi-Fi, so plan to be offline.

Is $179 a fair price?

At $179 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Anguilla. The value comes from how much is bundled into one long day: round-trip boat transport, four stops, an open bar, BBQ lunch, fruit, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floaties, life jackets, and a restroom.

The price works best if you plan to drink, eat on board, and make full use of the water equipment. Buying separate boat transportation, meals, drinks, and beach time could easily become less convenient and possibly more expensive.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet beach day, a private boat, or a serious snorkeling expedition. With up to 55 people and a set route, you give up flexibility. The $25 port and immigration fee also needs to be added to your budget.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this Anguilla day charter?

I would book this if you want an easy, all-day taste of Anguilla from the water. It suits you if you enjoy several short beach stops, swimming, a lively bar, and meeting other people on a shared catamaran.

It is also a good choice for families with teenagers, couples who want more than one beach, and anyone staying in St. Maarten who wants to see another island without arranging each part alone.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed turtle encounter, a long snorkeling session, or a private and quiet boat. I would also check the weather forecast carefully if Prickly Pear Cays is your main reason for booking, since the captain may alter the route when the sea is rough.

Should you book Boomerang’s Best of Anguilla?

Book it if you want a full Caribbean day built around water, beaches, food, drinks, and a friendly crew. The four stops give you a broad look at Anguilla, while the included lunch and open bar keep the day simple.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a busy shared excursion, not a luxury charter, and the snorkeling can be hit or miss. Bring cash, a towel, sun protection, and a waterproof bag, then settle in for a long, colorful day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at the Sint Maarten Police Station, 34 Simpson Bay Road in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten. The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the Anguilla tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours.

What places does the catamaran visit?

The planned stops are Little Bay, Shoal Bay, Prickly Pear Cays, and Meads Bay. The captain may adjust the route because of sea or weather conditions.

Is lunch and alcohol included?

Yes. The tour includes a BBQ lunch, tropical fruit, and an open bar with beers, liquors, sodas, juices, water, and cocktails.

Is the Anguilla port fee included?

No. You must pay a $25 per-person Anguilla port and immigration fee in cash.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

No. This experience is not suitable for cruise ship passengers.