Ultimate Prickly Pear and Anguilla Experience

The best part of this full-day catamaran cruise is the combination of open water, two beautiful island stops, and a good deal of food and drink built into the price. You sail from St. Maarten toward Prickly Pear, then continue to Anguilla’s Meads Bay, with snorkeling, swimming, and broad sea views along the way.

I like the easygoing rhythm: French baguette sandwiches before the first stop, a buffet lunch on deck, and Champagne as the sun drops behind St. Maarten. I also like the crew’s strong reputation for attentive service. Names change, but JP, Jasper, Tamara, Tyrell, and Captain Kay have all been singled out for keeping the mood warm and the safety details in hand.

The main thing to consider is that this is a long boat day, not a beach-hopping tour. You may spend more time sailing than expected, and rough water can make the crossing uncomfortable. Weather may also force a substitute stop, and some departures have had only limited snorkeling time.

The key details that shape your day

• Prickly Pear is the main snorkeling stop: Expect shallow, warm water, pale sand, coral, butterfly fish, snapper, and grouper.
• Meads Bay is your scenic afternoon stop: The long Anguillan beach provides a beautiful setting for lunch and swimming, though the exact beach plan can change with weather.
• Food and drinks are included: Sandwiches, a Caribbean-style buffet, sweets, rum punch, beer, other drinks, and French Champagne come with the trip.
• Immigration takes place at Simpson Bay: Bring your actual passport, not a copy or phone image, and provide passport information when booking.
• The boat can carry up to 45 people: That allows a lively social atmosphere, but deck space can feel tight on a full departure.
• The $149 price is not the final cost: Add the $25 government fee per person, plus parking if you drive to Bobby’s Marina.

Leaving Bobby’s Marina for the open water

Your day begins at Bobby’s Marina on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The meeting information gives an 8:15 a.m. check-in, while the listed start time is 9 a.m., so I would arrive early and confirm the exact departure time before setting out.

Bring your passport. This is not optional. The crew handles the immigration process at Simpson Bay, but authorities require the original passport. Passport cards, photocopies, and phone pictures are not accepted. You also need to submit each person’s full name, birth date, place of birth, nationality, and passport number when booking.

Once aboard, you choose your spot. The catamaran has regular deck seating, shaded areas, and a trampoline section where you can catch sea spray. This setup works well for mixed groups. You can stretch out in the sun, stay under cover, or move around as the boat changes course.

The boat may carry as many as 45 people. That is small enough for a social feel, but not private or quiet. On a full sailing, the best lounging spots can go quickly, and the trampoline area may feel crowded. If personal space matters more than a lively boat atmosphere, keep that in mind before paying.

Simpson Bay immigration and the first stretch of sailing

The boat heads toward Simpson Bay, where immigration is processed near the bridge and police station. This short stop is practical rather than scenic, although you get views of the large yachts anchored in the bay.

After clearance, the crew points the bow toward Anguilla. The crossing is part of the experience, but it is also where sea conditions matter most. Several departures have had choppy water, and one direct piece of advice is worth following: bring motion-sickness medicine if you are sensitive to boat movement.

The crew usually keeps drinks and light food moving while you sail. French baguette sandwiches are served around the approach to Anguilita, the small rocky area near Anguilla. You can expect a casual open bar with rum punch, cold beer, and other drinks.

The service is one of the strongest parts of the trip. Crew members such as JP, Jasper, Tamara, Tyrell, Lisandro, Alan, and Captain Kay have been praised for being attentive, funny, and safety-minded. The staff changes, so do not book based on one person alone, but the repeated pattern is clear: the crew works hard to keep drinks filled, equipment organized, and less confident swimmers supported.

Prickly Pear Cays: coral, shallow water, and snorkeling time

Prickly Pear Cays sit about six miles north of Road Bay in Anguilla. The islands are uninhabited, with rocky coral reefs, pale sand, and clear turquoise water. This is the stop that gives the cruise its name, and it is usually the most important snorkeling portion of the day.

Snorkel equipment, instruction, and flotation vests are included. Noodles are also available, and a dinghy follows snorkelers and can take people to the beach. That support matters if you are comfortable in the water but do not want to swim a long distance back to the catamaran.

The water around Prickly Pear is described as shallow, making it a friendly place for basic snorkeling. You might see butterfly fish, snapper, and grouper around the coral. The stop is also suited to bird watching and a little walking, although the scheduled time is about one hour, so this is not a full island exploration.

Here is the important qualification: snorkeling quality depends on sea conditions and where the boat anchors. Some departures have reached Prickly Pear and offered two good snorkeling spots. Others have been redirected to alternate locations because of wind or waves. A few people have found the fish less plentiful than expected or have needed to swim away from the boat to find better underwater views.

I would treat Prickly Pear as a pleasant snorkeling stop, not a guaranteed wildlife show. If you need extensive reef time, ask about the operator’s shorter snorkeling tours, which are designed around more snorkeling locations. This full-day trip gives you a broader sailing and beach experience.

Meads Bay and the Caribbean buffet on deck

After Prickly Pear, the catamaran makes the short trip to Meads Bay, one of Anguilla’s best-known beaches. The scheduled visit lasts about an hour and a half, making it the longer of the two main stops.

Meads Bay is the kind of place where the view does most of the work. The sand is white and powdery, the water is a clear blue-green, and the long shoreline gives you a fine setting for a swim or a relaxed lunch. Depending on the boat’s exact anchoring plan, you may remain aboard, swim near the catamaran, or use the dinghy for beach access.

Lunch is served buffet-style on the catamaran. The menu includes barbecue ribs, chicken, island rice, potato salad, Caesar salad, Gouda cheese, and cake later in the afternoon. There is enough variety for a filling meal, and the combination of food, sea breeze, and the view across Meads Bay is one of the day’s most enjoyable moments.

Food quality can vary. Some departures have served tasty, plentiful meals, while others have found the chicken dry or the rice bland. This is not a restaurant lunch prepared to order. It is a boat buffet designed to feed a large group during an active day, so set your expectations accordingly.

The same applies to the beach time. The advertised plan includes Meads Bay, but weather and sea conditions can lead to another beach or swimming stop. One especially important detail is that a few departures have passed Anguilla rather than providing much shore time. If walking on a beach is essential to your plans, confirm the current stop with the operator before booking.

The return sail and Champagne at sunset

The trip back to St. Maarten follows the Anguilla shoreline and crosses the channel again. You may pass Baie Longue, then continue toward the airport beach. If the timing is right, you can watch a plane land near Maho Beach and take photos from the water.

The return sail is when the cruise shifts from active to relaxed. The crew serves grapes, banana cake, and French Champagne as the sun moves toward the horizon. This closing toast gives the day a pleasant finish and helps justify the cruise format for people who value the sailing itself as much as the stops.

The sunset portion is not guaranteed to look the same every day. Clouds, wind, and the boat’s return time all matter. Still, a glass of Champagne on the way home is a thoughtful touch, especially for a birthday, family celebration, or first visit to St. Maarten.

You return to Simpson Bay before heading back to Bobby’s Marina. The full experience takes about eight hours, though exact timing can shift with immigration, sea conditions, and the chosen stops.

What the $149 price really covers

At $149 per person, this is not a cheap way to reach Anguilla. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: transportation by catamaran, snorkel gear, instruction, flotation equipment, dinghy support, sandwiches, buffet lunch, afternoon sweets, an open bar, and Champagne.

You are paying for a full day on the water rather than a simple ferry ride. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and a return trip, the package can offer solid value. The crew service also matters. A well-run boat day feels much easier than arranging separate island transport and activities yourself.

The extra $25 government fee per person changes the final figure. Secure parking at Bobby’s Marina costs $2 per hour, and there is no private round-trip bus included. You need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long beach stay or serious snorkeling. You could spend much of the day sailing, and the boat can feel crowded with 45 people. The value is strongest for people who want an all-in-one social outing with food, drinks, music, swimming, and scenery.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this experience to you if you like a full day with a bit of everything. It suits couples, families, birthday groups, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people on a shared boat. Non-swimmers can still enjoy the ride, food, and views, though the main stops center on swimming and snorkeling.

The crew provides flotation aids, noodles, vests, and dinghy support, but this is still an ocean activity. You should be comfortable around open water, and the listed weight limit is 125 kilograms, or 275 pounds, for safety reasons.

This trip is a good match if you want:

• A relaxed catamaran ride with an open bar
• Two island settings in one day
• Basic snorkeling with equipment provided
• A social boat rather than a private charter
• A buffet lunch and snacks without arranging meals
• A Champagne toast on the return sail

I would hesitate if you dislike choppy crossings, crowded decks, or flexible plans. I would also choose another activity if your main goal is a long walk on Anguilla or several separate reef sites. Weather can change the route, and the operator openly reserves the right to use alternate stops.

The tour is not recommended for cruise ship passengers, and no private transportation is available. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before departure. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Seven practical questions before you book

FAQ

Do I need to bring my passport?

Yes. You must bring your actual passport for immigration at Simpson Bay. Passport cards, copies, and phone pictures are not accepted.

What time should I arrive at Bobby’s Marina?

The meeting information asks you to check in at 8:15 a.m., while the listed start time is 9 a.m. Arrive early and confirm the exact departure time when booking.

Are snorkel equipment and flotation aids included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, instruction, snorkeling vests, and noodles are included. A dinghy also provides support for beach access and follows snorkelers.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes French baguette sandwiches, a buffet lunch with ribs, chicken, island rice, potato salad, Caesar salad, and Gouda cheese, plus cake. The open bar includes rum punch, beer, other drinks, and French Champagne at sunset.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. Alternate stops may be selected because of weather conditions. The planned stops are Prickly Pear Cays and Meads Bay, but sea conditions can lead to different snorkeling or beach locations.

Is parking included?

No. Secure parking at Bobby’s Marina is available for $2 per hour. Private transportation to and from the marina is also not included.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations qualify for a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Prickly Pear and Anguilla cruise?

Book it if you want a sociable, all-day boat outing with swimming, snorkeling, lunch, unlimited drinks, and a polished sunset finish. The crew’s personal service is a major strength, and the combination of Prickly Pear, Meads Bay, and the return Champagne toast gives the day a clear sense of occasion.

Do not book it expecting a private yacht, a guaranteed route, or hours of serious reef snorkeling. The sea can be rough, the boat can feel crowded, and the advertised stops may change. For the right person, though, the $149 base price plus the government fee buys an easy, festive day that covers nearly everything from the first sandwich to the final toast.