My wife and I are going to SXM the last week of October for 10 days. Just wondering if anyone has taken the ferry over to Anguilla for the day. Did you rent a car? what's there to do once your there?

Any suggestions?

Beware!
The French side departure fee must now be paid in Euros, for cash, or bank card.

First of all, you do have to take your passport with you. Some boat tours take you over to Anguilla, also. Same applies on passport. They drive on the opposite side of the street there, so I would not recommend driving. I would hire a taxi and say you want to hit two beaches, maybe have a meal on the beach with some cocktails. Sunday is funday in Anguilla with lots of music on the beach. Your taxi driver will pick you up at your pre-determined time, and take you back to ferry. The ferry gets busier and busier later in the day. I like to float around on a noodle in Anguilla, so bring noodles if you like to lounge in the ocean.

We have taken both the public ferry from Marigot and a private ferry from near the airport on the Dutch side, done it many times. I would suggest hiring a driver, hitting a beach or two (Shoal Bay), maybe checking out a resort or two and having lunch somewhere. It is not an inexpensive day but a nice diversion and contrast to SXM. I have never personally rented a car but a SXM taxi driver friend who went with us a couple of times did rent and drive, but I prefer the taxi for Anguilla.

We did it a couple of years ago and had a great time. Note that there is a customs/immigration form that you should fill out online and bring with you (along with your passport), as it will make the arrival process much faster at the ferry terminal. I don't know if that's changed, so check online before going. The departure process from Marigot can only be described as chaotic and appeared to be designed to be as inefficient as possible.

We rented scooters to get around Anguilla. If you rent a car or scooter, be aware that driving is on the left side of the road, and you have to buy a temporary driver's license which the rental company will arrange.

We found the people on Anguilla to be quite nice and welcoming. We visited several beach clubs and bars, and had lunch at a beachside restaurant. The island has a very different vibe compared to SXM, and it seemed more expensive than SXM, but it was well worth a day visit to explore. The roads were not nearly as crowded as SXM, and the island is obviously not as hilly, so it's pretty easy to get around without getting lost.