Prickly Pear Cays
Prickly Pear Cays
4.5
About
This small island is located six miles from the Anguillan mainland and is popular among swimmers and snorkelers looking for a less crowded experience.
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4.5
110 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
14
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Cali-Em
New Jersey156 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
Beware! We were taken out to Prickly pear on the Prickly pear dash boat from Sandy Ground. We were not told the seas were rough ! Terrible ride out and very dangerous getting off the boat to the shore. Waves lifting boat and the boat almost flipped. Once on shore we could not enjoy the water for swimming or snorkeling because of rough seas. Then the shock of the price for lunch! $65 a person for family style lunch. This was not advertised on website. We thought we would be able to order off a menu. I would not mind paying this price if we were told ahead of time. We sat on the beach chairs for 4 hours waiting our return boat worried about our safety. The ride back to Sandy Ground was even worse getting bounced around on the wooden seats. Everyone was totally bruised. When we went to a local beach bar on Sandy Ground immediately after for a cocktail the local owners were shocked and upset that the owner of the Prickly pear boat took us out on the sea with small craft advisories in place. We called and spoke to the owner and he was responsive and listened to our concerns. He eventually said it’s up to the tourist to decide! If we would have been told the facts prior we would have never gone out that day! You can not tell the sea conditions in Sandy Ground a protected harbor. I’m writing this review to make sure everyone is aware of the safety concerns and in hope no one goes through the horrible unsafe experience we endured. We were all bruised and cut and banged up pretty badly getting on and off the boat.
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
slickster13
altoona, pa8 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Weird experience! 14 of us arrived here on a catamaran. We had preordered and had a reservation for 1 o’clock. Arrived early, captain called ahead and they said they were ready for us. We get there at 12:30, get seated, they take our drink orders, deliver the drinks and the staff never comes back to our table.
Our boat captain comes after we’re waiting an hour and I tell him there are no signs of food and none of the staff have come back to our table.
Bottom line, we wait 1 hour 15 minutes for our preordered food and the captain and co-captain of our boat serves us. The captain also brings me our check. The staff never came to our table after delivering drinks
Really weird experience!
Food was good but some of it only made it to half the table. The other side of the table said how good the chicken and Cole slaw were. We never saw those items.
We were here exactly 2 hours and were not prepared to be off the boat for 2 hours!
Our boat captain comes after we’re waiting an hour and I tell him there are no signs of food and none of the staff have come back to our table.
Bottom line, we wait 1 hour 15 minutes for our preordered food and the captain and co-captain of our boat serves us. The captain also brings me our check. The staff never came to our table after delivering drinks
Really weird experience!
Food was good but some of it only made it to half the table. The other side of the table said how good the chicken and Cole slaw were. We never saw those items.
We were here exactly 2 hours and were not prepared to be off the boat for 2 hours!
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy M
Lexington, SC68 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
What a great day at Prickly Pear! The food and staff were fantastic! There were 6 of us and 3 got the $35 option and 3 did the $65 option that way we all got to taste the lobster. What’s better that having lunch on an island in paradise! Low reviews of this experience are crybabies. Just do it!
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mackenzie L
London, Canada5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Today was 10/10 magical, amazing, fabulous and enjoyable ! Prickly pear remained open despite it being hurricane season, and because of this, my boyfriend and I received celebrity treatment and had the entire island to ourselves! We called the day before to reserve our spot on the island and showed up to the Sandy ground pier at 11am. They were running on island time, so the crew showed up to pick us up around 11:30. They took us on the scenic route to the island. We stopped by the ship wrecks in Sandy ground, saw some bobbing turtles along the way, and then boated along the west end shore. We got to Prickly pear around noon and were absolutely blown away by the turquoise waters and exquisite beach front. Lunch was a delicious spread of bbq chicken, ribs, mahi, crayfish and shrimp! Travis and Aaron kept the signature prickly pear rum punches flowing all day long! After lunch, We snorkelled a little along the shore and saw a variety of colourful fish! When 4:00 rolled around we were sad to leave! The day was amazing from start to finish. The crew, the sights, and the food made it an unforgettable experience!!!
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanette B
9 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
My group stopped at Prickly Pear Cay while on a boating excursion. We stoped for a late lunch. We got the family combo - a little bit for everyone, Included lobster, shrimp, ribs to start. Looking at the white sandy beach and the crystal blue ocean, nothing could be better. Also saw butterflies and many types of birds. Very enjoyable
Written 23 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
coltsneckfoodie
colts neck, nj45 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The food is fantastic the prices was not! Our fault for not asking but never would we expect to pay $460 for 4 people for lunch . We felt laid back didn’t ask about lunch prices but were told family style. As I said fun place to visit but beware the chargers . Will not return for that reason. Ask before you order
Written 10 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aiie
Brewster, MA36 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
It is not cheap...but it is oh so wonderful. We happened to have the entire island to ourselves. We had been in quarantine when I turned 60 last year so this was a big treat. We were picked up by a small boat at Sandy Ground where two lovely young men took us on a very fast and exhilarating ride to Prickly Pear. We were greeted and asked when we would like to eat. Drinks were many...but the best of all was walking to the very end of the island to watch the blue footed booby hatchlings in their nests. The swimming is gorgeous, the food divine and the people so gracious. Be prepared for a hefty bill but it is a once in a lifetime experience. I loved every second.
Written 22 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Klockner
NJ62 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
Small island with a great beach, amazing service, and cool to explore nature. Definitely a great place to visit as a change to sitting at the hotels. The people on the way there and on the island are super friendly. Not exactly inexpensive, but considering that they need to bring everything to the island, the prices make sense.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew H
2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Best food…the poor reviews are from a bunch of amateurs. It’s $35 per person without the lobster. It’s by far some of the best food you’ll have in the Caribbean. Awesome beach and bright blue waters.
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
delawareparrothead
delaware44 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
We booked the shuttle from Sandy Ground to Prickly Pear with friends. On our way out, we were told the seas are a little rough, but we would be okay. The ride out was indeed pretty rough. It was a 20-25 minute bumpy boat ride. Once we arrived there, the waves were crashing on the shore. The boat was being knocked around while we were trying to exit it. The only person to help was Captain Lou. I was the last one off the boat. While waiting to get off, the boat went totally upright, almost flipping over. Once off the boat, we were unable to enjoy the day, worrying about the ride back and how we would be able to get back on the boat. When we asked about order our lunch, we were told it was family style, $65 per person or $135 per person, if we wanted to include drinks. Apparently, there was a $35 option (without the crawfish) that we were not given. ( I was told this by the owner.) The food was very good. We were unable to snorkel or get in the water, because of the rough seas. The bathrooms were disgusting, human feces in both toilets. No running water. When it came time to get back in the boat, they used a cooler to have our female friend step on and then onto the bow of the boat. Then the waves kept rolling in, so one of the restaurant workers picked up the lady worker and pretty much threw her on the bow to get in. Then he picked me up and threw me on the boat, while people inside were helping pull me in. All the while, the waves kept rolling in. The men were able to pull themselves up on the bow to get in, getting banged up in the process. The ride back was much rougher, all of us hanging on for our lives. Once back ashore, we had bruises, scrapes, and sore backs and necks from the extremely bumpy ride. We were thankful to reach Sandy Ground! I contacted the owner about our experience. He did give us some money back, but I was trying to make him understand how unsafe the boat ride and exit was. Also, that only Captain Lou was on the boat, trying to do it all, making it more unsafe. When I asked who decided if it is too rough to go out, I was told it was the guest who decides. That is ridiculous! We do not know the sea conditions and apparently there was a small craft advisory that day! We were not made aware of that! Once back, we went to a local bar for a drink, to calm down. We were told by the locals, they should have never taken us out. They said those seas were extremely dangerous for a boat that size and the boat could have easily flipped. We also had multiple locals say we should have never been taken out. My suggestion, find another way to Prickly Pear, other than the shuttle!!! Make sure you find out the food menu and prices, so you are not blindsided. I was told the website is being updated to reflect all the new pricing. I hope so, because all the pricing listed was wrong. More importantly, it was a dangerous boat ride for even an experienced boat riding person!!
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You can probably email them to be sure, but I think they take credit cards as the friends we were with purchased a bottle of wine (a surprisingly VERY good French Rose).
Written 24 May 2019
Is there a large dropdown from the beach? Is it safe for a non swimmer? How shallow is water close to beach?
Written 27 July 2018
Is there a large dropdown from the beach? Is it safe for a non swimmer? How shallow is water close to beach?
Written 27 July 2018
hello, what is the most economical way to get to prickley pear? get a small boat from Sandy Ground??
Written 4 September 2016
hello, I will be visiting Anguilla for a day from st martin. is there boat service that takes you to Prickley pear from Anguilla? if so, how much does it run?
Written 3 September 2016
There is. I went on a boat out of Simpson Bay. The Boat crew is fantastic. Open bar of the boat and they supply lunch too.
LAMBADA TO PRICKLY PEAR & ANGUILLA through a company called Aqua Mania Adventures
Written 21 September 2016
Is Prickly Pear always crowded around lunch time? Are there better days/times to visit that are less crowded?
Written 31 July 2016
Early morning is very quiet, the boats come in around 11. Saturday is the the least busy day. The rest of the time it all depends on the tour bookings for a particular day. There could be 20 persons or there could be 70. Or there could be none.
Written 10 August 2016
Will be on a cruise and docked in Philipsburg, St. Maarten on Feb 2017 from most likely from 9:00am-4:00pm. Are there boat, water taxis, boat shuttles available to dock at Prickly Pear Cays for the day and get back to the ship on time? I've been all over this internet trying to get an idea. I have been to Anguilla back in 1988 and I am aware of the many changes and what a beauty the island is now. I would love to spend a day there on one of the beautiful beaches. I know of Gumbs famailies living on Rendezvous Bay as well but I'am trying to every way possible to get my ducks in a row. Thank you for any information you can provide. Cheryl
Written 26 February 2016
I do not know if you could get to prickly pear cay without booking a sailing/catamaran trip but you can get to the island Anguilla. There is a ferry that leaves from Marigot in St Martin (a taxi ride from Phillisburg) to Anguilla.
Ferry Shuttle
Ferry transportation to and from Anguilla is convenient, simple and inexpensive.
The ferries run all day between the hours of 7:30am and 6:15pm (departing Anguilla). The last return ferry to Anguilla departs St. Martin at 7:00pm. Ferries run approximately every 45 minutes, and the trip takes about 25 minutes.
Regular one-way fare is US $20 or EC $55 for adults and children twelve years and older. Children under twelve years old are US $10.
Written 20 August 2016
The wife and I will be staying on Anguilla for a week in December. We would like to visit Prickly Pear Cay, enjoy the beach have a few drinks and have a grilled lobster dinner. Can anyone advise the quietest day of the week to do this? How much will it cost and how who provides transportation from Anguilla? will we need reservations at the restaurant? Thank you.
Written 28 August 2015
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