St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten

The best part of this St Barth charter is the freedom to shape the day. You can visit Gustavia, stretch out at St Jean or Colombier, or stop at Tintamarre Island for snorkeling instead of following a fixed sightseeing script. I like that the boat gives you a water-level view of the islands and that your group has the crew’s full attention.

I also like the practical extras: snorkeling equipment is included, and the open bar covers beer and soft drinks. The main caution is cost. At $1,650 per group, this makes the most sense when you can fill the boat, and you’ll also pay a $20-per-person clearance and customs fee.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for your group: The charter is reserved for your party, with a maximum of 12 passengers.
• Flexible St Barth route: You can choose among Gustavia, St Jean, Colombier, and Tintamarre Island, subject to the day’s plan.
• Six hours on the water: The experience begins at 9:30 am and returns to the same meeting point.
• Snorkeling and drinks included: Gear, beer, and soft drinks are part of the package.
• Passport required: You need a current valid passport, plus $20 per person for clearance and customs fees.
• Best value with a full group: The $1,650 price is charged per group, not per person, for up to 10 people.

Why this private St Barth boat day works

St Barth is close enough to visit from Sint Maarten, but the crossing gives the day a sense of occasion. Instead of seeing the island only from a road or a busy harbor, you approach it by water and choose how much time to spend on beaches, in town, or in the sea.

That flexibility is the heart of the experience. A standard excursion can tell you exactly where to go and when to leave. Here, your group can focus on the parts of St Barth that fit your mood. If you want town time, Gustavia is the natural choice. If you prefer sand and swimming, St Jean or Colombier may matter more. Tintamarre Island adds a snorkeling stop.

I would think of this as a private island day rather than a simple boat transfer. The boat gets you there, but the real value comes from having a crew available to help shape the route and offer local tips.

The small number of published ratings means I would not treat the perfect five-star score as a complete statistical picture. Still, the strongest praise focuses on the crew’s care. One particularly useful account describes a guest recovering from food poisoning, with the crew doing everything possible to look after the family and protect the day. That detail matters because a private charter depends heavily on the people running it, not only on the boat or the islands.

Leaving Sint Maarten at 9:30 am

Your day starts at 9:30 am. The supplied meeting information lists two connected points: Robinson Speed Boat Tours as the start location and Seven Marine Charters as the home-base marina for check-in. Both parts are listed as taking about 25 minutes, with no admission charge.

You should read your confirmation carefully so you know exactly where to report. Since this is a boat excursion, arriving with enough time to find the marina will make the start less rushed. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer as part of the tour.

The charter lasts about six hours. That includes the boat time, island stops, and the return trip. You will not have an entire day on St Barth, so the outing is best for sampling several places rather than treating one beach or town as a full-day destination.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, the operator needs your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time when you book. That is not a minor formality. A private boat returning to its marina does not change the ship’s departure schedule, so you should compare the 9:30 am start and roughly six-hour duration with your all-aboard time before paying.

The boat ride and the value of a private group

The charter is priced at $1,650 per group, with up to 10 people included in the advertised price. The additional information also gives a maximum capacity of 12 passengers, so I would clarify the exact cost and permitted number if your party has 11 or 12 people. The price details clearly identify 10 as the group size for the quoted rate.

Here is the simple math. A group of 10 pays about $165 per person before the $20-per-person clearance and customs charge. A group of five pays about $330 per person before that fee. For a couple, the price is much harder to justify unless the privacy and custom route matter more to you than keeping costs low.

A private charter becomes more appealing for families or friends who want to stay together. You are not being matched with a busload of strangers, and the crew can focus on your group. That may be useful if one person wants more beach time, another wants snorkeling, and someone else mainly wants a boat ride and a look at Gustavia.

The boat also changes what you see. You travel by water between stops, so the ride itself becomes part of the sightseeing. You get views of the coast and an approach to St Barth that you would miss on a land-only visit.

The tradeoff is that a speedboat is a transport and sightseeing platform, not a spacious resort deck. The supplied information does not specify the boat model, seating layout, shade, or restroom facilities. If any of those details matter to you, ask Captain Flint Boat Charters before booking.

Gustavia for a taste of St Barth

Gustavia is the island’s capital and the clearest choice if you want a town stop. A visit here gives you a change from the boat and beaches, with time to see the harbor area and get a feel for St Barth’s polished port setting.

The benefit is variety. A day spent only in the water can blur together, while Gustavia gives you a town-based break. It is also a sensible option if some people in your group are less interested in snorkeling or beach time.

The limitation is the clock. With about six hours for the full charter, a long stop in Gustavia leaves less time for the other locations. I would decide before departure if your group wants a town-focused day or a water-focused day. The flexible itinerary is useful only if you use it deliberately.

St Jean and Colombier for beach time

St Jean is the straightforward choice when your priority is a beach stop. You can lounge there, swim, and keep the day simple. It is likely to suit a group that wants a classic island break without adding too many moving parts.

Colombier offers another beach option, giving your crew a choice if one location better fits the group’s mood. The supplied details do not promise a particular amount of time at either beach, so do not assume you can spend hours at both and still fit in Gustavia and Tintamarre Island.

I like having these options because they let you set the pace. You can ask for more time at one beach rather than treating every stop as a quick photo break. At the same time, the final route is not described in fixed detail, so you should discuss priorities with the crew early in the day.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. Those are specifically recommended, and they are useful even if you begin by visiting Gustavia. With a beach and snorkeling choices on the table, regular sightseeing clothes alone would leave you poorly prepared.

Tintamarre Island and the included snorkeling gear

Tintamarre Island is the stop to choose when you want to get into the water. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting your own mask and related gear.

That inclusion is valuable in a private charter because it keeps the day flexible. You can decide to make snorkeling part of the plan without arranging a separate activity. The operator also provides professional guides, so you have crew support while moving between the boat and the water.

I would keep expectations sensible. The supplied information does not guarantee a particular marine-life sighting, water condition, or length of snorkeling time. The stop is an option within the wider route, not a promise of a full snorkeling tour.

You should also remember that the group needs to agree on priorities. A snorkeling stop takes time away from Gustavia or the beaches. If one person does not swim, the crew may be able to suggest a better balance, but the exact route should be settled on the day.

What the open bar actually includes

The open bar includes beer and soft drinks. It does not say that wine, spirits, cocktails, or bottled water are included, so I would not assume those are part of the package without asking.

The minimum drinking age is 18. That is worth noting for mixed-age groups, especially because the charter is private and may feel informal. Drinking is optional, of course, and you should keep in mind that you still have a boat ride, swimming, and snorkeling in the schedule.

The included drinks add convenience, but they are not the main reason to book. The stronger value comes from the private boat, local guidance, and freedom to choose stops. If everyone in your group drinks little or not at all, the open bar should not determine your decision.

Crew care and the human side of the trip

Captain Flint Boat Charters is the named experience provider. The package includes professional guides and local tips, which matters more on a flexible charter than on a fixed sightseeing route. You need a crew that can help your group decide how to use limited time.

The most useful service detail is the account of a crew caring for a family member who was recovering from food poisoning. The crew reportedly did everything possible to help the family keep the day manageable and memorable. I would not treat that as a guarantee of medical care, but it does point to the kind of personal attention a private charter can provide.

If anyone in your party feels unwell, tell the crew early. The exact support available is not specified, but prompt communication gives them a chance to adjust the pace or route. That personal response is one of the better reasons to choose a private trip instead of a large shared excursion.

The published rating is five out of five from two ratings. That is encouraging but a small sample, so I would place more weight on the clear service details and your group’s fit with the format.

Who should book this charter

I would recommend it most strongly for a group of friends or family members who can share the $1,650 cost. The per-person value improves quickly as your group grows, especially if you want privacy and a route built around your own interests.

It also suits people who want more than a transfer. You can combine town time, beach time, snorkeling, drinks, and coastal views in one outing. The flexible format is especially helpful when your group has different ideas about what makes a good island day.

This is less suitable if you want the cheapest way to reach St Barth, guaranteed long beach time, or a detailed fixed schedule. It may also be a poor fit if your cruise schedule leaves little margin, or if you do not have a current passport.

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. You should be comfortable with a boat-based day that may include getting into the water and moving between different stops. The supplied information does not describe accessibility arrangements, so ask directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Booking, documents, and cancellation

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel, so check this before you commit to the excursion.

The clearance and customs charge is $20 per person and is not included in the $1,650 price. Include it in your budget from the start. With 10 people, that adds $200 to the group total.

The tour offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. That policy gives you some flexibility, but the cutoff is firm.

My booking verdict

I would book this St Barth speedboat charter if I had a nearly full group, wanted a private day, and cared more about choice than a low-cost island transfer. The combination of Gustavia, beach stops, Tintamarre Island, snorkeling gear, drinks, and local crew attention gives you a useful mix of experiences in about six hours.

I would pause if I had only two or three people, needed a guaranteed itinerary, or had a tight cruise schedule. Ask about the exact meeting point, boat facilities, route priorities, and the 10-person quoted capacity before payment.

For the right group, this is a practical way to turn a short St Barth visit into a personal boat day rather than a rushed checklist. Just bring your passport, swimsuit, towel, and a clear idea of what your group wants most.

FAQ

Where does the St Barth speedboat charter start?

The start information lists Robinson Speed Boat Tours as the start location and Seven Marine Charters as the home-base marina for check-in. Your confirmation should provide the precise meeting instructions.

What time does the charter begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join?

The quoted group price is for up to 10 people. The additional information lists a maximum of 12 passengers, so groups of 11 or 12 should confirm the price and arrangements before booking.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a private sightseeing cruise, professional guides, an open bar with beer and soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

Are customs and clearance fees included?

No. Clearance and customs fees cost $20 per person and are paid separately.

Which places can the group visit?

Possible stops include Gustavia, St Jean, Colombier, and Tintamarre Island. The charter has a flexible itinerary rather than a fixed stop order.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.

What should I bring?

You should bring a towel and swimsuit. These are recommended because the itinerary can include beach time and snorkeling.

Can cruise ship passengers book this experience?

Yes, but cruise ship passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.