Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla

Anguilla is close to St. Maarten, but the best way to see it is from the water. This private speedboat charter lets you set the pace with your captain instead of following a fixed group schedule. You can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, visiting beaches, or stopping for lunch.

I like the freedom to build the day around the weather, and I like that Sam and Mel are named as the operating team, with Sam receiving especially strong praise for clear communication and local guidance. The boat includes unlimited drinks and snorkeling gear, which keeps the day simple.

The main catch is cost. At $404.42 per person, plus a $35 cash clearance fee, this is a serious splurge unless you fill the boat with family or friends. It is also not designed for cruise ship passengers, despite one group being accommodated with a modified trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat, private schedule: Your group travels alone and can adjust the route with the captain.
• Anguilla by sea: The route can include Cap Juluca, Sandy Island, Crocus Bay, Little Bay, and Meads Bay.
• Snorkeling made easy: Masks and other snorkeling equipment are supplied, with water, soft drinks, and beers included.
• Seven hours on the water: Plan for a full day of sun, swimming, beach stops, and boat travel.
• Bring your passport and cash: A valid passport is required, and the $35-per-person clearance fee must be paid in cash to the captain.
• Best for small groups: The price makes more sense when shared by a group that values privacy and flexibility.

Why a private boat changes the Anguilla day

A shared excursion gives you a set route and a fixed pace. This charter gives you room to make choices. If your group wants more time in the water, you can ask for it. If the weather favors one coast or bay, your captain can adjust the plan.

That flexibility matters in the Caribbean. The proposed route covers several different types of stops, from a polished resort beach to a tiny island with a beach bar and a secluded bay reached only by boat. You will not necessarily spend the same amount of time at every stop, and that is part of the appeal.

The day begins at Powerboat Adventures, 57 Well Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, and returns there after about seven hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

Sam is the captain most often named in the feedback, while Sam and Mel are both praised for creating a relaxed private outing. Sam’s role is more than steering the boat. He helps shape the route, handles the border paperwork, and gives advice about where to stop. One group simply let him choose the route and ended up visiting several good spots, including snorkeling areas and a lunch stop on Pinel.

Cap Juluca offers an easy first beach stop

Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, sits on a white sandy beach facing Saint Martin. The water and sand make it a straightforward place to begin the Anguilla portion of the day. You can step off the boat, swim, walk along the shore, and enjoy the contrast between the ride over and the calm beach.

This stop is best for people who want classic Caribbean scenery without needing a strenuous activity. It also gives you a chance to settle into the day before choosing between longer snorkeling or beach stops.

Because Cap Juluca is connected with a luxury hotel, do not expect the same informal feel as Sandy Island or Little Bay. The attraction here is the beach itself and the setting, not a remote-island atmosphere. Your captain will also need to consider access and current conditions, so the exact stop may change.

Sandy Island brings sand, snorkeling, and a beach bar

Sandy Island is a small island with white sand, snorkeling, and a beach bar. It is the kind of stop that works well for a private charter because you can choose how to divide your time between the water, the shore, and a drink.

The snorkeling is one of the main reasons to include it. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack a full kit. Still, bring your own mask if you are particular about fit, since the provided equipment may not suit every face.

Sandy Island is small, which is part of its charm and also its limit. It is not a place for a long walk or a full range of activities. Think of it as a compact swim and beach stop, with the added convenience of a bar.

Crocus Bay works well for a lunch break

Crocus Bay has clear water and a dock leading to DaVida’s restaurant. That dock makes the stop useful for a group that wants a proper meal instead of eating on the boat or carrying food along.

Lunch is not included in the price, so you should budget for it separately. The restaurant option gives you a practical break from the sun and the boat, but it also means your final timing will depend on how long you spend eating.

I like Crocus Bay for groups with mixed interests. Some people can swim, others can relax on the beach, and everyone can meet for lunch. If you want a quick, activity-packed day, a restaurant stop may use more of your seven hours than you prefer. Tell the captain what matters most before settling in.

Little Bay is the most secluded-feeling stop

Little Bay is accessible only by boat, with clear water, a small beach, and cliff jumping. This is the stop that most clearly shows why you booked a private boat. You are not simply driving up to a beach by road. You are arriving by water at a bay with no ordinary land access.

The cliff jumping is optional, of course. If you want to try it, ask the captain about current conditions and the safest place to enter. If you would rather stay in the water at a lower level, the clear bay offers room to swim and snorkel.

Little Bay is not the place to expect facilities or a long list of services. Its appeal is the setting and the sense of getting somewhere by boat. Bring a dry change of clothes if you plan to spend much of the day in the water, since the boat ride between stops can be breezy.

Meads Bay is made for a long swim

Meads Bay Beach Villas sits along one of Anguilla’s most beautiful beaches, with white sand, clear water, and snorkeling. This is a strong choice for the group member who wants a classic beach afternoon rather than constant movement between stops.

Meads Bay also makes a good final beach stop. After several swims and boat rides, you may want one longer stretch of sand where you can slow down. The supplied plan allows about an hour here, but the captain can adjust the time according to your interests and the day’s conditions.

The beach is not a secret spot, and the villas give it a more developed feel than Little Bay. That is not a flaw if you want a comfortable beach setting. If solitude is your priority, ask for more time at Little Bay or another quieter location instead.

How the captain shapes your route

The listed route is an example, not a promise that you will spend exactly one hour at every stop. The captain can alter the plan based on weather, available time, and what your group wants to do.

That makes your conversation with the captain important. Before leaving, decide if your priorities are:

• More snorkeling
• A long beach stay
• Lunch at DaVida’s
• A stop at a beach bar
• A quieter bay
• Swimming and sun rather than sightseeing

Sam is praised for being responsive before departure and for knowing the islands well. You should use that local input, but do not be shy about stating your own preferences. A private charter is valuable only if you speak up.

The route may also include Cole Bay as part of the departure area. The proposed stop there is short, at about 15 minutes, and has no admission charge. The meaningful Anguilla stops are the beaches and bays, but Cole Bay is where the day gets organized before you head out.

What is included, and what still costs extra

The price is $404.42 per person. Included are the private tour, professional captain, taxes and handling charges, unlimited water, soft drinks and beers, and snorkeling equipment.

The main extra cost is the $35-per-person clearance fee, paid in cash to the captain on the day of the trip. Lunch is also extra. That may mean a restaurant meal at DaVida’s or another lunch arrangement suggested by the captain.

No hotel transportation is included. You also need a current valid passport. This is an international boat trip from St. Maarten to Anguilla, not simply a beach transfer, so do not leave passport checks until the last minute.

The value depends heavily on group size. For a group that wants privacy, a custom route, and a full day on the water, the cost can be reasonable compared with booking several separate activities. For one or two people, it is harder to justify unless the private format is your top priority.

The 98 percent recommendation and five-star rating from 43 reviews point to a strong overall record, but the one notable complaint concerned communication about travel documents and entry requirements. That is a useful warning: confirm exactly what documents are needed, ask when they must be provided, and keep the $35 fee ready in cash.

Comfort, pace, and who will enjoy it most

This is an active day. You will spend time on a speedboat, swim, snorkel, walk on beaches, and climb in and out of the boat. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18. The boat is private, so your group can keep the pace comfortable, but the captain still needs to manage sea conditions and safe access to each stop.

I would choose this charter for:

• Families or friends who want the boat to themselves
• Couples willing to pay for privacy
• Strong swimmers and beach lovers
• Groups that dislike fixed group schedules
• People who want several Anguilla beaches in one day
• Anyone who prefers a captain-led day rather than planning every stop

I would hesitate if you want a low-cost beach transfer, dislike boat travel, or need a guaranteed cruise ship schedule. The experience is not intended for cruise ship passengers. One group received a modified trip, but you should not assume that accommodation will be available.

Weather and cancellation details

The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local time, so check the departure time carefully if you are booking from another time zone.

This policy is fair for a weather-dependent private boat, but it makes early communication worthwhile. If the forecast looks uncertain, contact the operator rather than waiting until departure morning.

Should you book the St. Maarten to Anguilla charter?

Book it if you want a private day built around your group, not a cheap ride to one beach. The combination of a speedboat, flexible route, snorkeling, drinks, and access to bays such as Little Bay gives you a broad taste of Anguilla in one outing.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private format, the captain’s ability to adjust the route, the included equipment and drinks, and the chance to combine several beaches with a lunch stop. Sam’s attentive communication and practical route advice add value when the day is running well.

Skip it if the price is uncomfortable, if you are traveling alone, or if you need a firm cruise ship timetable. Before booking, gather the group, confirm the passport requirements, plan for $35 cash per person plus lunch, and decide what you want most from the day. If you do that, the captain can turn a long boat day into a personal Anguilla sampler rather than a rushed checklist.

FAQ

Where does the private speedboat charter begin?

The tour begins at Powerboat Adventures, 57 Well Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, soft drinks, and beers are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Do I need a passport?

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

What is the clearance fee?

The clearance fee is US$35 per person. It must be paid to the captain in cash on the day of the trip.