Private Speedboat Charter: St Maarten to Anguilla

Anguilla is close to St Maarten, but a private speedboat lets you see it at your own pace instead of following a large group. You can snorkel in Little Bay, stretch out at Shoal Bay, and stop for drinks while your captain handles the route. The crew may include guides such as Junior, Ignacio, Sammy, or Nicolas, depending on the booking.

I like the small-group freedom and the easy access to places that cannot be reached by road, including Little Bay. I also like the personal touch: Ignacio has helped guests film an octopus underwater, while Junior has shared island history and safety advice.

The main drawback is cost. At $1,500 per group of up to nine, this is poor value for one or two people, but it becomes reasonable when a full family or group shares the price. Lunch, customs fees, and clearance charges are extra.

Key Points for Your Anguilla Boat Day

• Private boat for up to nine: Your group has the captain and crew to itself, with no strangers joining the trip.
• Little Bay snorkeling: This marine park stop is reached only by boat and can offer encounters with sea turtles and other underwater life.
• Two hours at Shoal Bay: You get time for the beach that is regularly ranked among the world’s best.
• Drinks on board: Beer, soda, water, champagne, and rum cocktails are available, along with floating devices.
• Lunch is your choice and your cost: You stop at a beach restaurant, but the meal is not included in the charter price.
• Passport required: You need a current valid passport, and customs and clearance fees are paid separately in Anguilla.

Why a Private Speedboat Makes Sense from St Maarten

This outing is built for people who want Anguilla as a full-day escape, not a quick look from a ferry terminal. The speedboat gives you a direct way across the water, then lets you move between beaches and snorkeling spots without waiting for a large tour group.

The private setup matters most if your group has mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another stays on the boat, and you can spend more time at a beach that suits you. Your captain and guide are assigned to your group, so you can ask questions, adjust the day within the planned route, and get help with snorkeling.

The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m. from 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, and the full outing lasts about seven hours. It ends back at the same meeting point. That makes this a substantial day trip, but not an overnight commitment to Anguilla.

The boat also gives the day a social, celebratory feel. Beer, sodas, water, champagne, and rum cocktails are available on board. Floating devices are included, along with snorkeling equipment. Bring a towel and swimsuit, since the day is built around swimming and beach time rather than sightseeing from dry land.

Crossing to Anguilla with Champagne on Board

The trip begins with a cruise from St Maarten toward Anguilla aboard a high-energy speedboat. The ride itself is part of the appeal. You are not simply being transported to a beach. You are moving between islands with open water around you, a drink in hand, and a captain who can explain the area and offer safety guidance.

The speedboat format is also the reason to think carefully about comfort. It is lively and exposed compared with a large enclosed ferry. If you prefer a quiet, steady crossing, a private speedboat may not be your ideal boat ride. If you enjoy being close to the water and want a more active day, it fits well.

The crew’s role can add real value. Junior has been praised for giving island background and clear safety tips. Ignacio has joined swimmers in the water and helped capture underwater footage, including an octopus at Creole Rock. Those details suggest the crew is not limited to steering the boat. Still, exact crew assignments can vary, so you should not book expecting one particular captain unless the operator confirms it.

Little Bay and the Anguilla Marine Park

Little Bay is one of the more special stops because you can reach it only by boat. It is part of Anguilla’s marine park, and the water is used for snorkeling and viewing sea life. Sea turtles may be seen here, and the small beach offers a quieter place to pause between swims.

This is where the included snorkeling equipment earns its keep. You do not need to pack your own mask and fins, though you may prefer your own gear if fit is important to you. Floating devices are also available, which gives you another way to enjoy the water without making the whole stop a serious swimming session.

One of the strongest parts of this stop is the chance to have the crew help you notice what is below the surface. An octopus is easy to miss if you are swimming quickly, and a guide who gets in the water can make the snorkeling feel more rewarding. The water is described as clear and calm, though conditions can change with weather.

Little Bay is not the place to expect a long, developed beach day. Its appeal comes from the marine setting and boat-only access. If your priority is a wide stretch of sand with restaurants and facilities, Shoal Bay or Meads Bay will suit you better.

Shoal Bay for Two Hours on the Sand

Shoal Bay is the main beach stop, with about two hours set aside for the visit. It is often placed among the world’s top beaches, and the reason is easy to understand: soft sand, clear water, and a classic Caribbean setting.

Two hours is enough time to swim, sit in the sand, and enjoy the view without making the beach stop feel rushed. It also gives you a chance to slow down after the speedboat ride and snorkeling. I would use this stop for simple pleasures rather than trying to pack in another activity.

Lunch is not included, but you stop at one of the beach restaurants of your choice. This is useful for groups with different tastes, since you are not locked into one included meal. It also means you need to budget for the restaurant separately and allow time for the meal within the beach stop.

The open bar does not replace lunch. Beer, sodas, and water are included, along with champagne and rum cocktails described as available on board. If you want a proper meal, plan on paying for it at the beach restaurant.

Shoal Bay is likely the best stop for anyone who wants the recognizable Anguilla beach scene. It may be less appealing if you dislike beach time or prefer a packed schedule of cultural visits. This boat day is centered on water, sand, and scenery.

Meads Bay and the Anguilla Beach Rhythm

Meads Bay receives about one hour of the day. Compared with Little Bay, it is a better fit for a traditional beach stop, with room to swim, walk, or simply take in the coast.

The shorter time here means you should not expect the same long pause as at Shoal Bay. Instead, Meads Bay adds variety. You get another stretch of sand and another view of Anguilla, without spending the entire outing in one place.

The route may also include Sandy Island and Crocus Bay, two of the named highlights for the excursion. Sandy Island offers the appeal of a small tropical island stop, while Crocus Bay is associated with calm, clear water suited to snorkeling. Since the exact order and timing can depend on sea conditions and the captain’s plan, ask at the beginning which stops will be included that day.

Cap Juluca, a Belmond hotel, is also named as part of the cruising route. The information provided does not promise a hotel tour or access to its facilities, so think of this as a scenic point along the water rather than a guaranteed hotel visit.

The Real Cost: $1,500 for Up to Nine People

The listed price is $1,500 per group, with up to nine people included. That works out to about $167 per person if nine people fill the boat. For six people, the share is $250 each. For four, it becomes $375 each. A couple would be paying $750 each before lunch and customs charges, which makes the charter hard to justify unless privacy is your top priority.

For a full family group or a group of friends, the price buys more than transportation. You get a private boat, a captain and guide, included snorkeling equipment, floating devices, and drinks on board. You also avoid being tied to the pace of strangers.

The value is strongest when you care about flexibility and personal attention. A cheaper shared trip may cover some of the same water, but it will not offer the same control over your group’s day. The value is weaker if you mainly want a ferry ride and a few hours on one beach.

You also need to add customs and clearance fees payable to the agency on arrival in Anguilla. Lunch is separate as well. Ask for the exact extra charges before departure so the $1,500 price does not catch you by surprise.

Who Will Enjoy This Seven-Hour Charter

I would recommend this outing to families, groups of friends, and couples traveling with other couples who can share the fixed price. It is especially well suited to people who want several beaches and a snorkeling stop in one day, rather than choosing one destination and staying there.

The private format also helps families with different comfort levels. Strong swimmers can snorkel, while others can use floating devices or stay aboard. A captain such as Nicolas may shape the day around your group’s interests, taking you to several beaches and a good lunch stop, but the precise captain and route can differ.

This is also a good fit for cruise ship passengers, provided you give the operator your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time when booking. You must leave enough margin for the boat day and your return to the ship. The seven-hour duration, customs process, and return to Cole Bay make careful timing essential.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, need a guaranteed indoor space, or want every meal and fee covered in advance. This is a water-focused day with an open schedule, not a guided city tour or a formal history excursion.

Passports, Weather, and Simple Preparation

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. Since the boat crosses from St Maarten to Anguilla, do not treat this like a domestic beach transfer.

Bring a towel and swimsuit. Comfortable sun protection is also sensible, but the confirmed included items are snorkeling equipment, floating devices, and drinks. The meeting point is 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, and the activity returns there at the end.

The tour needs good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Still, this is an active boat-and-water day, so make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with swimming stops and a speedboat ride.

Should You Book This Anguilla Charter?

Book it if you can fill most of the nine seats and want a private day built around beaches, snorkeling, and time on the water. The strongest reasons are Little Bay’s boat-only access, the two-hour Shoal Bay stop, and the chance to have a captain and guide focus on your group.

I would be more cautious if only two people are sharing the cost. In that case, the price rises quickly, and a shared excursion may offer better value. You should also confirm the day’s expected stops, extra customs charges, lunch plan, and assigned crew before paying.

For a full group that values privacy, this is a polished way to see Anguilla from St Maarten. Junior, Ignacio, Sammy, and Nicolas have each been associated with the kind of hands-on guiding that makes the day more than a boat transfer. Just budget honestly for the extras and remember that the sea, not a fixed schedule, controls much of the outing.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat charter?

The activity lasts approximately seven hours. It begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $1,500 price covers one private group of up to nine people.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the charter price. The boat stops at a beach restaurant of your choice, where you pay for your meal separately.

What drinks are included?

Beer, sodas, and water are included on board. Champagne and rum cocktails are also available from the open bar.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are included.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. You need a current valid passport on the day of travel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.