REVIEW · ST MAARTEN

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla

★ 5.0 · 43 reviews From $404 Operated by Powerboat Adventures · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this charter is simple: you have the boat to yourself. From Cole Bay, your captain can shape the day around beaches, snorkeling, lunch, and the weather instead of following a fixed schedule. Anguilla’s white sand and clear water are the main event, but the short, lively speedboat ride adds its own appeal.

I like the freedom to spend more time at a favorite beach, and I like that snorkeling gear and drinks are included. Captain Sam has been praised for his clean boat, helpful communication, and strong knowledge of St. Maarten and Anguilla. The main drawback is the extra $35 clearance fee per person, payable in cash, plus the need to carry a valid passport.

Key points to know before booking

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla - Key points to know before booking

  • Private boat, private day: Only your group takes part, so you can adjust the route and timing with the captain.
  • Six possible Anguilla stops: Cap Juluca, Sandy Island, Crocus Bay, Little Bay, Meads Bay, and other nearby locations may fit into the day.
  • Seven hours on the water: The time is long enough for several beach stops, snorkeling, lunch, and relaxed cruising.
  • Drinks and gear are covered: Unlimited water, soft drinks, beer, and snorkeling equipment are provided.
  • Bring your passport and cash: A current passport is required, and the $35 clearance charge is not included in the booking price.
  • Best for a small group: At $404.42 per person, the value improves when friends or family share the private charter.

From Cole Bay to Anguilla by speedboat

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla - From Cole Bay to Anguilla by speedboat

You meet Powerboat Adventures at 57 Well Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. The boat returns to this same point at the end of the day. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The first part of the outing is about getting out onto open water and across to Anguilla. The trip is not just transport between two islands. A private speedboat gives the captain room to adjust the day around sea conditions, your preferred pace, and the places you most want to see.

The proposed route begins with about 15 minutes around Cole Bay. This is less a sightseeing stop than a starting point for the day. Use the early minutes to settle in, ask the captain about sea conditions, and explain what matters most to your group. If snorkeling is your priority, say so early. If you prefer long beach time and an easy lunch, make that clear too.

Captain Sam is the name most closely associated with the experience, though another professional skipper may operate the boat. His role is important here. You are not simply hiring a boat and being left to make every decision yourself. The captain helps turn a list of possible beaches into a workable day.

More Private Speedboat Charters in St Maarten:

What a private charter changes

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla - What a private charter changes

A shared boat tour can be efficient, but it usually means accepting someone else’s timing. This charter gives you a different kind of value. You can linger at a beach, shorten a stop that does not suit you, or ask to spend more time in the water.

That flexibility matters because Anguilla’s conditions can change the best plan. Wind, waves, visibility, and available time all affect where snorkeling works well. The captain can adjust the route instead of forcing every group through the same sequence.

The private format also suits mixed-age groups. One supplied experience included people from 16 to 56, with everyone enjoying the day. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You should be comfortable boarding a boat, moving around on deck, swimming if you choose to snorkel, and spending much of the day outdoors.

At $404.42 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. The price makes more sense for a group that values privacy and wants a full day rather than a short ride. A larger party can share the cost of the boat, though the stated price is still calculated per person. If your main aim is simply to reach one Anguilla beach, a less expensive option may suit you better.

Cap Juluca and Anguilla’s white sand

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla - Cap Juluca and Anguilla’s white sand

Cap Juluca is planned as a one-hour stop. The beach faces St. Martin and offers the classic Anguilla scene: pale sand, clear water, and an elegant coastal setting.

This is a good first major beach stop because it gives you time to swim and settle into the slower rhythm of the day. The water is the attraction. You can cool off, walk the shoreline, or simply sit with a drink from the boat.

Do not expect a long resort visit or a guided hotel tour. The point is the beach area and the view across the water. Your exact access and time may depend on conditions and the captain’s plan, so treat this as a coastal stop rather than a guaranteed resort experience.

Sandy Island for sand, snorkeling, and a beach bar

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla - Sandy Island for sand, snorkeling, and a beach bar

Sandy Island is small, bright, and easy to combine with other stops. You get about an hour here, with white sand, snorkeling, and a beach bar all close together.

This is one of the most appealing stops for a group with mixed interests. Swimmers can head into the water, snorkelers can use the supplied equipment, and anyone who prefers not to swim can stay near the sand or bar.

Because Sandy Island is small, the stop feels more compact than a full beach afternoon. That is part of its charm, but it also means you should not expect endless room or a long list of activities. Think of it as a focused island pause, not a place to spend the whole day.

Snorkeling conditions are never guaranteed. Water clarity depends on wind and the sea. The captain can suggest the best place to use the gear, but you should keep your expectations tied to the weather rather than a fixed promise of marine life.

A few more speedboat trips around St Maarten worth a look

Crocus Bay and lunch at DaVida’s

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla - Crocus Bay and lunch at DaVida’s

Crocus Bay brings a practical break into the day. It has clear water and a dock that provides access to DaVida’s restaurant, making it a natural place for lunch.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for the meal. This is useful to know before you board because the included drinks are not a substitute for food during a seven-hour outing. A restaurant stop also gives you a chance to get out of the sun and have a proper meal instead of relying on snacks.

DaVida’s is particularly handy because you do not need to arrange a complicated transfer from the beach. The dock connects the water-based outing with the restaurant. You should still confirm timing with the captain, since the day is flexible and restaurant availability can affect the plan.

Crocus Bay is a good choice if your group wants a balance of swimming and lunch. If everyone would rather maximize beach time, the captain may shorten this stop. That is the advantage of a private charter, but it also means you need to speak up about your priorities.

Little Bay, reached only from the water

Little Bay is described as a paradise-like cove accessible only by boat. Its clear water, small beach, and cliff-jumping opportunities make it one of the more distinctive stops.

The boat-only access gives Little Bay a different feel from a beach reached by road. You arrive directly by water, and the setting is suited to a short swim or a quiet break away from the main beach areas.

Cliff jumping requires caution. The activity is not suitable for everyone, and you should only consider it if the captain confirms that conditions are safe. Never assume that a jump is appropriate because it is listed as an option. Water depth, sea state, and your own comfort matter more than fitting every activity into the day.

This stop is strongest for people who enjoy a little adventure but do not need a full beach setup. If your group includes hesitant swimmers or young children, Little Bay may be better as a scenic swim stop rather than a jumping spot.

Meads Bay for a longer beach finish

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla - Meads Bay for a longer beach finish

Meads Bay is presented as one of Anguilla’s most beautiful beaches, with white sand, clear water, and pleasant snorkeling. A one-hour visit here works well as a final substantial beach stop.

The bay gives you the familiar Anguilla combination of easy swimming and broad sand. It is a good place to use the snorkel equipment if conditions are calm, though you should ask the captain where visibility is best that day.

Meads Bay can also be the stop that wins over anyone who is less interested in moving from place to place. The beach is enough of an experience on its own. If your group has spent the day hopping between coves, this is where you may want to slow down.

You probably will not fit every possible stop into seven hours with equal time. The listed route includes several one-hour stops, plus boat time and lunch. The private format lets you choose, but it does not create extra hours. Ask the captain to help rank the stops instead of trying to collect them all.

Drinks, snorkeling gear, and the practical extras

Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla - Drinks, snorkeling gear, and the practical extras

Unlimited water, soft drinks, and beer are included. That is useful in the Caribbean sun, especially when you are moving between beaches and spending time in the water. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Snorkeling equipment is also supplied. This saves you from packing your own mask and fins, though you may prefer to bring personal gear if fit matters to you. The activity description does not specify the full range of equipment sizes, so ask before departure if someone in your group needs a particular fit.

Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and anything you need for a full day outdoors. The supplied information does not list towels, meals, or hotel transport as included, so plan around those gaps.

You also need a current valid passport for the day of travel. This is not a minor detail. Anguilla is a separate island destination, and the operator requires passport information before the trip. One communication problem arose when a participant did not realize how early travel documents needed to be handled. Check this requirement as soon as you book.

The clearance fee is US$35 per person and must be paid to the captain on the day of the trip in cash. It is separate from the advertised price. Add it to your budget before comparing this charter with other boat options.

What the captain adds to the day

A good captain matters more on a private charter than on a simple transfer. You are relying on that person to read the weather, pick sensible snorkeling water, pace the day, and explain the islands.

Sam has been praised for being responsive before departure, meeting the group promptly, and keeping the boat clean and well maintained. He has also arranged practical touches such as a reserved lunch table during one private outing, though you should not assume that arrangement is part of every booking.

Another day included coffee and croissants at the dock before departure. That may reflect a special gesture rather than a guaranteed inclusion, so regard it as a pleasant possibility, not something to count on. The confirmed inclusions are water, soft drinks, beer, snorkeling equipment, the captain, and the private boat.

The strongest praise centers on the combination of a comfortable boat, a helpful skipper, good drinks supply, and attractive beaches. That combination is what makes this experience more than a basic ride from St. Maarten to Anguilla.

Who should book this Anguilla day

I would choose this charter for a family or group of friends that wants control over the day and is happy to spend several hours on a boat. It suits people who want a mix of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and a restaurant stop rather than one fixed resort beach.

It is also a good choice if your group has different priorities. One person can snorkel while another stays on the sand. Some can enjoy the speedboat ride and coastal views while others focus on lunch and swimming.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water motion, have limited mobility, or want a low-cost excursion. The activity calls for moderate physical fitness, and you spend much of the day boarding, swimming, sitting in the sun, or moving around the boat.

This is officially not suitable for cruise ship passengers. One private group did receive a modified experience after contacting the operator, but that should not be treated as the normal arrangement. If you are arriving by cruise ship, confirm eligibility before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a poor-weather cancellation leads to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the private Anguilla charter?

Book it if privacy is worth paying for and your group wants a full day shaped around your interests. The best value comes when several people share the boat and everyone wants more than a quick beach transfer.

The highlights are clear: a flexible route, several excellent beach choices, snorkeling gear, drinks, and a captain who can adapt to weather and group preferences. The tradeoffs are just as clear: $404.42 per person, a separate $35 cash clearance fee, no lunch, no hotel transport, and a passport requirement.

If you want a polished private day with room for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a few memorable coves, this is a strong choice. If you want the simplest or cheapest way to see Anguilla, choose a more basic transfer and spend the savings on the beach.

FAQ

Where does the private Anguilla charter start and finish?

It starts and ends at Powerboat Adventures, 57 Well Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a private tour, professional boat captain, taxes and handling charges, unlimited water, soft drinks and beer, and snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Crocus Bay provides access to DaVida’s restaurant, but you pay for your own meal.

Do I need a passport?

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

Is there an extra clearance fee?

Yes. You pay US$35 per person to the captain on the day of the trip, in cash.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

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