Private Speedboat Charter: St Maarten to Anguilla

Anguilla is the main event here, but the private speedboat makes the journey part of the fun. From St Maarten, you spend about seven hours moving between beaches and small cays, with time for snorkeling, swimming, lunch, and a cold drink on board. I like the freedom of having a captain shape the day around your group, and I like that snorkeling gear and floating devices are included. The main catch is cost: at $1,500 for up to nine people, this makes the most sense for a full group, not a couple traveling alone.

I also like the human touch. Captains such as Junior, Ignacio, Sammy, and Nicolas have been praised for safety guidance, island information, help in the water, and finding beautiful places to stop. Just remember that lunch and Anguilla customs and clearance fees cost extra, and you need a valid passport.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to nine people: Your group has the vessel, captain, and crew to itself.
• Seven hours of island time: The day begins at 9:30 a.m. in Cole Bay and returns to the same meeting point.
• Little Bay snorkeling: This marine park stop is reached only by boat and may offer sea turtles, reef life, and a small beach.
• Shoal Bay and Meads Bay: You get substantial beach time, including two hours at Shoal Bay and one hour at Meads Bay.
• Drinks are included, lunch is not: The open bar covers beers, sodas, water, champagne, and rum cocktails, while you choose and pay for lunch.
• Passport required: Cruise ship passengers must also provide ship and port timing when booking.

Why this private St Maarten to Anguilla trip works

I like this excursion because it avoids the fixed rhythm of a large group boat. You are not sharing every stop with a boatload of strangers, and the captain can give your party more direct attention. That matters when you want help with snorkeling, a little island background, or a change of plan based on the sea and weather.

The boat leaves from 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, at 9:30 a.m. The location is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at the same place. You should plan to arrive ready for the water, with a swimsuit and towel close at hand.

The package is designed around a full day on the sea. You get an open bar with beers, sodas, and water, plus champagne and rum cocktails described as part of the on-board service. Snorkel equipment and floating devices are supplied, so you do not need to pack fins or a mask unless you prefer your own.

The private format is especially useful for families and friend groups. A group of six to nine can split the $1,500 price, bringing the cost per person down to a level that may compare well with several separate excursions. For two people, however, it is a major splurge. You are paying for privacy, a dedicated crew, and flexibility, not simply transportation from one island to another.

Cruising from Cole Bay toward Anguilla

The trip begins with a high-energy ride across Caribbean waters. A speedboat gets you out to the Anguilla stops quickly, but it also means you should be ready for wind, spray, and movement on the water. If you prefer a slow, quiet crossing, this is not the right style of boat trip.

Your captain is an important part of the experience. Junior has provided island background and safety tips, while Ignacio has been praised for getting into the water to help film an octopus at Creole Rock. Sammy is known for combining beach stops with information about the area, and Nicolas has been singled out for making sure a family saw several of the prettiest beaches.

Those details give you a good sense of what the crew does beyond steering the boat. You can expect practical guidance, help getting settled in the water, and suggestions about where to stop. The exact captain depends on the day, so you should not book expecting a particular person unless the operator confirms it.

The private setting also makes the open bar more useful. You can sit back with a rum drink or champagne between stops, but remember to pace yourself. The sun, salt, and boat motion can catch up with you quickly.

Little Bay, a boat-only snorkeling stop

Little Bay is part of Anguilla’s marine park and can only be reached by boat. That gives this stop a quieter feel than a beach reached by road, though conditions and water clarity will always depend on the weather.

The main reason to stop here is snorkeling. The supplied gear lets you look for reef life, and sea turtles are among the animals you may see. The description also points to a small private beach, giving non-snorkelers somewhere to sit while others explore the water.

I like this stop for its mix of activity and calm. You can snorkel for a while, float near the boat, or simply enjoy the setting. The crew can also help with water confidence and equipment, which is valuable if you are not an experienced snorkeler.

Do not treat the wildlife as guaranteed. A sea turtle or octopus sighting depends on timing, conditions, and luck. The Creole Rock octopus encounter described by the crew is a memorable possibility, not a promise. The best approach is to enjoy the marine setting rather than measure the stop by one animal sighting.

Shoal Bay gives you the biggest beach break

Shoal Bay Village is scheduled for about two hours, making it the longest stated stop of the day. The beach is widely known for its soft sand and clear water, and it is often placed among the world’s top beaches.

Two hours is enough to make the stop feel like beach time rather than a quick photo pause. You can swim, stretch out on the sand, or simply enjoy the water before returning to the boat. If your group has children or non-swimmers, this longer break gives everyone room to choose their own pace.

Lunch is not included, but this is one of the places where you can stop at a beach restaurant of your choice. That flexibility is useful because your group can decide how much time and money to spend on the meal. It also means the final price is not fixed. Add lunch and any drinks or extras at the restaurant to your budget.

There is a practical tradeoff here. Shoal Bay is a well-known beach, so it may not feel secluded. The private boat gives you control over your group and route, but it does not turn a famous public beach into a private one.

Meads Bay adds a different hour of sand

Meads Bay receives about one hour in the stated plan. That shorter stop gives you another chance to swim or walk the beach without taking too much time from the other parts of the day.

I see Meads Bay as a useful contrast to Shoal Bay. Instead of spending the whole afternoon in one place, you get two substantial beach settings and a better sense of Anguilla’s coastline. If your group prefers snorkeling to beach lounging, the extra stop also keeps the day moving.

The schedule is approximate, so weather, sea conditions, lunch timing, and your group’s wishes can affect the exact order and length of stops. A private charter is at its best when you use that flexibility sensibly. If everyone wants more time at Shoal Bay, ask the captain what can be adjusted.

Lunch, drinks, and what the $1,500 price really covers

The $1,500 charge covers the private group, up to nine people, with the captain and crew. It also includes the open bar on board, snorkeling equipment, and floating devices. Those inclusions can add real value for a larger party because you are not paying separate per-person rates for a shared cruise.

Lunch is the main extra expense during the day. You stop at one of the beach restaurants, with the choice of where to eat, but the meal is not part of the charter price. Anguilla customs and clearance fees are also payable to the agency upon arrival, so keep room in your budget for those charges.

For a group of nine, the base price works out to roughly $167 per person before lunch and fees. For six people, it is $250 each. For two people, it is $750 each. That math tells you who gets the strongest value: families, wedding groups, and friends already traveling together.

You are also paying for a boat that does not fill with unrelated passengers. That can be worth a lot if privacy, a relaxed pace, and direct help from the captain matter to you. If your main goal is simply reaching Anguilla as cheaply as possible, a shared option would likely be more sensible.

What to pack for this seven-hour day

Bring a current valid passport. You need it for the international crossing, and cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

Pack a towel and swimsuit, as the day is built around beach stops and snorkeling. You may also want sun protection and a dry place for valuables, though only the towel and swimsuit are specifically recommended in the supplied details.

Wear something practical for getting on and off a boat. The charter provides the snorkeling equipment and floating devices, so you can keep your packing light. Lunch money and a way to cover customs and clearance fees should be planned separately from the booking price.

The experience is listed as suitable for most people, and only your group participates. Still, the speedboat format and water activities may not appeal to someone who dislikes boat motion or does not want to swim. Ask the operator about any personal concerns before booking.

Who will enjoy this Anguilla charter most

I would recommend this trip to a group that wants a full island day without a fixed large-boat schedule. Families can split up between snorkeling and beach time, while friends can use the boat as a private base between stops.

It also suits people who care about personal service. Junior’s safety tips, Ignacio’s help in the water, Sammy’s local information, and Nicolas’s attention to beach choices show how much the captain can shape the day. You are not just buying a ride. You are hiring a crew to help make the water time work for your group.

This is less appealing if you are watching every dollar, traveling as only one or two people, or hoping for a completely quiet beach. The cost is high, lunch is extra, customs fees are extra, and famous Shoal Bay can be a popular place.

Weather is another real consideration. The experience requires good conditions. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a smoother plan, avoid scheduling it too close to the end of a cruise visit or your departure from St Maarten.

Should you book the private speedboat to Anguilla?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the price and want a flexible day built around beaches, snorkeling, and time on the water. The combination of Little Bay, Shoal Bay, Meads Bay, a private crew, and included drinks gives you more than a simple transfer.

I would be especially inclined to book for a family or group of friends who value privacy and want a captain involved in the day. Confirm the lunch budget, customs fees, passport requirements, and cruise timing before paying.

Skip it if you are a couple seeking a low-cost island visit or if a fast boat sounds uncomfortable. For the right-sized group, though, this is a polished and active way to see Anguilla from St Maarten, with enough free time to make the day feel personal rather than packaged.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat charter cost?

The charter costs $1,500 per group for up to nine people. Lunch and Anguilla customs and clearance fees are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts about seven hours. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten.

Where does the boat depart?

The meeting point is 62 Welfare Road, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. The location is near public transportation.

Is lunch included?

No. You stop at a beach restaurant of your choice, but lunch must be paid for separately.

Are snorkeling equipment and floating devices provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are included in the charter.

Do I need a passport?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.