St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten

St. Barths is best seen from the water, and this private speedboat charter lets you choose how the day unfolds. You can head into Gustavia, settle on St. Jean or Colombier, or stop to snorkel at Tintamarre Island instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I like the freedom to build the route around your group, and I like that snorkel gear and an open bar are already included. The main catch is cost: the $1,650 rate is high for a small party, and you should confirm the passenger limit because the price covers up to 10 people while the additional information lists a maximum of 12.

Key points at a glance

• A private six-hour boat day: Your group has the boat and crew to itself, with no unrelated party sharing the itinerary.
• Several St. Barths choices: Spend time in Gustavia, stop at St. Jean or Colombier, or add Tintamarre Island for snorkeling.
• An open bar is included: Beer and soft drinks are provided, though the minimum drinking age is 18.
• Snorkel equipment comes with the charter: You do not need to arrange rental gear separately.
• The price works best for a full group: At $1,650 for up to 10 people, the per-person cost becomes far more reasonable when shared.
• Bring your passport and swimwear: A current passport is required, and a towel and swimsuit are recommended.

Why a private boat makes sense for St. Barths

This is not a simple ride from one dock to another. It is a private sightseeing cruise built around choice. You are on the water for roughly six hours, with the freedom to decide how much time belongs to town, beaches, or snorkeling.

That flexibility matters in St. Barths. A group that wants lunch, shopping, and a look at Gustavia needs a different day from a group that would rather stay in swimwear and spend time in the sea. With a private charter, you can tell the crew what kind of outing you want instead of accepting someone else’s plan.

I also like the personal scale. The crew provides professional guidance and local tips, but the boat is reserved for your party. That can make the day easier for families, couples traveling together, or a group of friends who want to keep the pace relaxed.

The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts about six hours. That gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water without turning the outing into an all-day commitment. You return to the original meeting point at the end.

Getting started at the St. Maarten marina

The supplied meeting information names Robinson Speed Boat Tours as the start location and Seven Marine Charters as the home-base marina for check-in. Both stops are listed at about 25 minutes with no admission charge. Since two operating points are named, I would pay close attention to the final confirmation and make sure you know exactly where to report.

That small bit of preparation is worth it. Boat tours are less forgiving than land excursions if you arrive at the wrong dock, and the 9:30 a.m. departure gives you a firm target. The activity is near public transportation, but you still need to allow enough time to reach the correct marina and complete check-in.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when you book. Those details help the operator judge if this six-hour outing fits your port schedule. You also need a current valid passport on the day of travel, since the trip involves St. Barths and customs clearance.

Crossing to St. Barths by speedboat

The boat ride is part of the attraction, not merely a transfer. You get to see the islands from the water and approach St. Barths by sea, with the crew pointing out sights and offering local advice along the way.

A speedboat also gives the day a sense of movement. You can cover more than one area during the charter, but the exact balance depends on the choices your group makes. Spend too long at one stop and you may have less time for another, so it helps to name your priorities early.

The tour is private, but it is not a fully scripted custom expedition. The listed duration is approximate, and the available stops form the basic menu. Your crew can help shape the route, yet the practical limits of six hours, boating conditions, and clearance requirements still apply.

You should also expect the ride to suit people with a moderate level of physical fitness. This is a boat-based day with beach and snorkeling options, so it may involve getting on and off the boat and managing swim equipment. The information provided does not promise a specialized accessibility setup.

Gustavia: the town option

Gustavia gives you the chance to experience the capital of St. Barths rather than seeing only beaches. A stop here suits you if you want a change from swimming, a look around town, or time to explore at your own pace.

The advantage of adding Gustavia is variety. A day spent entirely on the water can be wonderful, but a town visit gives the charter a more rounded feel. You can ask the crew for local tips and decide how much time makes sense for your group.

The tradeoff is simple: time ashore is time away from the boat. If your main goal is snorkeling or a long beach stop, Gustavia may not deserve a large portion of your six-hour schedule. I would choose it because you specifically want a town break, not because it is automatically the best use of the day.

The supplied details do not specify the exact length of the Gustavia stop or list particular shops, restaurants, or landmarks. Treat it as a flexible town visit and confirm the timing with the crew once you are aboard.

St. Jean and Colombier for beach time

St. Jean and Colombier are the beach-focused choices. They are the places to favor if you want to swim, stretch out, and give the day an easy rhythm rather than pack in several stops.

A beach stop also gives your group room to set its own pace. Some people can swim while others relax, and nobody has to rush through a short scheduled photo stop. Bring a towel and swimsuit, as recommended, and plan to keep your beach gear practical and easy to manage on a boat.

The key limitation is that the details do not promise a particular beach setup, reserved chairs, meals, or shore transportation. You should not book this expecting a staffed beach club package. The value here is access by private boat and the ability to spend time in the area you choose.

Colombier may appeal to you if quiet beach time is the priority, while St. Jean may suit a group that wants a more familiar beach stop. The crew’s local advice is useful here, but the final selection should come from your group’s interests and the conditions on the day.

Tintamarre Island and the included snorkeling gear

Tintamarre Island is the natural pick for a snorkeling stop. The charter includes snorkeling equipment, which removes one common chore from the morning. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before departure.

This is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. The equipment lets you add a water activity without paying another operator or carrying rental gear across the island. You can also combine a Tintamarre stop with a town or beach visit, provided your group keeps an eye on the clock.

The tour does not promise a particular marine-life sighting or specify the length of the snorkeling stop. Sea conditions can affect the experience, and the crew will have the best say on what is suitable that day. Think of snorkeling as an included option, not a guaranteed underwater show.

If some people in your party do not want to snorkel, the private format helps. They can remain on the boat or use the time differently, although the exact onboard arrangements should be discussed with the crew. The important point is that your group does not have to follow a large shared party into the water.

What the open bar really adds

The open bar includes beer and soft drinks. That is a useful inclusion on a warm boat day, especially when your group is spending several hours away from shore.

The drinks also make the price easier to understand. You are paying for a private boat, a professional crew, sightseeing, snorkeling equipment, and refreshments rather than only for transportation. Still, the open bar is limited by the information provided to beer and soft drinks. Do not assume cocktails, wine, spirits, meals, or snacks are included.

The minimum drinking age is 18. You should also keep sensible limits in mind, since the outing involves swimming and moving around on a boat. The charter is designed to be fun, but safe choices matter more once alcohol is available.

No food is listed as included. Bring any permitted personal snacks or confirm food arrangements in advance if your group needs more than drinks. The tour information does not state that meals can be purchased or supplied onboard.

Is $1,650 good value?

The listed price is $1,650 per group, up to 10 people. Split evenly among 10 people, that comes to $165 per person before the separate clearance and customs fee of $20 per person. For eight people, the base cost is about $206 per person, and for four people it is about $413 per person, before that fee.

That math tells you who gets the best value. A full group of friends or family can make this a sensible private-day purchase, especially if you value having the boat to yourselves and want drinks and snorkel equipment included. A couple or small party will pay a premium for privacy and control.

The additional information lists a maximum of 12 passengers, while the rate is described for up to 10. I would ask the operator to clarify the price and passenger rules before booking a group of 11 or 12. Do not assume the same rate applies beyond 10 people.

The $20-per-person clearance and customs fee is not included. For 10 people, that adds $200 to the group total. Include it in your budget from the start rather than treating the headline price as the final amount.

This charter offers better value than a standard shared cruise if your group cares about privacy and flexibility. It offers weaker value if you are happy to follow a fixed route or mainly want a short boat ride. The right comparison is not just price per person. It is the cost of controlling the day.

Who should book this charter

I would recommend it most strongly to a group that can fill the boat and agrees on the general style of the day. It suits friends, families, and mixed-age groups who want several choices without splitting up.

It is also a good fit for people who want local guidance but do not want a large tour group. The crew can offer inside tips, while your party keeps the conversation and schedule private.

You should think twice if your group dislikes boat rides, has no interest in swimming or beach time, or wants a detailed land tour with fixed sightseeing stops. The activity is built around the sea and a flexible route, not a long guided tour of every point on St. Barths.

Cruise ship passengers need extra care. A six-hour private charter can work, but only if your port schedule allows enough time for check-in, the outing, and return to the ship. Give the operator the ship information at booking and leave a sensible margin before re-boarding.

Booking, cancellation, and what to bring

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The charter is often reserved well ahead, with bookings averaging 48 days in advance, so you should not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Pack a current passport, swimsuit, towel, and anything else you need for several hours outdoors. Snorkel equipment, beer, and soft drinks are supplied. Since food is not listed as included, confirm snack arrangements if that matters to your group.

The experience provider is Captain Flint Boat Charters. The tour is private, and only your group participates. That privacy is the central reason to choose it, so use the booking process to clarify the exact meeting dock, passenger count, customs fee, and preferred stops.

Should you book the St. Barths speedboat charter?

Book it if you can share the $1,650 base price with a nearly full group and want a private day that can shift between town, beaches, and snorkeling. The included gear, drinks, professional crew, and local tips make the package practical, not just scenic.

Skip it if you are traveling with only one or two people and mainly want the lowest-cost way to reach St. Barths. In that case, the private format may be more luxury than you need.

For the right group, this is a strong way to make St. Barths your own for six hours. Just confirm the marina, passenger limit, and extra $20-per-person customs fee before paying.

FAQ

How long is the private St. Barths boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and begins at 9:30 a.m. It ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The start information names Robinson Speed Boat Tours and Seven Marine Charters, the home-base marina for check-in. Confirm the exact dock and check-in point with the operator after booking.

What stops can I choose?

You can ask to visit Gustavia, spend beach time at St. Jean or Colombier, or stop for snorkeling at Tintamarre Island. The private format allows a flexible itinerary.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the charter.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes beer and soft drinks. The information does not list meals, snacks, cocktails, wine, or spirits as included.

How many people can join the boat?

The price is listed for a group of up to 10 people. The additional information gives a maximum of 12 passengers, so confirm the applicable rate and rules if your group has more than 10 people.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. Cruise ship passengers must also provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.