Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla

Paradise is a short boat ride away. This private charter from St. Maarten gives you a full day around Anguilla, with a captain who can shape the route around your interests, the sea, and the clock. I like the freedom to skip crowded group-tour routines, and I like that drinks and snorkeling gear are included. The main catch is the extra US$35 clearance fee, payable in cash on the day.

The boat leaves from Cole Bay and returns there after about seven hours. You can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, visiting small islands, and stopping for lunch at your own expense. Captain Sam receives especially strong praise for his communication, clean boat, and ability to adjust the day to suit a group.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat, private pace: Only your group joins the charter, so you can shape the day with the captain.
• Anguilla by water: The route can include Cap Juluca, Sandy Island, Crocus Bay, Little Bay, and Meads Bay.
• Snorkeling gear and drinks included: Water, soft drinks, beers, and equipment are supplied.
• Bring your passport: A current valid passport is required for travel to Anguilla.
• Budget for clearance: The US$35 per-person fee is separate and cash only.
• Not designed for cruise passengers: The stated tour rules say cruise ship passengers should not book this experience.

Seven hours from Cole Bay to Anguilla

The charter begins at Powerboat Adventures, 57 Well Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. You arrange your own way to the dock because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Once aboard, the captain works with you on the day’s plan.

That flexibility is the heart of the experience. The listed route is only a sample, not a rigid schedule. You might spend more time at a beach, cut a stop because of weather, or focus on snorkeling instead of trying to see every bay. A private boat makes that choice possible.

The crossing and island touring take place in a speedboat, so expect a day on open water rather than a slow harbor cruise. You should be comfortable with sun, spray, boat movement, and getting in and out for beach or snorkeling stops. The stated fitness level is moderate.

This is best for a group that wants control. Families with older children, couples, and friends can set their own rhythm. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Why the private format matters

A private charter costs more than a standard shared excursion, but the comparison is not quite apples to apples. You are paying for the boat, captain, a flexible route, and time with only your own group. If several people share the cost, the group discount can make the price easier to justify.

The listed price is $404.42 per person, with the final value depending on group size and how much you care about privacy. For a small group on a tight budget, it is a serious splurge. For six people who want a quiet day without strangers setting the schedule, the cost may feel more reasonable.

The strongest practical benefit is not simply having the boat to yourself. It is being able to tell the captain what kind of day you want. You can ask for beaches, snorkeling, scenic cruising, or a balanced route. Captain Sam has been praised for suggesting an itinerary when a group preferred to leave the planning to him.

That said, flexibility works best when you speak up. Before departure, decide if you want more water time, a longer lunch, or several short beach stops. You do not need a detailed plan, but a few preferences will help the captain use the seven hours well.

Cole Bay and the start of the crossing

Cole Bay is both the meeting point and the return point. The initial stop in the sample plan lasts about 15 minutes, giving you time to get organized before the main outing.

You will need your passport for the Anguilla crossing. The operator may also need travel documents before the trip, so do not leave this question until the morning of departure. One customer specifically found the document communication frustrating, while the published requirements clearly state that a current valid passport is necessary.

There is also a US$35 clearance fee per person. Pay it directly to the captain on the day of travel, and bring cash. This is easy to overlook because it is not part of the listed tour price.

The tour confirmation is provided at booking, but you should still read the details closely. The trip is not intended for cruise ship passengers, even though one reported family had the operator modify an excursion for them. That exception should not be treated as the normal arrangement. If you arrive by cruise ship, confirm eligibility before paying.

Cap Juluca: a polished first beach stop

Cap Juluca is described as a private white-sand beach facing Saint Martin. The suggested visit lasts about an hour, giving you time to swim, enjoy the view, and settle into the day.

This stop is likely to appeal to you if you want classic Caribbean scenery without a long inland transfer. The attraction is the setting itself: pale sand, open water, and a polished resort-side feel. It is less about strenuous activity and more about a calm first look at Anguilla.

The drawback is that one hour passes quickly. If you want a long swim or time for photographs, you may prefer to reduce the number of stops elsewhere. Ask the captain how the timing works that day, since weather and sea conditions can affect the route.

Sandy Island combines sand and snorkeling

Sandy Island is a small private island with white sand, snorkeling, and a beach bar. The proposed stop is about an hour.

This is one of the most appealing combinations on the route. You can swim, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and then have a drink without moving on to another location. The island setting gives the stop a clear sense of place, though its small size means it is better suited to a short visit than an all-day beach stay.

Snorkeling conditions depend on the weather and water clarity. The operator provides gear, which saves you from packing your own mask and fins, but you should still mention any equipment concerns before leaving the dock. Complimentary water, soft drinks, and beers are available throughout the charter.

Remember that the included drinks do not include lunch. The minimum drinking age is 18, so younger members of your group will have water or soft drinks.

Crocus Bay is the practical lunch stop

Crocus Bay has clear water and a dock leading to DaVida’s restaurant. The suggested visit lasts about an hour, making it the most natural point for lunch.

Food is not included, so this is where you should plan for an additional expense. A restaurant stop also gives you a break from the sun and boat movement, which can matter on a full seven-hour outing. The dock makes access easier than scrambling directly onto a beach.

An hour may be enough for a straightforward meal, but it can feel tight if the restaurant is busy. Tell the captain if lunch is a priority. You may want to protect this stop rather than try to fit every beach into the day.

Crocus Bay also works for a swim if you are not hungry. The clear water gives you another chance to get in before the route continues.

Little Bay offers the most secluded setting

Little Bay is accessible only by boat and is described as a quiet bay with clear water, a small hidden beach, and cliff jumping. The proposed stop is one hour.

The boat-only access gives this stop a more secluded feel than a beach reached by road. It is a good choice for swimming and a change of pace from resort-facing stretches of sand. If you enjoy a little adventure, the cliff-jumping option may be the highlight.

Take the phrase cliff jumping seriously. The tour information does not provide safety details, heights, or supervision arrangements, so you should ask the captain before attempting it and follow current conditions and instructions. You can enjoy the bay without jumping.

Little Bay may not suit every group. Younger children, anyone uneasy with boat access, or people who prefer a flat, easy beach should treat this as an optional stop rather than a must.

Meads Bay is the classic final beach

Meads Bay is described as one of Anguilla’s finest beaches, with white sand, clear water, and good snorkeling. The proposed visit lasts about an hour.

This is the broad, easy-to-love finish to the sample route. You get another chance to swim and snorkel, with enough time to relax before returning to St. Maarten. If your group cares most about beach scenery, you might choose to spend longer here and skip one of the shorter stops.

The best route depends on the day’s conditions. You may find that the water is calmer at one bay than another, or that the captain recommends a different snorkeling location. That is where the private format earns its keep. You are not locked into a printed sequence.

Drinks, equipment, and what you still need to bring

The charter includes unlimited water, soft drinks, and beers, plus snorkeling equipment. These inclusions make the day simpler and reduce the number of extras you need to arrange.

Lunch is not included. Bring money for food, and bring cash for the separate clearance fee. You also need your passport, since this is an international boat trip between St. Maarten and Anguilla.

You should also plan for a full day in the sun. The supplied information does not list beach towels, sunscreen, or personal medication, so do not assume those items are provided. Pack the things you normally need for swimming and sun exposure.

The boat has been praised for being clean and well maintained. Captain Sam and, on one outing, Sam and Mel, have also been singled out for friendly service, prompt replies, and a comfortable day on the water. Those details matter because a private charter depends heavily on the captain’s judgment and communication.

What the strongest feedback tells you

The most consistent praise centers on Captain Sam. He has been described as responsive before departure, ready at the dock, familiar with the islands, and willing to plan around the group. That is important when weather, water conditions, and a changing timetable shape the day.

The boat itself also receives strong approval for cleanliness and upkeep. That may sound like a small detail, but seven hours aboard a poorly maintained boat would change the entire experience.

Groups have enjoyed the mix of beaches, snorkeling, sightseeing, and meals. One family appreciated the drinks and gear provided, while another group praised the captain for choosing good stops when they preferred not to plan. These are useful signs for anyone who wants a relaxed day rather than a demanding expedition.

The weak point is communication about documents and entry requirements. You should ask early about passports, clearance paperwork, and any information the operator needs before departure. A little preparation can prevent the only major annoyance associated with the trip.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. Cut-off times use local time in St. Maarten, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging plans from elsewhere.

Weather flexibility is especially important on a speedboat trip to another island. The captain may adjust the route based on conditions, and that is a safety feature, not a failure to follow the plan. Keep your schedule flexible enough to accept a different order of stops.

Who should book this charter?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups of friends who value privacy more than the lowest possible price. It is especially suitable if you want a captain-led day but do not want to follow a fixed group schedule.

It also suits people who want variety. In one outing, you can visit resort beaches, a small island, a boat-only bay, a snorkeling spot, and a restaurant. You are not limited to one stretch of sand.

I would hesitate if you dislike open-water boat rides, need guaranteed calm conditions, or want every expense included. The extra clearance payment, lunch cost, and lack of hotel transport make the real budget higher than the headline price. Cruise passengers should also treat the stated restriction as firm unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Should you book the St. Maarten to Anguilla speedboat?

Book it if you want a private day with room to change plans. The combination of a clean boat, capable captain, included drinks and gear, and access to several Anguilla beaches gives the charter real value for groups that can share the cost.

Skip it if your priority is a cheap beach transfer or a tightly structured tour with no extra cash needed. Before booking, confirm the passport requirements, ask about the clearance process, bring US$35 in cash per person, and decide which stops matter most to your group.

For the right party, this is one of the strongest ways to see Anguilla from St. Maarten: fast, flexible, and focused on the water.

FAQ

Where does the private Anguilla charter start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The charter returns to the same meeting point in Cole Bay.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity, so only your own group participates.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though the sample route includes a stop at DaVida’s restaurant in Crocus Bay.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, and beers are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the charter.

Do I need a passport?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.