Speedboats and soft sand make the day fly. This private charter takes you from St Maarten to Anguilla for a focused beach-and-water route, with snorkeling time in calm bays like Crocus Bay and stops at places such as Sandy Island and Shoal Bay. I love that it’s truly private for up to 9 people with a dedicated captain and guide, and I also love the included snorkeling setup so you spend the day in the water instead of hunting for gear. The one catch to plan for is that lunch and clearance/custom fees in Anguilla are not included in the price.

What makes this kind of day work is the way the crew manages your time. You get an open bar on board (champagne and rum cocktails are specifically mentioned), plus the captain and guide attention that helps you move between the best swimming spots without feeling rushed. Guides like Junior and Ignacio (and also Captain Nicolas and Sammy on other trips) are highlighted for mixing safety, local context, and hands-on help when you’re in the water.

It runs about 7 hours with a 9:30 am start from Cole Bay, so it’s a full, high-energy day—best if you’re happy to trade a slow itinerary for maximum beach time. If weather turns rough, the experience can be rescheduled or refunded, since it depends on good conditions.

Key highlights to look for

• Private speedboat charter for groups up to 9, not a packed catamaran scene
• Snorkeling gear included, with calm-water swim time around Anguilla’s bays
• Open bar onboard with beers, sodas, water plus champagne and rum cocktails
• Top beaches on the route, including Shoal Bay and Meads Bay
• Boat-only access stop at Little Bay, part of the marine park
• Crew help in the water, including guide support for spotting wildlife

Price and what you’re really paying for

At $1,500 per group (up to 9), this isn’t “cheap,” but it also isn’t priced like a seat on a standard public excursion. You’re paying for a private boat, captain, and guide attention, plus the freedom to spend time where the water is best and where your group actually wants to swim.

Here’s how I think about the value: if you’re traveling with a small group (couple plus friends, a family with older kids, or a group of friends that wants their own boat), the per-person cost can become reasonable compared with many “shared” tours once you factor in the included snorkeling equipment and the onboard drinks. And that private factor matters in the Caribbean, where the difference between a smooth, relaxed day and a crowded one can be minutes at each stop.

If you’re solo or a couple traveling and you want the lowest price possible, you might find the cost harder to justify. But if you want control, comfort, and a captain who can guide your day the way you want it, this price starts to make sense.

Getting started: Cole Bay meet-up and a 9:30 launch

The meeting point is 62 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, and the start time is 9:30 am. The activity returns you back to the same meeting point, which is convenient because you don’t have to think about transfers for the end of the day.

You’ll get a mobile ticket, and confirmation comes at booking. If you’re a cruise passenger, you’ll need to provide ship name and key docking/re-boarding times. That matters because speedboat timing can be unforgiving—your best move is to be clear and accurate with those times when you book.

Also note what you need to bring: a current valid passport is required on the day of travel, and it’s recommended you pack a towel and swimsuit. I’d treat the towel as non-negotiable since you’ll want to dry off between swims and beach time.

Onboard experience: open bar, safety, and guides who actually help

This charter is built around the idea that you don’t just “get transported”—you get hosted. On board, you’ll have an open bar with beers, sodas, and water, and the day is also described as including champagne and rum cocktails.

More important than the drinks is how the crew supports you. In the best-case version of this day, the captain isn’t just driving; the crew is managing your safety and your comfort so you can enjoy the water. In particular, captains and guides like Junior and Ignacio are praised for history and safety tips, and for actually joining in to help with in-water moments like filming or spotting wildlife.

One memorable example from the guide support: a captain and guide helped the group spot an octopus at Creole Rock while they were in the water. Even if your snorkeling highlights differ by day and conditions, that’s the pattern you want—crew who pay attention and help you notice what you might otherwise miss.

If you like days that feel social without feeling chaotic, a private charter like this is often the sweet spot. If you want a strict, museum-like pace, you may find a speedboat day moves too fast. But if you’re here for sea time and beach time, the onboard style fits.

Stop 1: Cap Juluca cruising time and the lunch window

Your first stop centers on the Cap Juluca area (A Belmond Hotel). Expect luxury surroundings and privacy by Caribbean standards—part of the appeal is that you’re cruising up and into a setting designed for calm, not crowds.

This stop is also where the day’s lunch rhythm typically shows up. The day includes a gourmet lunch in the stop description, but lunch itself is not included in the tour price. What that usually means for you: you’ll have a choice of a beach restaurant option, and you’ll pay for lunch separately.

Why start here? It’s a strong “set the tone” moment. You get a first stretch of cruising with onboard drinks, then you have a transition into meal time without losing the momentum of the day. The drawback is simple: because lunch is separate, people who hate thinking about extra costs should be ready to budget for it when you get the restaurant choice.

Stop 2: Little Bay for boat-only access and sea turtle chances

Next up is Little Bay, described as part of the Anguilla marine park and only accessible by boat. That access rule is a big deal. It changes the feel of the stop, because it limits how many people can reach the water compared with beaches you can drive or walk to easily.

Little Bay is positioned as both a snorkeling area and a calmer beach moment. The day’s descriptions point to underwater life and highlight the possibility of seeing sea turtles, plus the chance to enjoy a small private-feeling beach area.

What can you realistically expect? The waters are calm enough for snorkeling, and the marine park status tends to mean there’s a good chance of interesting wildlife. Still, snorkeling is weather- and water-visibility dependent, so I’d think of it as a “high probability swim” rather than a guaranteed checklist item.

If your group includes non-snorkelers, this stop can still work because it’s not only about gear time. The beach element gives everyone a way to rest between swims without having to commit to every in-water moment.

Stop 3: Shoal Bay Village for that iconic sand time

Then you move to Shoal Bay Village, where the beach is repeatedly described as one of the top beaches in the world. You’ll have about 2 hours here, which is a good length of time for a real beach rhythm: swim, relax on sand, and then take another dip without feeling like you have to rush.

Shoal Bay is often associated with postcard-perfect calm water, and that’s exactly why it plays well inside a speedboat day. You’re not spending the whole trip doing logistics, and you’re not stuck in a short “look only” stop either.

The only consideration: a beach this famous can attract crowds at other times of day. In your favor, you’re coming by charter and you’re on a controlled schedule set by the captain and guide. That’s one of the practical reasons this private format works better than shared tours when you care about atmosphere.

Stop 4: Meads Bay for a second beach hit

The last named beach stop is Meads Bay, with about 1 hour of time. That timing is shorter than Shoal Bay Village, so I’d treat Meads as your “quick reset” stop: a final swim, a final sandy moment, and then you’re back on the boat for the return.

Meads Bay is described simply as Meads Bay in the route plan, but the way the day is structured tells you what it’s for. The tour doesn’t overload you with too many short micro-stops. Instead, it builds two meaningful beach experiences plus snorkeling time in between.

The drawback here is also about timing: if Meads Bay ends up being your favorite beach, one hour can feel short. You’re paying for a private charter, so if you want the option to linger more, it’s smart to talk to the captain early about what your group values most.

What’s included vs. what you’ll pay for

Here’s the straightforward breakdown:

Included on board

• Open bar: beers, sodas, and water
• Snorkeling equipment and floating devices
• The day is also described as offering champagne and rum cocktails

Not included

• Lunch (you choose from a beach restaurant stop; you pay for it)
• Clearance and custom fees payable to the agency upon arrival in Anguilla

You also should plan around basic essentials: bring your towel and swimsuit, and make sure you have your passport ready.

Also keep in mind that the experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. That’s not a “small print” detail—it’s central to whether you get the smooth speedboat day you’re paying for.

Who this charter is perfect for (and who may want a different style)

This experience fits best when you want a private, adult-of-the-boat kind of day: your group has a dedicated captain and guide, you have snorkeling gear ready, and you can enjoy top beach stops without feeling like you’re negotiating crowds.

It’s especially attractive for:

• Families or mixed groups that want easy structure and lots of water time
• Couples or friends who want drinks onboard and a calmer feel than shared tours
• Cruise visitors who like a single-day “big highlights” plan that returns you to the same spot

It may feel less ideal if:

• Your group hates additional costs like lunch and Anguilla clearance/custom fees
• You want a slower day focused on walking around towns, not beach time and snorkeling
• You dislike speedboat motion (a boat day is not a quiet museum stroll)

Should you book the St Maarten to Anguilla speedboat charter?

I’d book it if your idea of a great day is simple: speedboat views, clean water, snorkeling gear in hand, and time on beaches like Shoal Bay that earn their reputation. This charter also has a strong advantage in the crew: guides like Junior and Ignacio are praised for safety tips and helpful water-time guidance, while Captain Nicolas and Sammy are highlighted for making sure the day hits the right beaches and swims.

I’d think twice if you’re laser-focused on keeping costs down. Lunch isn’t included, custom/clearance fees are payable on arrival, and you’re booking a private boat—this is a “value for groups” choice, not a “budget solo” pick.

If you’re traveling as a group of up to 9 and you want the freedom of a private charter with included snorkeling gear and a proper onboard vibe, this is the kind of day that tends to feel worth the money even years later.

FAQ

How many people is this private charter for?

It’s priced per group and designed for up to 9 people.

How long is the experience?

The duration is about 7 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:30 am.

Where do we meet, and where do we return?

You’ll meet at 62 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What documents do I need?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with floating devices.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, and the tour stops at one of the nicest beach restaurants of your choice.

Is there an open bar onboard?

Yes. The open bar includes beers, sodas, and water, and champagne and rum cocktails are mentioned as part of the onboard experience.

Are customs and clearance fees included?

No. Clearance and custom fees are payable to the agency upon arrival in Anguilla.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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