Speedboat to Anguilla feels like time travel. This private day charter from St. Maarten lets you pick the pace with Captain Sam and enjoy unlimited drinks while you cruise between beach stops. The one real catch: you need the right passport paperwork and you’re tied to the day’s weather.

What I like most is how the day runs like a small plan made for your group, not a fixed bus tour. When Captain Sam (and his team, like Mel) is on, the vibe stays calm and organized, right from the dock meet-up at Powerboat Adventures in Cole Bay.

Anguilla rewards the day with sand-and-water time at several top beaches, plus snorkeling gear waiting aboard. Just remember there’s no hotel pickup and lunch isn’t included, so you’ll want to budget for food and keep a little cash on hand for the required clearance fee.

Key things to know before you go

• Private by design: It’s your group only, so you can stay flexible without sharing the boat with strangers.
• Captain-led itinerary: You’ll customize stops based on your interests, time, and the conditions that day.
• Snorkeling gear included: Bring your swimsuit and let the boat handle the rest.
• Unlimited drinks on the water: Water, soft drinks, and beers are included.
• Clearance fee in cash: Plan for US$35 per person to pay to your captain on the day (cash only).
• Not for cruise-ship chaos: The experience is listed as not suitable for cruise passengers, though some operators can try to modify based on circumstances.

Why Anguilla by private speedboat beats a fixed-day plan

Anguilla is famous for beaches, but the fastest way to enjoy its highlights is from the water. This charter runs out of St. Maarten and gives you a full stretch of beach time without worrying about ferries, schedules, or transfers eating the day.

The real win is control. You’re not locked into one route all day. You’re working with a captain who can shift your plan around weather and what your group wants most, whether that’s swimming, snorkeling, or just hanging on gorgeous sand.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $404.42 per person

At $404.42 per person, this isn’t a budget activity. You’re paying for three things you can’t easily copy on your own: a private boat experience, an experienced captain handling the route, and the “moving beach” format that hits multiple Anguilla locations in one day.

What helps justify the cost is what’s included on board: unlimited water, soft drinks, and beers, plus snorkeling equipment. If your goal is beach-hopping with time to actually swim (not just look from shore), the structure makes sense.

Two extra value notes that matter in real life:

• You’re paying for the speedboat day charter model, not for a single beach visit.
• You still need to budget extra for lunch and the clearance fee paid in cash.

Meeting at Powerboat Adventures in Cole Bay and how your day flows

Your day starts at Powerboat Adventures, 57 Well Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll want to build travel time into getting to the dock on the correct day.

The charter lasts about 7 hours, and the itinerary timing is built around short, focused stops. One example route starts with a brief 15-minute stop at Cole Bay, then moves into longer beach-and-snorkel segments around the island.

Also plan for a day where the captain decides the order on the fly. If conditions shift, your timing shifts too. That flexibility is part of the value, but it also means you shouldn’t treat the day like a train schedule.

Captain Sam and the custom itinerary: how much you can steer the day

This is a private tour, meaning you’re not sharing space with other groups. That matters on a long beach day, because you can choose to move at your pace rather than match someone else’s idea of fun.

Captain Sam is described as responsive and organized, including good communication ahead of time. The best part is that he’s not just driving; he’s shaping an itinerary that aims to hit the right mix of water time and snorkeling stops based on what you want and what the day allows.

On some charters, the captain has even adjusted the plan to fit what a group is hungry for or excited about, including swapping in additional stops when timing works. So if your group cares more about seafood, a specific beach vibe, or a snorkeling area, it’s worth saying early and clearly.

Cole Bay to Cap Juluca: a strong start with beach frontage

Stop 1: Cole Bay (about 15 minutes)

This is a quick start that helps you get oriented and out toward the wider Anguilla coastline. It’s brief on purpose, so think of it as a “warm-up” stop rather than your main beach moment.

Stop 2: Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel (about 1 hour)

This stop is all about the white-sand beach feeling and the view direction facing Saint Martin. Even if you’re not hanging around a hotel property vibe, it’s a clean, recognizable kind of Anguilla beach: sand, sun, and water time that doesn’t require a long hike.

A practical drawback here: since Cap Juluca is time-boxed to about an hour in the sample plan, you may want to decide up front whether you’re using this hour for swimming or for photos and relaxing.

Sandy Island and Crocus Bay: snorkeling plus a dock-based lunch option

Stop 3: Sandy Island (about 1 hour, admission included)

Sandy Island is described as a small private island with white sand and great snorkeling, plus a beach bar. This is the kind of stop that can turn the day from sightseeing into “we’re actually on vacation” mode.

The main consideration is that snorkeling quality depends on conditions. The operator’s model is weather-aware, so if visibility or comfort isn’t right, the captain may steer you toward what’s working that day.

Stop 4: Crocus Bay Beach (about 1 hour, admission included)

Crocus Bay is known for clear water, and it’s also a convenient place for lunch at DaVida’s restaurant, which is accessible from a dock. That’s a big deal because it reduces hassle: you can snorkel, dry off, and get food without a complicated logistics puzzle.

The only downside: lunch is not included in the charter price. You’ll likely pay for your meal separately, so if your group wants a specific budget, look at menus and decide ahead.

Little Bay and Meads Bay: boat-access beaches and serious swim time

Stop 5: Little Bay (about 1 hour, admission included)

Little Bay is a smaller beach you can reach only by boat, with clear water and a more tucked-away feel. It’s also linked with fun, more active options like cliff jumping, which is great if your group wants to add a little adrenaline. If your group prefers a slower rhythm, just skip the jumping and treat it as a swim stop.

Stop 6: Meads Bay Beach Villas (about 1 hour, admission included)

This is one of the headline areas on Anguilla for a reason: white sand, clear waters, and nice snorkeling. In practice, it’s a beach where you can do the full routine—float, swim, snorkel, then spend time on the sand.

A small reality check: one hour goes fast. If your group has one “must swim” beach, aim to make Meads Bay a focus and don’t let the hour get eaten by wandering around too much.

What’s included on board (and what you pay separately)

Here’s the practical breakdown of what the charter includes:

• Private tour and a professional boat captain
• All taxes and handling charges
• Unlimited water, soft drinks, and beers
• Snorkeling equipment
• You’re sailing as a group only, not mixed with strangers

What you pay separately:

• Lunch is not included.
• Clearance fees of US$35 per person to pay your captain on the day of the trip, and it’s cash only.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll handle getting to the dock.

Two small “save yourself from stress” tips:

• Bring a way to handle cash for the clearance fee the day of.
• Plan your food decision early so the captain isn’t guessing what your group will want at Crocus Bay.

Drinks, snorkeling gear, and age rules that affect your group

The boat includes unlimited drinks—water, soft drinks, and beers. Minimum drinking age is 18, so if your group includes under-18 travelers, it helps to plan around who will be consuming alcohol and who won’t.

Snorkeling gear is included, which makes the day easier. You don’t need to rent equipment or hunt for it on the island before you get going. You do still need basic swim sense and a moderate comfort level with boat travel.

Physical fitness is listed as moderate. That matters especially at stops where you might walk on uneven areas, climb down to water access, or, if you choose, handle the more active options at spots like Little Bay.

Passports, clearance paperwork, and the one communication pitfall to avoid

You’ll need a current valid passport on the day of travel. The charter also requires clearance fees to be paid to the captain in cash.

One key detail to get right is documentation timing. Some groups reported needing to send passport information ahead of the trip and felt communication could have been clearer earlier. My advice: after booking, confirm what documents they need and when. Then send it promptly, and keep a copy of key details so you don’t scramble on the day.

This is one of those trips where being organized pays off fast. It’s also why I recommend building buffer time before your scheduled start, so you can handle any questions without rushing.

Weather and sea conditions: why your day is tied to the forecast

The experience is weather dependent. If conditions are poor and the operator cancels for weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

That means you should pack with the reality that plans can shift. Bring swimwear, a light cover-up, and something comfortable for a boat ride where sun and wind both do their thing.

If you’re planning your vacation around this charter, treat it like a flexible centerpiece, not a rigid appointment.

Who should book this Anguilla speedboat charter?

Book this if your group values:

• A private boat day with no other groups onboard
• Snorkeling time plus beach time, not just one quick stop
• Captain-led customization so you can follow the conditions and your interests

It may not be the best fit if:

• You want a stress-free day with guaranteed fixed stops and zero paperwork time
• You’re traveling on a cruise ship day, since the experience is listed as not suitable for cruise passengers (though modifications may be possible depending on the situation)
• Your group needs hotel pickup, because there’s none

Should you book this private speedboat charter to Anguilla?

If your heart is set on Anguilla’s beaches and you want to see more than one spot without losing half your day to logistics, this is a strong way to do it. The combination of private charter, snorkeling gear, and unlimited drinks gives you an easy, no-fuss day at sea with a captain who can adjust.

I’d book it if you can handle the trade-offs: documentation readiness, a weather-based schedule, and paying extra for lunch plus the US$35 cash clearance fee per person.

If you want, tell me your group size, ages, and whether you’re staying in Philipsburg or elsewhere on St. Maarten. I’ll help you decide which day plan fits best and what to prioritize at each beach stop.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat charter to Anguilla?

The experience runs for about 7 hours.

Where do we meet, and is there hotel pickup?

You meet at Powerboat Adventures, 57 Well Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What extra fee should I expect to pay on the day?

There’s a clearance fee of US$35 per person that you pay to your captain in cash only on the day of the trip.

What’s included for snorkeling and drinks?

The charter includes snorkeling equipment, plus unlimited water, soft drinks, and beers.

Do we need a passport?

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

Is this tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

The experience is listed as not suitable for cruise ships passengers.

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