Speedboat to Anguilla beats the usual ferry. I love the private, guide-led pace and the way you can slip into snorkeling conditions in Crocus Bay’s calm water. The one thing to plan for: you’ll pay clearance and custom fees on arrival in Anguilla, on top of the base price.

This is a full day at sea—about 7 hours—with your own captain and crew, scheduled for 9:30am departure from 62 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. You’ll visit famous sand and quieter boat-only spots, plus you get an onboard open bar and snorkeling gear, so you can focus on enjoying the day instead of coordinating details.

Key things you’ll care about most

• A true private charter: up to 9 people, only your group on the boat.
• Snorkeling where the water is calm: Crocus Bay is built for easy in-water time.
• World-class beaches, with real time to enjoy them: Shoal Bay Village gets a longer stretch than most day trips.
• Little Bay’s boat-only access: great odds for marine-life snorkeling, including sea turtles.
• On-board open bar while you cruise: beers, sodas, water, plus champagne and rum cocktails.
• Snorkel equipment and floating devices included: less to pack, more time in the water.

Why this speedboat charter makes sense for Anguilla

Anguilla rewards the right kind of travel day. If you’re spending hours fighting schedules or waiting for shared transport, the beaches feel like a stop-and-go checklist. A private speedboat charter flips the script. You start early, leave the mainland hustle behind fast, and you’re already in vacation mode when the coastline appears.

What really matters is control. With your own captain and guide, you can lean into the day you want—more snorkeling time when conditions are good, more beach lounging when the sand is calling, and fewer “hurry up” moments. It’s also simply more comfortable for families and mixed groups, because everyone stays together as one unit the whole time.

There’s a tradeoff, too. Speedboat days run on weather and sea conditions. If conditions are rough, you might have to reschedule, so keep your calendar flexible.

Price and value: $1,500 per group for up to 9

At $1,500 per group (up to 9 people), the math gets interesting. If you’re traveling as a couple, it can feel pricey. If you’re traveling as a family, with friends, or with a multi-generational group, it often becomes a bargain compared to piecing together private transport, taxis, and crowded day-tour slots.

Here’s why it can feel like good value. You’re paying for:

• A dedicated captain and crew
• A private route that gets you to multiple standout spots in one day
• Snorkeling equipment and floating devices
• On-board drinks (open bar with beers, sodas, water, plus champagne and rum cocktails)
• Your ability to choose where to spend time—within the day’s planned flow

The part to budget for is what’s not included. Lunch is not included, and you also pay clearance/custom fees upon arrival in Anguilla. That doesn’t wreck the value, but it does mean you shouldn’t assume the day is all-inclusive in the strict sense.

Getting to the boat: Cole Bay timing and what to bring

Your day starts at 62 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, with a 9:30am departure. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you don’t have to plan a complicated pickup.

I’d plan to travel light but smart:

• Bring a passport (a current valid one is required).
• Pack a towel and swimsuit since you’ll want them ready fast.
• Bring sunscreen and basic reef-safe habits if you use them.
• If you wear water shoes, you’ll appreciate them at beachier stops.

For cruise ship passengers, you’ll need your ship name plus docking and re-boarding times at booking. That’s the kind of detail that prevents headaches later, so it’s worth handling promptly.

You’ll also get a mobile ticket, so you’re not worrying about paper copies once you’re on the move.

A Cap Juluca start: luxury views and a first taste of the day

Your first stop is Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla. Even if you’re not spending the night at a luxury resort, this area gives you something useful right away: a high-end sense of place and open Caribbean water to cruise in cleanly.

This is where the day’s rhythm kicks in. You can sip from the open bar—often including champagne and rum cocktails—then settle into whatever mood you’re in: a quick orientation swim, time to snorkel if conditions look good, or just lounging while the crew runs the route.

One thing to note: lunch sounds like it’s part of the vibe here, but lunch isn’t included in the price. What you can count on is a stop at a nice beach restaurant where you choose from options with your group, with the crew helping make it smooth.

Possible drawback: if you want a long first-snorkel session, this start might feel a bit more about getting oriented and enjoying the cruise than about maxing out water time. It’s still a great opener, just don’t expect it to be the only big in-water moment of the day.

Little Bay in the Anguilla Marine Park: boat-only access and turtle odds

Next up is Little Bay, part of the Anguilla marine park and accessible only by boat. That boat-only detail is huge. It generally means calmer water, less foot traffic, and a better chance of seeing more wildlife without the feeling of a crowded beach scene.

This stop is built for snorkeling. If you like nature time, Little Bay is where you’ll likely want to go slow and watch. The water conditions are described as great for snorkeling, and you may spot sea turtles. Even if you don’t get a turtle sighting, you’ll still be in one of those environments where the underwater world feels active.

There’s also a simple beach option if snorkeling isn’t your whole plan. You can relax at a small private beach area as well, which is good for mixed groups—some people snorkel, others hang back.

Consideration: marine park areas can mean you’ll feel more like a guest in a protected space. Bring patience, keep your gear organized, and follow the crew’s guidance. You’ll get the best experience if you treat it like a shared nature moment, not a race to see everything.

Shoal Bay Village: why people rank it among the world’s best

If Anguilla had a single “most famous beach” moment, Shoal Bay Village would be right near the top. It’s consistently rated among the world’s top beaches, and your schedule gives it real weight—about 2 hours there.

This is where I’d park your main beach time. Shoal Bay is ideal for sinking your toes into soft sand, taking photos, and enjoying the gentle rhythm of a place that’s built for lingering. If your group includes non-snorkelers, this stop is your peace-of-mind stop—there’s plenty to do without feeling like you’re missing out.

You’ll also appreciate having time here because it breaks the day into sections. After the sea and snorkeling stops, you get a proper beach window to reset: sunscreen, hydration, shade, and snacks. It’s the kind of pause that makes the rest of the itinerary feel easier.

Possible drawback: the very fame of Shoal Bay Village can attract attention when boats are arriving. If your group wants the quietest moments, timing inside your 2 hours matters. Ask your guide when to head back down for the best pacing.

Meads Bay for that classic Anguilla beach feeling

After Shoal Bay, you’ll move to Meads Bay for about 1 hour. It’s a shorter stop, so think of it as a high-impact second beach rather than a full-day takeover.

Meads Bay is a strong choice when you want another stretch of sand and water, without losing the momentum of the charter. If you snorkeled earlier and you still feel the itch to get back in the water, this is often a good moment to do it—especially if conditions are calm.

With only an hour, the key is to decide early how you’re spending your time. Some people will want a quick swim and back on board. Others will want to soak up sand time and skip a second snorkeling push. Either can work. Just don’t leave your decision until the last 10 minutes.

Snorkeling tips that come from how the crew runs the day

Snorkeling is included, and that matters. You get snorkel equipment and floating devices, which lowers the barrier for anyone who isn’t a confident swimmer or who doesn’t travel with gear.

The day’s route is designed around calm water snorkeling opportunities, including Crocus Bay. That’s the sort of place where you can focus on looking around instead of constantly bracing yourself.

What I like about the captain-and-guide approach here is the attention to safety and water comfort. The crew members credited in reviews—captains like Junior and Sammy, and guides like Ignacio—are described as giving safety tips and staying close when it counts. One review even mentions Ignacio getting in the water with the group to help film an octopus at Creole Rock. That’s not the kind of detail you expect from a rushed day trip. It signals hands-on enthusiasm and a willingness to help you have a good moment, not just a checkmark stop.

If you want the best chance to enjoy snorkeling without stress:

• Keep your gear organized before you enter the water.
• Drink water early; salty boat air dries you out.
• Expect the day to move fast—so have your “priority order” ready (snorkel first or beach first).

The open bar: a perk that actually fits the pace

This charter leans into a party-like cruise vibe, but it’s also practical. You’ll have an open bar on board with beers, sodas, and water, plus champagne and rum cocktails.

Why it matters: on a 7-hour day, small morale boosts help. When you’re cruising between islands and getting ready for swims, having drinks already handled makes the whole experience feel less formal and more fun. It also helps the group bond, especially on a private charter where everyone is stuck together—in a good way—for the day.

Just keep it sensible. The best snorkeling and beach time happens when you’re steady and hydrated. If you drink, do it at a calm pace and keep water nearby.

What the itinerary feels like as a full day

Putting the stops together, the day works like this:

1. You cruise out with drinks and an easy start, with Cap Juluca setting a polished tone.
2. You shift to wildlife-and-water focus with Little Bay, including strong snorkeling odds and sea turtles.
3. You switch into beach mode with Shoal Bay Village, where you have enough time to actually enjoy the sand.
4. You cap it with Meads Bay, a shorter beach hit that still delivers another classic Anguilla feel.

If you’re the kind of person who likes variety in one day—sand, snorkel, sand again—this schedule fits you well. It’s not a slow “one beach all day” plan, but it also isn’t nonstop chaos. The stop durations create breathing room, especially thanks to the longer Shoal Bay window.

Who should book this private Anguilla speedboat

This charter shines for groups that value comfort and time savings.

• Families with mixed interests: kids can enjoy beaches while adults snorkel when they want.
• Small friend groups: splitting the charter price makes it feel like a smart upgrade.
• Couples who want a romantic day without crowd stress.
• People who want real hands-on guidance in the water.

It’s also good for first-timers to Anguilla. You get a sampler of major beaches and snorkeling areas in a single day, with a dedicated captain guiding the flow.

If your dream is a slow spa-style retreat, you might find this too active. But if your dream is “beach and water, done the efficient way,” this is a strong pick.

Should you book this St Maarten to Anguilla private charter?

I think you should book if you match any of these:

• You want a private boat for your group, not a shared tour.
• You care about snorkeling with included gear and calm-water options like Crocus Bay.
• You’re aiming to hit multiple top Anguilla beaches in one day, with enough time at Shoal Bay to enjoy it.
• You’re traveling with enough people that $1,500 per group feels fair.

Skip it if:

• Your budget can’t stretch to customs/clearance fees on arrival and lunch purchased separately.
• You need a strictly relaxed day with no schedule movement at all.
• Your dates are locked tight and you can’t reschedule if weather changes.

If you book, do one simple thing: bring your passport, pack the swimsuit and towel, and decide ahead of time whether your priority is snorkeling or beach time. Then the day will feel exactly like what Anguilla is best at.

FAQ

How long is the private charter from St Maarten to Anguilla?

It runs for about 7 hours (approx.).

What is the price and how many people can be on the charter?

It costs $1,500 per group, up to 9 people.

What’s included in the price?

You get an open bar on board (including beers, sodas, and water, plus complimentary champagne and rum cocktails as described), snorkeling equipment, and floating devices.

Are lunch and customs fees included?

No. Lunch is not included, and clearance and custom fees are payable to the agency upon arrival in Anguilla.

Where do we meet, and what time does it start?

You meet at 62 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, with a start time of 9:30am. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need a passport?

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

What happens if weather is bad?

This 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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