This yacht makes the Caribbean feel easy. You get a 20 m open yacht with a Porsche 917 themed look, a calm, shaded deck setup, and an always-on, guest-first crew. I love that the boat feels big enough for real hangout time, with spots to be in the sun or under cover, and I love the way the team keeps the day moving with food, drinks, and water fun. The main thing to consider is cost: at $6,448.44 per group (up to 12), it’s at its best when you can fill the seats.

This is also a rare “three-islands” style day: St Maarten/St Martin, Saint Barthélemy, and Anguilla, all strung together with multiple swim-and-anchorage moments. You’ll be under the French flag, and you can feel that relaxed French coast vibe in the overall pace—less rush, more living the day. Depending on timing, you can do a half day (about 4 hours), a full day (about 8 hours), or a sunset sail.

If your group includes a mix of beach swimmers and people who just want to relax, YES DARLING is built for that. The boat is large, open, and set up for moving between deck zones without feeling cramped, which matters when you’re out for hours. Just plan for a day at sea that rewards good moods and reasonable expectations about how much time you can spend at each anchorage.

Key things I’d put on your radar

• 20 m open deck with real shaded areas and space to spread out
• French-flag Caribbean vibe with a stylish, Italian/Porsche 917 themed atmosphere
• Three-island route across St Maarten, Saint Barthélemy (Gustavia area), and Anguilla
• Crew-led comfort including drink service, food, and water activities
• Two timing options (half day around 4 hours, full day around 8 hours) and sunset sail potential
• Group-focused pricing at up to 12 per group, even though the yacht is described as able to host up to 30

A Porsche 917 styled day on a 20 m open yacht

YES DARLING is a private yacht experience built around the idea that you should feel free while still being looked after. The boat is about 20 meters and open-air for most of the time, so you’ll get sea breeze, sun, and big-sky views without feeling boxed in. There’s also an interior cabin you can use for a break from the sun, which is a quiet quality-of-life detail I really appreciate on long ocean days.

The visual style is part of the fun. The décor leans Italian, and it’s decorated around the theme of the legendary Porsche 917. That’s not just decoration for show. It shapes the mood: the crew and guests tend to act like it’s a party at sea, but with manners. You’ll hear music, see people taking photos, and still have space to relax.

Under the French flag, the day feels like a holiday ritual rather than a checklist. You’re not just touring coastlines—you’re anchored, you stop for swims, and you get time to actually enjoy each place. And because it’s private, your group sets the tone. If you want more chill, you can do chill. If your crew wants the water activities, you can do that too.

How the St Maarten / St Martin stop works: beaches and anchor time

The St Maarten side of the day is all about picking the right coastline mood: calm coves, clear water for swimming, and beaches that look good even when the sun is high. This portion runs for about 2 hours, so it’s long enough to do a proper swim-and-snack rhythm without feeling like you’re just grabbing a photo.

Common anchor-and-beach areas you may hit include Pinel, Tintamarre, Friar’s Bay, Happy Bay, Grand Case, Anse Marcel, Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, and Simpson Bay (the list is wide). Here’s the practical part: different spots feel different. Pinel and Tintamarre tend to be about turquoise water and that “postcard anchorage” feeling. Grand Case is often chosen when you want a more social St Martin vibe. Spots like Anse Marcel and Baie Longue lean toward clean water and relaxing beach time.

What you should plan for: when the yacht anchors, you’ll have the choice to jump in right away or wait until the light is perfect. I like this setup because the crew can manage the timing, and you don’t have to coordinate a beach day with ferries or shuttles. It’s also one of the better island stretches for guests who want both swimming and downtime.

One small consideration: because you’re covering multiple islands the same day, you won’t get an hours-long, deep exploration at one single beach. This is a “best-of” style day. If you want to rent a car and slowly linger for the whole afternoon, you’ll probably prefer land travel. If you want the highlights with minimal effort, this is the right format.

Gustavia in Saint Barthélemy: elegance with an anchored rhythm

Saint Barthélemy is where the day often turns from fun to “wow.” The Gustavia area portion also runs about 2 hours, and it’s designed to show you Saint Barth without making you manage the logistics. You’re looking for iconic anchorages and those famous clear waters, but the real trick is that you’re experiencing it from a comfortable, private boat base.

Areas you may visit around Saint Barth include Anse de Colombier, a mooring near Gustavia, and stops connected with Shell Beach and Saint John. The vibe here tends to be more polished than the St Martin side. You’ll still be swimming and hanging out, but it feels like you’re in the main event.

Why this stop matters for your day: Gustavia and the surrounding coves are the kind of places where the scenery keeps improving as the boat sits at anchor. Instead of rushing from one spot to another, you can enjoy the change in light, take breaks under shade, and actually talk. If your group includes people who don’t love constant movement, this is the part that usually keeps everyone happy.

Practical tip from how these charters work: keep your phone charged but don’t spend the whole stop filming. You’ll remember the day more for the feeling of being anchored in calm water than for having 300 clips. And if your group wants a quick dip, do it early, before the day’s rhythm picks up again.

Anguilla’s best bays: water time you can actually enjoy

Anguilla is the stop people often picture when they imagine a luxury Caribbean day—soft sand, wide bays, and water that looks unreal. This part is about 2 hours as well, which helps because Anguilla is worth swimming in, not just viewing from the boat.

Common bays and beaches listed for this leg include Rendezvous Bay, Maundays Bay, Shoal Bay West, Meads Bay, Road Bay (Sandy Ground), Crocus Bay, Little Bay, and Shoal Bay Beach. That list is basically a menu. The practical difference is that each bay has a different feel, even when the water looks similar from a distance.

Meads Bay often feels like the “big and classic” choice, while Shoal Bay areas tend to offer a wide open swim feel and lots of space. Road Bay (Sandy Ground) can feel more lively, and Little Bay is often chosen for a more relaxed “hang out on the water” mood. The point is: you’re not stuck in one type of water environment all day.

Why the 2-hour timing works: you get enough time for a serious swim, plus time to dry off, snack, and reboard without feeling rushed. You also avoid the trap where you spend most of the day traveling between islands and barely get into the water. The stops here make sure the water is the star.

If anyone in your group is learning confidence in open water, this setup is good because you can do short jumps and then return to the boat whenever you want. The yacht base is always there.

The crew and service: where this charter earns its high rating

This is one of the most crew-forward experiences I can recommend in the region. The service approach comes up again and again: attentive, friendly, and genuinely focused on making sure people stay comfortable and happy. Names that show up in the information you provided include Captain Chris and Helene, plus a first mate who’s part of the team.

What you’ll feel on board:

• Drink service that keeps your day moving, without you having to chase staff
• Food and beverages included, described as generous
• Water activities that are more fun because the crew handles the flow

This matters because on many boat days, the captain focuses on navigation and everyone else tries to self-manage the rest. Here, the team seems to run the day like a well-timed event: you get the right moment for anchoring, you get options for water fun, and your group isn’t stuck waiting around.

If you’re traveling with kids or a mixed-age group, pay attention to this: a number of experiences describe the crew taking care of children during the water activities. That doesn’t mean the day is only for families, but it does mean the staff tends to be organized rather than chaotic.

Also, the vibe can shift from relaxed to party-like depending on your group’s energy. There’s music, and the boat feels like a place where people actually socialize. That’s not a small detail. Social energy is a big part of why private charters feel different from group catamarans.

Half day vs full day vs sunset: choosing the right length

YES DARLING runs for about 4 hours for a half day and about 8 hours for a full day. And the experience also includes sunset sail options in the broader way people use the charter.

Here’s how I’d choose:

• Half day (~4 hours): Best when you want highlights, fewer stops, and a quicker return to land life. Great for people who already have dinner reservations or a tight day schedule.
• Full day (~8 hours): Best if you want more anchorage time, more chances to swim, and a slower pace where everyone gets comfortable on board.
• Sunset sail: Best when your group cares about atmosphere and the light at golden hour. Sunset changes the whole feel of the day because you stop thinking in terms of a strict itinerary and start thinking in terms of mood.

A practical note: the more time you have, the less you feel rushed between islands. Even though the stops are timed in blocks, the boat itself gives you time to reset: you can sit in shade, snack, cool off, and then go back in. With extra hours, that rhythm gets smoother.

What $6,448.44 per group means (and how to get value)

Pricing here is listed as $6,448.44 per group (up to 12). That’s not “cheap,” and it shouldn’t be treated like it is. This is a private boat charter, and you’re paying for: boat size, crew time, fuel and navigation across multiple islands, and the convenience of not coordinating beaches and transfers.

The value question is simple. If you can fill most of the group limit, your cost per person becomes reasonable compared to what you’d pay for separate taxis, boat rentals, and multiple tours across three islands. If you come with a small group, you’ll still enjoy the experience, but the price per person climbs quickly.

Also watch the capacity detail: the experience is described as having capacity up to 30 passengers, while pricing is per group up to 12. I’d treat that as a clue that different group sizes and arrangements might be possible, but your quoted cost you’re shown is for the group limit in the pricing structure.

Who this is best value for:

• Families and friend groups who can share the boat cost
• Small wedding parties or milestone birthdays
• People who want St Barth and Anguilla without handling the day’s logistics themselves

Who should book YES DARLING, and who might prefer something else

This charter fits best when you want a blend of comfort, freedom, and guided support.

Perfect fits:

• Groups up to about 12 where everyone wants to share the boat experience
• People who like swimming and don’t mind short transitions between anchored stops
• Multi-generation groups, including families, because the crew service is described as attentive and supportive during water activities
• Anyone who wants a stylish, themed boat atmosphere, not just a generic charter

Maybe not the best fit:

• If your priority is long, unbroken time on one beach for hours at a time. This is a multi-island highlights day.
• If you’re coming with just a couple of people and your budget is tight. The private cost makes most sense when you’re splitting the charter.

Should you book YES DARLING yacht?

If you want a private boat day that feels special from the first step on board, YES DARLING is a strong choice. The yacht setup works for mixed preferences—sun lovers, shade seekers, swimmers, and people who just want to relax. The crew approach is a big part of the appeal, with service that stays engaged and organized through the day.

I’d book it when you can travel with a full-ish group and you’re excited about a St Martin + Saint Barth + Anguilla style day. I’d think twice if you’re trying to squeeze this into a super tight schedule or if you’d be disappointed by a highlights format instead of a slow, beach-by-beach exploration.

FAQ

How long is the yacht charter?

It runs for about 4 hours for a half-day option or about 8 hours for a full-day option.

Where does the yacht go?

The experience covers stops around St Martin/St Maarten, Saint Barthélemy (including the Gustavia area), and Anguilla, with swims and anchorage time at different bays and beaches.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered.

How many people is the price for?

The price is listed per group up to 12 people.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the experience uses a mobile ticket.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.

If you tell me your group size and which day of the week you’re considering, I can help you decide between half day, full day, or a sunset-style outing.

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