Private Speed Boat Charter to Anguilla

Anguilla is close enough to reach by boat, yet it feels like a proper island escape. This private speedboat charter lets you shape the day with your captain instead of following a fixed group schedule. You can spend more time on a beach, skip a stop, or seek out a good snorkeling spot if the sea is calm.

I like the flexibility and the fact that your group has the boat to itself. I also like the practical extras: unlimited water, soft drinks, beers, and snorkeling gear are included. The main catch is cost. At $404.42 per person, plus a US$35 cash clearance fee, this is a special-occasion outing rather than a cheap way to see Anguilla.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat from Cole Bay: Meet at Powerboat Adventures, 57 Well Road, and return there after roughly seven hours.
• Captain-led route: Sam, and at times Mel, can shape the day around beaches, snorkeling, lunch, and sea conditions.
• Six appealing stops: The sample route includes Cap Juluca, Sandy Island, Crocus Bay, Little Bay, and Meads Bay, with a short start at Cole Bay.
• Drinks and gear included: Water, soft drinks, beers, and snorkeling equipment are provided at no extra charge.
• Bring the right documents: Every participant needs a current valid passport, and the US$35 clearance fee must be paid in cash to the captain.
• Best for private groups: Families and friends who value space and control will get more from this than people looking for the lowest-cost island outing.

Why a private boat changes the Anguilla day

A private charter gives you something a shared excursion cannot: control over the pace. You are not waiting for another group to finish lunch or leave a beach. If your group wants more swimming and less sightseeing, you can tell the captain. If the wind makes one stop uncomfortable, the route can change.

The boat leaves from Cole Bay on St. Maarten and heads toward Anguilla for a day of beaches, clear water, and short rides between stops. The tour lasts about seven hours, which is enough time for several visits without turning every beach stop into a rushed photo break.

Captain Sam is the main name associated with this experience, and Mel has also helped operate trips. The strongest praise centers on prompt communication, a clean and well-maintained boat, and careful attention to the group’s wishes. One group of six wanted a private day without other groups or children around them, and this format matched that request well.

You should still think of the captain as a guide, not as a guarantee of a fixed route. Wind, waves, available time, and local access can affect the order or length of stops. That flexibility is part of the value, but it also means your exact day may not match the sample itinerary.

Cole Bay to Anguilla: the practical start

You meet at Powerboat Adventures at 57 Well Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina and back.

Allow time for pre-departure paperwork. The trip crosses an international border, so a current valid passport is required for every participant. You also pay a US$35 clearance fee per person directly to the captain on the day of the trip, in cash only. This is easy to overlook because it is separate from the advertised tour price.

The boat ride is part of the attraction, but the speed can make the trip feel exposed to wind and spray. Wear clothing suited to a warm, active day on the water, and protect anything you do not want splashed. The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, so you should be comfortable boarding a boat, moving around on deck, swimming, and climbing in and out of the water.

The operator provides unlimited water, soft drinks, and beers. The minimum drinking age is 18. Lunch is not included, so keep money or a card available for a restaurant stop, depending on the place your captain selects.

Cap Juluca and Anguilla’s west coast

Cap Juluca is listed as the first major beach stop after the short Cole Bay opening. It faces Saint Martin and is known for white sand and calm-looking Caribbean water. The suggested visit lasts about an hour, giving you time to swim, sit on the beach, and take in the view back toward the neighboring island.

This stop is best for a relaxed start. You are still getting used to the boat and the day, so a simple beach visit helps set the pace. It may be less satisfying if your priority is snorkeling, since the appeal here is primarily sand, water, and scenery.

Access and conditions can change, so do not assume every listed beach works exactly like a public land-based beach visit. Your captain can explain what is practical that day and how long your group can stay.

Sandy Island: small beach, good snorkeling

Sandy Island is a small private island with white sand, snorkeling, and a beach bar. It is the kind of stop that makes a boat charter worthwhile because you arrive directly by water and can combine a swim, a mask-and-fins session, and a cold drink without a long transfer.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting your own set. The coral and marine life can vary with visibility and sea conditions, so I would treat this as a chance to explore rather than a promise of a particular animal sighting.

The island’s small size is both its charm and its limitation. You come for the water and beach, not a long walk or a full afternoon of activities. If your group prefers plenty of room and quiet, ask the captain about timing. If you want a lively beach bar stop, Sandy Island may be one of the day’s easiest wins.

Crocus Bay and lunch at DaVida’s

Crocus Bay offers clear water and a practical lunch option at DaVida’s restaurant. A dock provides access to the restaurant, so you do not need to make a difficult landing on the sand with your group and belongings.

Lunch is not included in the charter price. That gives you control over what you order, but it also means you should budget separately. The restaurant stop can be useful for breaking up a day of swimming and sun, especially if you want a proper meal rather than snacks on the boat.

The listed visit lasts about an hour. That may be enough for lunch and a short swim, but not for a slow meal followed by a long beach afternoon. Tell your captain early if lunch matters more to you than adding another beach stop.

Little Bay for boat-only access

Little Bay is described as a bay reached only by boat, with clear water, a small beach, and cliff jumping. It is likely to be one of the more memorable stops because arriving by boat gives you access to a place that is not part of a typical road-based beach tour.

Cliff jumping deserves care. The supplied information lists it as an activity, but it does not provide details about height, safety rules, or conditions. Do not jump until the captain confirms that the spot is safe that day, and skip it entirely if you are unsure. Swimming and sitting on the beach are enough to enjoy the bay.

The one-hour timing keeps the stop focused. Little Bay is a good choice for active groups, but less ideal if everyone wants a wide beach, a restaurant, or easy land access.

Meads Bay for the classic beach finish

Meads Bay is presented as one of Anguilla’s finest beaches, with white sand, clear water, and snorkeling. It gives the day a broad, classic Caribbean beach stop after the smaller settings at Sandy Island and Little Bay.

The water and sand make it a good place to slow down. You can swim, snorkel with the provided equipment, or simply sit in the sun with a drink. As always, conditions determine how good the snorkeling will be. A calm sea and clear visibility can make a major difference.

Meads Bay also shows why this tour works best for a group with shared priorities. Some people can swim while others stay on the sand, and nobody needs to follow an unrelated group’s schedule. The sample plan allows about an hour, but your captain can adjust the day if the weather and timing permit.

What the price really buys you

The listed price is $404.42 per person. That is a high price for a beach day, but the comparison changes when you divide it across a private group. You are paying for the boat, captain, private use, the ability to set the route, and a full day rather than a short transfer.

Water, soft drinks, beers, and snorkeling equipment are included. Those extras do not erase the cost, but they reduce the small add-on charges that can build up during a day on the water. Lunch remains separate, as does the US$35 clearance fee per person.

I would consider this good value for a group that wants privacy and flexibility. It is weaker value for one or two people who mainly want to reach Anguilla, spend time on one beach, and keep expenses low. The more people in your group, the more useful the private format becomes, especially if you have different ages and comfort levels.

The strong satisfaction rate and five-star score suggest the service has been reliable for many groups, but price and border paperwork remain real considerations. One less positive experience focused on communication about passport requirements and the need to provide travel documents before the trip. Read those requirements carefully and contact the operator before departure if anything is unclear.

Who should book this charter

I would recommend it to families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that want a full day built around their own interests. The private setup is particularly helpful when some people want to snorkel, others want a beach, and everyone wants to avoid a large shared boat.

It also suits people who value a captain’s local judgment. Sam has been praised for suggesting good stops, arranging a varied route, and explaining the islands. You can bring your own ideas, but you do not need to plan every minute before arriving.

This is not the best choice for a strict budget, a last-minute outing without passports, or anyone who dislikes speedboat travel. It is also officially not suitable for cruise ship passengers because the tour does not include cruise-port pickup or a schedule built around ship departure times. A past trip was modified for a cruise-based group, but you should not count on that option.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. If you cancel, do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the St. Maarten to Anguilla boat day?

Book it if your priority is a private, flexible day on the water and you are willing to pay for that freedom. The combination of Sandy Island snorkeling, Little Bay’s boat-only setting, Crocus Bay lunch access, and Meads Bay beach time gives you a fuller look at Anguilla than a single beach transfer.

Skip it if the price feels uncomfortable, you want guaranteed access to a particular restaurant or beach, or you are not prepared with passports and cash. For the right group, though, this is a practical way to turn a St. Maarten stay into a full Anguilla day without sharing your boat or surrendering control of the itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the private Anguilla boat tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private tour, so only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Crocus Bay offers access to DaVida’s restaurant, but you pay for your own meal.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited water, soft drinks, and beers are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What documents and extra fees are required?

You need a current valid passport on the day of travel. You also pay a US$35 clearance fee per person to the captain in cash.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

The activity is not suitable for cruise ship passengers. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included.