Full-Day Private Luxury Yacht Tour in Anguilla

Anguilla is close, but it feels far away. This private yacht trip makes the island easy to reach, with a crossing of about 20 minutes and a relaxed route through calm bays. I like the small-group setting and the chance to visit several beaches without being tied to a large excursion schedule. I also like the thoughtful food and drink service, from morning pastries and fruit to an afternoon cheese and charcuterie platter.

The main drawback is cost. At $1,800 for up to 10 people, this works best when shared by a full group. You must also pay $35 per person for immigration and park fees, and the day depends on good weather. If your group is small, a private yacht may feel expensive compared with a standard boat trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Twenty-minute crossing: Anguilla is a practical day trip from St Maarten, not a long sea journey.
• Five different stops: You get a sandbar, snorkeling cove, two broad beaches, and a photo stop at the Anguilla Arch.
• Private boat for up to 10: Your group controls the pace more than on a shared excursion.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect an open bar, champagne, soft drinks, fruit, pastries, cheese, and charcuterie.
• Captain quality matters: Captains Elliot, Etienne, and William receive especially warm praise for friendly service and careful attention.
• Bring passports: You may not be asked for them, but one booking note specifically recommends carrying them for the Anguilla crossing.

Why this yacht trip works as a St Maarten day out

St Maarten and Anguilla sit close together, yet the two islands offer different moods. St Maarten has a more active holiday scene, while Anguilla is known here for quiet beaches, clear water, and a slower pace. The short crossing lets you spend most of your day enjoying Anguilla rather than simply getting there.

The tour runs for about seven and a half hours, starting at 9 a.m. from Paper Boat Charter at Marina Anse Marcel on the French side of St Martin. Travel time is included in that total. You return to the same marina at the end of the day.

I see the strongest reason to choose this trip in its balance. You are not limited to one beach, but you are also not rushed through a long list of stops. Each scheduled visit lasts between 15 minutes and an hour and a half, with time for swimming, snorkeling, photos, eating, and simply sitting on the boat.

Because the yacht is private, only your group takes part. That matters if you are celebrating a birthday, traveling with family, or want to keep the day quiet. One booking was described as a birthday outing, while another called it a perfect family trip. The boat format also makes it easier to spend more time in the water if your group agrees.

The route is designed around protected spots, which can help keep the day comfortable when open water is less pleasant. Still, conditions can change. The operator requires good weather and offers either another date or a full refund if poor weather forces a cancellation.

Sandy Island gives you a small first taste of Anguilla

The first stop is Sandy Island, a small sandbar with a restaurant on it. You get about 45 minutes here, and there is no separate admission charge.

This is a pleasant opening stop because it feels distinct from the larger beaches later in the day. Sandy Island is compact, exposed, and easy to take in quickly. You can enjoy the setting, have a look around, and settle into the boat day without committing to a long beach stay.

The restaurant is an important part of the stop, but the supplied details do not specify whether a meal is included there. I would treat it as a scenic visit rather than plan your main lunch around it. The included fruit, croissants, and chocolatines are provided in the morning, so you will have something to eat early in the trip.

Forty-five minutes is enough to enjoy this tiny island, though it may feel short if you want a long restaurant meal. That is part of the route’s tradeoff: you see several different places, but no single stop becomes a full morning or afternoon.

Little Bay is the main water-play stop

Little Bay is scheduled for another 45 minutes. This is the place for snorkeling or jumping from the rock, making it one of the more active stops on the route.

I like that the itinerary does not treat every beach as a purely scenic stop. Little Bay gives you a clear reason to get into the water. If you enjoy snorkeling, this is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the day. If you prefer to stay dry, you can still enjoy the cove and the boat setting, but this stop is aimed more at people who want some activity.

The time limit is worth noting. Forty-five minutes is useful for a swim and a quick snorkeling session, but it is not an all-day water session. Bring your own comfort level and do not expect a long lesson or structured snorkeling program, since none is listed.

The captain can make a real difference here. Captain Elliot was praised for taking a group to several bays for swimming and snorkeling, and Captain Etienne was singled out for being a helpful guide during a snorkeling-focused day. Those details suggest that the crew can shape the experience around the group’s interests, although the exact route can depend on sea and weather conditions.

Rendezvous Bay offers the quiet beach hour

Rendezvous Bay receives another 45 minutes. It is described as a long white-sand beach with clear water, and the setting is intended to feel uncrowded.

This stop is less about activity and more about space. If you want to swim, walk along the shore, or sit near clear water without a packed beach scene, Rendezvous Bay may be the best fit. The wording about having the beach nearly to yourself should not be treated as a guarantee, but it explains the appeal of the stop.

The 45-minute visit gives you enough time to enjoy the shore without losing the rest of the route. On the other hand, anyone hoping for a long, lazy beach afternoon may find the schedule too brisk. You are choosing variety over settling into one beach for several hours.

The calm nature of Anguilla is a major part of this excursion. The trip is not built around loud entertainment or a long list of land activities. It is built around water, sand, and a boat moving between quieter coastal spots.

The Anguilla Arch is a quick photo stop

The Anguilla Arch gets 15 minutes, making it the shortest stop of the day. The purpose is simple: take photos beneath or near the famous arch.

Fifteen minutes is enough for a quick picture session, but not for a long walk or a major outing. I would think of this as a scenic pause between beach stops. It gives your group a recognizable Anguilla image and breaks up the swimming portions of the day.

This is also a good reminder that the tour is not just a beach transfer. The route includes small landmarks and unusual coastal features, so you get a broader feel for the island. Still, anyone who dislikes frequent stops may prefer a charter that stays in one bay longer.

Meads Bay is the longest and most flexible stop

Meads Bay is the final major stop and the longest one, with about 90 minutes. It has white sand and clear water, plus several restaurants where you can have lunch.

This is where the day has room to slow down. You can swim, sit on the beach, or head to a restaurant with the group. Since lunch is not included in the stated package, you should be prepared to pay separately for your meal. The description confirms restaurant options but does not name a particular venue or set a fixed lunch menu.

Meads Bay works well as the final beach because it gives you more time than the earlier stops. After Sandy Island, Little Bay, Rendezvous Bay, and the arch, you can choose between one last swim and a proper meal before returning to St Martin.

The 90-minute limit still requires a little planning. If you want a leisurely restaurant lunch and plenty of water time, tell your group early. Otherwise, you could spend most of the stop deciding what to do. The captain or crew may help with timing, but the specific lunch arrangement is not fixed in the information provided.

The food and open bar add real value

The inclusions are stronger than the basic boat-trip norm. In the morning, you receive a platter of fruit along with croissants and chocolatines. Later, the crew provides a platter of cheeses and charcuterie.

That matters because a full day on the water can feel long if food is left to chance. The snacks turn the boat into more than transportation between beaches. They also suit a private group better than a formal meal schedule, since people can eat in smaller portions throughout the day.

Drinks include an open bar with champagne, rum, vodka, rosé wine, and beer. Soda, juice, and water are also provided. If you do not drink alcohol, the nonalcoholic choices are covered. If you do drink, the range makes the $1,800 group price easier to justify, especially when the cost is divided among several people.

Drink responsibly, particularly if you plan to swim and spend time in the sun. The listing provides an open bar, but it does not promise unlimited quantities of every particular brand or a bartender. Expect a stocked charter service, not a full resort bar.

Is $1,800 a fair price for a private yacht?

The advertised cost is $1,800 per group of up to 10 people. Divided among 10 people, that comes to $180 per person before the required $35-per-person immigration and park fees. With a full group, the combined cost works out to $215 per person.

That is a serious price, but the comparison should be with a private yacht day, not with a basic ferry ticket or shared boat ride. You are paying for exclusive use of the activity, a full-day route, several stops, food, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and the ability to spend the day with only your own group.

For six people, the base cost is $300 per person, before the $35 fee. For four people, it becomes $450 per person before fees. The economics improve sharply as your group gets closer to 10, so I would book this with family or friends rather than as a couple unless the private setting is especially important to you.

The included champagne, open bar, and snack platters help, but lunch at Meads Bay is extra. You should also budget for the immigration and park charges, which are not optional and are listed at $35 per person.

Captains and service shape the day

The strongest praise is directed at the crew. Captain Elliot is described as a great captain who took the group to several bays for swimming and snorkeling. Captain Etienne is praised for being a strong captain and tour guide, with clear pickup directions also noted as helpful. Captain Elliot and William are both described as kind, friendly, and determined to provide a good day.

Those comments point to something important about a private charter: the captain is part of the experience. A good captain helps with timing, chooses suitable bays, explains the route, and keeps the group comfortable. The information does not provide a guaranteed captain for every departure, so you should not assume a particular person will operate your boat.

The service style appears friendly rather than formal. That suits a group that wants to swim, snack, take photos, and adjust the pace. It may not suit someone seeking a highly structured guided tour with lengthy historical commentary, since the focus here is on beaches and time in the water.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this yacht day to groups that value privacy and variety. It fits families, birthday groups, close friends, and anyone who wants a polished day on the water without sharing the boat with strangers.

It is also a strong choice for people who want a quieter side of the Caribbean. Anguilla’s appeal here is not a packed schedule of attractions. It is the chance to visit clear-water beaches, swim in protected areas, and spend a day with plenty of open space.

The trip is less suitable for a small party that is watching every dollar. It may also disappoint anyone who wants a long snorkeling expedition, a full beach day at one location, or a detailed cultural tour on land. The itinerary is active but not rushed, and it includes several short stops rather than one deep experience.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. The meeting point is Paper Boat Charter at Marina Anse Marcel, and the activity ends there. Bring your passport, even though one group was not asked to show theirs at Anguilla. It is a sensible precaution for an international island crossing.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Inside that window, the amount paid is not refunded and changes are not accepted. Since weather can cancel the trip, the operator offers a different date or a full refund when conditions are poor.

Should you book the Anguilla yacht day?

Book it if you can fill most of the 10-person capacity and want a private day built around beaches, swimming, food, and easy island-hopping. The short crossing, five-stop route, open bar, and strong captain feedback make it a well-rounded choice from St Maarten.

Think twice if your group is small, if you want a low-cost outing, or if you would rather spend all day at one beach. The price is easiest to defend when shared, and the best value comes from using the yacht as a private base for the whole day, not simply as a ride to Anguilla.

FAQ

How long is the Full-Day Private Luxury Yacht Tour in Anguilla?

The experience lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes, including travel time. It starts at 9 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Paper Boat Charter, Marina Anse Marcel, Saint Martin 97150, St Martin.

How many people can join the private yacht tour?

The $1,800 price covers one private group of up to 10 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes an open bar with champagne, rum, vodka, rosé wine, and beer. Soda, juice, and water are also provided, along with morning fruit, croissants, chocolatines, and a later platter of cheeses and charcuterie.

Are immigration and park fees included?

No. Immigration and park fees cost $35 per person and are not included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.