Yacht YES DARLING – Private Boat St Martin, St Barth & Anguilla

Catch three islands from one deck. The YES DARLING yacht pairs a striking Italian design with an easygoing Caribbean day on the water. I like the wide open deck, shaded seating, sunbathing space, and the unusual Porsche 917 theme. I also like the choice of a 4-hour, 8-hour, or sunset outing. The main point to check is capacity, since the price is listed for up to 12 people while the yacht description gives a maximum of 30.

You get a private boat for your own group, with pickup offered and a mobile ticket for easy arrival. The crew receives especially warm praise for friendly service, child care during water activities, drinks, music, and attention to small details. Just confirm exactly what food, drinks, and water equipment are included before you pay.

Key points at a glance

• A 20-meter open yacht: Large outdoor areas, shaded spots, sun loungers, and an interior cabin make the boat comfortable in both sun and passing showers.
• Three-island routing: You can visit Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, and Anguilla, subject to the time you book and the route selected.
• Private group setting: Your party gets the yacht to itself, rather than sharing a standard excursion boat.
• Flexible timing: Choose a half-day of about 4 hours, a full day of about 8 hours, or a sunset trip.
• Strong service record: Captain Chris and manager Hélène are named in past feedback, with repeated praise for attentive and professional care.
• A useful price check: At $6,448.44 per group of 12, the cost works out to about $537 per person before any extras.

The YES DARLING style: Italian lines and a Porsche racing theme

YES DARLING is not a basic beach shuttle. It is a 20-meter open yacht built around space, speed, and style. Its Italian design gives the boat a polished look, while the Porsche 917 theme adds a playful motorsport touch that makes it different from the usual white Caribbean charter.

I like the layout because it supports several moods at once. You can stretch out in the sun, sit under shade, gather with friends on the open deck, or retreat into the cabin. That matters on a private charter, since a long day at sea feels much better when you are not forced to sit in one place.

The boat flies the French flag and is presented as a private yacht with a relaxed French Caribbean character. That means the appeal is not only getting from beach to beach. The boat itself is part of the occasion, especially for birthdays, family gatherings, wedding-related trips, and groups that want music, drinks, and room to socialize.

What the $6,448.44 price really buys

The stated price is $6,448.44 per group of up to 12 people. At full occupancy, that is roughly $537 per person. For a private yacht in one of the Caribbean’s most popular sailing areas, that can be fair value if your group wants privacy, personal service, and control over the day.

The hourly calculation also helps. A 4-hour booking costs about $1,612 per hour for the group, while an 8-hour booking works out to about $806 per hour. The full day gives you more time to reach distant stops and makes the group rate easier to justify.

Still, this is a premium outing. You are paying for the vessel, crew, privacy, and access to several islands, not simply transport to a beach. If your main goal is one swim and a low-cost boat ride, a shared excursion will likely suit you better.

There is one important detail to settle before booking. The price information says up to 12 people, while the yacht description says it can carry up to 30 passengers. Ask the operator which passenger limit applies to your chosen rate, and whether larger parties need a different price. Several past outings involved groups of around 17 to 20, so this is not a minor question.

Also ask what is included in your package. Past parties describe generous food, drinks, aperitifs, music, buffet service, and open-bar arrangements, but the formal details supplied here do not spell out every inclusion. Get the answer in writing, especially if you are planning a celebration.

Saint-Martin: pick your first bay carefully

Saint-Martin, also called Sint Maarten, offers the widest choice of stops. The route can include Pinel, Tintamarre, Friar’s Bay, Happy Bay, Grand Case, Anse Marcel, Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, and Simpson Bay.

That list gives the captain room to match the day to your interests. Pinel is a natural choice for a relaxed beach stop. Tintamarre adds a more remote feel. Grand Case and Anse Marcel offer a different coastal setting, while Baie Rouge and Baie Longue are known for broad stretches of sand and open sea views.

You may also prefer a slower day around Friar’s Bay or Happy Bay, where the point is simply to swim, sit, and enjoy the boat. If your group includes people who want a mix of quiet water time and lively conversation, Saint-Martin is a useful starting point because there are many possible anchorages.

The planned time here is about two hours on the full route. That is enough for a swim and a look around, but not enough to experience every named beach. I would decide your top two or three choices before departure and let the crew know. On a 4-hour charter, visiting Saint-Martin alone may make more sense than trying to rush to two other islands.

Gustavia and Saint-Barthélemy: polished scenery with limited time

The Saint-Barthélemy section centers on Gustavia and the island’s best-known anchorages. The route can include Anse de Colombier, a mooring near Gustavia, Shell Beach, and Saint-Jean.

This is the stop for a blend of natural beauty and refined island atmosphere. Anse de Colombier gives you a quieter setting, while Gustavia brings the recognizable harbor view and the polished feel associated with Saint-Barthélemy. Saint-Jean offers another attractive bay, and Shell Beach is a memorable coastal stop with a different texture from the broad sandy beaches elsewhere.

The yacht lets you see Saint-Barthélemy from the water, which is often the best angle for understanding the island. You get the shape of the coves, the boats at anchor, and the contrast between open sea and sheltered bays without spending the day driving from one end of the island to another.

The trade-off is time. The stated itinerary allows about two hours here, so you should think of the visit as a scenic boat-and-swim stop, not a full island tour. You will not have time for a detailed tour of Gustavia, shopping, and several beach visits unless your private plan is built around Saint-Barthélemy alone.

Anguilla: broad beaches and calm-water stops

Anguilla adds a different character to the route. Possible stops include Rendezvous Bay, Maundays Bay, Shoal Bay West, Meads Bay, Road Bay near Sandy Ground, Crocus Bay, Little Bay, and Shoal Bay Beach.

I like Anguilla as the choice for groups that want long beach views and a more open, unhurried setting. Shoal Bay Beach is the famous name on the list, while Little Bay and Crocus Bay offer alternatives if the captain wants a quieter anchorage. Rendezvous Bay and Meads Bay give you wide coastal views and room to spread out.

A stop near Sandy Ground can add a glimpse of Anguilla’s local boating life, though the value of each stop depends on weather, sea conditions, and the route selected that day. With about two hours allocated here, you will have time to enjoy the water but not to cover the whole island.

If Anguilla is your priority, book the full 8 hours and say so clearly. A half-day is better used for one island or a short nearby route. Trying to fit Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, and Anguilla into four hours would leave much of the day in transit.

Half-day, full-day, or sunset?

The 4-hour option works well for a compact celebration, a family outing, or a first taste of private yachting. You can focus on Saint-Martin, choose a nearby bay, and still have time to relax aboard rather than spending the entire booking racing between islands.

The 8-hour option is the proper choice for the three-island idea. It allows roughly two hours in each area, although the exact balance should be discussed with the captain. You will still need to accept that this is a sampler, not a thorough visit to three destinations.

A sunset charter changes the focus again. Instead of collecting beaches, you are paying for the boat’s atmosphere, music, drinks, and the changing light over the water. Past outings have included dancing at anchor, a festive mood, and sunset views near the Samana area. Confirm the exact departure time and included refreshments if this is your plan.

The yacht’s large deck matters most at sunset. Friends can gather together, while others find a shaded or quieter corner. The cabin offers a backup space, though the main attraction is being outside with the sea around you.

Crew service and the human side of the trip

The strongest pattern in the feedback is service. Captain Chris is named by a returning family, and Hélène is repeatedly praised for anticipating needs and keeping the day running smoothly. The crew is also described as professional, cheerful, attentive, and careful with children during water activities.

That is important on a private boat. A good crew does more than steer. They help with timing, swimming stops, drinks, safety, and the small transitions that can otherwise make a group outing feel disorganized.

Several parties describe the atmosphere as friendly rather than stiff. Music, aperitifs, buffet food, and open-bar service have been part of some outings, and groups praise the combination of celebration and comfort. Do not assume every booking includes the same menu or bar arrangement. Confirm the details for your date.

One cancellation caused serious frustration when a technical problem forced the charter to be called off. The operator explained that the decision was made for safety and that a full refund was issued. That is a reminder that yacht plans can change for mechanical reasons, even when the boat has a strong service record.

Who will enjoy YES DARLING most?

I would recommend this yacht most strongly for groups that value privacy and shared time. It suits families, birthday groups, mother-and-daughter trips, groups of friends, and anyone marking a special occasion.

Families should appreciate the room on deck and the crew’s reported care with children during water activities. Groups planning a party will like the music, open space, and ability to move between social areas. Couples can enjoy a sunset trip, though the price makes the experience more sensible when several people share the cost.

It is less suitable if you want a detailed land tour of each island. You will see several coastal areas, but most stops are short. It is also not the best match for a strict budget, since the private rate remains high even when divided among a small group.

The boat is described as accessible to most people, with service animals allowed and public transportation nearby. Pickup is offered, which can simplify arrival. Still, ask about your own mobility needs before booking, since the available information does not describe boarding conditions or cabin access in detail.

Practical booking advice before you pay

Confirm the passenger limit first. The supplied price covers up to 12 people, while the yacht capacity is also given as 30. Ask for the correct group rate if your party is larger than 12.

Next, agree on the route. Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, and Anguilla are all possible areas, but a four-hour trip cannot offer the same coverage as an eight-hour charter. Give the crew your top priorities instead of expecting every listed beach to fit.

Ask about food, drinks, water activities, music, and any extra charges. Past groups enjoyed substantial refreshments and water fun, but your package should state what is included.

The operating hours supplied are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day, from August 5, 2024 through December 7, 2026. You receive confirmation at booking, and the mobile ticket is useful for a simple check-in. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Should you book YES DARLING?

Book it if you have a group willing to share a premium cost and you want the boat itself to be part of the day. The combination of a 20-meter yacht, private service, shaded and sunny deck areas, and access to three island groups makes this more than a simple beach transfer.

Choose the 8-hour option for the broadest route, and the 4-hour option for a focused Saint-Martin outing. A sunset trip is the best match for romance, music, and a special event. Before committing, settle the passenger limit and included food and drinks. If those details match your expectations, YES DARLING offers a polished, flexible day on the Caribbean water.

FAQ

Where does the YES DARLING yacht operate?

The yacht operates from St Maarten and can visit Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, and Anguilla.

How long is the charter?

You can book an outing of about 4 hours or 8 hours. Sunset trips are also offered, with the exact duration to confirm at booking.

How many people can join?

The yacht description gives a maximum capacity of 30 passengers, while the listed price covers a private group of up to 12 people. Confirm the correct rate and capacity for your party before booking.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and a mobile ticket is provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can most people participate?

The experience is described as suitable for most people and is near public transportation. Ask the operator about specific mobility or boarding needs before booking.