Review · SPEEDBOAT AND MOTOR YACHT CHARTERS

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten

★ 5.0 · 2 reviews From $1,650 for the whole boat Operated by Captain Flint Boat Charters · Bookable on Viator
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A private speedboat gives you something a standard island excursion cannot: control over the day. From St Maarten, you can reach St Barth, choose time in Gustavia, settle onto a beach, or stop for snorkeling at Tintamarre Island without following a large group from one fixed stop to the next.

I like the open bar and included snorkel gear, since you do not need to pack much beyond a swimsuit and towel. I also like the local crew’s personal approach. Captain Flint Boat Charters received a perfect score from the small number of published ratings, including praise for taking extra care of a guest recovering from food poisoning.

The main drawback is cost. At $1,650 per group, this makes the most sense when you fill the boat with family or friends. You should also budget $20 per person for clearance and customs fees, and confirm the passenger limit before booking because the price is listed for up to 10 people while the additional information gives a maximum of 12.

Key points to know before you book

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - Key points to know before you book

  • Six hours gives you a full island day: Start at 9:30 a.m. and return to the meeting point after a private cruise around St Barth and nearby waters.
  • You choose the emphasis: Spend more time in Gustavia, settle at St Jean or Colombier, or use the boat to reach Tintamarre Island for snorkeling.
  • The boat is private: Only your group participates, so the crew can shape the pace around your interests.
  • Drinks and gear are included: The open bar covers beer and soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment is provided.
  • The true cost is higher than the headline price: Add $20 per person for clearance and customs, then divide the group price among your party.
  • Bring the right documents: A current valid passport is required, and cruise ship passengers must provide detailed ship timing when booking.

Why a private boat works well for St Barth

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - Why a private boat works well for St Barth

St Barth is best appreciated from the water as much as from the shore. A private speedboat lets you see the island from a moving viewpoint, then pause where the day feels most appealing. You are not locked into a single beach or forced to spend equal time at every stop.

That flexibility matters because this is not one narrow type of excursion. You can make it a town-and-shopping day in Gustavia, a beach day at St Jean or Colombier, or a sea-focused outing with snorkeling near Tintamarre Island. The crew provides professional guiding and local tips, but your group decides what receives the most attention.

I would book this for people who enjoy making choices as they go. If your ideal day is a carefully scripted schedule with a set lunch stop and fixed sightseeing times, a private charter may feel less structured than you want. If you like having room to change your mind, the format is a strong fit.

The boat also gives your group privacy. You will not be sharing the activity with strangers, which is useful for families, couples traveling together, or friends marking a special occasion. It also means your group should agree in advance on priorities. One person may want a long beach stop, while another may want to snorkel or see Gustavia.

More Speedboat Charters in St Maarten:

Starting at Robinson Speed Boat Tours and Seven Marine Charters

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - Starting at Robinson Speed Boat Tours and Seven Marine Charters

The experience begins at the Robinson Speed Boat Tours starting location, followed by check-in at Seven Marine Charters, described as the home base marina. Each part is listed at about 25 minutes, with no admission charge. The important practical point is to allow enough time to find the correct start location and complete the marina check-in before the 9:30 a.m. departure.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That makes the outing easier to plan than an activity that drops you at a different harbor or beach. If you are connecting with a cruise ship schedule, pay close attention to the timing. You must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when you book.

The available information does not name an individual captain or guide. The provider is Captain Flint Boat Charters, and the included service is described as professional guiding with local tips. You should expect the crew to handle the boating and help shape the day, but you should not assume a particular guide by name unless the operator confirms one after booking.

What the six-hour route can include

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - What the six-hour route can include

The route is flexible rather than fixed. That is the central feature, but it also means the exact order and length of stops can change. Here are the main choices you can discuss with the crew.

Gustavia for a town-focused stop

Gustavia is the capital of St Barth, and a stop here gives the day a change of pace. Instead of staying on the boat or at a beach, you can spend part of the outing seeing the island’s main town from shore.

This option suits you if you want a little sightseeing along with the water time. It is also a practical choice for a group with mixed interests, since not everyone wants to snorkel or sit on a beach for several hours.

The tradeoff is time. Every minute spent ashore in Gustavia is time you are not using for snorkeling or a beach stop. With roughly six hours total, you should decide before departure if town time is a priority or simply a short look between other stops.

St Jean for an easy beach break

St Jean is offered as one of the beach choices. A beach stop lets you slow down after the speedboat ride, swim, relax, and use the shore as the main setting rather than treating the boat as the entire activity.

Bring a towel and swimsuit. Those are specifically recommended, and they are more useful here than fancy clothing or extra equipment. The charter includes snorkel equipment, but the information does not promise that every beach stop is designed around snorkeling, so discuss your group’s preferred use of the time with the crew.

St Jean is likely to suit you if your party wants a straightforward beach day with the option of boat sightseeing around it. The possible downside is that a beach stop can feel short if your group also wants Gustavia and Tintamarre Island. Six hours passes quickly once you add travel between locations.

Colombier for a quieter beach choice

Colombier is another beach option. Choosing between St Jean and Colombier gives the crew a simple way to match the day to your group’s mood, although the supplied details do not specify differences in facilities, access, or beach conditions.

I would treat Colombier as a choice to discuss on the day rather than assume it will be the best fit. Ask the crew how much time is practical there and what conditions are like at the time of your outing. The private format helps here because you can make that decision with the people actually operating your boat.

As with St Jean, remember that a beach stop is only one part of the charter. If your group wants a relaxed shore break, it may be worth giving the beach more time instead of trying to collect every listed stop.

Tintamarre Island for snorkeling

Tintamarre Island is the snorkeling option named for the outing. Snorkel equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental before boarding. The boat-based format also lets you reach the snorkeling stop as part of the same private day.

This is the best choice if being on and in the water matters more to you than spending time in town. You can ask the crew how to fit snorkeling around Gustavia or one of the beaches, but do not assume the schedule allows a long visit at every location.

Your physical fitness should be moderate. That wording matters because a boat day still involves moving around the vessel, getting in and out of the water, and managing a full six-hour outing. The available information does not state the exact swimming conditions or accessibility arrangements, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking.

What the open bar really adds

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - What the open bar really adds

The included open bar covers beer and soft drinks. That is a useful touch on a warm boat day, especially when your group wants to stay on the water instead of stopping to buy refreshments.

Do not read this as a full meal service. Food is not listed as included, and the details only specify beer and soft drinks. You should plan accordingly and ask the operator about bringing or arranging food if your group needs lunch during the six-hour charter.

The minimum drinking age is 18. That is worth noting for mixed-age groups, since the beverage policy may affect how you plan the day. The open bar is a convenience, not the main reason to choose the excursion. The main value comes from the private boat, flexible routing, and included equipment.

Price, group size, and real value

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - Price, group size, and real value

The price is $1,650 per group. With 10 people, that works out to $165 per person before the extra clearance and customs charge. Add $20 per person for that fee, and the total becomes $185 per person for a full group of 10.

That calculation changes sharply with a smaller party. Four people would pay $412.50 each before the $20 per-person charge. For two people, the private format becomes a luxury purchase rather than a practical shared excursion.

This is why I would compare the charter by group value, not just by the headline price. You are paying for private use of the boat, professional crew, flexible sightseeing, an open bar with beer and soft drinks, and snorkel equipment. If your group would otherwise book several separate activities, the price may feel more reasonable.

There is a passenger-count detail to settle before you commit. The price is described as covering up to 10 people, while the additional information says a maximum of 12 passengers is allowed. Ask Captain Flint Boat Charters how the rate works for 11 or 12 people, and confirm which number applies to your booking.

Clearance and customs cost $20 per person and are not included. This is not a minor detail for a large group, so add it to your budget from the start.

The crew’s role and the personal touch

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - The crew’s role and the personal touch

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter. You receive professional guides and local tips rather than simply renting a boat and being left to plan everything yourself.

The published feedback includes a particularly useful detail: the crew took special care of a guest recovering from food poisoning and worked to protect the family’s day. That suggests a responsive approach, although one account cannot guarantee how every situation will be handled. Still, it is a good reminder to tell the crew early about any health concern, food issue, or comfort need.

The private setup also makes it easier to ask practical questions as the day develops. You can discuss how long to stay in town, how to use the snorkeling equipment, and which stop best fits the group’s energy. That kind of conversation is more useful than a rigid script.

What to pack and what to confirm

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - What to pack and what to confirm

Pack a current valid passport. It is required on the day of travel, so do not treat this as optional even if you are already staying in St Maarten.

You should also bring:

  • A swimsuit
  • A towel
  • Any personal items you need for a six-hour outing
  • Details of your cruise ship schedule, if you are arriving by ship

The activity is near public transportation, which may make the starting point easier to reach, but the information does not specify a transfer service. Plan your own way to the meeting point and allow time for check-in at Seven Marine Charters.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the experience is often booked about 48 days ahead, early planning is sensible if you need a particular date.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

Who should book this St Barth charter

St Barth Private Speed Boat Charter from Sint Maarten - Who should book this St Barth charter

I would choose this charter for a group that values privacy, water time, and control over the schedule. It suits families and friends who can share the cost, agree on priorities, and want more than a single beach visit.

It is also a good match for a special occasion. The private boat, open bar, and chance to combine a town stop with beaches and snorkeling give the day a sense of occasion without requiring every person to follow the same activity at the same moment.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with a very small group and price is a major concern. The per-person cost is much easier to justify with 8 to 10 people. I would also reconsider if you need guaranteed accessibility details, a meal included, or a fixed route. Those points are not specified and should be confirmed directly.

Should you book it?

Book this St Barth private speedboat charter if your group wants a flexible six-hour day and can make good use of a private boat. The strongest value comes from combining several interests in one outing: Gustavia for town time, St Jean or Colombier for the beach, and Tintamarre Island for snorkeling.

Before paying, confirm the passenger limit, the exact meeting instructions, and how the $20-per-person clearance fee applies. Bring your passport, swimsuit, and towel, and agree on your group’s top two priorities before departure. If you do that, this charter offers a practical way to see more of St Barth without handing your entire day over to a fixed schedule.

FAQ

How long is the St Barth private speedboat charter?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

How much does the private boat charter cost?

The listed price is $1,650 per group, covering up to 10 people. A separate clearance and customs fee of $20 per person is not included.

What destinations can I visit during the charter?

You can choose among Gustavia, St Jean, Colombier, and Tintamarre Island. The day has a flexible itinerary, so discuss the preferred stops with the crew.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The charter includes an open bar with beer and soft drinks, plus use of snorkeling equipment.

Do I need a passport?

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

What must cruise ship passengers provide when booking?

Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

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