Full-Day Private Luxury Yacht Tour in Anguilla

Anguilla is only about 20 minutes from St Maarten by boat, yet it feels like a different trip altogether. This private yacht outing takes you to quiet beaches, clear water, and small coastal stops where the pace is slow and the crowds are light. Rendezvous Bay is the kind of place that makes the crossing worthwhile.

I like the freedom of a private boat, especially when your group can spend more time swimming or snorkeling instead of waiting for strangers. I also like the food and drink setup: a full open bar, champagne, morning pastries and fruit, then cheese and charcuterie later. The main drawback is the added $35 per person for immigration and park fees, plus the weather risk that comes with any boat day.

Key points to know before you book

• A quick 20-minute crossing: Anguilla is close enough for a full island day without a long passage at sea.
• Five distinct stops: You visit Sandy Island, Little Bay, Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla Arch, and Meads Bay.
• Private for up to 10 people: The $1,800 price is per group, not per person.
• A well-stocked boat: Champagne, rum, vodka, rosé, beer, soda, juice, water, fruit, pastries, cheese, and charcuterie are included.
• Captain matters: Elliot, Etienne, and William are named as captains connected with the experience, with Etienne praised for clear directions and local guidance.
• Bring your passport: You may not be asked for it, but one captain specifically advised carrying it in case Anguilla officials request identification.

Why Anguilla makes a better day trip than a quick beach stop

St Maarten and Anguilla sit close together, but the mood changes quickly once you cross the channel. Anguilla is known here for its calm water, broad beaches, and quieter feel. The boat route takes only about 20 minutes, so much of your seven-and-a-half-hour day is spent enjoying the island rather than getting there.

That short crossing is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. You get the appeal of visiting another island without committing to a long ferry ride or a complicated day of land transport. The boat also lets you reach several spots that would be awkward to combine by car.

The route is designed around places that are often sheltered from wind and waves. That does not remove the need to watch the weather, but it should make the day more comfortable when conditions are suitable. For you, that means more time to swim, snorkel, take photos, and sit on the boat without spending the entire outing bouncing over open water.

This is not a packed sightseeing cruise. It is better understood as a flexible beach-and-water day with a captain handling the route. You will see several parts of Anguilla, but the real attraction is the time between stops: floating in clear water, sharing food, and enjoying the coast from a private boat.

Setting out from Anse Marcel at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is Paper Boat Charter at Marina Anse Marcel in Saint Martin. The departure time is 9 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point. Since travel time is included in the total duration, you should expect the boat portion and island stops to fit within roughly seven hours and 30 minutes.

The marina location is useful if you are staying in the French side of St Martin, though you will need to plan your own way there. The meeting information says the area is near public transportation, and one captain provided helpful directions to the pickup spot. If you are driving, a parking area was described as available, but confirm the exact arrangements when you book.

This is a private activity, so only your group participates. That matters more than it may seem. You are not trying to fit your beach time around a large group or negotiate every stop with strangers. If one person wants to snorkel while another prefers to stay aboard, the private setup gives the captain more room to manage the day around your group.

The boat crosses to Anguilla in about 20 minutes. Keep your passport with you, even though one group was not asked to show theirs. Immigration and park charges are not included and cost $35 per person, so include that in your budget before comparing this outing with other boat trips.

Sandy Island: 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 admission is included.

The appeal is the setting. Sandy Island is not a large resort island or a place where you need a long list of activities. It is a little patch of sand surrounded by water, with a restaurant perched on top. That makes it a good opening stop, giving you a quick feel for the island’s low-key character.

You should keep your expectations in line with the size of the place. Forty-five minutes is enough for a look, a drink, and some photos, but not a full afternoon. If your group prefers long swims or extended time on one beach, this stop may feel brief. As part of a private route with several stops, though, the short visit adds variety.

Little Bay for snorkeling and a jump from the rock

Little Bay is another 45-minute stop, and it is the most clearly focused on water play. You can snorkel or jump from the rock, making this a good place for people who want a little action between beach visits.

The available information does not promise snorkeling gear, so ask what is supplied before departure if equipment matters to you. The same applies to any safety rules around the rock jump. Your captain will direct the activity, and you should follow that guidance rather than treating the jump as an unrestricted feature.

This stop may be especially appealing to families and groups of friends with mixed interests. Some can swim and snorkel, while others can watch from the boat or enjoy the setting. Forty-five minutes goes quickly, so have your swim gear ready before the boat stops.

The protected route is useful here. Little Bay is meant to be a comfortable water stop, but conditions can still change. A boat day is always weather dependent, and the captain may adjust the order or length of stops if the sea becomes less pleasant.

Rendezvous Bay and the pleasure of having space

Rendezvous Bay gets about 45 minutes. It is a long white-sand beach with clear water, and the experience is framed as one where you will nearly have the beach to yourself.

This is likely the stop that best captures the point of the excursion. You are not simply checking off another beach. You are getting time on a broad stretch of sand where the setting feels open and peaceful. The water is suited to a swim, while the beach gives you room to slow down.

The 45-minute window is enough for a swim and a short walk, but it is not long enough for a leisurely beach afternoon. That is the tradeoff of a multi-stop boat tour. You see more of Anguilla, but each beach visit is a sample rather than a full stay.

If you value quiet more than a busy schedule, keep that in mind when deciding if this is the right format. The route gives you several beautiful places in one day, yet the schedule remains fairly structured because lunch and the return crossing still have to fit in.

Anguilla Arch: a 15-minute photo stop

The Anguilla Arch is the shortest stop, with about 15 minutes set aside for photos. It is a simple pause, but it adds a recognizable visual marker to the day.

You will not have time for a long visit, and that is fine. Think of it as a photo opportunity between longer water and beach stops. If you want a picture beneath the famous arch, have your phone or camera ready before the boat arrives.

The stop also breaks up the rhythm of swimming and sitting on beaches. On a private yacht, these quick scenic pauses work well because you do not need to organize a large group every time the boat moves.

Meads Bay brings the longest beach stop

Meads Bay is the final listed stop and the longest, with about an hour and 30 minutes. It offers another stretch of white sand and clear water, along with several restaurants where your group can stop for lunch.

That extra time matters. After the shorter visits earlier in the day, Meads Bay gives you a chance to settle into one place. You can swim, sit on the sand, or make lunch the center of the stop instead of rushing through another photo opportunity.

Lunch is not included in the stated package, so plan for that expense separately. The boat provides substantial snacks, including morning fruit, croissants, and chocolatines, followed later by cheese and charcuterie. That should help take the edge off your appetite, but it does not replace a full lunch if you want one.

The restaurant choice also gives your group some flexibility. You can decide how much time to spend eating and how much to reserve for the beach. Since the outing is private, you can discuss that balance with the captain rather than follow a fixed large-group schedule.

The food and open bar add real value

The included refreshments are more than a few bottles of water. In the morning, you receive fruit and pastries, including croissants and chocolatines. Later, the boat offers cheese and charcuterie, which works well with a relaxed afternoon on the water.

The open bar includes champagne, rum, vodka, rosé wine, and beer. Soda, juice, and water are also available. A bottle of champagne is included as well, giving the day a celebratory feel for birthdays or other special occasions.

I would still treat the open bar as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. The real value comes from the private boat, the short crossing, and the ability to combine several Anguilla beaches in one day. The drinks and food make the price easier to justify, particularly for a group that plans to spend most of the day aboard.

Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim or snorkel. The boat day includes several water activities, and the sun can make alcohol feel stronger than expected.

Is $1,800 good value for your group?

The price is $1,800 per group for up to 10 people. At a full group of 10, that works out to $180 per person before the $35 per-person immigration and park fees. With those fees added, the effective cost becomes $215 per person for a full group, assuming everyone participates.

For smaller groups, the per-person price rises quickly. Six people would pay $300 each before the additional fees, while four people would pay $450 each before those charges. That makes group size the key part of the value calculation.

For 8 to 10 people, I think the private format has a clear advantage. You receive a full day on the water, a captain, several Anguilla stops, food, and an open bar without sharing the boat with another group. For two or four people, you should compare the total against smaller shared excursions or other private boat options.

The package is especially sensible for a birthday, family day, or reunion where keeping the group together matters. It is less compelling if you mainly want a single quiet beach and do not care about the private boat or food service.

Captains, directions, and the practical details

The named captains connected with this experience include Elliot, Etienne, and William. Elliot is associated with a route that included several bays for swimming and snorkeling. Etienne is described as a helpful captain and guide who gave useful directions to the pickup point. William is also mentioned alongside Elliot for a friendly, attentive day on the water.

Do not assume you will receive a particular captain unless Paper Boat Charter confirms it. Still, knowing these names is useful when you communicate before departure or clarify pickup details.

The experience has a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but the activity requires good weather. If conditions make the trip unsafe or unpleasant, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available 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. Those rules are worth noting because weather forecasts in the Caribbean can shift, yet late cancellations still carry a cost unless the operator cancels for weather.

Who will enjoy this private yacht day most?

I would recommend it to families, couples traveling with friends, and groups celebrating a special occasion. The private boat gives you room to set the mood, and the range of stops means swimmers, beach lovers, photographers, and people who simply want to relax can all find something to enjoy.

It is also a strong choice if you are staying in St Maarten but want to experience another island without arranging a full independent day trip. The short crossing and return to the same marina keep the logistics manageable.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike boat travel, need long uninterrupted time on one beach, or are traveling with only one or two people and find the total price too high. The schedule includes several stops, so it is not designed for spending the entire day in one place.

Should you book the Anguilla yacht tour?

Book it if your group can share the $1,800 cost, values privacy, and wants a relaxed day built around swimming, beaches, food, and drinks. The strongest parts are the quick crossing from St Maarten, the quiet feel of Rendezvous Bay, the longer stop at Meads Bay, and the ability to tailor the pace with a private captain.

Before paying, confirm the captain, boat facilities, what snorkeling equipment is supplied, and the exact parking arrangements at Anse Marcel. Also budget the $35 per-person immigration and park fee, bring passports, and remember that weather can cancel the day.

For a full group, this is a well-balanced way to see Anguilla without giving up comfort. For a small group, calculate the per-person cost carefully. The tour earns its price through privacy and convenience, not simply through the number of beaches visited.

FAQ

How long does the yacht tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours and 30 minutes, including travel time. It begins at 9 a.m. and ends back at the Paper Boat Charter meeting point.

Where does the tour depart?

The departure point is Paper Boat Charter at Marina Anse Marcel in Saint Martin, listed as Saint Martin 97150, St Martin.

How many people can join the private yacht?

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

What stops are included?

The route includes Sandy Island, Little Bay, Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla Arch, and Meads Bay. Stop times range from about 15 minutes at Anguilla Arch to 90 minutes at Meads Bay.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The boat provides a full open bar with champagne, rum, vodka, rosé wine, beer, soda, juice, and water. Snacks include morning fruit, croissants, chocolatines, and a later cheese and charcuterie platter.

Are immigration and park fees included?

No. These fees cost $35 per person and are paid separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation for other reasons is available up to 24 hours before the start time.