Anguilla is the calm break you need. This private luxury yacht outing runs from St Maarten to Anguilla with a short crossing (about 20 minutes) and multiple beach-and-water stops that tend to be sheltered from wind and waves. It’s the kind of day that feels low-key, but still hits the big visual moments.

I really like the mix of beach time and water time. You get real snorkeling options at Little Bay, plus long, quiet stretches where you’ll be nearly by yourself at Rendezvous Bay. I also love the onboard setup: a full open bar plus a morning pastry and fruit platter, then later a cheese and charcuterie spread.

One thing to keep in mind: there’s an extra $35 per person for immigration/park fees, and the day depends on good weather. If the forecast isn’t cooperating, you’ll need flexibility.

Key things to know before you go

• Private means your group stays together (up to 10), so the schedule feels like it’s built around you, not a bus full of strangers.
• Short St Maarten to Anguilla crossing (about 20 minutes) keeps the day focused on beaches instead of travel.
• Snorkel-friendly stops like Little Bay give you a straightforward way to do water fun without complicated logistics.
• Nearly private beach time at Rendezvous Bay is built into the pacing, with about 45 minutes there.
• Open bar plus serious snacks: champagne, rum, vodka, rosé wine, beers, fruit pastries in the morning, and cheese/charcuterie later.
• Anguilla Arch photo moment is scheduled so you’re not chasing it at the wrong time of day.

St Maarten to Anguilla: the short ride that sets the tone

The best part of choosing this kind of yacht day is how quickly it gets you into holiday mode. Here, you’re starting from Marina Anse-marcel near St Maarten, and the crossing to Anguilla takes about 20 minutes. That matters, because you spend less time in transit and more time at the waterline where you’ll actually want to be.

Also, Anguilla is described as calm, and the itinerary is built around spots that are typically more protected from the wind and waves. Translation: you’re more likely to enjoy the day without spending the whole time bracing for chop.

The day runs about 7 hours 30 minutes total, and travel time is included in that figure. So yes, you’ll be out for most of the day—but it won’t feel like a slow shuffle to get to the good parts.

Price and value: what $1,800 buys your group

The price is $1,800 per group (up to 10), which is the key math for this experience. With a private boat, you’re not paying per person for the yacht itself. You’re essentially buying: your own schedule, your own water time, and your own captain-led route across Anguilla.

When I look at value here, I focus on three things you can’t easily replicate with a random day rental:

• Time and routing: multiple stops (not just one beach) are part of the plan.
• Onboard drinks and snacks: this isn’t a BYOB situation.
• The “small-group feel”: sheltered bays and multiple nearly-quiet beach periods help the day feel relaxed.

Yes, there’s an added cost you should budget: $35 per person for immigration and park fees, which aren’t included. That extra line item is worth planning for so it doesn’t surprise you on the day.

Morning start at Paper Boat Charter: how the day gets moving

You begin at Paper Boat Charter, Marina Anse-marcel, Saint-martin 97150, St Martin, starting at 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. That back-to-the-same-place setup is practical—no complicated “drop-off in a different harbor” stress.

You’ll also use a mobile ticket, and you should receive confirmation at booking time. If you’re traveling with others, this matters because it makes coordinating entry and timing easier.

One small “be smart” tip: bring your passport. In a similar situation, a captain’s team has been asked to verify documents at Anguilla (even if it didn’t happen for everyone). So pack it and keep it handy.

Sandy Island (45 minutes): a sandbar with a twist

Stop one is Sandy Island, a sandbar with a restaurant perched on top. The cool part is the shape of the experience: you’re not just landing at a shoreline and calling it a day. This stop is built for a quick change of scenery—sandbar + water + a place to grab something without turning it into a whole expedition.

You’ll have about 45 minutes here. That’s enough time to soak in the setting, take photos, and still keep momentum for the rest of the bays.

Because the itinerary lists admission at stops as free (for those specific stop admissions), your main real-world cost at this point is how you choose to spend onboard time—especially since your drinks and snacks are already included.

Little Bay (45 minutes): snorkeling and that rock-spot energy

Next is Little Bay, often the most fun stop for people who want action. This is described as a great place to snorkel, plus a spot where you can jump from the rock.

You get about 45 minutes, which is a sweet spot: long enough to get in the water, do a couple of checks of what’s around you, then dry off and reset. Short enough that you don’t lose the day to one spot.

A practical note: if you’re snorkeling, think about comfort and timing rather than trying to maximize minutes. If you want calmer water for gear time, you’ll feel better starting earlier in the stop than waiting until the last stretch.

Rendezvous Bay (45 minutes): the nearly-by-yourself beach feeling

Then comes Rendezvous Bay, a long white-sand beach with clear water where you’ll be nearly by yourself. The itinerary gives you 45 minutes here, and that works well because beaches like this don’t just give you views—they give you breathing room.

This is the stop I’d put in the “do less, enjoy more” category. You can swim, relax, and let the boat’s schedule do the work for you. And because several stops are described as sheltered from wind and waves, this is the kind of beach where you’re more likely to settle in instead of constantly repositioning.

If your group has a mix—some swimmers, some sitters—this is where they’ll meet in the middle.

Anguilla Arch (15 minutes): the quick photo stop that actually makes sense

Anguilla Arch is on the route with about 15 minutes. It’s short by design, and that’s a good thing. Famous arches can eat time because people keep adjusting angles. Here, the schedule treats it like a planned photo moment, not a surprise detour.

If your priority is getting the classic arch shot, 15 minutes is enough to:

• get your bearings quickly
• take photos without rushing
• still move on to the main beach highlight after

If your group doesn’t care about photos, you can treat this as a fast stretch break—then refocus on the water portion of the day at Meads Bay.

Meads Bay (1 hour 30 minutes): the main beach for swimming and lunch

Meads Bay is where the day slows down a lot. You get about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it’s another pristine white-sand beach with clear water. The itinerary also notes there are restaurants where you can go for lunch.

This is the stop that usually determines whether the day feels truly relaxing or just active. Longer time here means you can:

• swim without feeling rushed
• find a rhythm for shade and rest
• decide on lunch without panic-timing it

Since lunch at a restaurant isn’t listed as included, plan your spending accordingly if you’re going that route. The good news is you’ll already have snacks covered onboard—fruit and pastries in the morning, then cheese/charcuterie later—so you won’t start lunch day starving.

Onboard comfort that makes the day feel like luxury

A “private luxury yacht tour” can mean a lot of things, but the included details here are the practical ones that shape your comfort.

Drinks: full open bar with champagne

Included is a full open bar, plus:

• a bottle of champagne
• rhum and vodka
• rosé wine
• beers
• soda/pop, juices, and water

That means you can keep it casual—soft drinks and beer—or go full celebration with champagne. Either way, you’re not constantly doing mental math about what’s already paid for.

Snacks: a real food plan, not just chips

You get a morning platter of fruits plus croissant and chocolatine. Later, there’s a platter of cheeses and charcuterie.

I like this structure because it matches how the day usually plays: pastry time before you’re in the water, then the savory, social platter later when people are worn out in a good way.

The crew: captains with a warm, can-do approach

From the captain names and roles that have shown up, you may encounter captains like Elliot or Etienne along with crew members such as William. The consistent thread in the experience is a friendly, hands-on style—keeping things moving, helping with the route, and making the day feel easy for families and mixed-age groups.

No boat day runs perfectly on everyone’s schedule, but a calm captain makes the difference between a fun day and a chaotic one.

What to pack (and what to avoid overpacking)

The tour data doesn’t list a packing list, so I’m going to stick to what you can reasonably plan for based on the stops and time in the water.

Bring:

• swimwear (you’ll use it more than once)
• sunscreen and a hat
• a light cover-up for periods on the boat
• a swimsuit-friendly bag or something to keep your essentials from getting soaked

Consider leaving:

• heavy towels (if you’re bringing one, keep it compact)
• bulky jackets (you’ll likely want to stay light during beach-to-beach changes)

And again, bring your passport in case you’re asked at Anguilla.

Cancellation and weather: why you should watch the forecast

This experience depends on good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

For most people, that’s a fair trade: yacht days rise or fall on wind and sea conditions. If you’re flexible in your travel dates, this makes the whole plan feel safer.

Who this yacht day is for (and who might want a different plan)

This is ideal if you want:

• a private day with your group (up to 10)
• multiple Anguilla beaches instead of one long stop
• a relaxed schedule with snorkeling options and plenty of time to sit still
• onboard drinks and snack breaks that keep the day flowing

It’s also a good fit for families, since the pacing includes downtime at beaches and you’re not stuck on a tight loop of activities.

If you prefer rugged adventure, this isn’t the rough-and-remote style. It’s more about calm, clear-water fun and beach time where you can actually enjoy the scenery.

Should you book this private Anguilla yacht day?

If your idea of a great vacation day is calm water, white sand, and an itinerary that does the work for you, I’d book it. The biggest strengths are the short ride from St Maarten, the sheltered-feeling route across Anguilla, and the fact that your group gets a full open bar and food plan without extra effort.

The main reasons to pause are simple: you’ll want to budget for $35 per person immigration/park fees, and you’ll need weather cooperation. If your dates are flexible and your group is the kind that loves beaches, this is exactly the kind of day that turns into a favorite story.

FAQ

How long is the private luxury yacht tour?

It runs for about 7 hours 30 minutes total, and the travel time is included.

How many people can be in a group?

It’s a private tour for your group, with up to 10 people.

What’s included in the price?

Included are a full open bar (including champagne, rum, vodka, rosé wine, and beers), plus soda/pop, juices, and water, and snacks like a morning fruit platter with croissant and chocolatine, and later a cheese and charcuterie platter.

What fees are not included?

You should budget $35 per person for immigration and park fees.

Where do we meet and what time does it start?

You meet at Paper Boat Charter, Marina Anse-marcel, Saint-martin 97150, St Martin, starting at 9:00 am. It ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need to bring a passport?

It’s a smart move to bring your passport in case you’re asked at Anguilla.

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