Full-Day Private Luxury Yacht Tour in Anguilla

Anguilla gives you a very different island day from St Maarten: less bustle, broad white beaches, and calm water that suits a private yacht. The crossing takes only about 20 minutes, so most of your seven-and-a-half-hour outing is spent swimming, snorkeling, eating, and taking in the coast rather than sitting on a boat.

I like the quiet beaches, especially Rendezvous Bay, and the fact that the boat visits several protected spots instead of parking in one place all day. I also like the generous food and drink setup, with breakfast pastries and fruit in the morning, cheese and charcuterie later, plus champagne, rum, vodka, rosé, beer, soda, juice, and water.

The main consideration is cost. At $1,800 for up to 10 people, this makes much better financial sense for a group than for two people. You also need to allow for $35 per person in immigration and park fees, and the route depends on good weather.

The Anguilla day that makes the most sense for a group

• A quick 20-minute crossing: You reach Anguilla fast, leaving more time for beaches and swimming.
• Five different coastal stops: The route mixes a sandbar, snorkeling water, long beaches, a photo stop, and a lunch beach.
• A truly private boat: Only your group participates, with space for as many as 10 people.
• Food is part of the experience: Expect fruit, croissants, chocolatines, cheese, charcuterie, and a full open bar.
• Experienced captains by name: Elliot, Etienne, and William have each been praised for friendly service, safe handling, and local guidance.
• A relaxed pace: Most stops are protected from wind and waves, making the day a good fit for easy swimming and family time.

Leaving St Maarten from Anse Marcel

Your day begins at 9 a.m. at Paper Boat Charter’s marina in Anse Marcel, on the French side of Saint Martin. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple. You are not trying to arrange a separate return from Anguilla or find your way back after a long ferry ride.

The short crossing is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Anguilla is close to St Maarten, but it feels like a separate destination with its own quieter rhythm. The boat ride adds a sense of occasion without taking up half the day.

You should bring your passport in case it is requested during the Anguilla arrival process. One person who took the trip also found the pickup directions useful, and there is a safe place to leave cars at the marina. The available information says the meeting point is near public transportation, though you should still confirm the best local route when booking.

The private format matters here. With a maximum of 10 people, you can spend the day with family or friends rather than adjusting to strangers. You can also talk with the captain about the balance of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and photos. The stated times are guideposts, not a promise that every stop will feel exactly the same.

Sandy Island, a sandbar with lunch on top

The first stop is Sandy Island, a small sandbar with a restaurant on it. This is not a large island with roads, shops, or a long walking route. Its appeal is the simple setting: sand, sea, a casual restaurant, and the feeling of being somewhere that could disappear into the horizon.

You have about 45 minutes here. That is enough to step ashore, look around, and enjoy the unusual setting without turning the stop into a full beach session. If you want a long swim or a slow lunch, save some patience for Meads Bay later.

Sandy Island also gives the day a good opening. You can ease into the boat trip with a short land stop before heading to the more active water time at Little Bay. Since admission is included at the stop itself, you are not paying an extra entrance charge for the sandbar.

Little Bay for snorkeling and a rock jump

Little Bay is the most active stop on the route. You have about 45 minutes for snorkeling or jumping from the rock, so this is the place to bring your adventurous side. The protected setting helps keep the water calmer than an exposed beach, though the captain will always have the final word on conditions.

I would treat this as a flexible water stop rather than a guaranteed snorkeling spectacle. The supplied information promises a suitable place to snorkel and a rock-jumping option, but it does not specify equipment, so ask Paper Boat Charter what is provided before departure. If you prefer to stay dry, you can enjoy the cove and watch the action from the boat.

For families, this stop may be a highlight, but it is also the one where different comfort levels can show up. Confident swimmers may want more time in the water, while younger children or cautious swimmers may prefer an easier beach stop. A private charter gives you more room to discuss that with the captain.

Rendezvous Bay and the pleasure of empty sand

Rendezvous Bay is a long white-sand beach with clear water. The planned stop lasts about 45 minutes, which is enough for a swim, a walk along the shoreline, or a quiet break away from the boat.

This is the beach stop I would value most if your main goal is peace. Anguilla is known here for a slower, calmer feel, and Rendezvous Bay fits that mood. You are not being rushed through a packed sightseeing schedule. You get a broad stretch of sand and time to enjoy it.

The tradeoff is that 45 minutes passes quickly. If your ideal beach day means settling under an umbrella for hours, this route may feel busy. The benefit is variety: you see several parts of Anguilla rather than committing the whole outing to one beach.

Anguilla Arch, a short stop made for photos

The Anguilla Arch is a 15-minute photo stop. It is brief, but that is exactly the point. You can take the classic picture beneath or near the famous rock arch without sacrificing a large part of your swimming time.

This stop works best as a visual pause between beach visits. Have your phone or camera ready, since you will not have a long window to organize a full photo session. The arch gives the day a recognizable Anguilla image, while the beaches provide the longer stretches of relaxation.

It is also a useful reminder that this is a coastal tour rather than a sightseeing trip through towns or museums. The focus stays on the water, the shore, and the natural features you can reach by boat.

Meads Bay, the long lunch stop

Meads Bay is the longest stop, at about an hour and a half. It combines another pristine beach with clear water and a choice of restaurants for lunch. After the morning’s short visits, this is where the schedule finally slows down.

You can swim first, then eat, or make lunch the center of the stop. Because restaurant choice and lunch cost are not included in the stated package, plan to pay separately for your meal. The supplied information confirms that several restaurants are available, but it does not name them or specify menus.

Meads Bay is a practical choice for lunch because it gives you both food and beach time in one place. You do not have to choose between a proper meal and a final swim. Still, one and a half hours is not unlimited. If your group tends to take its time at restaurants, tell the crew early so you do not lose all your water time.

What you eat and drink on board

The food service is more substantial than the usual bag of chips on a boat. In the morning, the crew provides a platter of fruit, croissants, and chocolatines. Later, you get cheese and charcuterie.

That setup matters on a seven-and-a-half-hour outing. You may not want a full meal the moment you leave, and the morning platter gives you something easy before swimming. The cheese and charcuterie work well during the return portion or between stops.

The open bar includes champagne, rum, vodka, rosé wine, and beer. Soda, juice, and water are also included, so non-drinkers and children are covered. I would still keep water as your priority in the sun, especially if you are drinking alcohol and spending much of the day in the sea.

The food and drinks improve the value for a group. If you bought similar supplies for 10 people separately, you would spend both money and time arranging them. They also help the yacht feel like a private occasion, not simply a boat transfer.

Captain service and the feel of a private charter

The captains are an important part of this experience. Elliot has been praised for taking a group to several bays for swimming and snorkeling, while Etienne has been described as a capable guide who gave useful pickup directions. Elliot and William have also been singled out for their friendly approach and effort to make the day memorable.

Those names do not mean you can select a specific captain unless Paper Boat Charter confirms it. They do show the kind of service you should expect: a captain who handles the boat, explains the area, and helps shape the day around your group.

The private setup is especially valuable for birthdays, family outings, and groups of friends. One party used the trip as a birthday celebration, and the format suits that purpose without requiring a large organized crowd. You can enjoy drinks, music, swimming, and photos on your own schedule within the limits of the route and sea conditions.

The tour has received a top rating from all 15 submitted ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee. It does point to a clear pattern of satisfaction with the captains, snorkeling, swimming, food, and overall day.

Is $1,800 good value?

The listed price is $1,800 per group of up to 10 people. Split evenly, that is $180 per person for a full private day if you fill every place. The per-person cost rises sharply for a smaller party: $450 each for four people, or $900 each for two.

That makes the tour best suited to a full family group, a group of friends, or a celebration party. You are paying for the boat, captain, private access to the schedule, food, an open bar, and a day trip to another island. You are not simply paying for transportation.

Remember to add the $35 per-person immigration and park fees. Lunch at Meads Bay is also not stated as included, so set aside extra money for that. The value is strongest if you want a polished, private day and would otherwise need to arrange transport, snacks, drinks, and beach stops yourself.

If you only want to see Anguilla cheaply, this is not the right product. If you want several beaches, a relaxed boat day, and a group experience with very little planning, the price can be reasonable when shared.

Who should book this Anguilla yacht day?

I would recommend it most to people who want a calm island escape rather than a packed sightseeing program. The route is a good match for:

• Families who want swimming, easy beach access, and private space
• Friends planning a birthday or special occasion
• Couples willing to pay for privacy and comfort
• Groups of up to 10 who can split the price
• Anyone who wants snorkeling and several beaches in one day
• Visitors staying in St Maarten who want to add Anguilla without a long crossing

You should think twice if you dislike boats, need a very low-cost outing, or want hours at one single beach. The stops are well chosen, but they are timed. The boat remains the center of the experience.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. For a normal cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Should you book the Paper Boat Charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want the easiest, most comfortable way to sample Anguilla from St Maarten. The short crossing, private boat, quiet beaches, good food, and strong captain service make this a well-rounded day rather than a simple transfer.

I would be especially inclined to book for a family celebration or birthday, when the open bar, charcuterie, and private setting add real value. Bring your passport, budget for the $35 fee and lunch, and confirm what snorkeling equipment is supplied. If you want a relaxed day with several beautiful stops and no large crowd, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour begin?

The tour begins at Paper Boat Charter Marina in Anse Marcel, Saint Martin, at 9 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Anse Marcel.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes, including travel time.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private yacht can accommodate a group of up to 10 people, and only your group participates.

What food and drinks are included?

Included drinks are champagne, rum, vodka, rosé wine, beer, soda, juice, and water. Food includes morning fruit, croissants, chocolatines, and a later platter of cheese and charcuterie.

Are immigration and park fees included?

No. Immigration and park fees cost $35 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.