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

The best part of YES DARLING is the freedom to turn three Caribbean islands into one easy day at sea. This is not a rigid sightseeing cruise. You can spend your time swimming near Pinel, pausing in Colombier, anchoring off Anguilla, or simply enjoying the yacht under shade with a cold drink. The 20-meter Italian-style yacht has a playful Porsche 917 theme, broad deck space, sunbathing areas, and an interior cabin.

I especially like the choice between a four-hour outing and a full eight-hour charter. I also like the mix of polished service and genuine fun: music, food, drinks, and water activities can make this work for a birthday group, a family day, or a sunset celebration. The main consideration is cost. At $6,448.44 per group, it makes the most sense when shared by a large party, and you should confirm the final passenger limit because the booking information lists up to 12 people while the vessel description gives a capacity of 30.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one charter: Routes can include St Martin, St Barthélemy, and Anguilla, depending on time and conditions.
• Four or eight hours: Pick a half day for one main area, or choose the full day for a broader island-hopping route.
• Large open yacht: You get shaded areas, sun loungers, a cabin, and room to move around while underway or at anchor.
• Made for private groups: Only your party takes part, with pickup offered and confirmation provided at booking.
• Strong family and celebration appeal: The crew has been praised for attentive service, child-friendly help, music, food, drinks, and a relaxed party mood.
• Check the head count: The advertised price covers a group of up to 12, while the yacht description says 30 passengers. Ask for the exact limit for your booking.

A Porsche-themed yacht with room to spread out

YES DARLING is a 20-meter open yacht built for social time rather than quiet transport alone. Its Italian styling and Porsche 917 decoration give it more personality than a plain charter boat. You can sit in the sun, find shade, gather around the social areas, or use the interior cabin when you want shelter.

That space matters. On a smaller speedboat, a large group quickly becomes a game of shoulder-to-shoulder seating. Here, the broad deck and separate areas let people choose their own pace. Some can sunbathe while others talk over drinks or prepare for a swim.

The boat also suits a range of moods. The sound system and open deck can support a lively birthday or family party, while the sunset option gives the day a calmer, more polished feel. One useful detail from the boat’s design is the balance between open-air freedom and indoor comfort. You are not committed to one hot seat in the sun for the entire charter.

The booking information describes the yacht as operating under the French flag. It also identifies the experience as private yachting, so you are not sharing the boat with an unrelated group. Captain Chris and manager Helene are among the named crew associated with the service. Helene’s role appears especially focused on guest care and arrangements, while the captain handles the boat and route.

How the four-hour and eight-hour choices change the day

A four-hour charter is best when you want one concentrated outing. You can spend more time in the waters around St Martin, make a short run toward Saint-Barthélemy, or build a sunset cruise without turning the day into a major event. It is also the sensible choice for families with younger children or groups that want a taste of private yachting without giving up an entire day.

The eight-hour option gives the boat time to travel between islands and still leave room for swimming and anchoring. A full day could link St Martin, St Barthélemy, and Anguilla, though the exact route will depend on the plan for the day. You should not expect to explore every beach listed in the description. There are too many choices for that. The value comes from selecting a few good stops and enjoying them properly.

I would choose the full day for a group celebrating a birthday, reunion, or special occasion. The cost is easier to justify when divided among many people, and the extra hours allow the outing to feel like the main event rather than a short boat ride. For a couple or small family, four hours may be the better value unless the yacht itself is the main reason for booking.

Sunset trips are another option. They focus less on covering ground and more on the mood of the water, music, drinks, and changing light around the islands. Since the stated operating hours run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., confirm the available timing if you want a late sunset departure.

St Martin offers the widest choice of anchorages

The St Martin portion gives you the broadest menu of stops. Pinel is a popular choice for clear water and a relaxed beach setting. Tintamarre offers a more natural, open-water feel. Grand Case, Anse Marcel, Friar’s Bay, and Happy Bay give the crew several different kinds of shoreline to consider.

Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, and Simpson Bay add further options. Some are better suited to a calm swim or beach pause, while others are useful as scenic anchorages along the coast. The advantage of having a private boat is that you are not tied to a single public beach plan. The crew can shape the day around the water and your group’s interests.

I like St Martin as the practical choice for a half-day charter. You can stay closer to the marina, spend less time crossing open water, and keep more of the four hours for swimming and relaxing. It is also a good option if your group includes people who want different things. Some can remain aboard, while others enjoy water activities when available.

The possible drawback is choice overload. With so many named coves and beaches, you should discuss priorities before departure. Tell the crew if your group cares most about swimming, beach time, scenery, music, food, or a quiet anchorage. A clear wish list will help turn a long menu into a useful route.

Saint-Barthélemy adds polished scenery and quiet water

The stop around Saint-Barthélemy centers on Colombier, Gustavia, Shell Beach, and Saint John. Colombier is the natural choice if you want a quieter setting and clear water. The anchorage near Gustavia gives you the island’s famous harbor atmosphere, with boats, hills, and the polished feel associated with St Barth.

Shell Beach and Saint John offer a different kind of stop, with easy visual appeal and attractive coastal water. The boat lets you see the island from offshore, which is often the best way to appreciate its shape and shoreline. From the deck, you can take in the contrast between the more natural bays and the refined harbor area.

The St Barth route works especially well for couples, milestone celebrations, and groups that want a scenic cruise with time to relax. It can also be paired with a stop at St Martin if you have eight hours. The practical limit is travel time. Crossing between islands takes time that could otherwise be spent swimming, so you should avoid planning too many separate stops.

If you want to include Gustavia, Colombier, and a beach stop in one short charter, ask the crew how long the boat will remain at each place. A private charter gives you control, but the clock still matters.

Anguilla brings long beaches and clear-water stops

Anguilla offers a strong choice for a full-day route. Possible anchorages include Rendezvous Bay, Maundays Bay, Shoal Bay West, Meads Bay, Road Bay near Sandy Ground, Crocus Bay, Little Bay, and Shoal Bay Beach.

The appeal here is variety. You can choose a broad beach view at Rendezvous Bay or Meads Bay, a more sheltered stop near Little Bay, or the famous water around Shoal Bay. Sandy Ground and Road Bay give the route a different character, with a more local harbor setting than a pure beach stop.

Anguilla makes sense when your group wants the boat ride itself to be part of the adventure. A full-day charter gives you time to cross over, anchor, swim, eat, and enjoy the yacht without watching every minute. I would not choose Anguilla for a four-hour booking unless the operator confirms that the route and timing are practical for your date.

As with St Barthélemy, the trade-off is distance. More islands mean more time underway. That is not wasted time on a comfortable yacht, but it is different from sitting at anchor. Be honest about what your group wants. If everyone wants nonstop beach time, choose one island area. If everyone enjoys cruising, the three-island plan becomes much more attractive.

Food, drinks, music, and water time

YES DARLING is designed for more than transportation between beaches. Food and drinks are a major part of the experience, with past outings featuring generous refreshments, aperitif-style service, buffet food, and an open-bar setup. Confirm what is included in your specific package before booking, especially if your group has dietary needs or wants a particular menu.

The atmosphere can be as calm or as lively as your group makes it. Music is part of the experience, and the yacht has enough open space for a social celebration. Some groups use the deck as a floating party venue, while others spend most of the day talking, swimming, and watching the coast.

Water activities are also part of the appeal. The supplied information does not list every item of equipment, so ask exactly what will be available on your date. Families should also explain the ages and swimming ability of children in advance. The crew has been praised for helping children during water activities, but adults remain responsible for following safety instructions and supervising their own children.

Bring practical items even when the yacht provides plenty. Pack swimwear, sun protection, a dry change of clothes, and any medication you need. A light layer can help if the boat is moving quickly or the afternoon becomes breezy.

What the service feels like for families and celebrations

The strongest pattern in the service is personal attention. Captain Chris and Helene are named among the team, and the crew’s role goes beyond steering the yacht. Service has included keeping drinks moving, helping with arrangements, and making sure people feel safe during water time.

That matters with a big family group. On a private charter, one person’s birthday plans, another person’s need for shade, and a child’s wish to swim can all compete for attention. A responsive crew can make the day feel easy instead of improvised.

The yacht also fits mixed-age groups well. Adults can use the shaded seating or sun loungers, children can enjoy the water when conditions allow, and the group can come together for food or music. The interior cabin provides another place to retreat, though the main pleasure is likely to be outdoors.

For a party group, the setting is more special than a restaurant or resort event. You can move between bays, stop for a swim, and watch the islands from the water. The drawback is that the price is high for a small group. If only two or three people are booking, compare the cost with other private boat options before committing.

Price, passenger count, and practical value

The stated cost is $6,448.44 per group, not per person, for up to 12 people. At 12 passengers, that works out to about $537 per person before any separate extras. That is a serious price, but it covers a private yacht rather than a seat on a shared excursion.

The value improves as your party grows. A group of 10 to 12 can split the cost and gain privacy, flexible routing, a large boat, crew service, and access to several island areas. For a smaller group, the same price buys more space and exclusivity, but the per-person figure rises sharply.

One point needs confirmation before you pay: the general vessel description gives capacity for 30 passengers, while the price information says up to 12. Those numbers may refer to different charter arrangements, but you should ask the operator to confirm the allowed number for your booking.

Pickup is offered, mobile tickets are accepted, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but you should discuss mobility needs directly with the operator because the information does not explain boarding details.

The cancellation rule is simple but strict. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. Given the price, do not wait until the last minute if your plans are uncertain.

Who should book YES DARLING

I would recommend YES DARLING most strongly to a large family, a group of friends, or anyone marking a birthday, anniversary, reunion, or similar occasion. The private format, open deck, music, food, drinks, and choice of islands give you plenty of ways to shape the day.

It is also a good fit if you want comfort without giving up the feel of a real boat outing. You can sunbathe, swim, watch the coast, or sit in the shade. The yacht itself is part of the attraction, not just a way to reach a beach.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, low-cost excursion, if your group is very small, or if you prefer a fixed itinerary with guaranteed time at specific beaches. The cost is high, and a full-day route across three islands can mean more time moving between stops.

Book it if your priority is a private day on the water with room, service, and flexibility. Choose four hours for a focused St Martin outing. Choose eight hours if your group wants Anguilla or Saint-Barthélemy included and is happy to make the yacht the center of the day. Before finalizing, confirm the passenger limit, food and drink package, water equipment, pickup details, and exact route.

FAQ

How much does the YES DARLING private yacht charter cost?

The stated price is $6,448.44 per group, with the booking information specifying up to 12 people.

How long is the charter?

You can choose a half-day charter of about four hours or a full-day charter of about eight hours.

Which islands can the yacht visit?

Possible destinations include St Martin, Saint-Barthélemy, and Anguilla. The exact route depends on the selected duration and planned stops.

How many people can join the yacht?

The price information lists up to 12 people, while the vessel description gives a capacity of 30 passengers. Confirm the applicable limit with the operator before booking.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

What is the cancellation policy?

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