Is Anguilla worth it by private boat from St Maarten & St Martin?
Anguilla is one of the most popular private boat day trips from St Martin / St Maarten — but that does not automatically mean it is the right choice for every visitor.
For some groups, Anguilla becomes one of the highlights of the entire trip.
For others, a relaxed day exploring St Martin by boat may actually make more sense.
The difference usually comes down to:
- how much time you have
- your budget
- the type of beaches and atmosphere you want
- how comfortable your group is spending time on the water
- and whether you want the destination itself to become a major part of the day
This guide explains what actually makes Anguilla worth visiting by private boat — and when staying around St Martin may be the better choice.
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Quick answer
For many visitors booking a full-day private charter, yes — Anguilla is worth it.
The appeal is not simply that you are visiting another island.
A private Anguilla day can combine:
- clear turquoise water
- long white-sand beaches
- swimming and snorkeling
- relaxed beach restaurants
- scenic cruising
- and enough time to enjoy the day without constantly moving
It works particularly well for couples, families, groups of friends and visitors who want their boat charter to become one of the main experiences of their trip.
However, Anguilla is not automatically better than St Martin.
If you only have a few hours, want to minimise travel time, or simply want a relaxed coastal boat day, staying around St Martin can make more sense.
What actually makes Anguilla different?
Anguilla has a noticeably different feel from St Martin / St Maarten.
The island is particularly known for:
- long white-sand beaches
- striking turquoise water
- relaxed beachfront restaurants
- lower-density development
- and a slower, beach-focused atmosphere
By private boat, that difference becomes part of the experience itself.
Rather than simply arriving at one beach, the day can combine cruising, swimming stops, lunch and different parts of the coastline.
That is one of the main reasons Anguilla works so well as a full-day private charter destination.
Why does Anguilla work so well by private boat?
Anguilla can be visited without chartering a private boat.
If your main goal is simply to get to the island, the public ferry is usually the more economical choice.
A private charter becomes more compelling when the journey and time on the water are part of the experience.
Instead of simply travelling from St Maarten to Anguilla and continuing independently, a private charter can build the day around:
- swimming stops
- snorkeling
- beaches
- lunch
- scenic cruising
- and the preferences of your group
That is the important distinction.
You are not simply paying for transportation to Anguilla. You are booking a private day on the water that happens to explore Anguilla.
Comparing transportation instead? → Ferry vs private boat to Anguilla
How long does it take to reach Anguilla?
There is no single crossing time that applies to every private charter.
Travel time depends on:
- where you depart from
- the boat
- sea conditions
- the route
- and where the charter enters Anguilla
Departure point can therefore make a meaningful difference to both convenience and how the day is structured.
This is one reason we usually recommend choosing the right departure and route for your group, rather than simply choosing a boat based on photos or price.
What does a private Anguilla day actually feel like?
The exact itinerary varies depending on the boat, conditions and your group, but a full-day Anguilla charter may combine:
- cruising along the coastline
- swimming and snorkeling
- time at one or more beaches
- a relaxed beachfront lunch
- stops around areas such as Sandy Island, Meads Bay or other suitable locations
- and time simply enjoying the boat and water
- The best days are rarely about trying to visit every possible stop.
They usually work better when the itinerary leaves enough time to enjoy a few places properly.
This is particularly true if lunch and beach time are important parts of the experience.
Why many guests end up choosing Anguilla
For many visitors, Anguilla offers a particularly good balance between destination and boat experience.
You still get the enjoyment of a full day on the water, but the destination adds something genuinely different:
- standout beaches
- beautiful swimming conditions when conditions cooperate
- excellent lunch options
- a relaxed island atmosphere
- and the feeling of having travelled somewhere beyond St Maarten
It can feel like a proper day away without necessarily needing the longer, more destination-focused experience associated with a St Barts charter.
That balance is one reason Anguilla is often a strong choice for first-time visitors.
How much more does an Anguilla charter cost?
Anguilla charters generally cost more than simpler St Martin coastal trips because the day can involve:
- additional distance and fuel
- international clearance
- Anguilla customs or immigration fees
- and a longer full-day itinerary
Customs and clearance charges are commonly additional to the charter price and can vary by operator and trip.
Lunch is also normally separate unless specifically included.
The important question is therefore not simply whether Anguilla costs more.
It is whether the additional destination, beaches, cruising and full-day experience are worth that difference for your group.
Who usually gets the most value from an Anguilla charter?
Couples
Why it works: Beautiful water, relaxed lunch stops and enough flexibility to make the day feel personal rather than scheduled.
Families
Why it works: Swimming, beaches, sightseeing and time onboard can give different ages plenty of ways to enjoy the same day.
Groups of friends
Why it works: The boat becomes a private social space while the day still includes beaches, swimming and lunch ashore.
Special occasions
Why it works: Birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations often benefit from having the entire experience organised around one group.
First-time visitors
Why it works: Anguilla offers many of the things first-time visitors imagine in a Caribbean boat day — clear water, beaches, boating and lunch — without needing to build an overly complicated itinerary.
When might Anguilla not be the right choice?
Anguilla is not automatically the best charter for every visitor.
Staying around St Martin may make more sense if:
- you only want a half-day experience
- you prefer shorter travel times
- someone in the group is particularly worried about longer periods on the water
- weather or sea conditions make another route more comfortable
- you want to focus primarily on snorkeling or exploring the St Martin coastline
- or your budget is better suited to a local charter
None of those choices creates an inferior boat day.
A well-matched St Martin coastal charter can be considerably more enjoyable than choosing Anguilla simply because it sounds like the more ambitious destination.
What about Anguilla vs St Barts?
For many visitors, Anguilla creates the more beach-focused and relaxed private charter day.
St Barts tends to appeal more to guests interested in:
- restaurants
- boutiques
- Gustavia
- island atmosphere
- and a more destination-focused experience
Neither is automatically better.
If beautiful beaches, swimming and relaxed Caribbean pacing matter most, Anguilla is often the easier fit.
If the destination itself, dining and time ashore matter more, St Barts may be more appealing.
Local insight
One of the easiest mistakes to make with an Anguilla charter is trying to fit too much into the day.
The best experiences are often surprisingly simple.
Beautiful water, one or two memorable stops, enough swimming time, a relaxed lunch and comfortable pacing can create a much better day than constantly moving between locations.
Anguilla is usually at its best when the itinerary leaves enough time to actually enjoy being there.
So, is Anguilla worth it by private boat?
For many visitors booking a full-day private charter, yes.
Anguilla works particularly well if you want:
- beautiful beaches and turquoise water
- a relaxed full-day experience
- swimming and beach time
- lunch by the water
- privacy and flexibility
- and a destination that feels genuinely different from St Maarten
But the value comes from choosing Anguilla because it suits the kind of day you want — not simply because it is another island.
If your priority is a shorter, simpler or more economical day on the water, staying around St Martin may be the better choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anguilla worth visiting by private boat from St Maarten?
For many visitors, yes. Anguilla works particularly well for guests wanting a full day built around beaches, swimming, lunch and relaxed time on the water. However, visitors wanting a shorter or simpler charter may be better staying around St Martin.
How long does it take to get to Anguilla by private boat?
There is no single crossing time because it depends on the departure point, boat, route, sea conditions and clearance arrangements. Choosing the right departure point can make a meaningful difference to the overall journey.
Is Anguilla better than staying around St Maarten?
Not necessarily. Anguilla is particularly appealing for a full-day destination experience, while St Martin coastal charters can be better for shorter trips, snorkeling, families wanting less travel time or guests who simply want an easy day on the water.
Is Anguilla or St Barts better by private boat?
Anguilla generally suits visitors looking for beaches, swimming and relaxed Caribbean pacing. St Barts often suits guests who place more emphasis on restaurants, Gustavia, shopping and a destination-focused day ashore.
Are there additional fees for visiting Anguilla?
Yes. International clearance and Anguilla customs or immigration charges may apply in addition to the charter price. The exact amount varies depending on the operator and trip, so we confirm applicable costs before booking.
Is Anguilla suitable for families?
Yes. A private Anguilla charter can work extremely well for families because the day can combine swimming, beaches, sightseeing, lunch and relaxed time onboard. The right boat and itinerary should still be matched to the ages and comfort levels within the group.
Can we choose where we stop in Anguilla?
Private charters are generally flexible, but the exact route depends on the boat, conditions, clearance requirements, timing and what is practical on the day. Preferences can usually be discussed when planning the charter.
Do I need a full day for Anguilla?
For a proper private Anguilla charter experience, a full day usually makes the most sense because it allows time for the crossing, clearance, swimming or beach stops and lunch without making the day unnecessarily rushed.
Not sure whether Anguilla fits your plans?
Tell us your date, group size, where you’re staying and what kind of day you have in mind.
We can help you understand whether Anguilla genuinely makes sense for your group and point you toward the most suitable available options.
You do not need to know which boat or departure point to choose before contacting us.
Related charter experiences
Anguilla private charters
→ Complete days on the water with time to explore and relax.
Full-day private charters
→ Complete days on the water with time to explore and relax.
Half-day private charters
→ Shorter private experiences around St Martin with swimming and coastal stops.
Private transfers to Anguilla
→ Direct private transportation between St Maarten and Anguilla.
St Barts private charters
→ Premium island experiences combining boating, restaurants, and time ashore.
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Related guides
Most guests have similar questions before booking.
You may also find these guides useful:
→ Compare cost, flexibility and the overall experience before deciding how to visit Anguilla.
→ Typical prices, additional costs and what affects the total.
→ Compare St Maarten’s two most popular private island day trips.
→ Understand how your location can affect convenience, routing and the start of the day.
→ Explore calmer, beach-focused charter experiences with comfortable pacing.
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EXPLR.SX is based in St Martin / St Maarten and works with a small network of trusted local operators. We match each enquiry with the most suitable private charter option based on your group, route, comfort level, and availability.
