St Maarten private charters compare & guides
Best private boat charter for cruise ship guests in St Maarten
Visiting St Maarten on a cruise ship and thinking about a private boat excursion?
The best choice depends on your time in port, the size of your group and the kind of day you want to enjoy.
For most cruise guests, a four-hour private coastal charter around St Martin and St Maarten is our first recommendation. It offers an excellent balance of swimming, coastal sightseeing and relaxation without committing to a lengthy itinerary.
If your ship is staying longer, you may have time for an extended coastal charter or even an Anguilla excursion. The important thing is choosing an experience that fits comfortably around your cruise schedule.
Which private boat excursion is best for your cruise stop?
Four-hour St Maarten coastal charter
Our recommendation for most cruise visitors
A four-hour private charter is an excellent way to experience St Maarten from the water. Depending on the route and sea conditions, your excursion can include coastal sightseeing, swimming, snorkelling or a beach stop.
Best for: Families, couples, small groups, first-time visitors and guests who want a relaxed day without travelling too far.
Why choose it: A shorter itinerary generally makes it easier to plan around your time in port while leaving room for an appropriate return buffer.
Extended St Maarten coastal charter
For guests with a longer port call
With additional time on the water, you can explore more of the island’s coastline or enjoy longer stops without trying to fit everything into four hours.
Best for: Groups with a generous amount of time ashore, guests wanting more swimming and beach time, or those planning a special occasion.
Why choose it: More time allows greater flexibility, provided the excursion still fits your ship’s schedule.
Private Anguilla excursion
An option for selected longer cruise stops
Anguilla offers beautiful beaches and clear turquoise water, but visiting another island requires more planning than staying around St Maarten.
Travel time, passport requirements, customs and immigration formalities, sea conditions and the ship’s return deadline must all be considered.
Best for: Guests with a sufficiently long port call who specifically want to visit Anguilla.
Why choose it: Anguilla can be a memorable alternative when the schedule genuinely allows enough time. It is not automatically suitable for every cruise arrival.
Which size of private boat should you choose?
The largest boat is not necessarily the best choice for your group. Comfort, seating, shade, available space and the type of excursion all matter.
Compact private boats
A good choice for couples and smaller groups who want a private experience focused on enjoying the coastline and water.
Mid-sized private boats
Often a comfortable choice for families and mixed-age groups looking for additional room while keeping the experience personal and relaxed.
Larger & premium options
Worth considering for bigger groups, special occasions or guests who place greater importance on space and comfort.
Facilities and inclusions vary between boats. EXPLR.SX will confirm the details of the recommended charter before you book.
How much time do you really have in port?
One of the most important things to understand is that your ship’s scheduled time in port is not the same as the time available for an excursion.
Several factors need to be considered:
- Your ship’s published arrival time.
- The time needed to disembark.
- The walk to the departure marina.
- The duration of your private charter.
- The time needed to return to the cruise terminal.
- Your cruise line’s required all-aboard time.
For example, a ship may be scheduled to depart at 5 pm, but passengers may need to be back on board considerably earlier.
EXPLR.SX considers these details when recommending a charter and plans an appropriate return buffer. As with any independently arranged excursion, timings remain subject to actual conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Our advice: Choose the itinerary that fits your available time comfortably, rather than the longest excursion you can possibly squeeze into the day.
Why the departure marina matters
For cruise guests arriving in Philipsburg, departure location can make a significant difference to the experience.
Our cruise-friendly private charters will normally depart from one of the two marinas situated next to the Philipsburg cruise terminal.
Both are typically just a few minutes’ walk from the terminal area, allowing guests to reach their charter without a lengthy road transfer.
Private boat charters do not board directly at the cruise terminal. EXPLR.SX confirms the exact departure marina, meeting point and arrangements before your excursion.
Some charter requests may require a different departure location. We will explain this before you commit to a booking.
Is Anguilla worth considering during a cruise stop?
Anguilla can be a wonderful private boat destination, but we would not automatically recommend it to every cruise visitor.
A successful Anguilla excursion depends on having sufficient time for the crossing, entry formalities and the experience itself, while preserving an appropriate return buffer.
For shorter cruise stops, a St Maarten coastal charter is usually the more practical recommendation.
For longer calls, EXPLR.SX can assess whether an Anguilla excursion makes sense for your particular ship, date and group.
How booking with EXPLR.SX works
We check availability first, and you only pay once availability has been confirmed.
Step 1 — Tell us about your cruise
Share your cruise ship, arrival date, group size and what you'd like to experience during your St Maarten stop.
Step 2 — We recommend the right charter
EXPLR.SX checks suitable boats and current availability, then recommends the best available option for your group and time ashore.
Step 3 — Confirm your charter
Once you are happy with the recommendation, EXPLR.SX provides a secure payment link to confirm your reservation.A deposit is required for advance bookings, with the remaining balance due seven days before the charter. Bookings made within seven days require full payment in advance.
Step 4 — We coordinate your excursion
EXPLR.SX remains your point of contact through charter day and confirms the practical arrangements, including the departure marina, meeting time and instructions.
What guests say about booking with EXPLR.SX
Real feedback from guests who booked private charters and island experiences through EXPLR.SX.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a four-hour private charter enough for cruise ship guests?
For many visitors, yes. Four hours can provide an enjoyable coastal experience with time for selected swimming, sightseeing or beach stops. The exact itinerary depends on conditions and the boat.
Is a full-day charter better than a half-day charter?
Not necessarily. A full-day charter provides more time, but it only makes sense if your cruise schedule allows it. For many cruise visitors, a four-hour excursion is the better fit.
Are private boat charters suitable for families with children?
Yes, provided the selected boat is appropriate for the children's ages and your group. Let EXPLR.SX know the ages of any children so we can recommend a suitable option.
Can we depart directly from the Philipsburg cruise terminal?
No. Cruise-friendly departures normally take place from one of the two nearby marinas, usually just a few minutes' walk from the terminal. Your exact meeting point is confirmed before the charter.
What happens if our cruise ship arrives late?
Contact EXPLR.SX as soon as possible. We will review whether the charter timing or itinerary can be adjusted. Changes depend on availability, conditions and the remaining time in port. Any cancellation or refund is handled according to the applicable booking terms.
Is a private charter better than a cruise line excursion?
That depends on what matters most to you. A private charter offers an experience reserved for your group, with greater flexibility over the pace and activities. Cruise line excursions may be preferable if you want a lower-cost shared tour or a cruise-line-arranged excursion.
Find the right charter for your cruise visit
Every cruise schedule is different. EXPLR.SX makes it easy to start with your ship, explore the available options and choose an excursion suited to your time in St Maarten.
Visit our cruise ship excursions page to find your ship, see its listed upcoming port calls and enquire about a private charter.
Cruise schedules may change. Charter availability, departure arrangements and itineraries are confirmed individually.
Once availability is confirmed, we’ll explain exactly what is required to secure your booking.
