Private boat charter to St Barts from Cole Bay

Travel time varies depending on the boat, route and sea conditions.

St Barts involves a longer open-water journey than Anguilla, so we prefer not to give one crossing time that may not reflect the conditions or the particular charter you are considering.

We can explain what to expect for the specific boat and trip before you book.

No. Conditions between St Maarten and St Barts can vary, and the crossing is more exposed than many shorter trips around St Maarten or to Anguilla.

The boat, wind, sea state and conditions on the day all affect how the crossing feels.

If anyone in your group is particularly sensitive to motion or concerned about seasickness, tell us before booking so we can take that into account when recommending an option.

This depends on the charter, departure time, conditions and the itinerary you choose.

A private St Barts trip is normally a full-day experience, with the day divided between travelling by boat and enjoying the island.

Rather than trying to include every possible stop, it usually works better to prioritise what matters most to your group — whether that is Gustavia, swimming, a beach, lunch or simply enjoying the coastline.

Yes. You are travelling between separate territories, so appropriate travel documents are required.

The exact documentation required can depend on nationality and individual circumstances. We recommend making sure every guest has the necessary documentation before the charter.

We will also explain what information is required for your particular booking.

Additional entry, port or administrative fees may apply depending on the charter and how the trip is organised.

These are not handled identically by every operator, so we make the costs clear when recommending a charter rather than assuming one fixed fee applies to every trip.

Lunch and other personal expenses ashore are normally separate unless specifically included.

Depending on the charter and itinerary, yes.

Many visitors choose St Barts specifically because they want to combine the boat experience with time ashore, whether that means exploring Gustavia, having lunch, shopping or simply experiencing the island's atmosphere.

If Gustavia is important to you, tell us when enquiring so we can consider it when looking at the most suitable charter and itinerary.

Usually, yes, depending on the charter and conditions.

A St Barts day may combine time ashore with swimming, coastal cruising or time at anchor around areas such as Colombier or other suitable locations.

Exact stops cannot always be guaranteed in advance because the captain needs to take weather, sea conditions and the day's timing into account.

It depends entirely on the experience you want.

Anguilla generally suits visitors looking for beautiful beaches, turquoise water, swimming and a slower, beach-focused day.

St Barts tends to suit visitors who want a more destination-focused experience combining boating with restaurants, beach clubs, Gustavia or time ashore.

If you are undecided, tell us what matters most to your group and we can help you compare the two.

It can be, but this deserves more consideration than on a shorter coastal trip.

St Barts involves a longer and more exposed open-water journey, and conditions vary. The choice of boat can help, but no boat can guarantee that someone prone to seasickness will feel comfortable in every sea condition.

If this is a concern, tell us before booking. Depending on your group and the expected experience, a different boat or destination may make more sense.

There is no single best boat for every group.

For a longer St Barts day, factors such as:

• comfortable seating
• shade
• onboard space
• layout
• group size
• performance in the expected conditions
• and your budget

can become more important than they would be on a shorter charter.

Tell us your group size, dates and priorities and we can narrow down the options that make the most sense.