St Barts Yacht Charter Guide: New Year's Eve, St Martin and Anguilla
Quick answer
A St Barts yacht charter usually starts in St Martin (SXM airport) and combines Gustavia, Colombier and Shell Beach with day trips to Anguilla. New Year's Eve is the peak: yachts gather in and off Gustavia for midnight fireworks on December 31, popular yachts book more than a year ahead, and holiday minimum stays of about 7–14 nights are common. In US dollars, motor yachts typically ask about $80,000 a week around 30m and about $195,000 around 50m before APA and tips, and St Barts generally charges no charter VAT.
St Barts is the Caribbean's answer to the French Riviera: about ten square miles of hills, beaches and French restaurants, with Gustavia harbor full of superyachts every winter. A charter here is less about covering distance and more about the rhythm of the days: a morning swim at Colombier, lunch on the sand at St Jean, an evening in Gustavia. Most charters start in St Martin, a 20-mile run away, and many add a day or two in Anguilla.
Why charter a yacht in St Barts?
Choose St Barts for food, beach clubs, shopping and the superyacht scene, especially around New Year. It is the Caribbean's best match for travelers who would otherwise charter on the Côte d'Azur. Groups who want long sailing days, empty anchorages or a range of small islands are better served in the BVI or the Grenadines.
St Barts draws larger motor yachts than most of the Caribbean, and the island's hotels, villas and restaurants mean a charter can mix nights aboard with dinners ashore. The trade-off is that the island is small and anchorages can be rolly when a northerly swell runs, so a good captain moves the yacht between bays and to St Martin or Anguilla as conditions change.
How do you get to a St Barts yacht charter?
Fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side of St Martin, which has direct flights from several US gateways. From SXM you have three options to reach St Barts:
- Short flight: small commuter aircraft make the hop to St Barts' Gustaf III airport (SBH) in a few minutes. Its very short runway is limited to small planes, so luggage limits apply.
- Ferry: high-speed ferries run between St Martin and Gustavia in roughly 45 to 75 minutes, depending on the departure point and sea state.
- Yacht pickup: many charters start in Simpson Bay or Marigot on St Martin, where the yacht collects you straight from the airport. The run to Gustavia is about 20 nautical miles.
Simpson Bay lagoon on St Martin is the main superyacht base for the northern Leeward Islands, with full-service marinas and provisioning, which is why so many St Barts charters begin and end there. The lagoon is reached through lifting bridges with set opening times, so your captain will plan arrivals around them.
What is New Year's Eve in St Barts like on a yacht?
New Year's Eve is the high point of the St Barts season. Superyachts fill Gustavia's harbor and the anchorage outside, the island hosts a run of parties through the holiday week, and at midnight on December 31 fireworks go up over the harbor while yachts sound their horns.
What you need to know before you book:
- Book early: Christmas and New Year in the Caribbean often book more than a year ahead, and the largest yachts in St Barts go first.
- Minimum stays: many yachts require longer charters over the holidays, often 7–14 nights, and some large yachts require 14 nights spanning Christmas and New Year. Confirm the minimum before you plan flights.
- Premium pricing: holiday rates typically run above standard high season, and APA spending rises with dockage, provisioning and dining costs.
- Berth vs anchorage: quay space in Gustavia is limited and allocated well in advance. Many yachts watch the fireworks from anchor outside the harbor and use the tender to go ashore. Ask your broker whether a berth is confirmed.
- Restaurant bookings: popular restaurants and beach clubs fill up for the holiday week. A good crew and concierge will book ahead once your dates are set.
See our booking lead times guide for how to plan a holiday charter.
What does a St Barts yacht charter cost?
US-dollar motor yachts typically ask about $80,000 a week around 30m, about $114,500 around 40m and about $195,000 around 50m, before APA and tips. Holiday weeks cost more, and St Barts generally charges no charter VAT.
| Yacht size | Typical weekly rate (USD, high season) | APA (typical) | Tip (15–20%) | New Year's notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27–33m | About $80k | 30–40% | $12k–$16k | Holiday premium; minimum stays common |
| 37–43m | About $114.5k | 35–40% | $17k–$23k | Book 12+ months ahead |
| 46–55m | About $195k | 35–40% | $29k–$39k | Minimum stays of 7–14 nights common |
| 55–75m | About $419k | 35–40% | $63k–$84k | Sells out first; berth availability limited |
These are typical asking rates from 2026 listings, not quotes. A separate 2026 listings tracker for St Barts shows yachts of 100–130 ft asking roughly $146,000–$179,000 per week, with an APA of about 35%. Rates exclude APA, taxes and tips unless stated, and vary by season and yacht. Caribbean crews typically expect 15–20% of the charter fee. Our yacht charter cost guide shows how a full budget builds up.
Tax: a 2026 tax summary lists no VAT or charter tax on charters starting in St Barts, whatever the yacht's flag, reflecting its status as a French overseas collectivity outside the EU VAT area. Charters starting on St Martin may be treated differently depending on which side they start from. Tax rules change; confirm at booking.
Where do yachts go in St Barts?
The island is small, so a week is spent moving between a handful of bays based on swell and mood. The main stops:
- Anse de Colombier: the classic anchorage, in the marine reserve on the northwest tip and reachable only by sea or footpath. Moorings are provided in the reserve, and the snorkeling along the rocks is good.
- Gustavia and Shell Beach: anchor off Shell Beach or berth in the harbor for dinner, shopping and the evening scene.
- St Jean Bay: home to the island's best-known beach clubs and hotels, and next to the airport.
- Anse de Grande Saline and Gouverneur: two of the island's best undeveloped beaches, usually visited by tender in calm conditions.
- Île Fourchue: an uninhabited, horseshoe-shaped islet roughly 3–4 nautical miles northwest of Gustavia, protected within the reserve, with turtles and quiet water.
What can you do from St Martin and Anguilla?
Most St Barts charters spend a day or two around St Martin and Anguilla, which add beaches, dining and variety that a single small island cannot.
St Martin: the French side has Grand Case, known for its restaurants, and Orient Bay; just offshore, Pinel Island and Tintamarre offer quiet beaches and snorkeling. The Dutch side has Simpson Bay's marinas, shopping and nightlife.
Anguilla: low and flat, with some of the region's best beaches, Anguilla lies just north of St Martin. Shoal Bay, Sandy Island, Little Bay and the Prickly Pear Cays are the usual stops. Anguilla charges fees for visiting charter yachts, which can make the day costly, so confirm what the yacht will pay.
Farther afield: Saba, with its steep volcanic profile and marine park diving, and St Kitts and Nevis to the south can be added in a 10-night charter in settled weather.
What does a 7-night St Martin and St Barts itinerary look like?
A typical week starts in Simpson Bay, spends two days around Anguilla and St Martin, then crosses to St Barts.
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Board in Simpson Bay, St Martin | Settle in, dinner aboard or in Grand Case |
| 2 | Anguilla: Prickly Pear Cays and Sandy Island | Snorkeling, sandbar lunch |
| 3 | Anguilla: Shoal Bay and Little Bay | Beach day, cliff-backed cove by tender |
| 4 | Tintamarre and Pinel Island | Quiet beaches, turtles, lunch ashore |
| 5 | Cross to St Barts: Anse de Colombier (about 20 nm) | Reserve snorkeling, sunset at anchor |
| 6 | Gustavia and Shell Beach | Shopping, dinner in town |
| 7 | St Jean or Île Fourchue | Beach club day or quiet anchorage |
| 8 | Disembark in Gustavia or return to St Martin | Short flight or yacht transfer to SXM |
When are the St Barts regattas?
St Barts hosts two major regattas that fill the harbor with spectacular yachts.
The St Barths Bucket: a superyacht regatta for large sailing yachts, scheduled for March 17–21, 2027, according to the official Bucket schedule. It is one of the most striking sights in yachting, and charter yachts book early to spectate.
Les Voiles de St. Barth: a regatta for racing yachts, usually held in the second or third week of April. The 2025 edition ran April 13–19, so expect mid-April 2027, with dates still to be confirmed.
Both events push up demand and dockage pressure in Gustavia, so book early if your dates overlap.
Which yacht suits St Barts?
Motor yachts of 30m and above are the norm, because they handle the open-water crossings from St Martin comfortably, carry tenders big enough for beach landings and look the part in Gustavia. For the New Year's week, larger superyachts dominate; see our superyacht charter guide. Catamarans work well for groups focused on Anguilla's beaches and snorkeling and are typically far cheaper, but they are less common for the holiday scene. For alternatives in the region, including the BVI and Antigua, see our Caribbean yacht charter guide or our BVI yacht charter guide.
Rates, taxes and event dates reflect 2026 sources and can change. Confirm all details with your broker at booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a New Year's Eve yacht charter in St Barts cost?
New Year's is the most expensive week of the Caribbean season. Standard high-season rates for US-dollar yachts typically run about $80,000 a week around 30m, $114,500 around 40m and $195,000 around 50m, and holiday weeks usually carry a premium on top. Many yachts also require 7–14 night minimums over the holidays, so the total is often far higher than a single week.
How far in advance should I book a St Barts New Year's yacht charter?
Book more than a year ahead for Christmas and New Year, especially for yachts over 50m, which often sell out 12 months or more in advance. Start looking in April or May at the latest for the coming winter. Late bookings are possible but leave far less choice.
How do you get to St Barts for a yacht charter?
Fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on St Martin, which has direct flights from several US cities. From there, take a short hop on a small plane to St Barts, a ferry to Gustavia, or let the yacht collect you in Simpson Bay. Many charters simply start in St Martin.
Is there VAT on a yacht charter in St Barts?
A 2026 tax summary lists no charter tax or VAT on charters starting in St Barts, regardless of the yacht's flag, because of the island's status as a French overseas collectivity outside the EU VAT area. Rules change, so confirm with your broker, and check separately how charters starting on the French or Dutch side of St Martin are taxed.
Can you visit Anguilla on a St Barts yacht charter?
Yes. Anguilla lies just north of St Martin, so a day at Shoal Bay, Sandy Island or the Prickly Pear Cays is an easy add-on. Anguilla charges fees for visiting charter yachts, which can make the day costly, so ask your broker what the yacht will pay and whether it comes from the APA.
What are the best anchorages in St Barts?
Anse de Colombier, inside the marine reserve and reached only by boat or trail, is the classic overnight anchorage. Shell Beach and Gustavia put you next to town, St Jean Bay is for beach clubs, and Île Fourchue is a quiet, uninhabited stop. Your captain will pick based on swell, which can make some bays uncomfortable.
Charter rates, APA, VAT and fees quoted are approximate, vary by yacht and season, and change often. Confirm current figures with your broker at booking.