Anguilla Drafted Legislation for Charter Boats
The government aims to regulate foreign charter vessels operating from neighboring St Martin and St Maarten.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Central America
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Anguilla has begun drafting new legislation to regulate foreign party boats that arrive from St Martin and St Maarten. The move follows complaints from local tourism businesses regarding the impact of these visiting vessels on their operations.
Why it matters
Anguilla seeks greater control over its maritime borders to protect local tourism interests. This legislative effort follows a contentious fee dispute in the British Virgin Islands that has strained relations with the neighboring United States Virgin Islands.
The BVI currently mandates an annual $7,500 fee for charters with up to seven entries and $24,000 for unlimited access, while day-trip operators pay $8,500. Anguilla has not yet finalized its specific fee schedule for visiting charter vessels.
The players
Albert Bryan Jr.
He serves as the Governor of the United States Virgin Islands and has publicly objected to the fee structures imposed by the BVI.
The details
Local tourism businesses in Anguilla reported that foreign-based charter boats were negatively affecting their commercial operations. The government intends to implement these new regulations to address these concerns before the next high-traffic period for the island's travel industry.
Timeline
Anguilla plans to approve the new legislation before the upcoming tourism season.
Travel Outlook
Anguilla's proposal follows the precedent set by the British Virgin Islands charter vessel fee dispute, which has created ongoing tensions between Caribbean territories. This shift signals a broader trend of local governments seeking to prioritize home-based operators over foreign entrants during peak seasonal tourism cycles.
Travelers planning to book day trips or charters from St Martin or St Maarten to Anguilla should monitor these developments, as new regulations may impact availability and pricing. Prospective visitors should confirm whether their chosen operators are compliant with upcoming territorial entry requirements.
The takeaway
The move by Anguilla highlights the increasing tension between protecting domestic tourism revenue and maintaining seamless regional travel. Visitors should anticipate potential changes to the cost and ease of cross-island boat excursions in the Caribbean.
Further reading
For more information on regional tourism policies, visit Central America.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BVI News.
Live Poll
Should neighboring territories coordinate their rules for foreign charter boats to protect local tourism businesses?
