Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

The best part of this St. Maarten charter is the freedom to spend a full day at sea with only your own group aboard. Captain Mike sets the course, while Elmira keeps coffee, snacks, drinks, and lunch moving. You can snorkel, paddleboard, swim, sit on the beach, or simply stretch out and watch the island slide by.

I especially like the private format, which makes this a strong choice for families or friends who want their own pace. I also like the homemade charcoal BBQ lunch, a real meal rather than a few packaged snacks between swims. The open bar, including mimosas, rum punch, beers, sodas, juices, and mixed drinks, adds to the easygoing feel.

The main consideration is price. The charter costs $1,700 for up to eight people, before the service charge, so it offers much better value for a full group than for two or three people. The route can also change with weather, and Tintamarre or Pinel may not be possible on every departure.

Key points to know before you book

• Captain Mike and Elmira provide a personal two-person crew: Expect safety instructions, local stories, help with snorkeling gear, and attentive drink and food service.
• Long Bay and Little Bay bring different water experiences: Long Bay is used for snorkeling and swimming, while Little Bay offers underwater sights such as a submarine, shipwreck, helicopter, and sea life.
• The charcoal BBQ is a proper midday meal: Chicken, salads, garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians are prepared on board.
• The $1,700 rate works best for eight people: Split evenly, the base cost is $212.50 per person, with the service charge still added.
• The route depends on wind and sea conditions: Pinel and Tintamarre may be skipped in favor of calmer water along the Dutch coast.
• Bring your own towel and non-spray sunscreen: Snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, and water are provided, but private transportation is not.

Seven hours around St. Maarten, with your own boat

This is a full-day outing rather than a quick boat ride. You meet at AzianaBobby’s Marina at 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, then return to the same marina after roughly seven hours on the water.

Because the charter is private, your group does not have to fit into someone else’s schedule. That matters if one person wants to snorkel, another wants to paddleboard, and someone else would rather sit with a cold drink and enjoy the view. The crew can shape the day around the group, within the limits of weather and safe sailing conditions.

The boat begins with a safety briefing. You receive instructions about the catamaran, life jackets, the bathroom, and general use of the vessel. This is a useful start, especially for children or anyone who has not spent much time on a catamaran.

Coffee and croissants are served early, and the open bar is available throughout the day. You do not need to wait until lunch for something to eat or drink, though you should pace yourself if you plan to snorkel and swim.

Cruising the coast with Captain Mike

As the catamaran leaves the marina, Captain Mike provides information about the coastline, local history, and practical details about the places ahead. The commentary gives the cruise more shape than a simple transfer between beaches.

The pace is designed to be leisurely. You are not being rushed from one stop to the next, and the route allows time to sit on deck, watch the water, and settle into the day. This is one reason the charter suits couples and families who want relaxation as much as activity.

The crew has also shown flexibility when plans change. On one departure, a problem with the original catamaran required a switch to another boat, and the day continued with the replacement vessel. That does not remove the inconvenience of a vessel change, but it shows the practical value of having an active crew rather than a rigid schedule.

The boat is easy to find from a main road at the marina. You arrange your own way there, since transportation is not included. If you are staying elsewhere on the island, allow time to reach Philipsburg and check the meeting details before departure.

Long Bay: your first chance to snorkel

The first main stop is Long Bay. Captain Mike explains where you are and what sea life you may see, including turtles. The crew gives a short briefing on the snorkeling equipment before you enter the water.

This stop works well because you can choose your level of activity. Strong swimmers can snorkel, others can use the paddleboard, and anyone who prefers dry land can relax on the beach. You are not required to make every stop an active one.

Snorkeling conditions can change with wind and water movement, so do not treat the mention of turtles as a guarantee. The appeal here is the chance to look for marine life in a setting where the captain can offer local guidance, not a promise of a particular animal sighting.

The beach option is useful for families with different comfort levels in the water. One parent can stay with a child on shore while others snorkel, though you should still follow the crew’s safety instructions and keep an eye on your own group.

Lunch cooked over charcoal on board

While you are swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or relaxing on the beach, the crew prepares lunch. This is one of the strongest parts of the day because it turns the charter into a complete outing rather than a boat trip that leaves you searching for food later.

The menu includes charcoal-grilled marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians. The spread gives the group several choices, including a meat-free option and a gluten-free salad.

When the group comes back aboard, lunch is served on the catamaran. The charcoal cooking and homemade dip add a more personal touch than a standard boxed lunch. Still, anyone with serious allergies should confirm food details before booking, since the supplied information does not list a full allergen policy.

The timing also makes sense. You use the first stop for water activities, then return to a ready meal rather than carrying food to the beach or interrupting the afternoon to find a restaurant.

A second swim, with snacks and island stories

After lunch, the day continues with another snorkeling stop. Fresh melon, snacks, and drinks are served, including mimosas, rum punch, beers, sodas, and other beverages.

The second stop gives you another chance to get in the water without making the day feel like a race. If you are already satisfied with snorkeling, you can use the time to relax on deck. The private setup makes that choice easier because you are not holding up a large mixed group.

Captain Mike continues sharing information about St. Maarten during the cruise. The stories and practical tips are especially useful if this is your first visit, since you see parts of the island from the water that are easy to miss from the road.

The bar is generous, but the responsible choice is to balance alcoholic drinks with the included water and juices. Swimming, sun, and boat movement can catch up with you quickly. Anyone planning to spend much of the day in the water should keep a bottle of water close by, even though water is available on board.

Little Bay and its unusual underwater sights

Little Bay is another highlight, with a submarine, shipwreck, helicopter, and marine life in the area. These sights give the snorkeling a different focus from simply looking for fish over a reef.

The underwater objects can make this stop appealing to children and first-time snorkelers. There is a clear sense of discovery, and the captain can explain what you are seeing before you enter the water. The exact visibility and conditions are not guaranteed, so keep expectations sensible.

Little Bay also brings a change of scenery after the earlier stop. The day is not built around one single beach. Instead, it combines cruising, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, food, and conversation, with the crew adjusting the order or destination when needed.

You should bring a towel, since towels are not listed among the inclusions. Use non-spray sunscreen, another specific request from the operator. Spray products can create a slippery deck and may be less suitable around the boat’s equipment and other people.

When wind changes the plan

The advertised route can include Tintamarre Island and Pinel, but destinations may vary because of weather. Wind played a role in at least one outing, leading the boat to remain mainly along the Dutch coast instead.

This is not a flaw unique to this charter. A sailing day depends on wind, waves, and safe conditions, and a captain should not force a route simply to match a printed plan. Still, you should book this for the overall day on the water, not only for a promise of reaching one particular island.

A route change may actually produce a calmer and more comfortable day. You might lose a planned stop but gain better swimming conditions and more time in protected water. If Tintamarre or Pinel is your main reason for booking, ask about current conditions before departure and be prepared for an alternative.

What the private price really buys you

The base price is $1,700 per group of up to eight people. With eight aboard, that works out to $212.50 per person before the service charge. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly.

At that price, you are paying for more than transport. The rate includes a private catamaran, a captain and host, snorkeling equipment, paddleboarding access, a full lunch, snacks, coffee, croissants, water, juices, and a broad open bar. You also gain control over how your group spends the day.

For eight people celebrating a birthday, family occasion, or reunion, the value is easier to see. A private boat removes the need to share deck space, food timing, and swimming stops with strangers. For two people, this becomes a splurge, and you should compare it with a shared sailing trip if keeping costs down matters.

Remember that the service charge or gratuity is not included. Factor it into the real cost before you decide. Private transportation to and from the marina is also separate, so your budget should include getting to Philipsburg.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this experience to a group that values privacy, food, and flexible time more than a fixed sightseeing checklist. Families benefit from the range of options, especially when children do not all want to snorkel for the same length of time.

It also suits couples who want a special day with plenty of service and little planning once they reach the marina. The crew’s attention to drinks, snacks, and lunch means you do not need to organize each part of the day yourself.

The charter is also suitable for groups with mixed interests. Swimmers can use the water, beach lovers can relax ashore, and everyone can regroup for lunch and the cruise. Most people can participate, and the activity is described as disability-friendly, with service animals allowed and public transportation nearby.

I would hesitate if your main priority is a guaranteed visit to Tintamarre, Pinel, or a specific snorkeling site. Weather can change the plan. I would also hesitate if your group is small and the $1,700 base rate feels too high for a private outing.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.

The meeting point is AzianaBobby’s Marina, 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. The activity ends back at that marina.

Bring a towel, non-spray sunscreen, swimwear, and anything you personally need for a long day outside. Snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, water, juices, and mixed drinks are included.

Should you book this St. Maarten catamaran?

Book it if you have a group of up to eight and want a relaxed private day where the crew handles the food, drinks, sailing, and practical details. Captain Mike and Elmira bring the personal service that makes the cost easier to justify, while the BBQ lunch and flexible activity choices give the day more substance than a simple cruise.

Think twice if you are traveling as only one or two people, watching every dollar, or determined to reach a particular island. The route can change with weather, and the service charge and transportation are extra.

For the right group, this is a polished but easygoing way to see St. Maarten from the water. You get snorkeling, beach time, unusual underwater sights, a generous lunch, and enough quiet time to simply enjoy the sea.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran charter?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at AzianaBobby’s Marina, 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

How many people can join the private charter?

The $1,700 group rate covers up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes charcoal-grilled marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include alcoholic beverages, beers, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, mixed drinks, sodas, water, and juices. Coffee, croissants, snacks, and fresh melon are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the crew provides instructions before the snorkeling stops. Paddleboarding is also part of the activities described.

What happens if the weather changes?

The destinations may change because of weather. The boat may remain along the Dutch coast instead of reaching places such as Pinel or Tintamarre.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You must arrange your own way to AzianaBobby’s Marina.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and non-spray sunscreen. The supplied information also recommends following the crew’s safety instructions and using the provided life jackets when instructed.