Tropical Catamaran Snorkeling, Sailing And Beach Experience

St. Maarten’s best boat days are not about racing from one landmark to another. They are about settling into a catamaran, letting the leeward coast’s calmer water set the pace, and stopping wherever the sea and weather look right. This six-hour outing combines snorkeling, beach time, a barbecue lunch, and an open bar without requiring you to plan a thing.

I like the easy boarding at Bobby’s Marina and the fact that snorkeling instruction is included for first-timers. I also like the practical comforts: shaded seating, two electric toilets, fresh-water shower, a forward trampoline, and a dinghy for beach access. The main caution is group size. The boat may carry up to 50 people, and some departures feel like a lively party cruise rather than a quiet, small-group sail.

At a Glance

• Little Bay comes early or late: This nearby stop is about 15 minutes from the dock and usually serves as the first or final snorkeling session.
• Lunch is a real part of the outing: Expect barbecue chicken, ribs, island rice, potato salad, Caesar salad, Gouda cheese, baguettes, and snacks.
• The bar stays open: Rum punch, beer, spirits, soft drinks, and mixers are included throughout the day.
• Beach access is flexible: Swim, use a noodle, or take the dinghy when weather and sea conditions allow.
• The route changes with the weather: Possible stops include Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Long Beach, and Happy Bay.
• The mood can vary: Many departures feel warm and social, but a full boat can mean crowded swim stops and less personal space.

Leaving Bobby’s Marina for the Leeward Coast

The trip begins at 10 a.m. at Eagle Tours, Bobby’s Marina, at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. Boarding is directly from the dock, which is a useful advantage if you are arriving independently or stepping off a cruise ship for the day.

Once aboard, you can choose your setting. The large front trampoline is made for sunbathing and lying close to the water, while the rear section offers shade and comfortable seats near the bar. A spot beside the captain can be a good choice if you want shade, conversation, and a clear view of the route.

The catamaran has two electric toilets and a fresh-water shower. Those are small details until you spend six hours at sea. They make this a more comfortable choice than a basic open boat, especially for families and anyone who prefers not to wait for a shore stop.

The advertised capacity is a maximum of 50 passengers. That does not mean every sailing reaches that number. Some departures have had around 17 passengers plus crew and felt comfortable, while other accounts describe 31 or more people and a much tighter experience. If you want a private-feeling sail, ask about the expected passenger count before booking.

Little Bay and Your First Snorkel

Little Bay is only about 15 minutes from the marina, so you get into the water quickly. It may be the first stop or the final one, depending on the day’s route and weather.

The crew provides masks, snorkels, and instruction. That matters if you are trying snorkeling for the first time, since a little help with fitting the mask and breathing technique can make the difference between enjoying the water and spending the stop adjusting equipment.

The underwater experience is not guaranteed to be spectacular. On clear days, passengers have seen tropical fish, including angelfish, and some have enjoyed swimming through schools of fish when the crew fed them. On other days, the water has been murky, with fewer fish than expected. Snorkeling visibility depends on wind, recent weather, water movement, and the number of boats gathered at the site.

That variability is worth understanding before you pay for the trip. This is a full day on the water with snorkeling included, not a specialist marine-life expedition. If your top priority is coral, abundant fish, or pristine visibility, conditions may leave you disappointed. If you are happy with a swim in warm Caribbean water and treat snorkeling as one part of the day, the stop fits well.

Sailing Toward a Beach Stop

After the first swim, the catamaran sails out with the following breeze. The ride itself is part of the pleasure. You can stretch out on the trampoline, sit in the shade, or settle near the bar while the shoreline changes.

The boat follows St. Maarten’s leeward coast, the calmer side of the island. Calmer does not mean perfectly smooth. One passenger specifically noted that the ride can become wavy while under way, so anyone prone to seasickness should plan carefully and choose a seat with a stable view of the horizon.

The route may include Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Long Beach, and Happy Bay. The actual sequence is not fixed. Weather and sea conditions determine which coves and beaches are suitable, and the crew may replace a planned stop with another location.

At a beach anchorage, you can swim from the catamaran, float with a noodle, or head ashore. A dinghy service is available when conditions permit. This gives you more choice than a trip that only allows swimming from a ladder, though the beach transfer depends on the weather and the boat’s position.

The beach stops are a strong part of the outing because they break up the time aboard. You get salt water, sand, and a change of view instead of six straight hours on the same deck. At the same time, do not expect every stop to be secluded. Popular beaches can attract other boats, and one possible stop near Maho is valued for its airport views rather than solitude.

Lunch, Snacks, and the Floating Bar

Food is included, and the barbecue-style buffet gives the day enough substance for a long outing. The main spread includes barbecue chicken, barbecue ribs, island rice, potato salad, Caesar salad, Gouda cheese, and French baguettes.

Snacks are also provided, including small baguette sandwiches with turkey ham, Gouda, lettuce, and tomatoes, along with tuna salad and a vegetarian option. Vegetarian food is available, but you should advise the operator about dietary needs when booking rather than waiting until you board.

The drinks are part of the value. The open bar includes rum punch made with Mount Gay rum, vodka, gin, tonic, sodas, Coors Light, and Carib beer. Some departures also include attentive bar service, with crew members keeping drinks moving and checking on passengers throughout the day.

The open bar changes the character of the outing. For many people, it creates a relaxed, social Caribbean party. For others, unlimited alcohol can make a busy boat feel louder and less comfortable. If you prefer a quiet sail, the timing of your booking and the expected group size matter as much as the route.

The food has generally been a highlight, with enough choice for a mixed group. It is casual boat lunch rather than restaurant dining, but barbecue, rice, salads, cheese, and bread are a sensible match for a day of swimming.

Crew Service Makes the Difference

The crew has a large role in how this experience feels. Captains and crew members named in passenger accounts include Josh, James, Tamara, Fritz, Tyrell, Alan, Malina, Marina, Charlie, Matias, Lynne, Christopher, and others. Names and crew assignments can change, but the pattern is clear: the best departures are powered by attentive hosting.

Crew members have been praised for learning names, keeping drinks filled, helping with snorkeling gear, and checking on passengers throughout the day. Tamara, in particular, has been recognized for combining cooking, bartending, hosting, and personal care. Other crew members have helped passengers with injuries, seasickness, and trouble in the water.

That last point matters. The boat is not simply a floating buffet. The crew watches the swimming areas and provides assistance when someone gets into difficulty. You should still be a capable swimmer or tell the crew if you need help, but the presence of trained, attentive staff adds comfort.

Service can be harder to maintain when the boat is full. With one ladder and many people moving between the water, beach transfer, lunch, and bar, some time may be spent waiting your turn. This is a practical limitation of a shared catamaran, not a flaw unique to this trip.

Is $132.08 a Fair Price?

At $132.08 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the full package. You are paying for roughly six hours on the water, multiple swim or beach stops, snorkeling gear and instruction, a buffet lunch, snacks, unlimited drinks, and the boat itself.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, equipment rental, and a beach transfer. Families and groups can also appreciate having food and nonalcoholic drinks covered from the start.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet sail or a small, private group. The advertised maximum of 50 people means the experience can be crowded, and a full boat may make snorkeling less appealing. You are also paying for an open bar that you might barely use.

Parking is not included. Secure parking is available for $2 per hour. Round-trip private transportation is also not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Bobby’s Marina. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a social, all-inclusive day on the water rather than a specialized snorkeling tour. It works well for couples, families with older children, adult groups, and cruise passengers with a full port day.

The range of ages can be broad. One group included children as young as nine and adults into their seventies, and the boat’s shaded seats, toilets, lunch, and gentle beach options help make that possible. You still need to be comfortable boarding a boat and getting in and out of the water.

This is also a good choice for first-time snorkelers. Instruction and equipment are included, and you can swim without snorkeling if that suits you better. Someone with an injury may still enjoy the views from the boat, although you should tell the crew about any physical limits.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet, low-capacity sailing, guaranteed clear water, or a serious reef experience. I would also think twice if the idea of an open-bar party boat bothers you. The trip can feel personal with a smaller departure, but it can feel crowded when capacity is high.

Practical Details Before You Book

The tour lasts about six hours and starts at 10 a.m. It returns to Bobby’s Marina, so you do not need to arrange a different pickup point.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes. The boat provides shade, but you will still spend time in open sun on the trampoline and during beach stops. Fresh water is available for rinsing, but the supplied information does not specify towel service, so bring one unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Tell Eagle Tours about vegetarian meals or other dietary requirements at booking. Also provide complete cruise ship timing if you are visiting on a port call. Weather can change the route, and alternate stops may be chosen for safety and comfort.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Less than 24 hours before departure, the payment is not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.

Should You Book It?

Book this catamaran if you want a well-fed, well-watered day that mixes sailing, snorkeling, beach time, and easy social fun. The crew service, generous food, and included drinks give it strong value, especially for a first visit to St. Maarten or a cruise stop.

Go in with realistic expectations. The snorkeling may be excellent or merely pleasant, the route can change, and the boat may carry many passengers. If you accept those limits, this is a practical way to see several parts of the island from the water without arranging every detail yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins at Eagle Tours, Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately six hours and returns to Bobby’s Marina.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes barbecue chicken, barbecue ribs, island rice, potato salad, Caesar salad, Gouda cheese, and French baguettes. Snacks are also provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks are included, including rum punch, vodka, gin, tonic, sodas, Coors Light, and Carib beer.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and instruction are included.

What beaches and snorkeling spots might the tour visit?

Possible stops include Little Bay, Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Long Beach, and Happy Bay. Alternate stops may be selected according to weather conditions.

Can cruise ship passengers book this excursion?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.