Luxury Private Full-Day Catamaran Charter in St Maarten & Saint-Martin

A private boat makes the island feel much bigger. This St. Maarten charter gives your group its own catamaran, a full day on the water, several possible beach and snorkeling stops, and a crew focused on food and service. I like the freedom to adjust the route and the fact that the price includes breakfast, appetizers, a four-course lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, and two paddleboards. I also like the choice between a seven-hour and nine-hour outing.

The main consideration is price: at $770 per person, this is not a casual boat ride. It makes the most sense for families, couples traveling together, or a group willing to share the cost of a private charter. Weather and sea conditions can change the route, and one isolated review reported a late crew and an unhappy experience with the captain, so you should keep expectations flexible.

Quick points before you book

• Two routes and two time lengths: Choose a seven-hour St. Maarten itinerary or a nine-hour route that reaches Tintamarre Island.
• A serious food program: French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, coffee, appetizers, and a four-course gourmet lunch are included.
• Private space only: Your group has the catamaran to itself, with shaded areas, bathrooms, storage, and room to spread out.
• Water time is built in: Snorkeling and fishing equipment, plus two paddleboards, are supplied.
• Open bar all day: Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are included, so you do not need to pack a cooler.
• Book ahead: The average booking time is 54 days, which matters during busy holiday periods and cruise ship dates.

What this charter is really selling

This is less about checking off one beach after another and more about controlling your day on the water. A shared catamaran can be fun, but you usually follow a fixed schedule with people you have never met. Here, your group can enjoy the boat at its own pace, ask questions, request music, and spend more time swimming or relaxing if conditions allow.

The catamaran is the main attraction. It offers plenty of shade, comfortable places to sit, bathrooms, storage bins, and indoor areas. One detailed account also praised the Bluetooth system, which lets your group connect music or make requests. That small feature matters if your idea of a good day includes a relaxed playlist, a birthday celebration, or an impromptu dance party.

The crew has about 15 years of experience in the area. Names that appear in the available feedback include Alois, Benjamin, Ben, Georgia, Sylvia, Paula, Cami, and Daniella. The exact crew can vary, but service is a major part of the product. You are not simply renting a boat and finding your own way around.

Choosing between seven and nine hours

The nine-hour option begins at 8:30 a.m. and returns at about 5:30 p.m. It is the fuller island circuit, with sailing around St. Maarten and Saint-Martin and stops planned for Long Bay, La Samana, Happy Bay, and Tintamarre Island. The description says you might have the chance to swim with turtles and stingrays.

The seven-hour option begins at 9:30 a.m. and returns at about 4:30 p.m. It follows the St. Maarten shore, with stops at Mullet Bay, Long Bay, La Samana, and Divi Little Bay. It gives you a shorter day while still allowing time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, food, and sailing.

I would choose the nine-hour trip if reaching Tintamarre matters to you or if you want the best chance to enjoy a broad route without feeling rushed. The seven-hour outing suits a group that wants a full day on the water but prefers a later start or a shorter commitment.

The route is not fixed in stone. Wind and sea conditions can alter the plan, and that is a sensible safety rule rather than a flaw. A previous group had poor weather and could not go around the whole island, but still visited Mullet Bay, Long Beach, and Little Bay. On a boat, a flexible itinerary is part of the deal.

Tintamarre Island, turtles, and open water

Tintamarre Island is the signature stop on the longer route. It adds a more remote feeling to the day and gives you a chance to leave the main shoreline behind. The water is described as clear, and the area can offer encounters with turtles and stingrays, though these sightings are not guaranteed.

That distinction matters. You should book this for time on the sea, not for a promise of wildlife. Marine life depends on weather, water conditions, and luck. The crew can guide you toward good spots, but no responsible operator can guarantee a turtle.

Fishing and snorkeling gear are included, so you do not have to rent equipment separately. Two paddleboards are also available. For a mixed group, this is useful: one person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can remain in the shade with a drink.

Tintamarre is also the point where the longer tour earns part of its higher time commitment. If you want more sailing and a stronger sense of getting away from the developed shore, the nine-hour route is the better pick. If you mainly want a comfortable boat, a good meal, and a few swimming stops, the seven-hour option may be enough.

Mullet Bay, Long Bay, Happy Bay, and Divi Little Bay

The shorter route visits Mullet Bay, Long Bay, La Samana, and Divi Little Bay. These stops give the day variety rather than repeating the same kind of water experience.

Mullet Bay is one of the better-known beach stops in the itinerary and has appeared in several accounts of weather-adjusted trips. Long Bay and La Samana are included on both routes, making them central to the charter’s plan. Happy Bay is reserved for the nine-hour option, while Divi Little Bay appears on the seven-hour route.

You should think of these locations as places for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and changing scenery. The boat gives you access to parts of the coast that are not practical to visit on foot in one day. It also lets you see the island from offshore, where the pace is quieter and the views open up.

The precise order and amount of time at each stop can change. Ask the crew early in the day how long you will have at each location. That helps you decide when to snorkel, when to use a paddleboard, and when simply to enjoy the shade.

Food, drinks, and the all-day rhythm

Food is one of the most praised parts of this experience. The morning begins with French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee. The itinerary also includes appetizers and a four-course gourmet lunch. That is a lot more substantial than the usual sandwich-and-chips boat outing.

Specific menus are not supplied, so do not assume a particular dish. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available on request, and food allergies can be handled with advance notice. Tell the operator before the trip, not as you board.

The open bar includes unlimited soft and alcoholic drinks. This is convenient, but it also affects the character of the day. You can enjoy cocktails without bringing supplies, but pacing yourself is wise, especially in the sun and on moving water. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a beach towel remain your responsibility.

Several accounts praise the food as restaurant quality, with one person saying it was better than the meal on a cruise ship. That is a strong endorsement, though taste is personal and menus can vary. The practical point is that meals are treated as a central part of the outing rather than an afterthought.

Crew service and the private advantage

The strongest part of the experience appears to be the attention from the crew. Alois and Benjamin are repeatedly praised for hospitality, food, and sailing. Captain Ben is described as helpful and informative, while Georgia is praised for keeping drinks available and making sure the group was comfortable.

The crew also provides information about the islands and the places you visit. One group appreciated short history lessons along the route. Another praised the captain for giving snorkeling guidance and spotting a turtle and stingray.

Private service does not mean every moment will be perfectly tailored. The crew must still balance safety, sea conditions, food service, and the needs of your group. One three-star account reported that the crew was late and that the captain did not handle the situation well, even though the food and drinks were good. That is the main negative point in an otherwise very strong collection of feedback.

The private format does give you more room to speak up. If you want more swimming time, less beach time, a quieter pace, or different music, explain that early. The more clearly your group communicates, the more useful the private arrangement becomes.

How much value do you get for $770?

At $770 per person, this is a luxury purchase. The value depends heavily on the size of your group and what you would otherwise spend on separate meals, drinks, water activities, and a shared boat trip.

You receive seven to nine hours on a private catamaran, a captain and crew, breakfast, appetizers, a four-course lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, paddleboards, and several coastal stops. If your group would use all of those features, the price can be reasonable for a special occasion.

The private boat also removes the social gamble of a shared excursion. You do not need to fit around strangers or worry about someone else’s preferred music and schedule. For a birthday, anniversary, family reunion, or adult group vacation, that privacy has real value.

Still, you should not book this simply because it has a high price and luxury wording. If you mainly want a quick swim and a few hours at sea, a shorter shared excursion may suit you better. This charter is worth the money when the boat itself, the meals, the service, and the privacy are all important.

Practical details that can make or break the day

The meeting point is Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. The charter ends back at the same meeting point. It is near public transportation, though the supplied information does not specify a hotel pickup service.

Bring a current valid passport. The operator says passport information must be checked, and this is especially important because the route can involve both the Dutch and French sides of the island.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a beach towel. The boat has plenty of shade, but you will still spend time exposed to sun when swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or sitting on a beach.

Most people can participate, but the activity remains a boat outing with water access and a moving deck. If someone in your group is prone to seasickness, mention it to the crew. One group praised the crew for offering useful suggestions for managing it.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Later cancellations and changes are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families or adult groups who want private space
• Couples traveling with friends
• Birthday and anniversary groups
• People who care as much about meals and service as swimming
• Snorkelers who want equipment and guidance included
• Visitors who dislike fixed, crowded group excursions

It may be less suitable if you are watching your budget, want a simple short cruise, or need a guaranteed wildlife encounter. It is also not ideal for anyone unwilling to accept a route change when the wind or sea makes the original plan unsafe.

My verdict on the St. Maarten charter

This is a polished, high-end day on the water with unusually strong attention to food, comfort, and service. I like that the experience combines a private boat with real choices: seven or nine hours, several possible stops, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, paddleboarding, music, shade, and an open bar.

The $770 price demands careful thought, but it includes enough to make sense for a group that will share the experience fully. Choose the nine-hour option for Tintamarre Island and more sailing. Choose seven hours if you want a shorter day focused on the St. Maarten shore.

Book it if you want the boat to be the centerpiece of your day, not just transportation between beaches. If you do, provide dietary requests in advance, bring your passport and beach towel, and keep your plans flexible. That is the best way to enjoy what this charter does well.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Bobby’s Marina.

How long is the catamaran experience?

You can choose a seven-hour tour from about 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or a nine-hour tour from about 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. Both options include breakfast items, appetizers, a four-course gourmet lunch, and unlimited soft and alcoholic drinks. Vegan and vegetarian meals can be requested.

What should I bring?

Bring a current valid passport, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a beach towel. The operator also recommends bringing these items because the boat has shade, but you will spend time in the sun during water activities.