Private Full-Day Catamaran Sailing Charter in St Maarten

Set sail before the island wakes up. This private catamaran charter gives you a full eight hours on the water, with snorkeling at Creole Rock, a stop at La Samanna, and time at Tintamarre Island for swimming and a beach lunch. I like the freedom to shape the day around your group, and I like that food, drinks, water equipment, and a barbecue lunch are included rather than added one charge at a time. The main consideration is the price: at $2,800 per group, this makes the most sense when you can fill much of the boat.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being accommodating and patient. Louise and Tonya are specifically named for making one trip easy and enjoyable, while another group praised the captain and mate for giving them a day they would happily repeat. The boat is described as stable, with space in both sun and shade, but you should confirm the maximum group size before booking if your party is larger than 15.

Key points at a glance

• Full island route: Cruise around St Maarten and St Martin, seeing coastal sections that cannot be reached by road.
• Creole Rock snorkeling: Stop at one of the island’s top sites for fish, with masks and other equipment supplied.
• Tintamarre Island: Swim, look for turtles, and enjoy a Caribbean BBQ lunch beside a striking beach.
• Private group format: Only your party takes part, so the day can be adjusted to suit your pace and interests.
• Open bar included: Beer, rum, rum punch, vodka, gin, whisky, soda, tea, coffee, and water are provided.
• Water toys ready to use: Snorkel gear, a stand-up paddle board, and trolling fishing rods are included.

Why this charter works well for a full day

A private boat day can either feel wonderfully relaxed or strangely overplanned. This one has the right basic shape: several scenic stops, real sailing time, a good meal, and plenty of room to decide how active you want to be.

The advertised route runs from Simpson Bay around St Maarten and St Martin. You are not simply transported to one beach and returned. You get a broad view of the coast from the water, including areas that remain out of sight from the island’s roads. That makes the route worthwhile even for people who already know the main beaches.

I like that the boat is private. You do not need to match the timetable or energy level of strangers. Families can spend more time swimming, while a group of friends might prefer longer stretches under sail with drinks and music-free conversation. The exact balance remains flexible, which is one of the strongest reasons to choose this over a standard shared cruise.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. at 88 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay. It returns to the same meeting point after roughly eight hours. Since there is no separate hotel transfer listed, you need to arrange your own way to the marina area and arrive ready for a full day outside.

Leaving Simpson Bay for the open water

Simpson Bay is the practical starting point for a route around the island. Once you are aboard, the day can shift between engine-powered movement, proper sailing, swimming stops, and time at anchor.

The catamaran is described as extremely stable and handled by experienced, licensed captains. That matters if your group includes people who are unsure about boats. It does not remove the usual effects of wind and waves, but a catamaran generally gives you a broad platform and a choice between sun and shade.

I would plan to spend the first part of the day getting comfortable with the boat rather than rushing into every activity. The crew can explain the available equipment, and you can decide how much time your group wants to give to snorkeling, paddle boarding, fishing, or simply watching the coastline move past.

The open bar is also available throughout the day. Included drinks cover beer, rum, rum punch, vodka, gin, whisky, soda, coffee, tea, and bottled water. That is convenient, but you should still keep water intake in mind, especially with a full day in the sun and alcohol available.

La Samanna and the western coast

La Samanna is one of the early highlights on the route. The stop gives you a chance to see the western side of the island from the water, where the view is very different from an inland drive.

The appeal here is less about checking off a single attraction and more about seeing how the coastline changes as the boat moves around it. You get access to water-level views of coves, beaches, and shorelines that are difficult or impossible to appreciate from land.

Because this is a private outing, you can ask the crew how long the stop will last and how it fits with the day’s conditions. Wind and sea conditions can affect the order of stops, so it is best to think of the route as a plan rather than a rigid schedule.

La Samanna also helps break up the day. After the initial sailing, you have a scenic point to pause before the main snorkeling and Tintamarre portions of the trip.

Creole Rock snorkeling and the equipment provided

Creole Rock is presented as St Maarten’s number one snorkeling site for fish. The tour supplies snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring masks, fins, or related gear unless you prefer using your own.

This stop is likely to be the most active water portion of the day. You can get in for a look around, then return to the boat when you are ready. The supplied paddle board gives you another way to enjoy the water if everyone in your group does not want to snorkel.

The equipment list also includes fishing rods for trolling. That does not mean a catch is guaranteed, but it gives interested members of your group something to try while others swim or rest.

I like this mix because it prevents the day from becoming a single-activity excursion. You can snorkel for an hour, paddle for a while, try trolling, or stay aboard with a drink. A private boat works best when the group has different ideas about what counts as fun.

A practical point: snorkeling conditions depend on the weather. If the sea is rough or visibility is poor, the experience may feel different from the ideal plan. The operator requires good weather and offers another date or a full refund if poor conditions force a cancellation.

Tintamarre Island, turtles, and a beach lunch

Tintamarre Island is the major destination on the route. The island provides time to swim, look for turtles, and enjoy a beach setting before the return sail to Simpson Bay.

This stop adds a change of pace. Instead of spending the entire day on the catamaran, you get a chance to reach shore and enjoy the beach itself. The combination of turtles, swimming, and a Caribbean meal gives the stop a clear sense of occasion.

The lunch is a hot BBQ served with salads. Snacks, Gouda cheese, fresh baguette, bottled water, and drinks are also included across the day. The food offering is more substantial than a simple packet lunch, which matters when you are outside for eight hours.

I would expect the meal to be served according to the day’s schedule and conditions rather than at a fixed restaurant-style hour. Your crew can coordinate lunch around the Tintamarre stop, swimming, and the return route.

Tintamarre is also where the private format has real value. Some people can swim and search for turtles, while others can stay near the boat or beach and take a slower break. A group does not need to move as one person from one activity to the next.

The return sail to Simpson Bay

After Tintamarre Island, the route returns toward Simpson Bay. This is the part of the day when the pace often feels more relaxed. You have already seen the main stops, eaten lunch, and used as much of the equipment as you like.

The return gives you another chance to sail properly rather than simply ride between anchorages. The description emphasizes cruising and sailing, so this is not only a motorized sightseeing trip with a catamaran used as a floating platform.

The full circuit is valuable because it shows both the French and Dutch sides of the island from offshore. You get a sense of how the coast connects, and you see sections that remain inaccessible or hard to view from the road.

By the time you reach the meeting point again, the eight-hour duration will have made this a central part of your day, not a short add-on. I would avoid scheduling another demanding activity afterward.

Food, drinks, and what the price includes

The $2,800 group price covers up to 15 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $187 per person. With 10 people, the equivalent is $280 each, and with only six people, it is about $467 each.

That calculation is the key to judging value. For a large family, wedding party, or group of friends, the cost can be reasonable because it includes a private boat, crew, lunch, snacks, open bar, water, and equipment for the entire day. For a small group, the same charter becomes a major splurge.

The open bar is useful because you do not need to plan a separate drinks bill. Beer, spirits, rum punch, soda, coffee, tea, and bottled water are listed as included. The meal also includes a hot BBQ with salads, while Gouda cheese and fresh baguette add something to eat before or between the main stops.

I would still clarify any preferences with the operator before departure. The food is described as a BBQ lunch and the drinks are listed clearly, but the supplied information does not specify menu choices, dietary substitutions, or children’s meal options.

How private is the experience?

Only your group participates, which gives you more control than a shared cruise. You can discuss how much time to spend at each stop, and the crew can adjust the day around the group’s interests and the conditions on the water.

This flexibility is particularly helpful for mixed-age parties. Children must be accompanied by an adult, while adults may want more time with the open bar or sailing. The stable boat and experienced captains should help nervous passengers feel more at ease, although anyone who is uncomfortable on open water should consider that an eight-hour trip is a long commitment.

The crew’s people skills are a major part of the appeal. Louise and Tonya are praised for being accommodating, and another party gave high marks to the captain and mate for their attitude and help. A separate account describes a large family outing where the crew showed guidance and patience. The advertised capacity is 15, so if your party approaches or exceeds that number, get written confirmation before paying.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is 88 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay, with a 9:00 a.m. start and a return to the same location. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

A mobile ticket is provided. The tour operates in good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions comes with either another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Service animals may be allowed with prior approval. Wheelchairs can reach the boat, but cannot be used onboard. The operator says this has been managed successfully several times, so it is worth discussing your exact needs in advance.

Bring the usual sun protection and clothing suitable for a day around water, although specific packing requirements are not provided. Since shade is available, you can move out of the sun when needed.

Who will get the most from this boat day?

I would recommend this charter most strongly to a group that wants privacy and can share the cost. It suits families, reunions, birthday groups, and friends who want a full island experience without splitting up.

It is also a good choice for people who want more than a beach stop. You get snorkeling, paddle boarding, fishing equipment, sailing, coastal sightseeing, swimming, turtles, and a BBQ in one day.

I would be more cautious if you have only two or three people, since the group price can become hard to justify. I would also think twice if your main goal is a short, quiet sail. Eight hours is a full program, and the value comes from using several parts of it.

The tour has a 5 out of 5 rating from 97 reviews and a 99 percent recommendation rate. The praise centers on the crew, flexibility, stability of the boat, lunch, and the pleasure of spending an entire day together on the water.

Should you book this St Maarten catamaran charter?

Book it if you can fill the boat, want a private day, and like having choices once you are on the water. The route combines Creole Rock, La Samanna, Tintamarre Island, snorkeling, turtles, sailing, and a BBQ without making you organize each part separately.

Before booking, confirm your group size, food needs, and accessibility arrangements. If your party is near 15 people, the per-person cost becomes much more attractive. For a small group, compare the price with shorter shared cruises before committing.

For the right group, this is less a simple boat ride than a complete island day: move, swim, eat, sail, and slow down when the water looks too good to leave.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

It starts at 88 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten.

What time does the experience begin?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour price is for a group of up to 15 people. If your group is larger, confirm availability and capacity with the operator before booking.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a hot BBQ lunch with salads, snacks, Gouda cheese, fresh baguette, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, and an open bar with beer, rum, rum punch, vodka, gin, and whisky.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.