Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

A full day at sea beats a crowded beach. This private catamaran charter gives your group a relaxed way to see St. Maarten, with Captain Mike handling the route and Elmira keeping the food and drinks moving. I like the private boat setting and the generous mix of snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, and swimming. I also like that lunch is cooked aboard, with charcoal-grilled chicken, salads, bread, garlic dip, and a vegetarian Beyond Burger option.

The main point to consider is the price. At $1,700 for up to eight people, the cost is much easier to justify with a full group than with only two or three people. You should also expect the route to change with the weather, and the service charge is not included.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group gets the catamaran to itself, with no strangers sharing the day.
• Two main water stops: Long Bay offers snorkeling and beach time, while Little Bay brings a submarine, shipwreck, helicopter, and marine life.
• Lunch is more than a boxed meal: The onboard charcoal barbecue includes chicken, salads, French bread, garlic dip, and a vegetarian choice.
• Open bar throughout the day: Drinks include beer, rum punch, mimosas, rum, vodka, mixed drinks, soda, juice, and water.
• Captain-led island stories: Captain Mike provides background on the coast, local places, and the sea life you may see.
• Bring the small essentials: Pack towels and non-spray sunscreen, and budget separately for the service charge.

Starting at AzianaBobby’s Marina

The day begins at AzianaBobby’s Marina at number 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The meeting point is off a main road, which makes it easier to find than a remote beach launch. The activity ends back at the same marina.

There is no private transportation included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina. The location is near public transportation, but the information does not specify a hotel pickup service. If you are staying elsewhere on the island, leave enough time to reach Philipsburg before the scheduled departure.

Once aboard, you receive a safety briefing. This covers the boat, life jackets, the bathroom, and basic instructions for the day. That short talk matters on a moving vessel, especially if your group includes children or anyone new to sailing.

The crew also explains how the day works. You can take part in the water activities, relax on the beach, or simply stay aboard with a drink. You are not pushed into snorkeling or paddleboarding, which makes the charter work well for a mixed group.

Coffee and croissants are served early. It is a useful touch because the first stop comes after a period of cruising, and not everyone arrives ready for a full lunch. From there, the open bar is available throughout the day.

Cruising the coast with Captain Mike

The cruise toward the first stop is part sightseeing trip and part informal island lesson. Captain Mike shares local information and practical tips while the boat follows the coast. The exact route can change when wind, waves, or other weather conditions make a planned destination unsuitable.

That flexibility is worth keeping in mind. A sailing day is not a fixed bus route, and the trip may spend more time along the Dutch coast if conditions prevent a visit to Pinel or Tintamarre. One day described by a passenger followed that pattern, with the food, drinks, and beach time still forming the heart of the outing.

The private format gives Captain Mike room to adjust the day to your group. You might want more swimming, extra time on the beach, or a quieter period on deck. The supplied details do not promise a set sailing speed or a specific number of miles, so think of this as a relaxed island cruise rather than a race around St. Maarten.

The boat has a bathroom, and life jackets are available. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting gear separately. You should still bring your own towel and non-spray sunscreen. Spray sunscreen can create a slippery deck and may not be allowed aboard.

Long Bay for snorkeling and beach time

The first main stop is Long Bay. Before you enter the water, the crew gives a short explanation of the snorkeling equipment and what sea life you may see. Turtles are specifically mentioned, though sightings are never guaranteed.

At Long Bay, you can snorkel, swim, paddleboard, or relax on the beach. That mix is one of the best features of the charter. A group does not have to act as one unit, so an enthusiastic snorkeler can head into the water while someone else enjoys the sand or stays aboard.

You should expect the stop to feel active but unhurried. The catamaran provides a stable base between activities, and the included gear means you can decide on the day how much time you want in the water. If you have never snorkeled before, the equipment briefing helps, but the tour information does not promise formal instruction or a dedicated snorkeling guide.

The beach option also makes Long Bay useful for families and mixed-age groups. Children can swim or try the paddleboard while adults choose a quieter break. Anyone with limited comfort in open water can remain aboard or enjoy the shore, subject to the conditions of the day.

Weather can affect this stop. The advertised destinations may change, so you should treat Long Bay as a planned highlight rather than an absolute guarantee. That is normal for a water-based excursion, but it is important if you are booking mainly for one particular beach or snorkeling area.

Lunch from the onboard charcoal grill

While you are in the water or on the beach, Elmira prepares lunch aboard the catamaran. The menu includes marinated chicken breast cooked on a charcoal barbecue, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.

This is a strong part of the experience because the meal is prepared during the stop rather than handed out as a prepacked snack. Once everyone returns to the boat, lunch is served. The menu covers several common needs without turning the meal into a complicated restaurant service.

The gluten-free pasta salad is a useful option, but the information does not say that the full meal is gluten-free or that the boat can handle every allergy. If you have a serious food allergy or a strict dietary requirement, contact the operator before booking. The vegetarian choice is clearly included, which is reassuring for a mixed group.

Snacks continue through the day. Fresh melon is listed among the later offerings, along with other light bites. Coffee and croissants begin the morning, while lunch gives you a substantial break from the water.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Elmira is repeatedly singled out for homemade, fresh, and delicious cooking, while the drinks and attentive service add to the sense of a hosted meal rather than a simple boat excursion. You should still remember that the service charge is extra.

Little Bay and its unusual underwater sights

Another snorkeling stop brings you to Little Bay. The area is described as having a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and sea life. That gives the stop a different character from Long Bay, with more unusual objects to look for beneath the surface.

The submarine and helicopter add visual interest for people who want more than a standard reef swim. The exact visibility and access to these sights depend on water conditions, and the supplied information does not promise that every object will be clearly visible on every departure.

Little Bay also offers another chance to swim, snorkel, or relax. If you prefer not to enter the water, the catamaran remains a comfortable place to enjoy the coast and the open bar. That choice is important because a seven-hour outing can feel long if every stop requires strenuous activity.

The sea life is part of the appeal, but this is not presented as a specialist marine biology trip. Captain Mike shares stories and points out what you may encounter, giving the water stops more context without making the day feel like a classroom.

Drinks, snacks, and the open-bar setup

The open bar is available all day. Listed choices include mimosas, rum punch, beers, sodas, rum, vodka, water, juices, and mixed drinks. The range suits a group with different tastes, and nonalcoholic drinks are included for children or anyone taking a break from alcohol.

The open bar is a convenience, not a reason to ignore the heat. You still need to drink water, use sunscreen, and pace yourself. Seven hours in the sun can catch up with you, especially when rum punch and other cocktails are readily available.

The captain and host are described as attentive, with Elmira frequently offering drinks and snacks. That personal service is a central part of the charter. You are not left to find your own supplies or guess when food will appear.

At the same time, an open bar does not mean every premium brand or cocktail is included. The supplied details list the types of drinks but do not specify brands. If that matters to you, ask before booking.

How the private format changes the day

A private charter is not simply a smaller group tour. It lets your party set a more comfortable rhythm. You can spend more time snorkeling, allow children extra time with a paddleboard, or take a quiet pause without waiting for a large crowd to reassemble.

The group limit is eight people. At the full capacity, the cost works out to $212.50 per person before the service charge. That is a reasonable comparison point for a private, full-day boat with lunch, gear, snacks, and drinks included.

For two people, the same $1,700 price becomes much harder to defend unless privacy and personal service are your top priorities. A couple who wants a private day may still find the convenience worthwhile, but a shared sailing would likely cost less. For a family or group of friends, the arithmetic is much friendlier.

The atmosphere is also more personal than a large excursion. Captain Mike and Elmira are named as the main hosts, and their warm, attentive approach is a repeated strength. One child even enjoyed helping Captain Mike steer the boat, though you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of every departure.

The private setup does not remove all limits. Weather can alter the route, the boat still has a finite amount of space, and the day is spent on the water for roughly seven hours. If you need a quick outing with a fixed schedule, this is not the best match.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would choose this charter for a group that wants a full day outdoors without having to organize each piece separately. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and anyone who values a private setting.

It is especially useful for groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can sit on the beach, and someone else can enjoy lunch and conversation on deck. The included equipment and food also reduce the number of details you need to arrange yourself.

The trip may not suit someone who dislikes boats, strong sun, open water, or changing plans. It is also not the best value for a very small group unless a private boat is essential. The destination may change because of weather, so you need to be comfortable with the experience being shaped by the sea.

The activity is described as disability-friendly, and service animals are allowed. Still, the available details do not explain boarding conditions, deck access, or how water activities can be adapted. If mobility access is important to you, ask the operator for the exact arrangements before paying.

Practical details before you book

Confirmation arrives at booking, and cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time.

Bring a towel and non-spray sunscreen. You may also want a dry bag for small personal items, though one is not listed as included. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to rent that separately.

The activity starts and ends at AzianaBobby’s Marina. Private transportation is not included, so plan your route to Philipsburg in advance. The marina is near public transportation, but no pickup from hotels is listed.

The service charge or gratuity is separate from the $1,700 charter price. Add that cost to your budget before comparing the charter with other options.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran if you have a group of up to eight and want privacy, attentive hosting, a real lunch, and a flexible day on the water. The strongest reasons are Elmira’s hands-on service, Captain Mike’s island commentary, the included open bar, and the ability to mix snorkeling with beach time.

Think twice if your party is small, your budget is tight, or you need one exact destination guaranteed. Weather can change the route, and the service charge is extra.

For a full group, I think the value is strong. You get a seven-hour private outing, meals, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a crew that treats the day as a hosted experience rather than a simple boat transfer.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran charter?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private charter accommodates up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Where does the experience begin and end?

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

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 alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks such as beers, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, mixed drinks, sodas, water, and juices.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. You should bring your own towel. Non-spray sunscreen is also requested.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. Destinations may vary due to weather conditions.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Private transportation is not included, although the marina is near public transportation.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund.