St Maarten Luxury Catamaran Full-Day Group Charter

Start with blue water and no rush. This nine-hour catamaran trip combines small-group sailing with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, and a generous four-course meal. I like the roomy 48-foot catamaran, the maximum group size of 15, and the way the crew adjusts the route when weather changes.

I also like that the price includes far more than a boat ride: breakfast, snacks, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, and two paddleboards. The main consideration is that this is a shared charter, not automatically a private cruise, and rough seas can change the planned stops. At $245 per person, it is a serious splurge, but the all-day format and broad list of inclusions make it easier to justify.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• A full nine-hour day on the water: Depart Bobby’s Marina at 8:30 a.m. and return around 5:30 p.m.
• A 48-foot catamaran capped at 15 people: You get more room than on a small powerboat, though the boat is shared with other paying passengers.
• Food begins shortly after boarding: Expect pastries, fresh fruit, tea or coffee, followed by snacks, a four-course lunch, and a full open bar.
• Tintamarre Island is the main swimming highlight: The stop can include snorkeling and swimming near sea turtles.
• The route depends on weather: Possible stops include Happy Bay, Long Bay La Samana, Tintamarre Island, and other coastal areas.
• Bring the basics: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a beach towel are specifically important for this long day in the sun.

Boarding at Bobby’s Marina for a Full Day at Sea

The morning begins at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg, near the Greenhouse restaurant and across the little bridge. The listed meeting point is 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, and the scheduled departure is 8:30 a.m.

This early start matters. You are not simply squeezing in a short cruise between other sightseeing plans. You are committing most of the day to the boat, which gives the crew time to sail around both the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten and Saint-Martin.

The catamaran is Flagship II, a 48-foot, or roughly 15-meter, boat. A catamaran gives you two hulls and a broad deck, so you can move around more easily than you might on a narrow boat. There is plenty of shade onboard, although you should still apply sunscreen often. The Caribbean sun does not care how much shade you found.

The group limit of 15 is one of the strongest practical features. It keeps the boat from feeling packed and gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit. Still, do not confuse a small group with a private charter. You may share the boat with another family, couple, or celebration group.

Breakfast, Snacks, and a Four-Course Lunch

Food is a major part of the value here. Breakfast includes French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee, with a welcome mimosa or Bloody Mary also available. That is useful when you are leaving early and do not want to arrange a separate meal before reaching the marina.

The day continues with appetizers and snacks before the four-course gourmet lunch. Specific meals can vary, but the food described in the onboard service includes items such as guacamole and chips, cheese and crackers, vegetables with dips, chicken and vegetables with rice, and dessert. Past meals have included chicken curry and chocolate torte.

The important detail is that the food is prepared onboard. You are not being handed a prepackaged lunch and told to find a seat. The crew prepares, serves, and clears the meal while also handling the boat and helping with activities.

That does not guarantee that every menu will suit every diet. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking. If you have other dietary needs, the supplied information does not promise specific alternatives, so ask before paying.

The full open bar includes alcoholic drinks, soda, and other nonalcoholic options. Beer, wine, and local rum have been specifically described, along with mixed drinks. Pace yourself. Nine hours on the water, warm weather, swimming, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly.

Sailing Past Happy Bay and Long Bay La Samana

Stops are weather dependent, so the precise route is not fixed. Happy Bay and Long Bay La Samana are listed as possible stops, along with Tintamarre Island and other coastal areas.

Happy Bay is a scenic beach stop where you may have time to swim, relax onboard, or use the water equipment. The appeal is its quieter feel compared with some of St. Maarten’s better-known beaches. Keep in mind that the amount of time at each stop can change with wind, waves, and the captain’s safety decisions.

Long Bay La Samana adds another coastal setting to the day. You may spend part of the visit relaxing on the catamaran, swimming, snorkeling, or simply taking in the shoreline. One advantage of a boat trip like this is that you see the island from offshore instead of spending the entire day moving between roads and beaches.

The sailing itself is part of the attraction. On calmer days, you can settle into the shade or move toward the front of the catamaran for the views. On rougher days, the ride can feel much more active. One account describes the crew changing the plan because the water was too rough for the original snorkeling locations, then finding alternate places to swim and eat.

That flexibility is valuable, but it also sets a realistic expectation: you are booking a day on the sea, not a guaranteed checklist of beaches.

Tintamarre Island and the Chance to Swim Near Turtles

Tintamarre Island is the most distinctive stop listed for the trip. This uninhabited island is included as a possible destination, with time for snorkeling and swimming near sea turtles.

That combination gives the day a clear centerpiece. You are not only looking at the coastline from the deck. You can enter the water, use the provided snorkeling gear, and look for marine life in a more natural setting.

The turtle encounter is not something anyone can promise on every departure. Sea conditions, visibility, and wildlife behavior all matter. Still, this is the stop to prioritize if you care most about snorkeling and swimming.

The boat also carries fishing gear, so you can choose a quieter activity if snorkeling is not your thing. Two stand-up paddleboards are available as well. With a maximum of 15 people, access to the gear should be more manageable than on a much larger excursion, though the equipment is shared.

Bring your own towel. The boat supplies activity gear, but the practical advice specifically calls for beach towels, sunscreen, and sunglasses. You should also be comfortable getting into and out of the water. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not describe a lift or specialized water-access equipment.

Snorkeling, Fishing, and Paddleboarding Options

The best feature of this charter is choice. You can swim at every stop, snorkel for much of the day, try fishing, use a paddleboard, or remain onboard with a drink and a plate of food.

Several accounts describe the snorkeling as a highlight, including time at multiple locations. One day included close to four hours of snorkeling across three spots. That amount of water time will appeal to anyone who wants more than a quick 20-minute swim.

The gear is included, which saves you from renting equipment separately. Quality can vary by item and fit, so if you have your own mask that you trust, bringing it may still be sensible. Do not touch underwater ropes, mooring lines, or statues. One person reported a painful skin reaction after contact with an underwater rope near Little Bay, possibly from marine growth. That is a useful safety reminder even if you never visit that exact spot.

The paddleboards offer a calmer alternative to swimming. They are especially useful for people who want to be active but do not want to snorkel for hours. Fishing is also included, though the information does not specify the species, method, or amount of instruction.

The Crew: Captain Benjamin, Alois, and the Onboard Team

The crew receives unusually strong praise, especially Captain Benjamin and Alois, who are repeatedly identified by name. Georgia, Paula, Pavla, Soelle, and other crew members are also praised for preparing food, serving drinks, explaining the area, and keeping the day moving.

The service style sounds attentive without requiring you to organize the day yourself. The crew handles navigation, meals, cleanup, equipment, and safety. They also adapt when conditions change instead of forcing the original plan.

A family with children described the crew as patient and helpful, while another group appreciated the way the staff handled several infants onboard. That does not make this a children’s program, but it suggests the boat can work for families when children are comfortable spending a long day at sea.

There is one minor service concern worth noting. One account found cigarette smoke from the captain bothersome when rough water forced passengers toward the back of the boat. This may not affect every departure, but it is a fair consideration if smoke bothers you.

What $245 Buys You in Practical Terms

At $245 per person, this is more expensive than a basic half-day sail or simple beach transfer. The price starts to make sense when you add up what is included: roughly nine hours onboard, breakfast, snacks, a four-course lunch, a full open bar, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, paddleboards, crew service, and several possible coastal stops.

You are also paying for space. A 48-foot catamaran with no more than 15 people offers a more comfortable setup than an excursion boat built around a much larger crowd. The value is strongest if you plan to use the water activities and enjoy the food and drinks, rather than treating the trip as transportation between beaches.

It is less convincing for someone who wants only a short sail, dislikes group outings, or would not drink alcohol. Also remember that the shared format means you do not control the guest list. One person expected a private charter and was surprised to find another couple onboard, so read the group wording carefully before booking.

Weather, Comfort, and Small Details That Matter

The boat has plenty of shade, but you still need sun protection. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, bring sunglasses and a towel, and pack sunscreen that you will actually reapply.

Weather can alter the entire day. Rough water may prevent snorkeling at the planned locations, change the order of stops, or replace an island visit with a safer anchorage. The captain’s decision to change course is a benefit, not a failure, but you should book this with flexibility.

The trip requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If the minimum is not met, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. A current valid passport is required on the day of travel, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Charter Most

I would recommend this for couples, families, and small groups who want one polished day on the water instead of piecing together separate meals, rentals, and beach stops.

It is a particularly good fit if you want:

• Several hours for snorkeling rather than a quick swim
• A substantial meal prepared onboard
• A full bar and a social setting
• Shade, seating, and room to move around
• Flexible activities for swimmers and non-swimmers
• A smaller shared group instead of a large party boat

Families can enjoy it, and children have taken part successfully, but nine hours is a long time for a young child. Parents should consider how their children handle sun, boat motion, meals, and waiting between stops.

This is less suitable if you need a fixed schedule, guaranteed access to one particular beach, or a strictly private boat. It is also not ideal if you get seasick easily, since rough conditions are possible and the trip spends most of the day offshore.

Should You Book the Flagship II Day Charter?

Book it if you want a full-service day where the food, drinks, equipment, and route are handled for you. The combination of a small-capacity catamaran, attentive crew, strong meals, and long snorkeling time gives this outing real value at $245.

Before booking, accept two conditions: the boat is shared, and the route depends on weather. If you can live with those limits, this is one of the easiest ways to turn one day in St. Maarten into a mix of sailing, swimming, good food, and island views without constantly checking the clock.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip begin?

The trip begins at Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. The boat is located near the Greenhouse restaurant, across the little bridge.

What time does the tour depart and return?

Departure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., and the catamaran returns to the meeting point around 5:30 p.m. The total duration is approximately nine hours.

Is the charter private?

No. This is a shared charter, with a maximum of 15 participants on the 48-foot catamaran.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee. Snacks and appetizers are also provided, followed by a four-course gourmet lunch onboard.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The price includes a full open bar with alcoholic beverages, soda, and other drinks. A welcome mimosa or Bloody Mary is also offered.

Which places might the catamaran visit?

Possible stops include Happy Bay, Long Bay La Samana, Tintamarre Island, and other coastal areas around St. Maarten and Saint-Martin. Stops depend on weather conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, fishing gear, and two stand-up paddleboards are included.

Is a passport required?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of the trip. Children must also be accompanied by an adult.