Tropical Catamaran Snorkeling, Sailing And Beach Experience

Trade the beach crowds for the water. This six-hour catamaran trip from Bobby’s Marina combines several swims, beach stops, a barbecue lunch, and an open bar in one easy day. I especially like the short ride to Little Bay and the chance to use a dinghy to reach shore without swimming all the way. The crew, including captains and hosts such as Josh, James, Tamara, Fritz, and Tyrell, receives especially warm praise for attentive service.

I also like that snorkeling gear, instruction, shade, toilets, snacks, and fresh water are included. The main caution is group size: the boat can carry up to 50 people, so this may feel like a lively party cruise rather than a quiet small-group sail. Snorkeling visibility can also change with weather and water conditions.

Key details to know before booking

• Little Bay is only about 15 minutes from the marina, making it a quick first swim and a useful spot for snorkeling instruction.
• The route changes with the weather, with possible stops at Little Bay, Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Long Beach, and Happy Bay.
• A barbecue buffet and open bar are included, along with snacks, soft drinks, beer, spirits, and rum punch.
• The catamaran has a front trampoline and shaded seating, so you can choose between sun, shade, and a comfortable place near the bar.
• The advertised maximum is 50 people, but the feel can vary greatly depending on the day and the number of bookings.
• Cruise ship passengers can walk from the pier to Bobby’s Marina, but they must provide ship and port timing when booking.

Setting out from Bobby’s Marina at 10 a.m.

The day begins at Eagle Tours’ dock at Bobby’s Marina, located at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. Departure is scheduled for 10 a.m., and the trip returns to the same marina after about six hours.

This meeting point is useful for cruise ship passengers because it is close to the cruise pier. Several people have described the walk as short and manageable, though you should still allow enough time to leave your ship, reach the marina, and check in. The tour does not provide round-trip bus transportation, so visitors staying elsewhere need to arrange their own way to the dock.

Secure parking is available for $2 per hour. That is a modest extra cost, but it is not included in the tour price.

The catamaran used for the trip is called Too Rhum Punch. It has a large trampoline at the front, shaded seating toward the rear, a bar near the captain, two electric toilets, and a fresh-water shower. These details matter on a six-hour outing. You are not simply sitting on a hard bench between stops, though the reports about seating are mixed. Some people found the boat comfortable, while one unhappy account described a crowded vessel with limited padding.

The listed price is $132.08 per person. That is not a bargain beach excursion, but the value improves once you add up what is covered: a full lunch, snacks, unlimited drinks, snorkeling equipment, instruction, several water stops, and the services of a crew for most of the day. You are paying for convenience as much as for the sailing itself.

Little Bay makes an easy first swim

The catamaran sails along St. Maarten’s leeward coast, the calmer side of the island. Little Bay is often the first or final stop, and it is only about 15 minutes from the dock.

This short run is helpful if you are eager to get in the water. The crew hands out snorkeling gear and offers instruction or assistance to first-time snorkelers. If you have never used a mask and snorkel, this is a less intimidating place to get comfortable than a remote stop reached after a long sail.

The snorkeling quality can vary. Some people saw angel fish and schools of tropical fish, especially when fish were fed near an established habitat. Others found the water murky and saw few fish. That difference is probably tied to weather, water movement, visibility, and how crowded the area is on a particular day.

I would treat Little Bay as a pleasant chance to swim and snorkel, not as a guaranteed reef adventure. If the water is cloudy, you can still enjoy the bay from the boat. One person who could not snorkel because of a shoulder injury said the water was clear enough to see fish from onboard, but that will not be true every day.

The crew’s role is important here. Several named crew members, including Captain Josh, Captain JP, James, Tamara, Malina, Fritz, and Tyrell, have been praised for helping people in the water, checking on passengers, and keeping the mood relaxed. One account even described a crew member assisting an adult who was having trouble in the water. You should still be a confident swimmer or tell the crew if you need help.

Sailing between beaches and snorkeling spots

After Little Bay, the boat heads farther out with the wind behind it. This is the part of the trip when you can settle into the rhythm of the catamaran, enjoy the views, and choose your preferred place onboard.

The front trampoline is the obvious sunbathing spot. It is good for stretching out and watching the bow rise over the water, but it offers little protection from the sun. The rear seating has shade and is a better choice if you burn easily, want to stay near the bar, or prefer a quieter place to sit.

The route may include Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Long Beach, and Happy Bay. The exact order and number of stops depend on the day’s weather and sea conditions. That flexibility is sensible. The leeward coast is generally calmer, but the boat can still become wavy while underway, and the crew may substitute another stop when conditions change.

At one beach stop, you can take a noodle and float toward shore. A dinghy can tender you to the beach if you would rather not swim the full distance, though this service depends on weather. That small transfer option makes the trip more workable for people who want a beach break but are not strong swimmers.

Do not expect every stop to offer the same thing. One may be best for snorkeling, another for white sand and shallow water, and another for watching aircraft near the airport. One reported itinerary included a beach with striking blue water and another stop where planes could be watched. The variety keeps the day moving, but it also means the trip is not built around one pristine, secluded beach.

Lunch, snacks, and the floating bar

The crew prepares a barbecue-style buffet while the boat is anchored. The planned spread includes barbecue chicken, barbecue ribs, island rice, potato salad, Caesar salad, Gouda cheese, and French baguettes.

There are also mini baguette sandwiches with turkey ham and Gouda, lettuce and tomatoes, tuna salad, or a vegetarian filling. Vegetarian meals are available, but you should mention dietary needs when booking rather than waiting until boarding.

Food quality has been one of the most praised parts of the outing. Several people called the lunch good or delicious, and one group specifically noted that a vegan option was provided. The serving style also works well on a boat because you can eat when you are ready instead of stopping at a restaurant and losing beach time.

The bar is open throughout the day. Included drinks cover Mount Gay rum punch, vodka, gin, tonic, sodas, Coors Light, and Carib beer, along with other alcoholic beverages listed as part of the open bar. Snacks are served before or around lunch, helping fill the gaps between swimming and the main meal.

The open bar changes the character of the outing. For some people, the steady rum punch and friendly service are a major part of the fun. For others, a boat with unlimited alcohol can become noisy, especially when the vessel is full. If you want a quiet sailing lesson or a serious wildlife-focused snorkeling trip, this may not be the right match.

The crew has received exceptional praise for remembering names, keeping drinks topped up, and noticing small needs. Tamara, in particular, has been singled out for personal attention, including remembering a passenger’s birthday and making that person feel special throughout the day. That service can turn a standard boat trip into a more social, welcoming experience.

How crowded will the catamaran feel?

This is the most important point to understand before paying. The trip is described as a small-group experience, but the maximum capacity is 50 people. That is not a small group in the intimate sense.

On quieter departures, the boat may feel comfortable. One group of 17 people plus three crew members reportedly had plenty of room, and another family group of 11 enjoyed an organized day. But a full or nearly full departure can feel very different. One negative account described more than 50 people onboard, crowded snorkeling areas, and long waits around the ladder, food, and drinks.

The discrepancy does not mean one side is wrong. It means the atmosphere depends heavily on the date and passenger count. You should book this as a social catamaran cruise with a possible party feel, not as a private charter.

At the snorkeling stops, crowding can extend beyond your own boat. Popular bays may have several vessels in the same area, with many people looking at the same fish. If solitude is your main goal, ask the operator about expected capacity and current stop choices before booking.

Who will enjoy this six-hour outing?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several activities bundled into one day. It works especially well for couples, families, groups of friends, and cruise passengers who want a complete St. Maarten water experience without arranging separate snorkeling, beach, lunch, and transport plans.

Families with different activity levels can also make it work. Strong swimmers can snorkel or swim toward shore, while others can stay onboard, use a noodle, or take the dinghy when available. The age range reported onboard has included children as young as nine and adults in their seventies, though each person should judge their own comfort with boat movement and swimming.

The excursion is also a good fit if crew service matters to you. The strongest praise is not just for the scenery. It is for crew members who keep checking on people, help with equipment, serve food and drinks, and respond quickly when someone feels unwell or needs assistance.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, refined sailing day. The open bar, music, and possible full capacity can produce a lively atmosphere. I would also lower expectations if your main goal is excellent snorkeling. Some stops may be clear and full of fish, while others may be cloudy or crowded.

Practical timing, weather, and cancellation advice

The tour begins at 10 a.m. and lasts roughly six hours, ending back at Bobby’s Marina. Because the schedule includes several stops and a meal, you should plan to spend nearly the entire middle of your day on the water.

Weather has a direct effect on the experience. The operator may change the route or choose alternate stops when conditions require it. That can mean missing a preferred beach, but it is the sensible choice for safety and comfort.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Cruise ship passengers need to provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time when booking. This is important because the boat returns to the marina, but the tour operator cannot control delays getting off or back onto your ship.

Should you book the Too Rhum Punch?

Book it if you want a full, easygoing day on the water with food, drinks, beach time, and several chances to swim. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of included extras and warm crew service. At $132.08, the price is reasonable for a six-hour outing if you plan to use the lunch, open bar, snorkeling gear, and beach stops.

Before booking, accept two limits: capacity can reach 50 people, and snorkeling conditions are not guaranteed. If you are happy with a lively group cruise and flexible stops, this is a strong St. Maarten option. If you want quiet water, a private boat, or uncrowded reef snorkeling, spend more for a smaller charter instead.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

It 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 experience lasts approximately six hours and ends back at 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.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is included with rum punch, vodka, gin, tonic, sodas, Coors Light, Carib beer, and other listed alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and instruction are included.

Can the tour route change?

Yes. Alternate stops may be selected according to weather conditions. If poor weather cancels the entire experience, you can receive a different date or a full refund.