Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

The sea sets the pace here. This private catamaran charter combines quiet time on the water with snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach stops, and a full lunch cooked aboard. I especially like the attentive hosting from Elmira and Captain Mike, plus the freedom to shape the day around your group. The main consideration is price: $1,700 is a serious outlay unless you can share it among several people.

For up to eight people, the cost can make sense for a special family day, couples traveling together, or a small celebration. I also like that food, snorkeling gear, and drinks are included. Just remember to bring towels, use non-spray sunscreen, and expect the route to change if wind or weather makes a planned stop unsuitable.

Key things to know before you book

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group has the catamaran to itself, with no mixed party aboard.
• Seven hours on the water: The day includes several stops, lunch, swimming, and a relaxed return to the marina.
• Elmira and Captain Mike host the day: Their attentive service and friendly approach are central to the experience.
• Lunch is cooked aboard: Expect charcoal-grilled marinated chicken, salads, bread, garlic dip, and Beyond burgers for vegetarians.
• The route can change: Tintamarre and Pinel may not be possible in rough wind, so the captain may keep you along the Dutch coast.
• Open bar is included: Drinks include water, juices, sodas, beer, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks.

Starting at AzianaBobby’s Marina in Philipsburg

The charter begins at AzianaBobby’s Marina, at 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. This is off a main road and intended to be easy to find, though private transportation to the marina is not included.

That detail matters if you are staying elsewhere on the island. You will need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, so allow time for traffic and finding the marina before the scheduled departure. The activity ends back at the same place, which keeps the day simple once you are on board.

The boat team starts with a safety briefing. You receive instructions about the catamaran, life jackets, the bathroom, and general boat use. This is useful even if you have sailed before, since each vessel has its own setup.

The tour is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. The experience is also described as disability-friendly, but it is still sensible to ask the operator about boarding and movement aboard the specific catamaran before you reserve.

Coffee, croissants, and an open bar from the start

The day begins with coffee and croissants, a small but welcome touch if you have arrived early or skipped breakfast. The open bar is available throughout the charter, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks served during the cruise.

The drink list is broad. You can expect water, juices, soft drinks, beer, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks. This works well for a celebratory day, but the best approach is to pace yourself. Seven hours in the sun, with swimming and boat movement, can make alcohol feel stronger than expected.

The catamaran then heads toward the first swimming and snorkeling area. As you cruise, Captain Mike provides information about the coastline, local history, and practical tips for the day. This gives the sailing time some purpose, rather than making it only a transfer between stops.

The tone appears to be friendly and personal. One memorable detail is that Captain Mike has let a young child help steer the boat under his supervision. That sort of interaction can make the outing especially appealing to families, though you should treat it as a possible personal touch rather than a guaranteed part of every trip.

Long Bay brings the first water stop

The first main stop is Long Bay, where the captain explains the area and the sea life you may see. Turtles are part of the expected wildlife here, though no sighting can be promised.

Before anyone enters the water, the crew gives a quick explanation of the snorkeling equipment. You can then choose how active you want to be. Snorkel, swim, use the paddleboard, relax on the beach, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

That flexibility is one of the charter’s strongest points. A private group does not have to follow one fixed pace. If two people want to swim while others prefer shade and drinks, the day can accommodate both. Families with different energy levels will find this easier than a group excursion where everyone must return to the boat at the same time.

The beach option also helps make the experience accessible to people who are not confident swimmers. Still, conditions can change, and the sea may be choppy. Anyone who plans to snorkel should be comfortable following crew instructions and using a life jacket if needed.

Lunch is more than standard boat fare

While you are swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or resting on the beach, Elmira prepares lunch aboard the catamaran. The meal is cooked over charcoal and includes marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, and French bread.

Vegetarians are offered Beyond burgers, which means a non-meat option is planned rather than improvised at the last minute. If anyone in your group has other dietary needs, contact the operator before departure. The supplied information confirms a gluten-free pasta salad and vegetarian burgers, but it does not promise a full range of allergy accommodations.

The meal is served when you return to the boat. This timing is practical: you swim first, then eat while settled back aboard. Food is repeatedly praised for being homemade, fresh, and generous, and the meal seems to be one of the reasons this charter feels more personal than a basic sightseeing cruise.

Do not expect a restaurant menu or a choice of several entrees. The strength is the fresh, informal barbecue setting. For a day at sea, that is often exactly right.

A second snorkeling stop keeps the day moving

After lunch, the boat makes another snorkeling stop. Fresh melon, snacks, and drinks are served, and Captain Mike continues sharing stories about Sint Maarten.

This second water session breaks up the afternoon and gives you another chance to see marine life if the first stop was quiet. It also lets you choose a slower rhythm after lunch. You might swim again, paddle, sit on the beach, or simply stretch out on the catamaran.

Because destinations depend on weather, the exact location is not fixed. That flexibility is important in the Caribbean. Wind can affect both comfort and safety, and a captain who changes the plan is making a sensible choice, not failing to deliver the advertised day.

One past outing could not reach Pinel and Tintamarre because of wind and instead stayed mostly along the Dutch coast. The food, drinks, and beach stops still made the day worthwhile, but you should book this for the overall sailing experience, not for a guaranteed checklist of islands.

Little Bay adds wrecks, a submarine, and sea life

The route includes Little Bay, an area known on this trip for a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and marine life. These underwater and coastal sights give the final part of the day a different character from a simple beach stop.

The wreck and other objects make Little Bay appealing for people who enjoy looking beneath the surface. Snorkeling here is not only about colorful fish or turtles. You may also be interested in the unusual structures and remnants in the water.

Again, conditions determine how long you stay and what you can see. The captain decides the safest and most useful route for the day. If the wind changes, the itinerary may shift to another part of the coast.

The island commentary adds value here. You are not simply dropped at a swimming spot with a mask and fins. Captain Mike explains where you are and points out features along the coast, giving the stops a stronger sense of place.

The real luxury is personal attention

The word luxury can mean a large boat, polished fittings, or a private chef. Here, it mostly means space, care, and not having to share your day with strangers.

Elmira is described as constantly offering drinks and snacks, preparing lunch, and checking that everyone is comfortable. Captain Mike handles the sailing and provides local information. Their hosting is a major part of what you are paying for.

That attention is especially valuable for families and small groups. You can ask questions, adjust your pace, and spend more time doing what your own group enjoys. One family recalled that their children kept talking about steering the boat and the warm welcome from the hosts. Those personal moments are difficult to create on a large shared cruise.

There is also a practical benefit to privacy. If someone in your group wants a quiet hour, another person wants to snorkel, and the children want to move around, you do not need to negotiate with a boatload of strangers. The downside is that a private charter can feel expensive for only two people, especially once the service charge is added.

What the $1,700 price really buys

The listed price is $1,700 per group of up to eight people. At the full capacity, that works out to $212.50 per person before the service charge. For eight people, the price compares more favorably with several separate paid activities, meals, drinks, and a shared cruise.

For two people, however, the same total is a luxury splurge. You are paying for the private boat, crew, flexibility, food, drinks, equipment, and seven hours of time, not merely transport from one bay to another.

The value is strongest when your group wants a full day rather than a short sail. Lunch and the open bar remove some extra spending once you board. Snorkeling equipment is included too, so you do not need to rent basic gear separately.

The service charge or gratuity is not included. Build that into your budget before you decide. Private transportation is also extra, and you must bring your own towels and non-spray sunscreen.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would choose this charter for a group that values privacy and service more than the lowest possible price. It suits:

• Families with children and mixed swimming ability
• Couples traveling with friends
• Small birthday or anniversary groups
• People who want snorkeling without committing to every activity
• Visitors who prefer a personal host to a large boat atmosphere
• Groups that enjoy a full lunch and drinks included in the day

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed stop at Tintamarre or Pinel, a low-cost excursion, or a tightly fixed route. Weather can change the plan, and the private format means the cost remains high even if only a few people join.

You should also think about your comfort at sea. The day includes several hours aboard a moving catamaran, plus swimming and snorkeling. If motion bothers you, ask about conditions and consider bringing any usual motion-sickness remedy.

Practical details to handle before departure

Your confirmation arrives at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep it on your phone. Arrive with towels, non-spray suntan lotion, and any personal items you need for a day outdoors.

A spray sunscreen is specifically not requested, likely because overspray can make the deck slippery and affect other people aboard. Use lotion instead, and apply it before entering the water.

The tour lasts about seven hours and returns to AzianaBobby’s Marina. Since the route depends on weather, leave room in your wider island schedule rather than booking a tight connection immediately afterward.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and the cutoff follows local time.

Should you book the St. Maarten catamaran charter?

Book it if you want a private, hosted day where the food, drinks, equipment, and sailing are handled for you. Elmira’s attentive service, Captain Mike’s easygoing guidance, the charcoal lunch, and the freedom to choose between snorkeling and simply resting give the day real value for a full group.

Think twice if your budget is tight or if one particular island stop matters more than anything else. Wind may change the route, the service charge is extra, and $1,700 is hard to justify for a very small party.

For six to eight people who want a relaxed day on the sea, I think the charter is a strong choice. You get personal attention, a flexible schedule, and enough food and activity to fill the day without chasing from one attraction to the next.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter start?

It starts at AzianaBobby’s Marina, 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same marina where it begins.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The catamaran is private for your group, with up to eight people included in the price.

Are lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included.

What should I bring?

Bring towels and non-spray suntan lotion. Private transportation and the service charge are not included.