Luxury Private Full-Day Catamaran Charter in St Maarten & Saint-Martin

The best part of this charter is simple: the whole catamaran is yours. You can spend the day sailing between beaches, swimming from the boat, snorkeling for turtles and stingrays, or relaxing under the shade without sharing the deck with strangers. I like the choice between a 7 hour St. Maarten route and a longer 9 hour trip around the island, plus the polished food service and open bar. The catch is the price: at $770 per person, this makes the most sense for a group that values privacy and can share the cost.

I also like the practical touches. Breakfast, a four-course lunch, appetizers, drinks, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, and two paddleboards are included. The crew, including captains Alois and Benjamin, is often praised for attentive service, useful island information, and good snorkeling guidance. Still, this is a boat day, not a fixed sightseeing bus tour. Wind and sea conditions can change the route, and one reported departure was late.

Key details before you book

• Choose 7 or 9 hours: The 7 hour cruise runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the 9 hour version runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Private sailing: Only your group participates, giving you more room, privacy, and control over the pace.
• Meals are a major part of the day: French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, coffee, appetizers, and a four-course gourmet lunch are included.
• Water activities are ready to go: Snorkeling and fishing gear, along with two paddleboards, are supplied.
• The route depends on nature: Wind and sea conditions can alter the planned stops.
• Bring your passport and beach gear: A valid passport is required, and sunscreen, sunglasses, and beach towels are strongly advised.

A private catamaran day from Bobby’s Marina

You meet at Bobby’s Marina on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. From there, the crew takes over the details, leaving you to settle into the boat and enjoy the water.

The vessel used for these trips is the Flagship II, described in the available feedback as large, clean, comfortable, and well suited to a full day at sea. It has plenty of shade, bathrooms, storage areas, and room for groups to spread out. One particularly useful detail is the Bluetooth sound system, so you can connect your own music. That can make a quiet family outing feel very different from a birthday celebration or a lively day with friends.

The charter is private, but that does not mean the boat is tiny or bare-bones. Groups of six and nine have found enough room to relax, eat, swim, and listen to music without feeling crowded. The exact maximum group size is not provided, so ask before booking if you are organizing a large party.

The crew also gives a safety briefing before departure. Captains and crew members vary, but Alois, Benjamin, Georgia, Cami, Paula, Sylvia, Daniella, and Alsace are among the names associated with different outings. Alois and Benjamin receive repeated praise for combining capable sailing with warm hospitality. You may not have the same crew on every date, so treat the names as examples rather than a guarantee.

Picking the 7 hour or 9 hour itinerary

The shorter trip leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. It follows the St. Maarten shore, with planned stops at Mullet Bay, Long Bay La Samana, and Divi Little Bay.

This option works well if you want a full day on the water without an early start. It also gives you time for several kinds of activity: swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, eating, and simply watching the coast pass by. Mullet Bay is a popular beach setting, while Divi Little Bay provides another sheltered coastal stop and a place to enjoy the water.

The 9 hour tour starts earlier, at 8:30 a.m., and returns at 5:30 p.m. It covers a broader route, including Long Bay La Samana, Happy Bay, and Tintamarre Island. The longer schedule gives the captain more time to sail around St. Maarten and Saint-Martin, and Tintamarre adds a more remote island setting.

Tintamarre is the route’s headline stop. The waters around the island are described as clear, with possible sightings of turtles and stingrays while swimming or snorkeling. These sightings are not guaranteed, but the stop gives you a better chance to look for marine life away from the main beaches.

Happy Bay and Long Bay La Samana add variety to the day. You may find yourself swimming from the catamaran at one stop, going ashore or relaxing near a beach at another, then using a paddleboard before lunch. The itinerary is intended as a flexible outline rather than a promise that every stop will happen in the stated order.

That flexibility matters. Wind direction, sea conditions, and weather can affect where the boat goes. A poor-weather day may mean staying closer to the coast instead of making the full island circuit. One group still enjoyed stops at Mullet Bay, Long Beach, and Little Bay when conditions prevented the full route, but you should book this for the boat experience itself, not for a guaranteed checklist of beaches.

Breakfast, lunch, and the open bar

Food is one of the strongest reasons this charter feels different from a basic boat rental. The day begins with French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee. On the 7 hour itinerary, the description calls this a light breakfast. The 9 hour itinerary includes breakfast as well.

Appetizers appear during the cruise, followed by a four-course gourmet lunch. Several accounts describe the meals as restaurant quality, with dessert also provided on at least some outings. The available information does not give a fixed menu, so ask about the day’s dishes if you have particular dietary needs.

Vegetarian and vegan meals can be requested. Food allergies have also been handled when the crew receives advance notice. That is worth doing at the time of booking rather than waiting until you step aboard.

The open bar includes unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. The experience details specifically mention choices such as vodka, tequila, rum, and mixed drinks, though the exact selection may vary. This is generous, but it also changes the character of the trip. If you want a quiet day of swimming and family time, you can simply choose soft drinks. If your group is celebrating, the bar and Bluetooth music can turn the return sail into a floating party.

I would still pace yourself. Seven or nine hours in the sun, even with shade, makes hydration important. The crew is attentive about keeping drinks available, but you are responsible for bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel.

Snorkeling, swimming, and paddleboarding

This is not a cruise where you only look at the coast from a distance. The crew carries snorkeling and fishing gear, and two paddleboards are included. You can swim from the boat, explore the water with a mask and fins, or take a board out during a calm stop.

The snorkeling can be especially rewarding at spots where fish gather close to the boat. One outing included hand-feeding fish with bread, creating an easy activity for children and good photo opportunities. Feeding marine life is not described as a standard promise, so do not count on it every time, but the example shows that the crew may help you make the most of the conditions.

Captains have also acted as snorkeling guides, pointing out fish and helping younger family members in the water. Turtles and stingrays are possible around Tintamarre, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The water can be clear and inviting while still offering a different experience from day to day.

Paddleboarding adds a low-key option for anyone who does not want to snorkel. You can take turns on the boards while others eat, talk, sunbathe, or stay in the shade. Fishing gear is also available, although the material provided does not promise a particular catch or dedicated fishing time.

What the crew adds to the experience

A private boat is only as good as its crew. Here, the strongest praise centers on the combination of sailing skill, cooking, and personal attention.

Captains Alois and Benjamin are repeatedly associated with the Flagship II. Other outings include crew members such as Georgia, Cami, Paula, Sylvia, Daniella, and Alsace. Georgia is described as an attentive host who kept food and drinks moving, while captains have shared facts about St. Maarten and the nearby islands.

The sailing matters when the sea becomes less gentle. One French-language account specifically praised the skipper’s ability to handle formed seas and maintain the boat well. Another group received practical suggestions for reducing seasickness. That kind of help can make a real difference if someone in your party is uneasy on boats.

Service is generally presented as warm and careful, from the welcome breakfast through lunch and the final sail back to Bobby’s Marina. The crew can also help with music, snorkeling, beach stops, and meal needs. One account, however, reported a late crew and a captain who seemed less concerned about guest satisfaction. That is the lone clear negative in the supplied feedback, but it is useful to keep in mind: boat tours depend heavily on the people working that day.

How much value do you get for $770 per person?

At $770 per person, this is a serious splurge. You are not paying only for transportation across the water. The rate covers a private catamaran, captain and crew, a 7 or 9 hour itinerary, breakfast, appetizers, a four-course lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling and fishing gear, two paddleboards, and local taxes.

The value improves as your group fills the boat, assuming the price is charged per person and the group size fits the charter’s terms. A private boat also saves you from the tradeoffs of a shared sailing trip: no strangers choosing the music, no fixed group schedule, and no need to compete for the best shaded seating.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short swim and a beach visit. You can spend less on simpler water excursions if privacy, gourmet food, and a full day at sea are not important to you.

I see this as a strong choice for a special occasion, an adult family gathering, a group of friends, or couples traveling together. It is also a good fit for anyone who wants a relaxed day with a high level of service instead of managing their own boat, meals, equipment, and route.

Practical points that can affect your day

Bring your current passport. It is required on the boat because the route moves between areas associated with both St. Maarten and Saint-Martin, and passport information must be checked.

Wear comfortable swim clothing and pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a beach towel. The catamaran has plenty of shade, but you will still spend hours around reflective water and open sky.

The meeting point is near public transportation at Bobby’s Marina, and the tour ends back there. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Most people can participate, but the activity is still a full day on the water. If you are prone to seasickness, tell the crew early and follow their suggestions. The supplied information does not describe specific accessibility equipment, so ask before booking if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Is this private catamaran charter right for you?

Book it if you want the boat to be the main event. The combination of private space, attentive crew, substantial meals, open bar, snorkeling, paddleboards, and flexible stops makes this far more than a simple transfer between beaches.

Choose the 9 hour route if Tintamarre Island and the broader Saint-Martin circuit appeal to you, and if your group is comfortable with the early start. Choose the 7 hour route if you prefer a later departure and a focused cruise along the St. Maarten coast.

Skip it if $770 per person feels uncomfortable, if you want a guaranteed route regardless of wind, or if you would rather spend the day mostly on land. For the right group, though, this is the kind of outing that can become the centerpiece of a St. Maarten visit.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Bobby’s Marina.

How long is the catamaran charter?

You can choose a 7 hour or 9 hour itinerary. The 7 hour tour runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 9 hour tour runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

What does the 7 hour route include?

The 7 hour route sails along the St. Maarten shore and plans stops at Mullet Bay, Long Bay La Samana, and Divi Little Bay.

What does the 9 hour route include?

The 9 hour route plans stops at Long Bay La Samana, Happy Bay, and Tintamarre Island while sailing around St. Maarten and Saint-Martin.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast with French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee is included, along with appetizers and a four-course gourmet lunch.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are included through the open bar.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, fishing gear, and two paddleboards are included.

Do I need to bring a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of the boat trip.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The route can change based on sea conditions, wind, and weather. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.