Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

A private catamaran, a small group, and seven hours to shape around the weather make this one of St Maarten’s more relaxed ways to get on the water. Captain Mike handles the route and island commentary, while Elmira keeps the food and drinks moving. You may snorkel, paddleboard, swim, visit a beach, or simply stretch out on deck.

I especially like the made-to-order feel of a private charter and the homemade BBQ lunch, which includes marinated chicken, salads, French bread, garlic dip, and Beyond burgers for vegetarians. The main consideration is price: $1,700 is a serious outlay for a couple or small group, though it works out to $212.50 per person when all eight spaces are filled. Service charge and transportation to the marina are extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Captain Mike and Elmira host the full day: You get a captain and host who combine navigation, island stories, food service, and practical help with the water activities.
• Long Bay sets the tone: Your first stop includes snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, beach time, and the chance to look for turtles.
• Little Bay has unusual underwater sights: A submarine, shipwreck, helicopter, and sea life make this more than a standard reef stop.
• Tintamarre depends on the weather: The route can change, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed stop at every named destination.
• Lunch is cooked aboard: The charcoal BBQ includes chicken, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, garlic dip, French bread, and a vegetarian burger option.
• The boat is private for up to eight: That makes the cost far more attractive for a full family group or several couples traveling together.

A private day rather than a packed boat trip

This charter is built around space and choice. Your group of up to eight has the catamaran to itself, rather than sharing the day with a large crowd and following a fixed schedule at every stop.

That difference matters in practical ways. If some people want to snorkel while others prefer the beach, the group does not have to act as one unit every minute. You can spend more time swimming, return to the boat for lunch, or simply take a slow day at sea.

The route is planned by Captain Mike and can change with the weather. That flexibility is useful in St Maarten, where wind and sea conditions affect which bays and islands are comfortable to reach. It also means Tintamarre and Pinel should be treated as possible destinations, not promises.

The meeting point is AzianaBobby’s Marina at number 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. It is off a main road and described as easy to find, but you arrange your own transportation there. The activity ends back at the same marina, and there is no private hotel transfer included.

Starting with safety, coffee, and the first sail

The day begins with a safety briefing. You receive instructions about the boat, life jackets, the bathroom, and general use of the catamaran before heading out.

That short briefing is worth taking seriously, especially if your group includes children or anyone new to boating. It gives you a clear idea of where equipment is stored and how to move around the boat before the sea picks up.

Coffee and croissants are served early, which is a useful touch for a morning departure. Drinks continue throughout the day, with water, juices, sodas, beer, rum punch, mimosas, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks listed among the offerings.

The open bar is part of the appeal, but you should pace yourself. Seven hours on the water, sun, swimming, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Eat the snacks, drink water, and keep your focus on the sea conditions if you plan to snorkel or paddleboard.

As you leave Philipsburg, Captain Mike provides information about the coastline and offers tips about the places ahead. The commentary is woven into the cruise rather than presented as a formal lecture, which suits a relaxed day on a private boat.

Long Bay, turtles, and time in the water

The first main stop is Long Bay. Here, the crew explains what to expect in the water and gives you a quick introduction to the snorkeling equipment before you swim.

Long Bay is intended as an active stop, but you are not required to get in. You can snorkel, swim, use the paddleboard, relax on the beach, or remain aboard while lunch is prepared.

The mention of turtles adds a little focus to the snorkeling. You should not treat wildlife sightings as guaranteed, but Captain Mike gives you an idea of what sea life may appear in the area. The value here is not only the equipment, which is included, but the choice of how much activity you want.

If your group has mixed interests, this stop should work well. One person can snorkel while another stays on the beach, and children can split their time between swimming and the boat. Bring your own towels, since towels are not supplied.

This is also a good point to remember the sunscreen rule. Non-spray suntan lotion is requested, presumably to help protect the boat and water quality. Pack it before you arrive rather than assuming the crew will have the right kind available.

Lunch from the charcoal grill

While you are in the water or on the beach, Elmira prepares lunch aboard the catamaran. The menu is more substantial than the usual boat-day snacks: marinated chicken breast cooked over charcoal, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond burgers for vegetarians.

I like this arrangement because lunch does not interrupt the first stop. You get time in the water while the meal is prepared, then return to the boat and eat together.

The food also covers several common needs without making the meal feel like a collection of emergency options. There is a vegetarian main course and a gluten-free pasta salad, although the information does not promise a fully gluten-free meal or address other allergies. If you have a serious food restriction, ask before booking.

The charcoal grill and homemade dip give the meal a more personal feel than a prepacked lunch. That care is one of the most strongly praised parts of the experience, along with the steady attention from Elmira. She is described as offering drinks and snacks often, while still giving the group room to enjoy the day.

Lunch is served after you return aboard. Because this is a private charter, the timing can feel less rushed than a large group excursion, though the total route still depends on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment.

A second swim and the open bar

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

The second stop gives you another chance to use the snorkeling gear without having to squeeze every minute out of Long Bay. It also lets the day shift naturally between activity and rest. You can go back into the water, try the paddleboard, or settle into a slower afternoon with a drink.

I would treat the onboard bar as a convenience, not the main reason to book. The real value comes from having food, soft drinks, water, and alcoholic drinks available without needing to bring a cooler or return to shore. Mimosas, rum punch, beers, sodas, and mixed drinks suit a celebratory group, while water and juices are available for anyone taking a break from alcohol.

The tone described by the supplied information is attentive without being formal. Elmira and Captain Mike are repeatedly praised for friendly service, and one child even had the chance to steer the boat with Captain Mike. That detail suggests the crew can make the day engaging for families, though you should follow the captain’s instructions closely and never assume children can use the helm.

Little Bay’s unusual underwater sights

Little Bay brings a different kind of snorkeling stop. The area includes a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and sea life beneath the surface.

Those objects give you something specific to look for rather than asking you to drift over a generic patch of water. The submerged sights can make this stop especially appealing if you enjoy snorkeling with a bit of local and maritime character.

The boat also offers a different view of St Maarten from the sea. You are not only visiting a beach. You are seeing the shoreline, bays, vessels, and underwater remains as part of one route around the island.

The precise order of the stops can change. Wind prevented one group from reaching Pinel and Tintamarre, so the crew stayed mainly along the Dutch coast instead. That is not a flaw in the charter, but it is an important expectation to set. A private boat gives the captain room to adjust the plan, not the power to override the weather.

Tintamarre and the limits of a weather-led itinerary

Tintamarre is listed as one of the possible destinations, along with Little Bay. It is the kind of place many people picture when booking a full-day island sail: open sea, a quieter beach, and time away from the main shore.

Still, you should view Tintamarre as weather dependent. The route may favor the Dutch coast or other sheltered waters if wind makes the crossing uncomfortable or unsafe. A captain who changes course for conditions is doing the sensible thing.

This is where a private charter is useful. You are not simply losing one stop and being left without a plan. The boat can spend more time at another beach, snorkeling area, or sheltered stretch of coast, depending on the conditions and what your group wants to do.

If reaching Tintamarre is your single reason for booking, confirm the current route policy before paying. If your priority is a pleasant full day with swimming, food, drinks, and personal service, the itinerary has more room to succeed even when the weather changes it.

What the $1,700 price really buys

The listed price is $1,700 for the whole group, up to eight people. At maximum capacity, that comes to $212.50 per person before the service charge. For eight people who want a private boat, lunch, snorkeling equipment, snacks, and an open bar, the math is reasonable.

For two people, the same charter costs $850 each before the additional service charge. That is a luxury splurge, not a casual shore excursion. Couples should compare it with a shared sailing trip unless privacy, flexible pacing, and personal hosting matter more than keeping the daily budget low.

Families and groups of friends get the strongest value. You are paying for the boat, captain, host, food, drinks, and activities rather than buying eight separate seats on a standard outing. The cost also covers the convenience of not having to organize lunch, snorkeling gear, or drinks yourself.

A service charge or gratuity is not included. Plan for that extra cost when comparing the total with other charters.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for a group that wants the day to feel social but not crowded. It suits families, couples traveling together, birthday groups, and friends who want a private base for swimming and beach time.

It is also a good fit for people with different energy levels. Active swimmers can use the snorkeling gear and paddleboard, while others can remain on the beach or relax aboard. The included lunch and open bar make it easy to spend the whole day away from shore.

The charter is less suitable if you want a guaranteed schedule, a low-cost activity, or a nonstop snorkeling program. The captain may change the route, and the full day includes plenty of cruising, eating, and resting.

Most people can participate, and the activity is described as disability-friendly. Service animals are allowed, and the marina is near public transportation. Since specific boarding and boat-access details are not provided, anyone with mobility concerns should confirm the practical arrangements before booking.

Booking, packing, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the ticket is mobile. Bring towels and non-spray sunscreen. Snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water, juices, and mixed drinks are included.

Transportation to AzianaBobby’s Marina is not included, so leave enough time to reach number 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The activity returns to that same meeting point.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

Should you book the Red Baron charter?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight places and want a private day built around good food, attentive hosting, and freedom to choose between swimming and relaxing. Captain Mike and Elmira are the heart of the experience, and the combination of homemade lunch, open drinks, snorkeling, and beach stops gives the day real substance.

Think twice if your group is small and budget matters, or if Tintamarre is non-negotiable. For the right group, this is a polished way to spend a full day at sea. Just pack a towel, plan for the service charge, and accept that the best route is the one the weather allows.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran charter?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private catamaran can accommodate a group of up to eight people.

Where does the activity begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the same meeting point at AzianaBobby’s Marina.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes coffee, croissants, snacks, lunch, water, juices, sodas, beers, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks. Lunch includes charcoal-grilled marinated chicken, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond burgers for vegetarians.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Paddleboarding, swimming, and beach time are also part of the planned stops.

Are Tintamarre and the other destinations guaranteed?

No. Destinations may change because of weather. The planned route can include Long Bay, Little Bay, and Tintamarre, but the captain may choose a different course.

What should I bring?

Bring your own towels and non-spray suntan lotion. The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Is there a service charge?

No service charge or gratuity is included in the listed price.

What is the cancellation policy?

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