Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

The best part of this St. Maarten charter is the privacy. Your group gets the catamaran, Captain Mike, and host Elmira for roughly seven hours, with no strangers competing for deck space or the last rum punch. You can snorkel, paddleboard, swim, sit on a beach, or simply let the crew set the pace.

I especially like the fresh charcoal barbecue lunch and the easy, attentive service. Elmira keeps drinks and snacks moving, while Captain Mike adds island stories and points out sea life along the coast. The main consideration is weather: wind and sea conditions can change the route, so Tintamarre or Pinel may not be possible on every departure.

Key things to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight: The $1,700 group price works out to $212.50 per person at full capacity, before the service charge.
• Captain Mike and Elmira host the day: Expect a safety briefing, coastal commentary, food preparation, and frequent drink service.
• Two main water stops: Long Bay and Little Bay are used for snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, and beach time.
• Tintamarre is weather dependent: The crew may stay along the Dutch coast if wind or sea conditions make the usual route unsuitable.
• Lunch is more than basic boat fare: The meal includes charcoal-grilled chicken, salads, French bread, garlic dip, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.
• Bring a towel and non-spray sunscreen: Snorkeling gear, food, drinks, and snacks are supplied, but private transportation is not.

A private day on the water, not a crowded boat outing

This charter is built around a simple idea: give one group the boat and let the day breathe. That matters in St. Maarten, where popular beaches and cruise-port areas can feel busy. On a private catamaran, you can spend longer in the water, return to the boat when you like, or skip an activity without holding up a large group.

The boat departs from AzianaBobby’s Marina at 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The meeting point is off a main road and near public transportation, which makes it reasonably practical if you are staying nearby. You will need to arrange your own way to the marina, since private transportation is not included.

The price is $1,700 for up to eight people. At maximum capacity, that is $212.50 per person for about seven hours, including lunch, snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the private vessel. For a couple, the price is harder to justify. For a family or group of friends, it becomes much more attractive, especially if you value privacy and a hosted meal over a basic shared sailing trip.

A service charge or gratuity is extra. Build that into your budget from the start.

Starting with safety, coffee, and the open bar

The day begins with a safety briefing. You will get instructions about the catamaran, life jackets, the bathroom, and general boat procedures. This is useful even if you have sailed before, since every vessel handles its equipment and movement around the deck a little differently.

Coffee and croissants are served early, along with the open bar. The drink selection includes water, juices, sodas, beer, rum, vodka, mixed drinks, mimosas, and rum punch. The setup is generous, but remember that drinking in the sun can catch up with you quickly. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water if you plan to snorkel or paddleboard.

Captain Mike provides information as the boat follows the coast. The commentary includes island history, practical tips, and details about the sea life you may see. This gives the cruise more shape than simply motoring from one beach to another.

You also get time to settle in. A private boat works best when you do not treat every minute as scheduled entertainment. Sit on deck, watch the shoreline, and let the crew handle the timing.

Long Bay brings the first water stop

The first main stop is Long Bay. After a short briefing on the snorkeling equipment, you can choose how active you want to be. Snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, and beach time are all part of the plan.

Turtles may be seen in the area, though no wildlife sighting is guaranteed. That is the right way to approach any snorkeling stop. The captain can explain what sea life to look for, but the water and animals set the terms.

Long Bay gives you a chance to test the conditions before the day gets further along. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can stay close to the boat or choose the beach instead of heading far out. The supplied snorkeling gear removes the need to pack your own mask and fins, although bringing your own equipment is still sensible if you prefer a particular fit.

The paddleboard adds another option for people who want activity without snorkeling. If one person in your group wants to explore the water and another wants to lie in the sun, the private format makes that split easy.

While you are in the water or on the beach, Elmira prepares lunch onboard. That timing is practical. You return to a meal that is ready rather than waiting for cooking to begin when everyone is hungry.

A charcoal lunch with real choices

Lunch is one of the stronger parts of this outing. The meal includes marinated chicken breast cooked over charcoal, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.

That menu suits a mixed group better than a single sandwich or a plate of standard snacks. The gluten-free pasta salad gives people with that dietary need a stated option, and the Beyond Burger means vegetarians are not left with side dishes alone. You should still communicate important dietary requirements when booking, since the provided information does not promise a fully customized menu for every restriction.

The food is served after the first water stop, once everyone is back onboard. The reviews of the experience repeatedly single out the homemade meal, and the positive comments focus on both freshness and flavor. That is worth noting because food on boat excursions can be an afterthought. Here, it is part of the day’s appeal.

The lunch also marks a natural pause. Seven hours on the water can feel long if the schedule is only swim, sail, swim. A proper meal gives you time to dry off, talk, and enjoy the ride before the next stop.

Little Bay adds wrecks, sea life, and a change of scenery

The route continues to Little Bay, where the underwater sights include a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and marine life. These objects give the snorkeling more focus than simply looking down at open water.

Little Bay is also a good place to keep the group flexible. Strong swimmers can spend more time snorkeling, while others can remain on the catamaran or enjoy the beach. The captain and Elmira can explain the area and point out what to expect before you enter the water.

The presence of wrecks and submerged objects does not mean every person will see every feature clearly. Visibility depends on conditions, and the route may change. Still, this stop offers a different type of snorkeling from Long Bay, which helps the day feel varied.

The later part of the trip also comes with fresh melon, additional snacks, and more drinks. Mimosas, rum punch, beer, sodas, and other beverages are served as the boat moves along. The steady food and drink service is a major reason this feels like a hosted charter rather than a bare boat rental.

Tintamarre and the route you may not get

Tintamarre Island is part of the planned experience, and it is the sort of destination that appeals to people looking for a quieter beach and open water. The broader itinerary also mentions Pinel. Both are weather dependent.

That qualification matters. Wind direction and sea conditions can make an exposed crossing uncomfortable or unsafe. On one departure, the crew stayed mainly along the Dutch coast because the wind did not allow the planned route to Pinel and Tintamarre. That is not a flaw in the crew’s handling of the day. It is the normal tradeoff of a sailing excursion.

You should book this with the right expectation: you are buying a private day around St. Maarten, not a guaranteed checklist of islands. If the weather cooperates, Tintamarre can be a highlight. If it does not, you may get a calmer coastal route with more time in protected water.

This is also why the private setup has value. The captain can adjust the plan around conditions and the preferences of your group instead of following a large boat’s fixed schedule. The destinations may change, but the basic ingredients remain: sailing, swimming, snorkeling, food, drinks, and time on the water.

The people make the charter feel personal

Captain Mike and Elmira receive especially strong praise for their hospitality. Elmira is described as attentive without making people ask for every drink, snack, or piece of help. Captain Mike is noted for being friendly, informative, and easy to talk with.

The family-friendly side of the charter comes through in the way children are included. One child was allowed to help steer the boat with Captain Mike, which became a memorable part of the day. That should not be treated as a guaranteed activity, but it shows the relaxed tone the crew can bring to a private outing.

The crew also handled a mechanical problem by arranging another catamaran, allowing the group to continue with its day. That kind of flexibility is useful, though mechanical issues are never something you want to plan around.

The strongest praise centers on service, homemade food, drinks, and the feeling that the crew was paying attention from start to finish. If you want a silent, independent boat rental, this is not that. If you like having a captain and host who explain the island, prepare lunch, and keep the day moving, it is a better match.

What to pack and practical limits

Bring a towel. That is specifically not supplied.

Use non-spray sunscreen, which is a considerate choice on a boat and helps avoid slippery surfaces. A hat, sunglasses, and a light cover-up also make sense, although only the towel and sunscreen requirements are specifically stated here.

The activity ends back at AzianaBobby’s Marina. Since private transportation is not included, allow time to arrange your return. The marina is near public transportation, and the meeting point is intended to be easy to find.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, most people can participate, and the activity is listed as disability-friendly. Still, boat access and water activities can vary by individual need, so contact the provider before booking if you require specific assistance.

The charter is private, so only your group participates. That makes it especially suitable for families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and anyone who dislikes crowded excursion boats. It also means the $1,700 price is best shared among several people.

Who should book this seven-hour charter?

I would choose this for a group of six to eight people that wants a full day on the water with food and drinks included. The price becomes much easier to defend when divided among a full group, and the private format lets active swimmers and relaxed beachgoers enjoy the same outing.

Families may appreciate the flexible pace, child-friendly atmosphere, and choice of swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or sitting onboard. Couples can book it too, but the per-person price is high unless privacy is the main goal.

You should also be comfortable with an itinerary that can change. Tintamarre, Pinel, and other stops are not guaranteed because weather controls the route. The best reason to book is the complete day and attentive crew, not a promise of one exact beach.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book Red Baron Charters?

Book it if you want a private, well-fed, drink-in-hand day with a small group and a crew that stays involved. The charcoal lunch, broad drink selection, snorkeling gear, paddleboard, and flexible route make the $1,700 cost reasonable when eight people share it.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, watching your budget closely, or need a guaranteed visit to Tintamarre. The itinerary depends on weather, transportation is separate, and the service charge is extra.

For the right group, this is less about checking off every island stop and more about having the catamaran to yourself. Captain Mike and Elmira provide the food, local context, and steady care that turn a simple boat ride into a full St. Maarten day.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran charter?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private charter is for up to eight people, and only your group participates.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included. Drinks include beer, sodas, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, water, juices, and mixed drinks.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The charter starts and ends at AzianaBobby’s Marina, 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Will the boat definitely visit Tintamarre Island?

No. Destinations can change because of weather and sea conditions. Tintamarre and Pinel are planned possibilities, but the crew may use a route along the Dutch coast instead.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and non-spray sunscreen. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own way to and from the marina.