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

The best part of this St. Martin sailing day is simple: your group gets the catamaran to itself. You can spend the day moving between quiet beaches, swimming spots, and clear-water snorkeling areas instead of following a fixed crowd. The nine-hour route reaches Tintamarre Island, while the seven-hour option stays closer to St. Maarten.

I like the generous food service, from French pastries and fruit at breakfast to a four-course lunch, appetizers, and an open bar. I also like the practical freedom to request music, adjust the pace, and spend more time swimming or relaxing. The main consideration is the price, $770 per person, so this makes the most sense for a group that values privacy and a full-service boat day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two sailing plans: Choose seven hours around St. Maarten or nine hours with Tintamarre Island and more time on the water.
• A private boat for your group: You do not share the catamaran with unrelated passengers.
• Full food service: French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, coffee, appetizers, and a four-course gourmet lunch are included.
• Water equipment supplied: Snorkeling and fishing gear, plus two paddleboards, are available on board.
• Crew-led snorkeling: The crew can help you find fish, turtles, and stingrays when conditions allow.
• Weather matters: Wind and sea conditions can change the route, and a rough day may lead to a cancellation or alternate plan.

A private catamaran day from Bobby’s Marina

You meet at Bobby’s Marina on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The nine-hour trip leaves at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. The seven-hour sailing begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.

That timing matters if you are staying in Philipsburg or arranging your own transport. You need to arrive ready for a full day on the water, not a short harbor cruise. The boat returns to the same marina, which keeps the start and finish straightforward.

This is a private activity, so only your party joins the boat. That privacy changes the feel of the day. You can talk with the crew, play your own music through the Bluetooth system, settle into the shade, or spend time alone with your family and friends without trying to fit around strangers.

The crew has included Captain Alois, Benjamin, Georgia, Cami, Paula, Sylvia, Daniella, and other team members. Names and crew combinations can change, but the service style is clear: safety information before departure, help with snorkeling, food preparation, drink service, and explanations about the places you pass.

You need a current passport because identification information must be checked on the boat. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and beach towels. The catamaran has plenty of shade, but you will still be exposed to sun reflected from the sea.

Choosing between seven and nine hours

The seven-hour option is the easier choice if you want a substantial day on the water without using your entire day. It follows the St. Maarten shore and includes stops at Mullet Bay, Long Bay La Samana, and Divi Little Bay.

This route works well for a group that wants beaches, snorkeling, swimming, and a long lunch without sailing all the way around the island. It also gives you a little more breathing room before dinner or an evening activity.

The nine-hour route leaves earlier and allows a broader circuit. It includes Long Bay La Samana, Happy Bay, and Tintamarre Island. You may have a chance to swim with turtles and stingrays around Tintamarre, though wildlife sightings depend on the day and sea conditions.

I would choose the nine-hour plan if the boat itself is the main event. The extra two hours give the captain more room to respond to wind, stop for swimming, and reach Tintamarre without making every pause feel rushed. Choose seven hours if your group wants a polished boat outing but does not need to spend nearly the entire day at sea.

The advertised routes are not guaranteed in every detail. Wind and sea conditions can change the plan. That is not a flaw unique to this trip, but it is important to understand before paying for a specific beach or island stop.

What happens at Tintamarre Island

Tintamarre is the signature stop on the longer route. It sits off the northeastern side of St. Martin and is reached by boat, making it a good example of what a private charter adds: you can reach coastal places that are not practical to visit on foot.

The appeal here is the water. You may snorkel, swim, or look for turtles and stingrays. Fishing and snorkeling gear are included, and two paddleboards are available for a calmer way to explore the area.

Do not treat a wildlife sighting as a guarantee. The crew may know the usual places to look, but animals move, water clarity changes, and wind can affect where the boat stops. You should come for the sea time first, with turtles and rays as a welcome possibility.

Tintamarre also gives the nine-hour trip a stronger sense of distance and discovery. You are not simply anchored near town for lunch. You are using the catamaran to reach a separate island and see more of the St. Martin area from the water.

The seven-hour route around St. Maarten

The shorter route visits Mullet Bay, Long Bay La Samana, and Divi Little Bay. Each stop gives the captain options for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, or simply sitting in the shade while the crew serves food and drinks.

Mullet Bay is one of the better-known beach areas on the island, while Divi Little Bay offers a sheltered-feeling setting near Philipsburg. Long Bay La Samana adds a quieter coastal stop to the day. The exact order and amount of time at each place may shift with wind and waves.

This route is particularly useful for groups with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can use the snorkeling gear or paddleboards, while others can stay aboard, enjoy the shade, and keep the conversation going. Nobody has to turn the day into a demanding water-sports session.

The shorter route may also suit people who are unsure about spending nine hours on a boat. You still receive breakfast, appetizers, a four-course lunch, and an open bar, but the day has a more manageable length.

Food that makes the price easier to understand

The food service is a major part of this charter. The day begins with French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee. Later come appetizers and a four-course gourmet lunch, with dessert also provided on some outings.

The important point is that this is not a bring-your-own-picnic cruise. The crew handles meal preparation and service, so you do not need to pack a full lunch or interrupt the day to find a restaurant. That has real value on a private charter, especially when everyone in the group wants something different from a simple beach snack.

Food allergies can be accommodated with advance notice, and vegan or vegetarian meals are available on request. Tell the operator before the trip rather than waiting until you board.

The open bar includes unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. Tea and coffee are also included. You should still pace yourself, especially in the sun. The combination of alcohol, heat, swimming, and a moving boat can catch up with you faster than expected.

The crew’s attention to food is one reason this charter feels more like a catered day at sea than a basic sailing excursion. That service is part of what you are paying for.

Snorkeling, paddleboards, and time in the water

Snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are included, along with two paddleboards. You can use the equipment during the stops rather than arranging separate rentals.

The crew can act as a guide in the water. On some outings, they have helped children and less confident swimmers find fish, and they have pointed out turtles and stingrays. One especially useful detail is that the crew may know where to look for marine life instead of leaving you to search at random.

Still, the snorkeling depends on visibility, wind, and the stop selected that day. The boat may not reach the same spot shown in another group’s photographs. If conditions are not right, the crew may adjust the route.

The two paddleboards are useful for short turns, but a private charter does not mean every person can paddle at once. If your group is large, you may need to share the boards and snorkeling equipment.

You can also choose not to get wet. The catamaran has shaded areas, and the crew serves food and drinks throughout the day. This makes the boat suitable for a group with different energy levels, including people who prefer scenery and conversation to swimming.

Life aboard the catamaran

The catamaran is described as spacious, clean, and comfortable, with rooms, bathrooms, storage bins, and charging options noted by past passengers. Those details matter during a seven or nine-hour outing. A place to store sunglasses, sunscreen, cameras, and phones keeps the deck from turning into a pile of loose gear.

You can connect your own music through Bluetooth or make requests. One group created a playlist and turned the boat into a dance party, while another preferred a quieter day. Since the boat is private, your group can set the mood without negotiating with strangers.

There is plenty of shade, but you should not count on staying fully protected all day. Bring reef-safe sunscreen if available, a hat if you use one, sunglasses, and a towel. A current passport is required, and it should be kept somewhere secure while you swim.

The sea can be smooth or choppy. The crew has helped people prone to seasickness with practical suggestions, but the operator does not promise calm water. If you know you get motion sick, plan ahead and tell the crew early.

How the crew shapes the experience

The crew is not just there to steer the boat. The captain handles route decisions and sea conditions, while the other crew members prepare meals, keep drinks available, explain the island, and help with water activities.

Alois and Benjamin are names connected with the Flagship II, and Georgia has been praised for attentive hosting and keeping food and drinks organized. Other combinations have included Cami, Paula, Sylvia, and Daniella. You should expect the exact crew to vary.

The strongest part of the service is its personal attention. The crew has helped with food allergies, offered advice for seasickness, explained island sights, and assisted young swimmers with snorkeling. That level of help is useful when your party includes children, older family members, or people who do not spend much time on boats.

There is one caution. One outing had a late crew arrival and a captain who did not handle the situation well. That appears to be an isolated complaint among otherwise strong feedback, but it is a reminder that no charter service is perfect every day.

Is $770 per person a fair price?

At $770 per person, this is an expensive excursion. You are not paying only for transportation across the water. The price covers a private catamaran, crew, food from breakfast through lunch, snacks, an open bar, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, paddleboards, and the ability to shape the day around your own group.

The value improves when several people share the boat and care about privacy. For a family celebration, birthday, anniversary, or adult group that wants a polished day without strangers, the cost may feel reasonable. Group discounts are also available, though the exact savings are not provided here.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick swim and a short sail. You can find less expensive shared boat trips, and you may not use the gourmet meals, open bar, or private-space benefits enough to justify this price.

I would compare the cost against the total day, not against a simple snorkeling ticket. You are receiving roughly seven to nine hours of service, meals, drinks, equipment, and a boat reserved for your party. If those are the features you want, the price has a clear logic. If not, look for a shorter or shared excursion.

Who should book this charter?

This trip suits couples, adult families, birthday groups, and friends who want a private day with plenty of comfort. It also works for a mixed group where some people want to snorkel and paddleboard while others prefer shaded seating, food, and scenery.

It is a good match for you if you value:

• Private use of the catamaran
• A catered day rather than a packed lunch
• Time at beaches and snorkeling stops
• An open bar and flexible music
• Help from a crew that can guide you in the water
• A longer sailing day with room to relax

You may want another option if you dislike spending most of a day on the sea, need a firm route regardless of weather, or want the lowest possible price. Wind can change the stops, and wildlife sightings are never certain.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

The final call

I would book this if your group wants the boat to be the centerpiece of the day, not merely a way to reach a beach. The private setting, excellent food plan, open bar, shaded seating, and choice of water activities make it a strong special-occasion outing.

Choose the nine-hour route for Tintamarre Island and a fuller day at sea. Choose seven hours for a shorter, easier schedule around St. Maarten. Bring your passport, towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses, give advance notice about dietary needs, and keep your expectations flexible about wind and wildlife. For the right group, this is an indulgent but well-rounded way to see St. Martin from the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The catamaran returns to the same meeting point at Bobby’s Marina.

How long is the experience?

You can choose a seven-hour or nine-hour option. The seven-hour trip runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The nine-hour trip runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes local taxes, breakfast, appetizers, a four-course gourmet lunch, unlimited soft and alcoholic drinks, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and two paddleboards.

Is the catamaran shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

Do I need to bring a passport?

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

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?

Yes. Vegan and vegetarian meals can be requested. Food allergies can also be accommodated with advance notice.

Can the route change?

Yes. The itinerary may change because of sea and wind conditions. The exact stops are not guaranteed in poor or difficult weather.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or an unmet minimum causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.