Knot at Work – Private Catamaran Tour in St Maarten – Full day

The best part of this St Maarten charter is having the boat to your own group. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, fish, or simply stretch out on the floating mat without sharing the day with strangers. The route pairs easygoing Pinel Island with wilder Tintamarre Island, so you get both beach comfort and a more remote stop.

I like the generous onboard setup, especially the paddleboard, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, and wide choice of drinks. I also like the crew’s personal touch. Tomas and David earned praise for their attentive service and good humor, including one running joke about David arriving as the chief stew without the promised skirt.

The main consideration is price: $960 per person is a serious fare, even for a private full-day charter. It makes the most sense for a larger group that values privacy, while the route and water activities depend on weather and your willingness to get wet.

Key points to know before booking

• Private use of Knot at Work: Your group has the catamaran and crew to itself for an approximately eight-hour day.
• Two very different islands: Calm, developed Pinel offers restaurants and beach comforts, while uninhabited Tintamarre feels quieter and more rugged.
• Good water-sports kit: Snorkeling equipment, a SUP, fishing gear, noodles, and a floating mat are included.
• Crew service matters: Tomas and David are specifically praised for attentive hosting and playful humor.
• Food and drinks are covered: Alcohol, soft drinks, juices, water, fruit, nuts, chips, and madeleines are supplied.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not included, and all water activity is at your own risk.

A private catamaran day from Bobby’s Marina

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. at Bobby’s Marina, at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The activity returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying near Philipsburg or arranging your own transport there.

This is not a shared sightseeing cruise. Only your group participates, so the pace can feel more relaxed than a standard boat excursion. You can spend longer in the water, stay aboard when you want shade or a drink, or make more of the time on land at the islands.

That privacy is the central reason to consider the trip. On a shared boat, a family with small children, a group of swimmers, and someone who only wants to sunbathe all have to follow one schedule. Here, your group has more say in how the day feels, within the limits of weather, safety, and the planned route.

The sailing time is listed as approximately eight hours. The two island stops are each described with four-hour durations, so you should confirm the exact time split when booking. Those stop times may describe the maximum or planned time at each location rather than a strict eight-hour schedule including the journey.

What the crew adds to the day

A private boat charter is only as good as its crew. The advertised experience puts real weight on attentive hosting, stories, and fun facts along the way, and Tomas and David are the two names connected with the strongest personal praise.

The tone appears to be friendly rather than stiff. One especially playful review jokes that David, serving as chief stew, failed to wear a skirt because he had not had time to iron it. The company answered in the same spirit, promising to remind him before the next charter. It is a small detail, but it gives you a useful sense of the atmosphere: expect service with humor, not formal yacht-club ceremony.

Your drinks and snacks are part of the onboard service. The food is simple rather than a full restaurant meal: madeleines, oranges, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips. Drinks include beer, wine or spirits as part of the alcoholic selection, plus Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, club soda, fruit juices, and water.

The information provided does not describe a full lunch menu. If you need a substantial midday meal, ask what is planned before you pay, especially since you may spend much of the day away from shore. Pinel has two restaurants, but eating there could affect your time on the island and may be an additional personal expense.

Pinel Island gives you the easy beach stop

Pinel Island is the softer, more convenient half of the route. Its main beach is sheltered, with calm water that suits swimming and paddleboarding. If you want a low-effort morning or afternoon, this is the stop where you can settle into the beach rather than search for an activity.

You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas on the island, though those rentals are not listed as part of the charter. The island also has two restaurants and a gift shop, giving you options beyond the boat. If you prefer a little movement, an easy hike leads to a viewpoint.

Pinel is also a pleasant place to look around between swims. Iguanas, land turtles, and sugar birds can be seen near the restaurant areas, where they are fed. That makes the island more than a patch of sand, though it also means the stop has some visitor facilities and is not a completely wild beach experience.

I like Pinel as the practical choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the water, children or less active members can stay near the beach, and anyone who wants comfort can find food, chairs, or shade. The tradeoff is that your experience on land is not fully private. The charter is private, but the island itself is not.

Tintamarre brings the quiet and the odd details

Tintamarre Island offers a sharper contrast. It is uninhabited, with white beaches, green plant life, and rust-colored cliffs. There are no restaurants or beach services described here, so you should think of Tintamarre as the natural stop where your boat supplies the comfort.

The water is the main attraction. Turtles live around the island, making this the stronger snorkeling stop of the two. Snorkeling equipment is included, but sightings are never guaranteed, and sea conditions can affect visibility. You should also be comfortable entering the water, since participants do so at their own risk.

Tintamarre has enough to see on land for a short walk. You might find remains of an old farm, an old airplane connected with the former airbase, and a stranded boat covered with graffiti. These details give the island character without turning the stop into a formal historical tour.

The island’s quiet setting may appeal to you if you want less development and more open space. At the same time, the lack of facilities means you cannot count on a restaurant, rented chair, or shop. Bring what you need from the catamaran, and keep your expectations focused on swimming, snorkeling, walking, and scenery.

Water activities included on Knot at Work

The included equipment gives you several ways to use the day. You do not have to be an expert in any one sport, and you can switch activities as your energy changes.

• Snorkeling equipment: Useful at Tintamarre, where turtles are the main draw. Ask the crew about current conditions and the best place to enter.
• Paddleboard: A good fit for Pinel’s calm, sheltered water. It also gives non-snorkelers something active to do.
• Floating mat or lilypad: This is the item for doing very little. You can use it to drift and relax, and the playful description of it as a floating bar captures its social purpose.
• Swimming noodles: Helpful for relaxed time in the water, particularly for anyone who wants support while floating.
• Fishing gear: Fishing is included, though no details are provided about the equipment, target fish, or whether a catch can be kept. Ask the crew if fishing is important to your group.

These choices matter because a private boat day can otherwise become a long stretch of sitting. Here, the gear lets your group divide naturally. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can remain on deck with a drink.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

The included refreshments cover the basics well. You get water, juices, sodas, alcoholic drinks, snacks, and fruit, so you should not need to buy drinks during the sailing portion of the day.

Still, I would pack a towel. It is the one clear omission, and you will likely want one after swimming or snorkeling. The islands offer different facilities, but you should not assume that Tintamarre has anything available for purchase.

Comfortable swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes are sensible choices, though only the towel omission is specifically confirmed by the tour details. Since the route can change with weather, avoid packing your day around one exact island sequence.

The snacks are suitable for grazing but are not presented as a full meal. If anyone in your group has dietary needs, ask ahead about the ingredients in the madeleines, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips. The available information does not promise special diets or substitutions.

Is $960 per person good value?

At $960 per person, this is a luxury purchase. The price is not simply paying for a boat ride between two islands. It covers a private catamaran, crew service, an approximately eight-hour outing, drinks, snacks, and a useful set of water equipment.

The value improves as your group gets larger, because privacy is the product. A couple paying the full per-person rate may find it difficult to justify unless a completely private day is the main holiday priority. A larger family or group of friends can spread the cost while still enjoying a boat that is reserved for them.

You should also compare this with what you would spend arranging several separate activities. The charter combines sailing, island visits, snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, beach time, and onboard drinks in one day. That convenience has real worth, but only if your group will use the equipment and stay engaged on the water.

I would not choose this trip simply because it is the cheapest way to see Pinel and Tintamarre. It is not. I would choose it because your group wants control, privacy, and a full day built around the sea.

Weather, swimming, and practical limits

The itinerary can change because of weather, and a changed route does not qualify for a price reduction or cancellation. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

That distinction matters. You are paying for a private day on the water, not a guaranteed visit to two specific beaches under every condition. If Pinel or Tintamarre is especially important to you, check the forecast and stay flexible.

Anyone who swims or enters the water does so at their own risk. Most people can participate, but the experience naturally suits those who are comfortable around water. If some members of your group do not swim, the boat, Pinel’s beach, the island walk, and the onboard snacks still give them ways to enjoy the day, but they should not feel pressured into water activities.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The marina is near public transportation, and the start and end point are the same, which helps with planning. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Who should book this private St Maarten charter?

I would point this trip toward a group that wants a private sea day, not a packed sightseeing schedule. Families, couples traveling with friends, and small celebrations can make good use of the flexible format.

It is also a strong choice for groups with mixed interests. Pinel provides calm water, beach facilities, and an easy walk. Tintamarre offers snorkeling, turtles, and unusual sights on land. The onboard kit fills in the gaps.

I would hesitate if your group dislikes boats, wants a full cooked lunch, needs guaranteed access to a particular beach, or plans to spend the day entirely on land. I would also think twice if the per-person price strains your budget. The charter offers a lot, but it is still a premium way to spend one day.

Should you book Knot at Work?

Book it if you can fill the private catamaran with people who enjoy the water and appreciate having their own crew. The combination of Pinel’s calm beach, Tintamarre’s turtles and abandoned-island character, and the included paddleboard, snorkeling kit, fishing gear, and floating mat gives the day plenty of variety.

Before booking, confirm the exact island timing, food arrangements, and any group questions about fishing or drinks. Bring towels, accept that weather may alter the route, and measure the $960 price against the size of your group.

For a private full-day sailing experience in St Maarten, this is a well-equipped choice with a friendly crew style. It is not the bargain option, but it can be good value when privacy and a broad range of activities matter more than keeping costs low.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Bobby’s Marina, the same meeting point where it begins.

How long is the charter?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What is included with the tour?

Included items are fishing gear, a floating mat or lilypad, a paddleboard, alcoholic drinks, snacks, soft drinks, juices, water, and snorkeling equipment.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The itinerary is subject to weather conditions, and a change of route does not qualify for a price discount or cancellation.

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 the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.