Review · ST MAARTEN
Nude Naturist Catamaran Boat Luxury Charter in St Maarten
The unusual appeal here is simple: you can spend most of a full day sailing around St Maarten with the freedom to go clothing-optional in permitted French waters and at approved beaches. I like the small maximum of 15 people, which can make a long boat day feel relaxed rather than crowded. I also like that lunch, drinks, snorkel gear, paddleboards, and floats are included.
The main thing to understand is the naturist policy. You cannot simply undress the moment you leave the marina, and not every beach stop is clothing-optional. If nude beach time is your main goal, ask for the exact plan before booking.
Key points to know before you book

- Nine hours on the water: You leave Bobby’s Marina at 8:30 a.m. and return to the same meeting point in Philipsburg.
- Clothing-optional, not nude everywhere: Naturism begins only in permitted French territory and applies at certain stops.
- Three scenic stops: The route includes Long Bay, Happy Bay, and Tintamarre Island, with time for swimming and snorkeling.
- Food and drinks are included: Expect morning fruit, coffee, pastries, snacks, gourmet lunch, soft drinks, beer, wine, and rum punch.
- Small-group setting: The boat takes no more than 15 people, though some departures may feel much smaller.
- Activities are part of the fare: Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, fishing, noodles, and floats are included, though the availability of fishing may vary.
What this St Maarten catamaran day is really like

This is not a quick harbor sail with one swim stop. You are signing up for nearly a full day aboard a catamaran, with the boat itself serving as your base between beaches and snorkeling sites.
The morning starts at Bobby’s Marina, located at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. Departure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., so you should arrive ready to board rather than treating this as a casual late-morning outing. The experience ends back at the marina after about nine hours.
The tone is intended to be easygoing and social. You may spend much of the day moving between the trampolines, shaded seating, swim areas, and meal service. Since the maximum is 15 people, the crew has a better chance of keeping drinks filled and answering questions than on a large party boat.
Still, the atmosphere depends partly on the group. Some departures have had only a few couples aboard and felt close to a private charter. Other days may be more lively, with passengers setting the mood through conversation, music, and shared activities.
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The naturist rules matter more than the word luxury

If you are booking because you want a nude sailing experience, read the clothing rules carefully. The boat leaves from Dutch St Maarten, and undressing is not permitted immediately after departure. You can go nude only after reaching French territory, and shore access depends on the beach and local rules.
This distinction is important. The route may include three stops, but that does not mean all three are clothing-optional. Some passengers have found that only one stop offered the kind of naturist beach time they expected. You may be able to swim nude from the boat in permitted waters, but a beach stop may still require clothing.
I would contact the operator before paying if your priorities are specific. Ask these direct questions:
- Which stops are clothing-optional on my departure?
- How long will we stay at each stop?
- Can I swim nude from the boat in the planned areas?
- Are we allowed to go ashore without swimwear at any beach?
That is not a minor detail. For some people, the freedom to swim and relax without clothing is the heart of the day. For others, the relaxed social setting, views, food, and snorkeling matter more than time on a nude beach.
Leaving Bobby’s Marina with breakfast on board

The opening service helps set the tone. The crew has served fresh fruit, coffee, and French pastries soon after boarding, giving you something light before the boat settles into its route.
The crew roster can vary, but names associated with different sailings include Alouis, Al, Patty, Cami, Coco, Paula, Vanessa, Benjamin, and Aielle. Patty in particular has been praised for cooking attractive meals on board, while captains such as Al and Alouis have received warm comments for their care with the sailing and the group.
The boat is described as clean, spacious, and well kept. That matters on a nine-hour trip. You are not just stepping aboard for a short ride. You will need room to eat, dry off, sit in the sun, find shade, and move around without feeling boxed in.
A short safety briefing takes place before departure. From there, the route follows the coast and gives you a broad look at St Maarten and St Martin from the water. On stormy days, the captain may adjust course to look for clearer weather. That can be a plus, though it also means the exact rhythm of the day may change.
Long Bay and the first chance to swim

Long Bay is one of the planned stops and gives you an early chance to get in the water. The appeal is the setting: clear Caribbean water, open views, and a chance to shift from sightseeing into the active part of the day.
Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with noodles and floats. You can swim from the catamaran, and depending on the conditions and the precise anchorage, you may have the chance to go ashore. Paddleboarding is also included, giving you an option beyond floating and snorkeling.
Do not book this as a guaranteed marine-life tour. You might see turtles and a good variety of fish, and several people have enjoyed the snorkeling. The fish can also be less colorful than expected, and sea conditions affect visibility. This is a pleasant extra, not a promise of a major reef encounter.
Long Bay also shows why a catamaran is useful here. You can reach coastal spots that are less convenient by road, then return to your own floating base for a drink or a meal. You avoid packing and unpacking every time you change beaches.
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Happy Bay brings a quieter beach setting

Happy Bay adds a different kind of stop. It is one of the beaches on the route and offers time to swim, explore the shore, or relax aboard the catamaran.
The beach access is one of the areas where expectations need care. Clothing rules can vary by location, and the operator’s plan may not provide the long, carefree nude beach stay that some naturists imagine when they see the tour title.
If the stop is clothing-optional on your sailing, it can be a highlight. If it is not, you can still enjoy the beach and water, but you should bring a cover-up or swimwear so you are prepared for the local rules.
One practical point: towels are not clearly listed among the included items. Some people have specifically wished for dry towels and a cooler available on shore. Bring your own towel, and do not assume that shore facilities will provide one.
Tintamarre Island is the scenic centerpiece

Tintamarre Island is the most distinctive stop on the route. Its position away from the main built-up parts of St Maarten gives the day a stronger sense of escape, even though you are still within a carefully organized excursion.
The water is the main attraction. You can swim, snorkel, float, and look for turtles or fish. The boat carries equipment for these activities, so you do not need to rent basic snorkeling gear separately.
The island also gives the captain a chance to show you parts of the area that are difficult to reach on a normal sightseeing drive. You see the coast from a new angle, and the long route makes the boat trip feel like more than transportation between beaches.
Again, conditions rule the day. Wind, rain, and water visibility may affect the order of stops or the time spent at each one. A captain may hunt for sunny patches when showers move through, which can save a wet day, but the itinerary should not be treated as fixed to the minute.
The food is a major part of the value

At $245 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. The price makes more sense when you count what is included and the amount of time you spend aboard.
Food service goes well beyond a bag of chips. Morning offerings have included fruit, coffee, and French pastries. Snacks may include hummus, guacamole, fresh vegetables, tuna, breads, pita, olives, and dipping sauces.
Lunch has been described as a multi-course meal, with examples such as salad, rice pilaf, curry chicken, chocolate ganache cake, fresh cream, fruit, and berries. The exact menu can change, and dietary needs should be shared before the day. The crew has accommodated at least one vegetarian request when informed, but you should not wait until boarding to mention restrictions.
Drinks are another strong part of the package. You can expect an open bar with beer, wine, rum punch, soft drinks, juices, and other beverages. A crew-made punch has been singled out as a favorite on some departures.
This service has real value. A nine-hour boat outing can become expensive if you add a restaurant lunch, drinks, beach rentals, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboard hire. Here, those costs are folded into one booking price.
The tradeoff is that this is still a shared charter. You are paying for a polished day with meals and a small group, not a completely private yacht with a custom menu and fully personal schedule.
The crew can make or break a long day

A nine-hour cruise gives the crew plenty of time to show its strengths, and the best sailings appear to rely on attentive service. Crew members have served food, kept drinks moving, helped passengers settle in, and adjusted plans around weather.
Captains Al and Alouis have been associated with careful sailing and good judgment when rainstorms appeared. Patty has received particular praise for generous portions and attractive presentation. Other crew combinations have also been described as friendly and accommodating.
But service is not guaranteed to feel identical on every departure. One less positive experience involved minimal enthusiasm, limited activity guidance, and no fishing being offered. Music and group interaction have also varied.
That is useful to know if you want a structured party. This is not clearly sold as a nonstop dance cruise with a host leading games every hour. The boat may feel lively if the people aboard are outgoing, or quiet if everyone prefers to read, sunbathe, swim, and talk in smaller circles.
Fishing is listed as an included activity, but one sailing did not offer it. If fishing is important to you, confirm whether tackle and time for it will be available on your date.
How the $245 price compares in practical terms
The cost is reasonable for someone who wants a full-service day rather than a short sightseeing ride. You receive approximately nine hours on the water, three island or beach stops, meals, snacks, an open bar, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and floats.
The small capacity is also part of the price. A maximum of 15 people is much more comfortable than a crowded excursion boat, especially when you are spending the whole day aboard. If the departure has six or fewer passengers, the experience may feel close to a private charter without the private-charter price.
The value drops if you mainly want a short nude beach visit. In that case, you may spend a lot for food and sailing time that you do not care about. It also may not suit you if you dislike shared meals, social conversation, or a long day with no easy way to leave early.
I would compare the price against the kind of day you want. For a relaxed boat holiday with generous food and drinks, it is a fair all-in cost. For a simple transfer to a beach, it is too much.
What to bring for a smoother day
Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a camera, and a towel. Bring swimwear or a cover-up for the Dutch side and for any beach where clothing is required.
A mobile ticket is accepted, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Most people can take part, but the tour still requires a minimum number of bookings, so check your confirmation before building your entire day around it.
Wear something easy to remove and replace. You will need to follow the clothing rules until the boat reaches the permitted area, and you may need to dress again before returning to Dutch St Maarten.
The boat returns to Bobby’s Marina, so there is no separate end point to arrange. The early start and long duration make this a poor fit for anyone who wants a slow hotel morning or has another fixed afternoon booking.
Who should book this catamaran
I would recommend it to you if you want several things at once: a scenic island cruise, good onboard food, an open bar, water activities, and a social naturist setting.
It is especially suitable for couples and solo passengers who are comfortable meeting new people. The small group can make it easy to talk with others, and some people have formed friendships that continued during the rest of their stay on the island.
You should think twice if you want complete privacy, a guaranteed nude beach for most of the day, or a heavily scheduled activity program. The tour is social and flexible, but the naturist part is limited by geography and local rules.
The experience also works well for someone who has already seen St Maarten by road. The boat gives you access to beaches and coastal views that are not as simple to reach from land, while the meals and bar keep the day self-contained.
Should you book it?
Book this catamaran if you see the naturist element as part of a broader luxury day on the water. The strongest reasons are the small group, generous food, open bar, scenic route, and easy access to swimming and snorkeling.
Do not book until you clarify the clothing-optional stops if nude beach time is non-negotiable. The trip can be excellent without much shore nudity, but it is important to know exactly what you are buying.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted, and poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings can lead to a new date or a full refund.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran tour start?
It starts at Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.
What time does the tour depart?
The scheduled departure time is 8:30 a.m.
How long does the experience last?
The cruise lasts approximately nine hours.
Where does the tour finish?
It finishes back at the original meeting point at Bobby’s Marina.
Is the cruise fully nude from the start?
No. Clothing-optional activity begins only after the boat reaches permitted French territory, and local rules apply at specific beaches.
Are all three stops clothing-optional?
No. You should not assume that Long Bay, Happy Bay, and Tintamarre Island all allow nude shore time. Confirm the exact plan before booking.
What stops are included?
The route includes Long Bay, Happy Bay, and Tintamarre Island.
Is food included?
Yes. The package includes morning refreshments, snacks, and lunch. Menus can vary, and dietary requirements should be provided in advance.
Are drinks included?
Yes. An open bar is included, with options such as beer, wine, rum punch, soft drinks, and juices.
How many people can join the cruise?
The maximum group size is 15 people.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of bookings may also result in a new date or a full refund.
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