The Best Catamaran Day Sail in St Maarten

The Tarzan swing is the star of this five-hour sail, but it is only part of the fun. You cruise the Caribbean side of St. Maarten, stop at Mullet Bay and Little Bay, and spend much of the day swimming, snorkeling, eating, and relaxing aboard the Random Wind.

I like the generous onboard meal, cooked fresh as you sail, and the attentive crew led by Anna, Jackie, and Captain Scott. I also like that the boat stays in the Caribbean Sea instead of heading into the open Atlantic. The main consideration is the weather and sea conditions, which can change the order of the stops or cancel the trip.

Key Points Before You Book

• Swing into the sea: The famous Tarzan swing gives the second swimming stop a playful kick, and you can simply watch if swinging is not your thing.
• Lunch is a real meal: Expect grilled marinated chicken skewers, Caribbean rice, salad, and baguette, not just a boxed sandwich.
• Two beautiful bays: Mullet Bay and Little Bay offer time for snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and beach access.
• Drinks are included: The open bar serves unlimited drinks, including rum punch, beer, soft drinks, and other options.
• A friendly small-boat feel: The catamaran can carry up to 30 people, though some departures are much smaller.
• Easy for cruise visitors: The boat departs from Simpson Bay, within walking distance of the cruise port, with parking available.

Five Hours on the Random Wind

This is a relaxed day on the water rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with commentary. From the 10:00 a.m. start, the focus is simple: find a sunny or shaded seat, watch St. Maarten’s coastline slide by, and spend several hours in the sea.

The Random Wind is a spacious catamaran with cushioned seating and room to move around. You can settle in near the shade, stretch out in the sun, or watch the crew prepare lunch. The pace suits people who want a full half-day on the water without a long offshore crossing.

Anna and Jackie handle the hospitality, while Captain Scott, also called Scotty, runs the boat. The crew’s style is hands-on. They bring drinks around, help with masks and snorkels, set up the paddleboards, and keep an eye on the water activities. That matters on a boat day because you do not want to spend your time hunting for gear or waiting at the bar.

The boat carries a maximum of 30 people. That is not a private charter, but it is still more personal than many large excursion boats. Some departures have had only a dozen people aboard, creating the comfortable feel of spending the day on a friend’s boat.

A friendly canine first mate named Queenie has also become part of the boat’s character. If you enjoy animals, her presence may be a pleasant surprise. If you prefer a strictly quiet or formal sailing trip, the social atmosphere and dog aboard are worth knowing about in advance.

Mullet Bay: Snorkeling, Swimming, and Lunch

Mullet Bay is usually one of the main stops, though the exact order can change. The boat remains in the Caribbean Sea, not the Atlantic Ocean, and the crew chooses the timing based on conditions.

At the first stop, you can use the included snorkel equipment and life jacket, swim near the boat, paddle a stand-up board, kayak, or float with a noodle. You may also swim toward the beach. The setup gives you several ways to enjoy the water, which is useful for mixed groups where not everyone wants to snorkel.

The snorkeling is one of the better reasons to bring a mask, though you do not need to pack your own because gear is provided. Conditions can affect visibility, so I would treat the snorkeling as a fun water activity rather than a guaranteed reef spectacle. The boat does not promise a particular marine-life encounter.

Lunch is often served during this first stop. The crew shops each morning, then grills marinated chicken skewers aboard the catamaran. The meal includes Caribbean rice, green salad, and baguette. That is a welcome step up from the sandwiches common on many half-day boat excursions.

You can pair lunch with a rum punch or another drink from the open bar. The bar remains available throughout the trip, and snacks are offered later as well. I like this arrangement because lunch is part of the day instead of an interruption that sends everyone back to shore.

Mullet Bay is also a good place to simply sit back. You can skip the water and enjoy the view from the boat, especially if you have young children, limited mobility, or no interest in snorkeling. Most people in your group can choose their own level of activity without splitting up for the entire afternoon.

Little Bay and the Tarzan Swing

Little Bay may be the first stop or the second, depending on the day and the sea. This flexible plan is practical, though it means you should not expect a fixed sequence.

The bay provides another chance to swim and use the water equipment. If the first stop was active, you can make this a quieter stop. If you skipped snorkeling earlier, you may have another chance to get in the water here.

The signature activity is the Tarzan swing. It works like a simple trapeze, letting you hold on, swing out from the boat, and drop into the sea. The crew presents it as easy and safe for a wide age range, but you still need to be comfortable climbing aboard, holding the swing, and entering the water.

You do not have to use it. Watching other people take their turns can be almost as entertaining, especially when family members encourage one another from the deck. For children and active adults, the swing may become the highlight of the entire day. For anyone who is nervous, the crew can help explain the setup, and the water activities offer plenty of alternatives.

After swinging, you can return to the bar or have a snack. That small detail matters because a few rounds on the swing can leave you hungry, even if you are mainly there to relax.

The Views Along Both Sides of St. Maarten

The route follows the coastline and includes views connected with both the Dutch and French sides of the island. You will see beaches from the water, which gives you a different sense of St. Maarten than a land tour or taxi ride.

The cruise may pass near Maho, the area known for planes approaching the airport. The boat does not promise a specific plane sighting, but the route can provide a memorable view if the timing lines up. I would treat that as a bonus, not a reason to book the trip by itself.

The coastline is best enjoyed from the deck between activities. Bring your camera, but protect it from spray and keep your phone secure around the swing and swimming areas. The boat provides the main setting, while the two bays provide the time to get off the deck and into the water.

Because the trip does not head far offshore, it can feel calmer than an open-sea excursion. That does not eliminate the chance of motion sickness, and no boat can promise perfectly smooth water. Still, staying close to the island and within the Caribbean side of the coast may appeal to anyone who worries about rough conditions.

Food, Drinks, and the Value of $139

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a half-day in St. Maarten. The price begins to make sense when you add up what is included: five hours aboard the catamaran, lunch, snacks, unlimited drinks, snorkeling gear, life jackets, paddleboards, the Tarzan swing, and the crew’s service.

The food is a major part of the value. You receive grilled chicken skewers, Caribbean rice, salad, and bread, with the meal cooked on the boat. That feels more substantial than a basic shore excursion lunch and saves you from paying for a separate meal during the afternoon.

The open bar also changes the calculation. Rum punch, beer, soft drinks, and other included drinks are available throughout the trip. The crew keeps checking in, so you do not need to manage every drink purchase. Alcohol is only for people age 18 and older, and you can choose nonalcoholic drinks instead.

You should still decide what kind of day you want. If you only want a quick swim and a short boat ride, $139 may feel high. If you want a full, social outing with food, drinks, equipment, and several water activities, the package offers solid value.

Tips are not listed as included. I would bring some cash if you want to thank the crew for the service. One optional purchase mentioned aboard the boat is a bracelet benefiting stray dogs on the island, so you may want a little extra money for that as well.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Day Most

This trip works especially well for families with children old enough to enjoy the water, couples looking for a sociable day, and friends who want activities without planning each one themselves.

It also suits mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, another can use the swing, and someone else can remain on deck with a drink. The crew supplies the core equipment, so you do not need to organize a separate rental for each activity.

The boat is family-friendly, but it is not a quiet luxury cruise. Music, conversation, a flowing bar, and a lively swim stop are part of the mood. If you want a formal sailing lesson, long stretches of silence, or an intimate private charter, this is probably not the right match.

The trip may also suit people concerned about seasickness because it stays along the Caribbean coast and does not go far offshore. You should still take your normal precautions if you are prone to motion sickness. Sea conditions remain outside the crew’s control.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, parking is available, and the departure point is within walking distance of the cruise port. The exact meeting place is sent by email during the week before the trip, so check your inbox and junk folder carefully. Do not rely only on the meeting point printed on the initial ticket.

What to Bring for a Better Day

Wear your swimsuit under comfortable clothes. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes if you dislike riding home in wet swimwear.

A waterproof phone pouch is useful, especially if you plan to photograph the swing or swim near the boat. Keep sunglasses and loose items secured when the catamaran is moving.

You do not need to bring snorkel equipment or a life jacket. Those are supplied, along with paddleboards and other water gear. You may still prefer your own mask if you have one that fits well.

Bring a small amount of cash for tips or optional purchases. Since drinks and lunch are included, you do not need money for routine food and beverage stops during the sail.

Timing, Weather, and the Practical Details

The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about five hours, ending back at the meeting point. That makes it a useful choice for a longer day in St. Maarten, but you should leave enough room afterward for delays caused by sea conditions or the return to shore.

The order of Mullet Bay and Little Bay can change. The crew may also adjust the day to suit the conditions. This is normal for a water excursion, and flexibility helps the captain choose the more comfortable plan.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met. For your own plans, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The operator is a Travelife Sustainability Partner. That designation is useful for people who pay attention to a company’s environmental efforts, though the supplied details do not spell out the specific practices on this sailing. The boat also keeps the group size to no more than 30 people.

Should You Book the Random Wind Catamaran?

I would book this trip if you want an easy, social day that combines sailing, swimming, lunch, drinks, and a little harmless adrenaline. The fresh grilled lunch, attentive crew, and choice of water activities make it more than a simple ride along the coast.

I would skip it if your main goal is a private sailing experience, serious snorkeling, or a quiet day away from other people. The swing, bar, music, and shared boat create a friendly group atmosphere.

For most visitors, the strongest reason to book is the balance. You get enough action to keep children and active adults interested, while the shaded seating, food, drinks, and coastal views give less active people an enjoyable day too. Just watch your email for the final meeting point, pack sunscreen and a towel, and be ready to let the captain adjust the plan to the sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran sail from?

The tour departs from Simpson Bay in St. Maarten and returns to the same meeting point. The location is within walking distance of the cruise port.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m. The activity lasts about five hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The usual stops are Mullet Bay and Little Bay. The order can change based on the day and sea conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes marinated chicken skewers grilled aboard the boat, Caribbean rice, green salad, and baguette.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks are included through the open bar. The minimum age to consume alcohol is 18.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkel equipment and life jackets are provided. Stand-up paddleboards and the Tarzan swing are also included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.