Private Boat Charter Saint Martin & natural reserve

The best part of this private charter is the freedom to see several very different sides of St Martin in one day: quiet coves, a nature reserve, turtle waters, a lunch island, and the famous Maho Beach air corridor. Tintamarre Island gives the day its most natural moment, while Creole Rock offers an easy snorkelling stop.

I like the small-group setup, which means your party of up to 12 has the boat to itself. I also like the practical extras: snorkelling gear, floating mats, paddles, drinks, a waterproof bag, and music are included. The main consideration is that the day covers a lot of water, so part of the 7 to 8 hours is spent moving between stops.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 12 people: The price is per group, not per person, so the value improves sharply with a full party.
• Tintamarre is the natural highlight: You get about two hours around the island, with a chance to see sea turtles.
• Creole Rock includes snorkelling: Masks, snorkels, flotation aids, and life vests are provided.
• Pinel Island leaves lunch flexible: Bring your own meal or eat at an island restaurant, with the meal paid separately.
• Maho adds a very different scene: You stop for about 30 minutes to watch planes pass overhead as they land.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, but changes made within 24 hours are not refundable.

A full day from Marigot to St Martin’s best water stops

This is a private, captain-led outing from J.M Beer at Marina Royale in Marigot. You meet at Résidence la Frégate, lot 19, 2 Rue du Président Kennedy, and return to the same place at the end of the day.

The boat is reserved for your group, with a maximum of 12 passengers. That makes this a useful choice for a family group, a circle of friends, or anyone who would rather not follow a fixed shared-boat schedule. You can spend the day together without having strangers affect the pace, music, or lunch decision.

The listed duration is about seven to eight hours. That sounds generous, but remember that the clock includes travel time between the stops. The route moves around the island, passing through several bays before returning to Marigot, so this is not eight hours spent in one quiet anchorage.

The crew may include captains named Loïc or Nicolas, also referred to as Nico, with Elodie serving as hostess on some outings. The available feedback gives special attention to their friendly service, careful handling, and communication before the trip. One useful detail is that a scheduled outing was rescheduled when weather was poor, rather than simply forcing the group out in bad conditions.

Happy Bay gives you a scenic first look

The first stop is a passage in front of Happy Bay Beach, planned for about 30 minutes. This is more of a scenic introduction than a long beach visit. You get a look at one of St Martin’s coastal corners from the water before the day turns toward snorkelling and the smaller islands.

That short timing matters. If you want a full beach afternoon, this charter is not designed around Happy Bay. If you want to see it as part of a wider circuit, the stop fits well and avoids spending the whole day in one place.

The boat route also passes the beaches of Long Bay, Plum Bay, and Red Bay. These passages help you see how quickly St Martin’s shoreline changes from one bay to the next. You may also have chances to enter the turquoise water at suitable points along the route, though the exact swimming conditions depend on the day.

Creole Rock brings the first water activity

Near Grand Case, the charter reaches Creole Rock Nature Reserve for about an hour. Masks and snorkels are included, along with life vests and flotation noodles. The boat also carries a floating mat and paddles, giving you more than one way to enjoy the stop.

Creole Rock is a good early place to test the water and equipment. You can snorkel without paying an added admission charge, and the stop is long enough to enjoy the water without turning into an all-day session. If someone in your group is less interested in snorkelling, the floating mat or a simple swim gives them another option.

I would treat the reserve as a chance to see marine life and clear water, not as a guaranteed wildlife show. Sea conditions, visibility, and animal sightings can change. The captain decides how the boat uses the area, and the exact amount of time in the water may depend on conditions.

The boat then passes through Anse Marcel. This is another scenic section rather than a separately timed stop. It helps break up the longer run toward Tintamarre and gives you another view of the northern coast.

Tintamarre is the day’s strongest nature stop

Tintamarre Island receives about two hours, the longest dedicated stop on the route. The stated aim is to see sea turtles, making this the part of the day most likely to appeal to you if wildlife and quiet water matter more than beach bars or shopping.

The island is also a useful midpoint in the day. After the shorter Happy Bay passage and the one-hour Creole Rock stop, two hours gives you time to enjoy the water at a less hurried pace. You can use the included snorkelling equipment, swim with a life vest or flotation noodle, and spend time on the floating mat.

Keep your expectations sensible. The charter offers a chance to see turtles, not a guarantee that turtles will appear on cue. Nature is nature, and the captain will work with the conditions of the day. Still, the length of this stop gives you a better opportunity than a quick ten-minute look from the boat.

This is also where the private format makes the most sense. Your party can enjoy the water together and decide how much energy to spend before lunch. You are not being rushed through a series of tiny photo stops.

Pinel Island lets you choose your own lunch

The Pinel Island stop lasts about two hours. Lunch is not included, but you can bring food or choose to eat at an island restaurant. This arrangement gives you a useful choice, especially if your group has different budgets or food preferences.

Eating at the island restaurant makes the day easier, since you do not need to carry a full meal. Bringing your own food gives you more control over cost and timing. The important point is that you should plan this before departure. The charter includes drinks and snacks-style refreshments, but it does not include lunch.

Pinel is also another opportunity to enjoy the water rather than treating the stop as only a meal break. You have time to swim or use the floating equipment, depending on the conditions and how your group divides the two hours.

The flexible lunch plan is a strength, but it means the advertised price does not cover every expense. If you choose a restaurant, the meal is an additional cost. Ask your group in advance if the priority is a sit-down meal or more time in the water.

Maho adds planes, noise, and a memorable change of pace

The final named stop is Maho, for about 30 minutes. This is the famous place to watch aircraft land above the beach area. It is a sharp contrast with Tintamarre and Creole Rock, where the appeal comes from water and nature.

Maho is best understood as a quick spectacle. You are not going there for a long swim or a quiet beach break. The short visit keeps it from taking over the day, while still giving you time to see the planes overhead if landings line up during your stop.

The timing of aircraft is not given, so a particular type of plane or exact landing moment cannot be promised. Still, the stop gives the route a lively finish and lets you say you experienced one of St Martin’s most recognizable sights from the sea.

What is included on the boat

The practical equipment list is generous for a private day on the water. You receive snorkelling equipment, life vests, flotation noodles, a floating mat, and paddles. A waterproof bag is available for personal belongings, which is helpful when phones, wallets, and cameras need protection near the water.

Drinks include bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages limited to rum punch and beer for adults. Music is also provided on board. These details matter because a long boat outing can become inconvenient if every drink or piece of water equipment requires a separate rental.

You should still bring anything personal that you need for the day, especially sun protection and a meal if you do not want to eat at the island restaurant. The supplied information confirms drinks and equipment, but it does not list every personal item you may prefer to carry.

Alcohol is for adults only. Since this is a boat trip with several swimming stops, keep your own comfort and safety in mind rather than treating the included rum punch or beer as the main event.

Is $1,201.35 a fair price for your group?

The price is $1,201.35 for the entire boat, with up to 12 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $100 per person. For six people, it is about $200 per person, and for four people, about $300 per person.

That calculation tells you how to judge the value. A full family group or group of friends gets a strong deal because the cost covers a private captain, a full day of transport around St Martin, water equipment, drinks, and several separate stops. A small party pays much more per person, so a shared trip could be worth comparing if privacy is not important.

The private format is the main reason to pay more. You are not just buying boat transport. You are paying for a reserved vessel, a captain, a flexible group setting, and the ability to spend time together without sharing the day with other parties.

Lunch is extra, so include that in your budget. The charter also does not promise that every stop will be used for the same amount of time in every set of sea conditions. You are buying a full route and a private day, not a fixed guarantee of perfect water at every site.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would recommend it most for groups that want variety. In one day, you get beach views, a marine reserve, turtle-spotting, a lunch island, open-water swimming, and planes near Maho. That mix works well if your group cannot agree on one single type of outing.

It is also a good fit for people who value personal service. The team has been praised for friendly attention, quick responses before departure, and care when weather disrupted a planned outing. The names associated with the crew include Nicolas, Nico, Loïc, and Elodie.

Families may appreciate the flotation equipment, waterproof bag, and private setting, though the supplied information does not give specific age rules or child facilities. Most people can participate, but you should consider your own comfort with a full day at sea and several water-based stops.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, slow day at one beach, a guaranteed turtle sighting, or a meal included in the price. It is also not the right choice if you dislike travel time between stops. The route is broad by design.

Timing, weather, and simple planning advice

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour ends back at the Marigot meeting point. The departure area is near public transportation, which makes the start point practical if you are already in the area.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If you need to cancel yourself, do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Because the day depends on sea conditions, keep your plans around it flexible. The weather policy is reassuring, but you should not assume that a rough day will produce the same route or water time as a calm one.

Before leaving, settle three questions with your group: who wants to snorkel, who wants to eat at Pinel, and how much time everyone wants to spend swimming. That small bit of planning makes the private format work better.

Should you book this St Martin boat charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a packed day around St Martin rather than a single beach stop. The best reasons are private use of the boat, the two-hour Tintamarre visit, included snorkelling gear, and the range of stops from Creole Rock to Maho.

Think twice if your group is small, price-sensitive, or mainly wants a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The lunch cost is separate, travel time takes up part of the day, and sea conditions can change the experience.

For a group of eight to 12, this is a strong way to turn a day on St Martin’s water into a private island circuit. For smaller groups, calculate the per-person cost first. If that figure works for your budget, the mix of turtles, snorkelling, Pinel, and planes gives you a memorable day with plenty of variety.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter start and finish?

The tour starts at J.M Beer at Marina Royale, Résidence la Frégate, lot 19, 2 Rue du Président Kennedy, Marigot 97150, St Martin. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat accepts a maximum of 12 passengers, and only your group participates in the private activity.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The remaining time includes travel between the stops.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own meal or choose to eat at a restaurant on Pinel Island. Lunch is paid separately.

What drinks and equipment are included?

The boat provides snorkelling equipment, flotation noodles, life vests, a floating mat, paddles, a waterproof bag, bottled water, soda, music, and alcoholic drinks limited to rum punch and beer for adults.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.