Private Full-Day Catamaran Sailing Charter in St Maarten

The best part of this private catamaran day is the freedom to see St. Maarten from the water, where cliffs, beaches, coves, and quiet stretches of coast come into view without roads or crowds. The usual route circles the island, with stops at La Samanna, Creole Rock, and Tintamarre Island.

I like the all-day pace and the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and fishing rods are included. I also like the personal feel of a private charter, with crew members such as Louise and Tonya praised for being flexible and attentive. The main consideration is the price: $2,800 is a serious spend for a small group, though it works out to about $187 per person when 15 people share it.

Key points to know before you book

• Tintamarre Island is the day’s big reward: Expect a beach stop, swimming, turtles, and a Caribbean BBQ lunch.
• Creole Rock is the main snorkeling stop: It is described as St. Maarten’s number-one snorkeling site for fish.
• The boat circles the island: You see parts of Dutch and French St. Martin that are best viewed from offshore.
• Everything is private: Only your group joins the charter, so the day can be adjusted to your preferences.
• Food and drinks are covered: Gouda cheese, fresh baguette, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, and a hot BBQ lunch are included.
• The tour runs about eight hours: Meet at 9:00 a.m. at 88 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay and return there at the end.

Setting out from Simpson Bay at 9:00 a.m.

Your day starts at 88 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay. The charter lasts about eight hours and ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the logistics simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer as part of the tour.

A full day matters here. This is not a quick boat ride with one rushed swim stop. The route allows time for sailing, sightseeing, snorkeling, lunch, and a longer stop at Tintamarre Island. You also have a better chance to enjoy the boat itself rather than treating it as a floating taxi.

The catamaran is described as extremely stable and handled by experienced, licensed captains. That should appeal to anyone who likes the idea of sailing but worries about a rough or cramped ride. You can relax in the sun or find shade, and the private format gives your group more control over the mood of the day.

The boat accommodates groups of up to 15 people. That maximum is important when you judge the price. At full capacity, $2,800 works out to roughly $187 per person. For a group of six, the cost rises to about $467 per person. The charter makes the most financial sense for a large family group, wedding party, birthday group, or several friends booking together.

Sailing around St. Maarten and St. Martin

The route is built around an island circuit. St. Maarten is divided between the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, and the French side, Saint-Martin. From the water, you get a broad look at both sides without spending the day driving between beaches.

I like this kind of route because it gives the outing a sense of place. You are not simply anchored at one beach all day. The coast keeps changing as the catamaran moves past different shores, bays, and parts of the island that are visible only from offshore.

The sailing itself is part of the experience. The tour promises proper sailing, not just a motorboat trip with a few minutes of drifting. Wind and sea conditions will affect how much sailing you get and how smooth the day feels, so keep your expectations practical. The itinerary can be flexible, but the boat still depends on weather and the captain’s judgment.

The private format helps here. A crew can focus on your group instead of fitting every stop into a fixed schedule for strangers. You can ask for more time in the water, more time relaxing, or a slower return sail, subject to conditions and the captain’s decision.

La Samanna brings a quieter coastal stop

La Samanna is one of the planned highlights. The stop gives you a chance to see the French side from the water and adds variety before the main snorkeling and beach portions of the day.

The information provided does not promise a specific activity at La Samanna, so treat it mainly as a scenic stop rather than a guaranteed shore excursion. You might spend time swimming, looking along the coast, or simply enjoying the view from the catamaran. Ask the crew how long the boat plans to stay there on your date.

This is also a useful reminder that the day is water-focused. You are not visiting museums, shops, or inland sights. The appeal comes from open water, coastal views, swimming, and the change of scenery around the island.

Creole Rock is the main snorkeling stop

Creole Rock is presented as St. Maarten’s number-one snorkeling site for fish. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer using familiar gear.

The value of having equipment on board is easy to miss when comparing prices. A private charter can look expensive at first, but this one also includes the gear needed for several activities. You can snorkel, try the stand-up paddle board, or use the fishing rods for trolling without renting each item separately.

Water conditions can affect visibility and comfort. The tour requires good weather, and the crew will decide how best to handle the day if conditions are poor. Even on a calm day, snorkelers should be comfortable in open water and willing to follow the captain’s instructions.

If your group has mixed interests, Creole Rock works well. Strong swimmers can snorkel while others stay aboard, use the paddle board, fish, or relax in the shade. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat instead of a tightly scheduled group excursion.

Tintamarre Island combines turtles, beach time, and lunch

Tintamarre Island is the most distinctive stop on the route. The planned visit includes swimming with turtles, time on an impressive beach, and a Caribbean BBQ lunch. This is where the day shifts from sightseeing to a proper island stop.

The turtle encounter is described as part of the swim at Tintamarre, but wildlife is never fully predictable. You may see turtles, yet the crew cannot control where animals appear or how long they remain nearby. Keep a respectful distance and follow the crew’s guidance in the water.

The beach gives you room to slow down after the morning’s sailing and snorkeling. You can swim, sit in the sand, or return to the boat for shade and drinks. The exact amount of shore time depends on the day’s conditions and the group’s preferences.

Lunch is a hot BBQ with salads. Earlier in the day, the crew serves snacks that include Gouda cheese and fresh baguette. This is more substantial than a boat trip built around a few bags of chips, especially when you spend eight hours in the sun.

Food allergies and special dietary needs are not explained in the supplied details, so ask about them before booking. The listed meal is a BBQ lunch with salads, not a menu with several guaranteed choices.

An open bar that runs all day

Drinks are included, which removes one of the usual annoyances of a full-day boat charter. The open bar includes beer, rum, rum punch, vodka, gin, and whisky. You also get soda, bottled water, coffee, and tea.

The selection suits a social group, but it may not suit everyone equally. Anyone who wants specialty cocktails, premium brands, or a carefully planned wine service should ask for details before committing. The listed offering is designed for relaxed boat drinking, not formal dining.

You should still pace yourself. Eight hours in the sun, with swimming and sailing, can make alcohol feel stronger than expected. Water is included, so use it often and keep the day comfortable.

The drinks also add real value for a group. Buying refreshments separately for 15 people across eight hours could become expensive and inconvenient. Here, the crew handles the basics while you stay focused on the coast and the water.

What the crew adds to the day

A private charter depends heavily on the crew. The boat, food, and route matter, but the crew sets the tone, explains the activities, and decides how to respond to sea conditions.

Louise and Tonya are specifically praised for being accommodating, and the captain and mate are praised for making the day enjoyable and easy. That matters because a flexible itinerary only works when the crew listens to the group while keeping the trip safe.

The boat is described as stable and safe, with experienced, licensed captains. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and service animals require prior approval. The crew has also handled wheelchair users successfully up to the boat, but a wheelchair cannot be used on board. Contact the provider before booking if accessibility is important for your group.

The charter is private, so you will not be sharing the boat with other parties. That makes it a strong choice for families and friends who want their own space. It also means your group needs to communicate well. A private boat cannot solve disagreements if half the group wants to snorkel and the other half wants to remain in the shade.

How the $2,800 price measures up

The $2,800 group price looks high beside a standard shared boat trip. The comparison changes when you count what is included: eight hours, a private catamaran, crew, lunch, snacks, an open bar, water, coffee, tea, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, and fishing rods.

At the full 15-person capacity, the cost is about $187 per person. That is a reasonable calculation for a private full-day outing with food and drinks included, especially for a group already planning to spend the day together.

For smaller parties, the value becomes less clear. A group of four would pay about $700 per person, and the private setting may not justify that cost for everyone. You should compare the total group price, not just the attractive per-person figure shown at maximum capacity.

I would book this for a group that values privacy and convenience more than the lowest possible price. I would not choose it simply to get from Simpson Bay to one beach. The value comes from the complete day, the island circuit, the equipment, and the freedom to shape the schedule.

Weather, cancellation, and practical details

Good weather is required. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time in St. Maarten, so do not wait until the last minute if your plans are uncertain.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour has a mobile ticket, and it is near public transportation. Children need an accompanying adult.

Pack the basics for a full day on the water: swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and any personal medication you need. The supplied information confirms drinks, food, and equipment, but it does not state that towels or sunscreen are provided.

Who should book this private catamaran day?

This is a good match for a large family group, a celebration, or friends who want a relaxed day with their own crew and schedule. It also suits mixed groups because snorkelers, paddle board users, anglers, and people who simply want to sit in the shade can all use the day differently.

Families should note that children are welcome with an adult, but everyone needs to follow the crew’s safety directions. The stable boat is reassuring, though a full day at sea can still be tiring for very young children.

Snorkelers will get the most from the Creole Rock and Tintamarre stops. Food-focused guests will appreciate the cheese, baguette, snacks, and BBQ lunch. People who want a quiet, land-based cultural tour should choose something else, since the focus here is sailing, swimming, and coastal scenery.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you can fill most of the 15-person capacity and want one private day that combines sailing, snorkeling, a beach, turtles, lunch, and drinks. The island circuit gives you more variety than a single-beach outing, and the crew’s flexible approach adds comfort for groups with different interests.

Think twice if your party is small or if you dislike spending a full day on the water. The cost rises quickly with fewer people, and the experience depends on good weather and sea conditions.

For the right group, the strongest value is not one particular stop. It is having the boat, crew, meal, equipment, and route organized for you from 9:00 a.m. until the return to Simpson Bay.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and end?

The tour starts at 88 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay at 9:00 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The private sailing charter lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 15 people.

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes Gouda cheese, fresh baguette, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, and a hot BBQ lunch with salads. The open bar includes beer, rum, rum punch, vodka, gin, and whisky.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddle board, and fishing rods for trolling are supplied.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.