Luxury Private Full-Day Catamaran Charter in St Maarten & Saint-Martin

The best part of this St. Martin outing is simple: you get the whole catamaran for your own group, not a seat on a crowded boat. The 9-hour route can reach Tintamarre Island, Long Bay La Samana, and Happy Bay, while the 7-hour plan stays closer to the island’s southern coast.

I like the generous food program, from French pastries and fresh fruit in the morning to a four-course lunch, and I like having real choices on the water: swim, snorkel, fish, paddleboard, or simply sit in the shade. The main consideration is the price, $770 per person, which makes the most sense for a group that will use the boat and open bar for the full day.

Five things to know before you book

• Two sailing plans: Choose a 9-hour outing from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or a 7-hour outing from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Private use of Flagship II: Your group has the catamaran to itself, with shaded seating, rooms, bathrooms, storage bins, and Bluetooth music.
• Food is a major part of the day: French pastries, fruit, tea, coffee, appetizers, dessert, and a four-course gourmet lunch are included.
• Good water time: Snorkeling and fishing gear plus two paddleboards are included, with chances to swim near turtles and stingrays.
• Weather shapes the route: Wind and sea conditions can change the itinerary, so the advertised stops are not guaranteed.

A private catamaran day around St. Martin

This is not a simple boat transfer with a few snacks tossed into a cooler. It is a full-day outing built around time on the water, good meals, swimming stops, and the freedom that comes with a private charter.

You meet at Bobby’s Marina on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The boat returns to the same place at the end of the day. A current passport is required, since the sailing area includes both the Dutch and French sides of the island and nearby waters.

The catamaran used for the trip is called Flagship II. It has plenty of shade, which matters in the Caribbean sun, along with bathrooms, rooms, storage spaces, and a Bluetooth system for your music. The boat has been used by groups of six and nine, and the layout gives people room to spread out rather than forcing everyone into one small seating area.

The crew can include Captain Alois, Benjamin, Georgia, Cami, Paula, Daniella, or other staff members. The exact team is not promised, but the operation has more than 15 years of experience in the area. Expect a safety briefing before departure, local information as you sail, and help with snorkeling and swimming.

Choosing seven hours or nine hours

The 9-hour charter starts at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. It is the better pick if you want to make a broad circuit around St. Martin and include Tintamarre Island. The route may also include Long Bay La Samana and Happy Bay.

The 9-hour plan includes breakfast, appetizers, a four-course lunch, and a full open bar. You also have snorkeling and fishing equipment, along with two paddleboards. The longer schedule gives the captain more room to balance sailing time, beach stops, lunch, and water activities.

Tintamarre Island is the big draw on this version. It sits away from the main settled coast and gives the day a more remote feel. The water may be clear enough for turtle and stingray sightings, though wildlife is never guaranteed. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but you should not book this expecting a promised animal encounter.

The 7-hour charter starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. It follows the St. Maarten shore and may stop at Mullet Bay, Long Bay La Samana, and Divi Little Bay.

This route is a good fit if you want a shorter day, prefer a later start, or want to focus on beach time near the island. It includes a light breakfast, appetizers, four-course lunch, an open bar, snorkeling and fishing gear, and two paddleboards. You still get a full day on the water, but the schedule is less ambitious than the Tintamarre route.

Do not treat either itinerary as fixed. Wind and sea conditions can alter the stops. One group had to stay near Mullet Bay, Long Bay, and Little Bay because the weather made a full circuit impractical. That is not a flaw in the boat. It is the reality of sailing around an exposed island.

What makes Tintamarre Island worth the longer route

Tintamarre is the most distinctive stop offered here because it takes you away from the main shore and into a quieter setting. The island is especially appealing if you want the day to feel like an outing rather than a beach visit attached to a boat ride.

The water around the island is used for swimming and snorkeling. The crew can help you look for marine life, and turtles and stingrays are possible. Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photos, though no special underwater camera is listed as part of the equipment.

The drawback is time. A longer sail means less time at each individual stop, and conditions can affect how long you remain in one place. If your priority is lounging on a beach with minimal movement, the seven-hour route may suit you better.

Mullet Bay, Long Bay, Happy Bay, and Little Bay

The shorter route’s main stops keep you closer to St. Maarten. Mullet Bay offers a classic beach pause, while Long Bay La Samana can add a quieter coastal stop to the day. Divi Little Bay provides another place for swimming and snorkeling.

The nine-hour itinerary adds Happy Bay, a quieter beach area on the French side, along with Tintamarre. The exact order depends on conditions and the captain’s judgment.

I like this mix because the day is not built around one single attraction. If snorkeling is disappointing at one stop, you still have swimming, paddleboarding, beach time, and sailing ahead. If the sea becomes too rough for the planned crossing, the crew can keep the boat closer to shore.

You should also understand that a private charter does not mean you control every detail. You can tell the crew what matters most to your group, but the captain still has to make safe choices. The reviews include praise for handling rougher seas, as well as one complaint about a late crew and poor attention from the captain. That isolated negative note is worth keeping in mind: service depends partly on the people working your departure.

Meals, snacks, and the open bar

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. The day starts with French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee on the 9-hour plan. The seven-hour version includes a light breakfast.

During the trip, you receive appetizers and a four-course gourmet lunch. Several accounts also describe dessert and food served throughout the day. The meal is more substantial than the usual boat excursion lunch, and one group specifically found it better than the food served on a cruise ship.

Drinks are unlimited, with soft drinks and alcoholic beverages from the open bar. Mixed drinks can be prepared with vodka, tequila, and rum, according to the information provided. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks and water-based activities still make the package useful, but part of the price reflects the bar service.

Tell the operator about vegetarian or vegan needs when booking. Food allergies can also be handled with advance notice. Do not wait until you board. A private boat gives you flexibility, but the crew still needs time to prepare the right food.

The food also changes the value calculation. At $770 per person, this is expensive if you think of it as transportation to three beaches. It becomes easier to justify when you count the private boat, crew, meals, snacks, open bar, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and seven or nine hours of use.

Snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboards

The water activities are simple and accessible. Snorkeling gear is included, and the crew can guide you toward fish and other sea life. One family received help spotting fish, turtles, and stingrays, and children were able to snorkel with the captain’s assistance.

Fishing gear is also available. The supplied information does not promise a catch or describe a dedicated fishing session, so think of it as an extra option rather than the main purpose of the charter.

Two paddleboards are included. They are useful for a change of pace when you have had enough swimming or snorkeling. Because there are only two, larger groups will need to take turns.

The catamaran offers plenty of shade, but you still need sunscreen, sunglasses, and beach towels. The sun can be strong even when you are sitting under cover. Bring your passport, since it must be checked before or during the boat outing.

The crew and the feel on board

The crew’s approach is a major part of this experience. Captain Alois and Benjamin are frequently named, while Georgia is praised for keeping food and drinks moving and helping groups feel cared for. Other crew members named include Cami, Paula, Daniella, and Sylvia.

Expect a friendly, hands-on day rather than a silent charter. The crew can explain places around the island, point out marine life, and help with snorkeling. One captain also offered practical advice for people prone to seasickness.

The boat’s Bluetooth system lets you connect your own music. One group turned the day into a dance party with a custom playlist, while another preferred a quieter outing. That flexibility is a real advantage of a private boat. You are not stuck with a stranger’s music or a fixed entertainment program.

The crew can also help you celebrate a birthday or family occasion, but the listing does not promise a special event package. If you want decorations, a particular menu, or something beyond the included food, ask before booking.

Is $770 per person good value?

The price is high. There is no getting around it. You should compare it with the total cost of a shared sailing trip, meals, drinks, beach access, equipment rental, and the value of having only your own group on board.

A shared boat may cost less, but it also gives you less control over the music, seating, pace, and swimming stops. Here, a group can shape the day around snorkeling, beach time, food, or simply sailing. That privacy is the central product.

The value improves for groups that stay on board for the full seven or nine hours and make use of the meals, open bar, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear. It also works well for couples traveling with an adult family group, as the spacious boat gives everyone room to relax.

The price makes less sense if you want only a short sail, do not drink, dislike long days at sea, or plan to spend most of the time on land. In that case, a shorter shared excursion may be more practical.

Group discounts are available, though the exact discount is not provided. Ask for the current group price before you commit.

Who should book this charter?

I would recommend it to families, couples traveling together, birthday groups, and friends who care about privacy and food as much as sightseeing. It is especially useful for a group with mixed interests. Swimmers can get in the water, music lovers can use the Bluetooth system, and people who prefer to relax can stay in the shade with a drink.

It is also a good choice if you want help with snorkeling. The crew can guide you, and the boat carries the necessary equipment.

I would be more cautious if you are very sensitive to motion, though the crew has given seasickness advice in the past. You should also be comfortable with the possibility of changing plans. Sailing conditions may cancel a crossing or replace one beach with another.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of people is not met.

Should you book the Flagship II?

Book this charter if you want a private day where the boat itself is the main attraction. The strongest features are the spacious catamaran, thoughtful meal service, open bar, flexible stops, and crew assistance in the water.

Choose the nine-hour plan if Tintamarre Island and a fuller circuit matter to you. Choose seven hours if you want a later start and a more focused day near Mullet Bay, Long Bay, and Little Bay.

I would skip it if $770 per person feels uncomfortable or if you would rather spend the day on beaches than moving between them. But for a group that values privacy, a generous lunch, good drinks, and the freedom to set its own rhythm, this is one of the more complete ways to experience St. Martin from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter begin?

The charter begins at Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Where does the activity end?

The catamaran returns to Bobby’s Marina, the same place where the activity begins.

How long is the charter?

You can choose a seven-hour or nine-hour option. The nine-hour trip runs approximately from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The seven-hour trip runs approximately from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

What food is included?

The 9-hour option includes French pastries, fresh fruit, tea, coffee, appetizers, and a four-course gourmet lunch. The 7-hour option includes a light breakfast, appetizers, and a four-course gourmet lunch. Dessert may also be served.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are included through the open bar.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with fishing gear and two paddleboards.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. A current valid passport is required on the day of the boat outing.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. The itinerary can change depending on sea and wind conditions. If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.