Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

The best part of this St. Maarten charter is the freedom of having the boat to yourself. Captain Mike sets the pace, while Elmira keeps drinks, snacks, and lunch moving, so your group can snorkel, paddleboard, swim, or simply stretch out on deck without following a crowded tour schedule.

I especially like the private group format and the unusually complete food service: coffee and croissants at the start, a charcoal BBQ lunch, fresh melon, and an open bar. The captain also adds island stories and points out sea life, shipwrecks, a submarine, and a helicopter at Little Bay.

The main consideration is the price. At $1,700 for up to eight people, it offers fair value for a full private boat, but it is not a cheap excursion for a couple. Service charge, transportation to the marina, and towels are not included, and the route can change with the weather.

Key points for your day on the water

• Private catamaran for up to eight: Your group has the boat, captain, and crew to itself for about seven hours.
• Captain Mike and Elmira: Mike handles the sailing and island commentary, while Elmira is especially attentive with food, drinks, and family needs.
• Snorkeling at several sites: Stops may include Long Bay, Little Bay, and Tintamarre, with turtles and other sea life possible.
• A proper onboard lunch: The charcoal BBQ includes marinated chicken, salads, French bread, garlic dip, and Beyond burgers for vegetarians.
• Open bar all day: Drinks include water, juices, sodas, beer, rum punch, mimosas, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks.
• Weather controls the route: Plans may shift, as happened for one group that stayed mainly along the Dutch coast when wind made Pinel and Tintamarre impractical.

Starting at AzianaBobby’s Marina

Your day begins at AzianaBobby’s Marina, at number 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The meeting point is off a main road and is described as easy to find, with public transportation nearby.

The charter ends back at the same marina. You need to arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point, since private transportation is not part of the package. Build in enough time to arrive ready for a safety briefing rather than trying to board at the last second.

The crew begins with instructions about the catamaran, life jackets, the bathroom, and general boat safety. This is useful even if you have sailed before, since every boat has its own layout and routines. The briefing also gives you a chance to ask about snorkeling equipment, swimming areas, and how the day may change if the wind shifts.

Bring a towel and use non-spray suntan lotion. Spray products can make a boat deck slippery and can create problems around snorkeling gear and other passengers. You will also want sun protection, but the supplied information specifically calls out non-spray lotion, so follow that request.

Coffee, croissants, and the first coastal miles

The charter gets moving with coffee and croissants, a small touch that matters on an early start. The open bar is available throughout the day, but you do not have to wait for the boat to reach a beach before refreshments begin.

As Captain Mike takes you along the coast, he shares historical information and practical tips about the island. This turns the ride between stops into part of the outing rather than dead time. You can sit back and watch the coastline while getting a better sense of St. Maarten from the water.

The private format helps here. If your group wants more commentary, you can ask. If everyone would rather enjoy a quiet stretch of sea, you are not tied to the mood of a large shared boat.

Long Bay and the first water stop

The first major stop is described as Long Bay, where the crew explains the area and the sea life you may see. Turtles are specifically part of the discussion, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

You can choose how active you want to be. The crew provides snorkeling equipment and gives a short briefing before you enter the water. You can snorkel, swim, use the paddleboard, or remain on the boat. If the stop includes access to a beach, you can also spend time on shore rather than staying in the water.

That range of choices makes the charter work well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head out with masks and fins, while someone who prefers a quiet beach break does not have to force a water activity. Families also get room to set their own pace, although parents should still keep a close eye on young children around the boat and water.

The stop is also when lunch preparation begins. While you are swimming, snorkeling, paddling, or relaxing, the crew prepares the BBQ onboard. That is a smart use of time because the meal is ready when you return rather than taking up a separate block in the middle of the day.

A charcoal BBQ served after swimming

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of this charter. The menu includes marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond burgers for vegetarians.

This is more substantial than the usual boat snack spread. You get a hot charcoal-cooked main course, several sides, bread, and a meat-free option. The gluten-free pasta salad is a useful detail for some diets, though you should still confirm any serious allergy or cross-contamination concern before booking.

The crew serves lunch after everyone returns to the catamaran. That timing lets you eat while relaxed and dry, rather than trying to manage a plate in the water or on a beach. Fresh melon and other snacks appear later, helping break up the long afternoon.

The open bar includes beers, sodas, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, mixed drinks, water, and juices. Coffee and croissants are offered at the start. You can enjoy a celebratory drink, but the combination of sun, swimming, and alcohol calls for some restraint. Water is available, and pacing yourself will help you enjoy the full seven-hour day.

Little Bay’s wrecks, submarine, and sea life

Later, the route reaches Little Bay, an especially interesting stop because the sights are not limited to beach and water. The area includes a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and sea life.

Those underwater and coastal objects give snorkeling here more to look for than a simple swim along an empty shoreline. Captain Mike can add context about what you are seeing, and the crew supplies the snorkeling equipment. The exact viewing conditions depend on weather, water clarity, and the day’s route.

Do not treat the named locations as a fixed promise. The operator notes that destinations can change because of weather, and one group found that wind made Pinel and Tintamarre unsuitable, so the boat stayed mainly along the Dutch coast. That flexibility is normal for a sailing day and is better than forcing a rough crossing, but it means you should book this as a full island water experience rather than as a guaranteed checklist of beaches.

Tintamarre and the value of a private route

Tintamarre Island is one of the planned destinations, along with Little Bay and other snorkeling areas. It adds a more remote feel to the day and gives you another chance to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or rest on the beach.

The appeal of a private charter is most clear here. Your group can spend longer at a favorite stop or move on if conditions or energy levels change. You are not waiting for a large group to get back onboard, and you do not have to leave a place just because a shared excursion has reached its scheduled departure time.

Still, the actual amount of time at Tintamarre depends on wind and sea conditions. The route may favor the Dutch coast or another protected area. If reaching Tintamarre is the single reason you want to book, ask about current conditions before the trip. If your priority is a relaxed day with food, swimming, and attentive service, the itinerary remains worthwhile even when the route changes.

The crew sets the tone

Captain Mike and Elmira receive the strongest praise for this experience. Mike is described as friendly and informative, with a talent for sharing island stories without letting commentary take over the day. Elmira is repeatedly noted for offering drinks and snacks, preparing lunch, and making sure people do not have to keep asking for help.

That division of duties matters on a private boat. You get a captain focused on operating the catamaran and guiding the route, plus a host focused on hospitality and meals. The result is closer to a catered day on the water than a basic boat transfer.

The crew also appears comfortable with families. One child was allowed to help steer with Captain Mike, which became a memorable part of that family’s day. Treat that as a possible courtesy rather than a guaranteed activity, since it depends on safety, conditions, and the captain’s judgment.

The service feels personal without requiring you to follow a formal program. You can ask for more information about the island, settle into a quiet corner, or plan the day around your own group.

What the $1,700 price really buys

The price is $1,700 per group of up to eight people. If you fill every place, that works out to $212.50 per person before the service charge. For a couple, however, the same private-boat price becomes a serious splurge.

You are paying for privacy, a captain and host, roughly seven hours on the water, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, and a broad open bar. You also avoid the crowding and fixed pace of a large shared excursion. For a family or group of friends celebrating together, the cost can compare well with several separate activities and meals, especially if everyone values having the boat to themselves.

The value is weaker if your group mainly wants a short swim and a beach stop. A full day is a long commitment, and the cost does not include transportation to the marina or the service charge. You should also account for the fact that the named destinations are weather-dependent.

The perfect group size is likely somewhere near the upper limit, since eight people can spread the fixed cost. A small group can still enjoy the boat, but two people will pay much more per head for the same private experience.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would put this near the top of the list for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups marking a birthday or other special occasion. The private setup gives children and adults more freedom, while the food and drinks remove much of the planning work from the day.

It is also a good choice for people who want both activity and downtime. You can snorkel at one stop, eat a full lunch, paddleboard later, and spend another stretch simply watching the island pass by.

The charter may be less suitable if you need a tightly fixed route or a guaranteed visit to Tintamarre. It may also feel expensive for a small group that does not care about privacy. Anyone with mobility concerns should note that the activity is described as disability-friendly, but the information does not explain boarding arrangements or the exact setup of the catamaran, so ask the operator for details before booking.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Towels are not provided, so pack your own.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the experience is offered as a private activity for only your group. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and changes within that same window are not accepted. The cut-off uses local Sint Maarten time, so pay attention to the island’s clock if you are arranging the charter from elsewhere.

The experience has a 5 rating with 402 reviews and a 100 percent recommendation rate in the supplied information. The most consistent praise centers on three things: Elmira’s attentive hosting, Captain Mike’s friendly island commentary, and the quality of the homemade lunch. One group also received help finding another catamaran when the original boat needed work, which shows useful flexibility, though equipment changes are never something you should count on.

Should you book the Red Baron charter?

Book it if you want a full private day at sea, not just a quick snorkeling trip. The combination of a flexible route, thoughtful hosting, substantial BBQ lunch, open bar, and several water activities makes this a strong choice for a group of up to eight.

Before paying, make sure your group understands three points: transportation is separate, the service charge is extra, and weather may change the route. If those conditions work for you, Captain Mike and Elmira’s charter offers an easy, social way to see St. Maarten from the water without giving up comfort or personal space.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran charter last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at AzianaBobby’s Marina, number 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Where does the activity end?

The charter returns to the same meeting point at AzianaBobby’s Marina.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own way to the marina.

What food is served?

The day begins with coffee and croissants. Lunch includes charcoal BBQ marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond burgers for vegetarians. Fresh melon and snacks are also served.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, juices, sodas, beers, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks. Coffee is also served at the start.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Which destinations does the charter visit?

Planned stops can include Long Bay, Little Bay, and Tintamarre Island. The route may change because of weather.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and non-spray suntan lotion. A service charge or gratuity is not included.