Sea Ray Sundancer Luxury Private Boat Charter

The best part of this St Maarten charter is control. You are not tied to a large group schedule. Your party has a private Sea Ray Sundancer, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and room to shape the day around beaches, island views, and time on the water. I especially like the chance to stop at uninhabited Tintamarre Island and the freedom to choose a restaurant for lunch rather than being assigned one.

I also like the practical help from a local captain, especially for a cruise port day when timing matters. One booking involved a delayed ship arrival, yet the crew was prepared and still gave the group time for lunch and sightseeing. The main caution is the timing description: the experience is advertised as about six to seven hours, so confirm the exact schedule when booking, particularly if you are sailing that day.

Key points at a glance

• Private Sea Ray for your group: The boat is reserved for your party, with capacity listed at up to eight people.
• Tintamarre Island stop: Plan on about an hour at this uninhabited island north of St Maarten.
• Open bar on board: Beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum punch, water, and soft drinks are included.
• Snorkeling gear supplied: You can use the provided equipment during suitable stops.
• Lunch is flexible but extra: You choose the restaurant, but the meal is not part of the $1,990 price.
• Cruise ship timing matters: Ship passengers must provide docking, disembarkation, and re-boarding details when booking.

A private boat day instead of a fixed group tour

This charter is built for people who want a boat day without surrendering the whole day to a preset route. Captain Flint Boat Charters starts at 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, and returns you to that same meeting point.

The private format is the key feature. Only your group participates, so you can discuss the day with the captain and decide how much time to spend snorkeling, viewing the coast, visiting a beach, or simply staying aboard with a drink. The exact route is not locked into a long list of stops, which gives the outing a more personal feel than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The listed price is $1,990 per group of up to eight people. That is a serious amount for a day on the water, but the math changes when you fill the boat. At eight people, it works out to about $249 per person before lunch. At four people, it is nearly $498 per person. I would consider it strongest value for a full group that wants privacy and flexibility, not for a couple looking for the least expensive way to see the island.

The boat is described as a Sea Ray Sundancer luxury private boat. The supplied details do not give the vessel’s exact year, cabin layout, seating plan, or onboard toilet information, so ask about those points if they matter to your group. The practical information is clearer: you receive a private boat, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and local route advice.

Tintamarre Island: the day’s clearest target

Tintamarre Island is on the north side of SXM and is uninhabited. The planned stop lasts about one hour, with no admission charge.

That makes Tintamarre a good fit for a private charter. You are not visiting a developed attraction with shops, restaurants, or a long list of facilities. The appeal is the setting itself and the feeling of getting away from the main island for a while. You can use the stop for snorkeling, a swim, or quiet time near the shore, depending on conditions and the captain’s advice.

Keep your expectations sensible. One hour is enough for a focused stop, but it is not a full beach day. Since the island has no stated services, bring the towel and swimsuit recommended for the trip, and do not count on buying lunch or drinks there. The open bar is on the boat, not described as an island service.

Tintamarre also gives the charter a clear sense of purpose. Instead of spending seven hours simply cruising without a plan, you have a named destination, a scenic boat ride, and time for water activities. The captain can then use the remaining time for other areas around St Maarten, subject to weather and your group’s wishes.

Seeing St Maarten from the water

The first listed stop is St Martin and St Maarten, with about an hour set aside and no admission fee. The wording is broad, so you should not expect a conventional walking tour of the island during this part of the trip. This is a water-based look at the destination, with the boat providing the moving viewpoint.

That perspective matters. A private boat lets you see the coast without dealing with road traffic or a long series of shore transfers. You can ask the captain to show you areas that fit your interests, then use the time for photographs, a swim, or a change of pace before Tintamarre.

The experience summary says you can choose preferred area highlights and landmarks, snorkel, or find a deserted beach and relax. Those choices are the heart of the product, but they are not a guarantee that every named attraction or beach will be visited. Route decisions depend on the day, sea conditions, and the time available.

I would discuss priorities at the start. If Tintamarre is essential, say so early. If snorkeling matters more than sightseeing, make that clear. If your group wants a quiet beach stop, ask what is practical that day. A private charter works best when you arrive with two or three strong preferences rather than expecting the captain to guess.

Snorkeling with equipment already aboard

Snorkeling equipment is included, which removes one small but annoying part of planning. You do not need to arrange separate gear for the boat portion, and the supplied information specifically encourages you to bring a swimsuit and towel.

The equipment is available for your use, but the details do not specify the brands, sizes, children’s options, or the number of sets. If anyone in your group needs a particular mask size or specialized equipment, confirm that before departure. The tour is also subject to good weather, so the captain may adjust water stops when conditions are poor.

Snorkeling is a useful reason to choose this charter over a simple sightseeing boat. It gives the day an activity as well as a view. Still, I would treat it as an optional part of a flexible boat outing rather than a formal guided snorkeling lesson. The information does not promise an instructor, marine-life briefing, or a dedicated snorkel guide.

The private setup helps families and mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water while others remain aboard with a drink. If your entire party wants a serious snorkeling program, ask for more detail before paying. If you want the freedom to try it during a broader day around St Maarten, the included equipment is a useful benefit.

An open bar, with lunch handled separately

The open bar includes beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum punch, water, and soft drinks. That is a broad selection for a boat outing, and it means you can settle into the day without buying each drink separately.

The sensible approach is to use the bar as a convenience, not as the main event. You still need to stay alert around the water, especially if you plan to snorkel or swim. The information does not describe food service aboard, so do not assume snacks or a catered lunch are included.

Lunch is not included in the price. The boat stops at a restaurant of your choice, giving you more say in the meal than a fixed package would. That flexibility is useful for groups with different tastes, but it also means you should be ready for an additional bill and potentially extra time at the restaurant.

Ask the captain how the lunch stop fits into the route. A long meal may reduce time at Tintamarre or another swimming stop. A quick meal may keep the boat day moving. If you are on a cruise ship, this matters even more because your return time is fixed.

Timing for cruise ship passengers

Cruise ship passengers need to provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking. That requirement is not just paperwork. It allows the operator to judge whether the private charter fits your port call.

One past booking involved a delayed ship arrival, and the crew was prepared for the change. The group still had time to see the island and stop for lunch. That is a useful sign for cruise passengers, although it is not a promise that every delay can be absorbed.

I would leave a generous buffer before your ship’s re-boarding deadline. The boat must return to Cole Bay, and you still need to get back to the ship. The activity ends at the meeting point rather than at your cruise terminal, and hotel or ship pickup is not included.

The stated opening hours are Monday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for the listed operating period from April 13, 2023, through January 12, 2027. Since the experience itself lasts roughly six to seven hours, confirm the departure time and total duration before booking. The supplied information uses both six hours and seven hours, so that detail deserves a direct question.

What the $1,990 price really buys

The price buys privacy, a private captain-led route, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and a long block of time on the water. It does not include lunch, hotel pickup, or drop-off. The value is therefore tied less to admission tickets and more to how much your group values control.

For eight people, the cost becomes easier to justify. You are splitting a private boat rather than paying separate fares for a large shared excursion. You can also avoid spending the day waiting for other passengers to board, eat, swim, or return to the vessel.

For smaller groups, the calculation is less favorable. Two people would pay nearly $995 each before lunch, assuming the full group price applies. I would choose this only if privacy and a luxury boat setting matter more to you than finding the lowest-cost island cruise.

The open bar adds real convenience, but it should not decide the purchase on its own. Drinks are easy to find on many holidays. The stronger value comes from combining a private boat, a flexible route, a Tintamarre stop, and local advice in one day.

Meeting point, what to bring, and practical limits

You meet at 62 Welfare Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, and return there when the activity ends. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, although the meeting point is near public transportation.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. You may also want sun protection and anything you need for personal comfort, but only the towel and swimsuit are specifically recommended in the supplied details. Since lunch is extra, plan for that cost as well.

Most people can participate, according to the provided information. No separate accessibility details are given, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask about boarding the Sea Ray, moving around the boat, and entering the water before booking.

The activity uses mobile tickets. Confirmation is expected within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would point this charter toward families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want a private day rather than a shared cruise. It also suits cruise ship passengers who can provide a clear port schedule and leave enough time for the return to the ship.

It is a good match if your group cannot agree on a single activity. Some people can snorkel, others can relax aboard, and the captain can help shape the route around your interests. The uninhabited island stop gives the day a distinct destination, while the broader St Maarten portion keeps the plan flexible.

I would be cautious if you want a tightly timed sightseeing program with guaranteed visits to several named landmarks. The experience is intentionally open-ended. I would also look elsewhere if you want lunch included, hotel transfer, or a low-cost boat ride for just one or two people.

Should you book the Sea Ray Sundancer charter?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight available places and you want a private boat day with an open bar, snorkeling gear, Tintamarre Island, and control over the route. The strongest praise goes to the crew’s handling of a delayed cruise arrival and the guide’s ability to show the group around the island while still allowing time for lunch.

Before paying, confirm three things: the exact duration, the boarding details for your date, and what the boat can provide for your group’s size and needs. Also budget separately for lunch and transport to Cole Bay.

For a full group seeking a relaxed, flexible day on the water, this is a strong choice. For a small party focused mainly on saving money, the $1,990 group price is harder to defend.

FAQ

How long does the private boat charter last?

The experience is described as approximately seven hours in the tour summary and six hours in the overview. Confirm the exact duration and departure time with Captain Flint Boat Charters before booking.

How much does the charter cost?

The price is $1,990 per group, with capacity listed at up to eight people.

Where does the tour start and end?

The charter starts and ends at 62 Welfare Road, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but the boat stops at a restaurant of your choice.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum punch, water, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for your use during the charter.

Can cruise ship passengers book this experience?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.