Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

The best part of this charter is the freedom of having the catamaran to yourself. Captain Mike can shape the day around the conditions and your group, while Elmira keeps coffee, snacks, drinks, and lunch moving without making the outing feel rushed. I especially like the private group of up to eight and the homemade charcoal BBQ, two details that make the $1,700 price easier to assess. The main consideration is that transportation to AzianaBobby’s Marina and the service charge are extra.

I also like that the day mixes activity with proper downtime. You can snorkel, paddleboard, swim, or simply sit on the beach while the crew prepares lunch. Wind and sea conditions can change the route, though, so do not book this expecting a fixed promise of Tintamarre or Pinel Island.

Key points at a glance

• Private sailing for up to eight: Your group gets the entire activity rather than sharing the boat with strangers.
• Captain Mike and Elmira host the day: Expect island stories, practical tips, attentive drink service, and help with the equipment.
• Long Bay and Little Bay add variety: Snorkeling, turtles, a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and other sea life may feature along the route.
• Lunch is more than basic boat fare: The spread includes charcoal BBQ chicken, salads, garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers.
• Open bar runs throughout the day: Drinks include mimosas, rum punch, beer, sodas, water, juices, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks.
• Weather controls the route: Conditions may keep the boat along the Dutch coast instead of reaching Tintamarre or Pinel.

Seven hours of private sailing around St Maarten

This is a full-day outing, lasting about seven hours, with departure and return at AzianaBobby’s Marina at #22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The meeting point is off a main road and close to public transportation, which makes it fairly easy to reach, but private transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The private format matters most if your group includes different ages or energy levels. One person can snorkel while another relaxes, and nobody has to keep pace with a large boatload of strangers. A family can enjoy the water without worrying that children are slowing the group down, while a group of friends can make better use of the open bar and beach stops.

The price is $1,700 per group of up to eight. At full capacity, that works out to $212.50 per person before any service charge. For two people, it is a very different calculation, since you would be paying the full charter price for a much smaller group. I see the strongest value for families or groups of friends who would otherwise book several separate seats on a shared boat and want control over the day.

Starting with coffee, safety, and a view of the coast

The day begins with a safety briefing. You receive instructions about the boat, life jackets, and the bathroom before departure. That short orientation is useful on a full-day trip, especially if someone in your group has little experience on a catamaran.

Coffee and croissants are served early, while the open bar is available throughout the day. This is a small but welcome touch. You can settle in with breakfast before the first stop rather than arriving hungry and waiting until lunch.

As the boat moves along the coast, Captain Mike provides historical information and practical tips about the island. The commentary gives the cruise some shape without turning it into a formal lecture. You get a sense of where you are and what to watch for in the water.

I would use this first stretch to get comfortable with the boat and tell the crew what your group wants from the day. If some people want more swimming and others prefer beach time, the private setup gives Captain Mike and Elmira room to balance both.

Long Bay brings the first water stop

The first planned snorkeling stop is Long Bay. Before anyone enters the water, the crew gives a quick briefing on the snorkeling equipment and the sea life you may see. Turtles are specifically part of the area’s appeal, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

At this stop, you can choose from several ways to spend your time:

• Snorkel with the provided equipment
• Swim near the boat
• Use the paddleboard
• Relax on the beach
• Stay aboard with a drink and enjoy the view

That choice is one of the charter’s best features. A shared excursion often gives everyone the same short window in the water. Here, the pace can feel more generous. You are not forced to snorkel simply because the boat stopped at a reef, and you are not forced to sit on the boat if you came mainly to swim.

While you are in the water or on the beach, Elmira prepares lunch. The timing makes sense: you work up an appetite, then return to a meal that is ready to serve. Bring your own towel, since towels are not listed as included. You are also asked to bring non-spray sunscreen, so pack that before leaving the marina.

A charcoal BBQ lunch served back on board

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of this experience. The meal includes charcoal BBQ marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.

This menu gives the group more flexibility than a simple sandwich lunch. The gluten-free pasta salad helps if someone in your party has that dietary need, and the Beyond Burgers provide a meat-free main option. The supplied information does not promise a full range of dietary substitutions, so you should raise any special requirements when booking rather than assume the menu can be changed.

The meal is served after you return to the catamaran. That is a practical arrangement. You can wash off after swimming, settle into a seat, and eat without trying to balance a plate on a beach or while the boat is moving.

The food also helps justify the luxury label more than fancy decor would. You are paying for a private boat, but you are also getting a freshly prepared meal, snacks, and drinks handled by the crew. The homemade garlic dip and charcoal cooking add a personal touch that makes lunch feel less like standard excursion catering.

Little Bay adds the island’s unusual side

The route then heads toward Little Bay for another snorkeling stop. This area is described as a place to see a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and sea life. Those sights give the stop a different character from the earlier beach and turtle focus.

I like this change of mood. The day is not only about looking at open water and tropical beaches. Little Bay brings in the odd, memorable details that help you remember where you were. A submerged wreck and a submarine can make snorkeling more interesting for children, while adults may enjoy the stories Captain Mike shares about St Maarten.

The exact experience depends on conditions and visibility. You should not treat every named sight as a guaranteed close-up encounter. The captain chooses stops based on weather and sea conditions, and the destination can change. One group had wind that ruled out Pinel and Tintamarre, so the boat stayed mainly along the Dutch coast. That is not a flaw in the crew’s planning. It is a normal part of sailing in open water, but it is worth understanding before you book.

Snacks, drinks, and a genuinely open bar

The open bar is available all day, with drinks listed as mimosas, rum punch, beers, sodas, water, juices, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks. Fresh melon and other snacks are served after the second snorkeling stop.

This is a good setup for a long outing. You are not left waiting for a single drink service or limited to a small welcome beverage. Elmira’s role is a major part of the experience, as she keeps offering drinks and snacks and handles the lunch preparation. That attention makes the day feel well looked after without requiring you to organize every detail.

Still, an open bar calls for a little self-management. You will be on the water for hours, and swimming after drinking is a poor plan. Water and sodas are included, so use them. The crew can make the day comfortable, but you remain responsible for pacing yourself.

If children are in your group, the drinks list also includes plenty of nonalcoholic choices. The activity is not limited to an adults-only party, and one family specifically appreciated the way Captain Mike included children, even allowing an eight-year-old to help steer under his supervision. That is a special moment, not something you should assume is guaranteed, but it shows how the private format can make the outing personal.

Captain Mike and Elmira shape the tone

The crew receives the strongest praise for hospitality. Captain Mike is described as friendly, informative, and relaxed, while Elmira is repeatedly praised for attentive service and homemade food. Their partnership matters because this is not just a boat transfer from one beach to another.

Captain Mike handles the sailing and island commentary, and Elmira looks after food and drinks. Together, they create a day that can feel social without being forced. You get stories about St Maarten, help with the snorkeling equipment, and someone watching the practical details while you enjoy the water.

The captain’s willingness to adapt is also important. One time, when the original catamaran needed work, a replacement boat was arranged so the group could still have its day on the water. That example suggests a useful level of care, though mechanical problems can never be ruled out on any boat trip.

The activity has a perfect five-star rating from 402 reviews and a 100 percent recommendation rate. Those numbers point to unusually consistent satisfaction, especially with the crew, food, drink service, and relaxed pace. They do not remove the weather factor or make every stop certain, but they do support the idea that the human service is the charter’s strongest asset.

Who gets the best value from this charter

I would recommend this most strongly to:

• Families who want swimming, beach time, food, and a private schedule
• Couples willing to pay for space and personal service
• Groups of friends who can fill most of the eight-person capacity
• First-time visitors who want island stories along with a day at sea
• People who prefer a slower outing instead of a packed schedule

The charter is less compelling for solo visitors or a couple on a tight budget. The $1,700 group price does not shrink when fewer people join. A shared excursion will usually make more financial sense if you mainly want a short snorkeling stop and do not care about having the boat to yourself.

It may also be a poor match if you need a guaranteed route. Tintamarre, Pinel, and other destinations can be changed by wind and sea conditions. The good news is that the trip can still work when the route changes, since the Dutch coast and Little Bay offer other options.

The activity is described as disability-friendly, allows service animals, and says most people can participate. Because this is a boat outing with swimming and snorkeling, I would still contact the operator before booking if your group has specific mobility needs. The supplied information does not describe boarding equipment or the exact accessibility arrangements at the marina.

What to bring and what the price leaves out

Pack a towel and non-spray sunscreen. Snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, water, juices, and mixed drinks are included.

You should also bring anything you need for a full day in the sun, though only the towel and sunscreen requirements are specifically stated. Keep your phone protected from water, and remember that a mobile ticket is accepted for the activity.

The service charge or gratuity is not included. Factor that into the real cost before you compare this with other charters. Private transportation is also not included, so your group must get to AzianaBobby’s Marina independently and return there at the end.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change early. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The final call: book it for the crew and the private pace

I would book this charter if I had six to eight people and wanted a full day that combined snorkeling with proper relaxation. The private boat, generous food service, open bar, and warm attention from Captain Mike and Elmira make the price easier to defend when shared across a full group.

Book with realistic expectations about the route. The sea decides whether Tintamarre, Pinel, or another stop is practical, and the strongest reason to choose this experience is not one particular island. It is the ability to spend seven hours with your own group, moving at a comfortable pace, eating a real BBQ lunch, and letting the crew handle the details.

If you want the cheapest way to get on the water, choose a shared tour. If you want privacy, personal service, good food, and the freedom to snorkel or simply sit back, Red Baron Charters is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the private catamaran charter last?

The experience 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 activity begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

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

Are lunch and snacks included?

Yes. Lunch and snacks are included, with a charcoal BBQ, marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can the route change?

Yes. Destinations may vary because of weather and sea conditions. The planned areas include Long Bay, Little Bay, and Tintamarre Island, but the captain may choose another route.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.