Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

The best part of this private catamaran charter is the freedom to enjoy St. Maarten from the water without sharing the boat with a large crowd. Captain Mike handles the sailing and island commentary, while Elmira keeps food and drinks moving. You may snorkel, paddleboard, swim, sit on a beach, or simply stretch out on deck.

I like two things right away: the generous food and drink service, including a proper charcoal barbecue lunch, and the personal attention built into a boat reserved for your group. The crew has also shown good flexibility, including arranging another catamaran when a vessel needed work.

The main consideration is cost. At $1,700 for up to eight people, the price works best for a full group, and a service charge is extra. Weather can also change the route, so Tintamarre and Pinel are not guaranteed.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group has the catamaran to itself, with more room and control than a shared sailing trip.
• Captain Mike and Elmira host the day: Captain Mike provides island information and sailing guidance, while Elmira handles the welcome, meals, snacks, and drinks.
• Long Bay, Little Bay, and Tintamarre may feature: The route changes with wind and sea conditions, so the exact stops are not fixed.
• A real lunch is included: Expect charcoal-grilled marinated chicken, salads, French bread, garlic dip, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.
• Open bar runs all day: Drinks include water, juices, sodas, beer, rum punch, mimosas, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks.
• Bring your own towel and suitable sunscreen: Non-spray sunscreen is requested, and towels are not supplied.

A Private Day at Sea from Philipsburg

The day begins at AzianaBobby’s Marina at 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. This meeting point is off a main road and near public transportation, which makes it fairly easy to locate. Private transportation to the marina is not included, so you need to arrange your own ride.

Once aboard, you receive a safety briefing. The crew explains the boat, life jackets, bathroom, and basic instructions before the catamaran leaves the marina. That short introduction matters. You can settle in without guessing where equipment is stored or how the boat works.

The charter lasts about seven hours. That gives you enough time for several water stops, lunch, and a relaxed sail along the coast rather than a rushed series of photo stops. Since the boat is private, you can spend more time doing what suits your group instead of following the habits of strangers.

The boat has a bathroom, and snorkeling equipment is provided. Bring a towel, though, since towels are not included. The operator also asks you to use non-spray suntan lotion, a practical rule on a boat where aerosol spray can drift onto surfaces and other people.

Coffee, Croissants, and the First Run Along the Coast

The morning starts with coffee and croissants. The crew also offers an open bar throughout the day, though starting with alcoholic drinks is entirely up to you. This early food is useful because the main meal comes later, after the first water stop.

As Captain Mike takes you along the coast, he shares historical information and practical tips about the island. The commentary gives the sailing some shape. You are not simply moving from one swim stop to another, and the captain can explain where you are and what sea life you might see.

The first planned snorkeling area is Long Bay. The crew gives you a short briefing about the equipment and the conditions before you enter the water. Turtles are among the sea life you might encounter, but wildlife is never guaranteed, so treat that as a possibility rather than a promise.

Long Bay also gives non-snorkelers useful choices. You can swim, use the paddleboard, relax on the beach, or remain aboard. This range of options makes the charter workable for mixed groups, especially when one person wants activity and another wants a quiet morning in the sun.

Lunch on Board, with a Proper Charcoal Grill

While you are in the water or on the beach, Elmira prepares lunch. The meal is more substantial than the sandwiches often found on short boat trips. It includes charcoal-grilled marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, and French bread.

Vegetarians are offered Beyond Burgers. That is a useful detail for a private booking because the meal can otherwise become awkward when one person in the group needs a different option. The menu also includes a gluten-free pasta salad, though you should discuss any serious dietary requirements when booking rather than rely on a general menu description.

Once everyone returns to the catamaran, lunch is served on board. The timing works well: you can swim first, then eat when you are ready for a break. Food is one of the most frequently praised parts of this experience, and the homemade element gives the meal a more personal feel than standard catered fare.

The lunch also adds value to the price. You are paying for a private boat, but you are not then adding a separate restaurant bill, beach lunch, and drinks package. The service charge is not included, so account for that when calculating the final cost.

Little Bay Brings Wrecks and Underwater Interest

After lunch comes another snorkeling stop. The route then reaches Little Bay, an area described with a submarine, shipwreck, helicopter, and sea life. These features give the stop a different feel from a simple sandy beach. You have more to look at beneath and around the water, even if you choose to float rather than snorkel.

The boat carries snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental. You can also use the paddleboard, swim, or stay aboard with a drink. Since this is a private charter, your group can spread out among those choices without splitting up into different tour groups.

Fresh melon and snacks appear during the afternoon, along with drinks such as beer, sodas, mimosas, rum punch, and mixed drinks. Water and juices are also available. The open bar is a central part of the experience, but it is worth remembering that a seven-hour boat day in the sun calls for water as well as rum punch.

Tintamarre and the Limits of the Route

Tintamarre Island is another possible stop, and the wider itinerary may include Pinel as well. These destinations depend on weather and wind. One outing stayed mainly along the Dutch coast because conditions did not favor Pinel and Tintamarre, which is exactly the sort of change you should expect from a sailing trip.

This is not a weakness in the crew’s planning. A captain has to put safety and workable sea conditions first. Still, you should book this experience for the day on the water, not for a guaranteed checklist of islands.

If Tintamarre is possible, the stop adds a more remote feel to the day. You may swim, snorkel, relax on the beach, or enjoy the view from the boat. If the weather keeps the catamaran closer to shore, you can still expect coastal sailing, water activities, food, drinks, and the chance to see St. Maarten from a different angle.

The private format helps here. When plans change, the day does not become a failed group excursion. Captain Mike can explain the conditions and adjust the route for your party.

Captain Mike and Elmira Set the Tone

The people running the boat matter as much as the route. Captain Mike is described as friendly and informative, with a relaxed manner that suits a private day. He has also let children help steer the boat, an especially memorable touch for families with young kids, though this should be understood as something to request rather than an automatic part of the itinerary.

Elmira handles much of the hosting. She checks on drinks, brings snacks, and prepares lunch. The overall service is attentive without requiring you to manage every detail yourself. Several bookings describe the crew as especially welcoming and careful about keeping everyone supplied.

The experience also has a practical record of flexibility. When the scheduled catamaran needed repairs, Michael arranged another catamaran so the group could still enjoy the outing. That does not remove the possibility of changes, but it suggests the operator has a useful backup mindset.

The tone should suit couples, families, and friend groups. It can be a quiet day if you want to read and swim, or a more social day built around food, drinks, and stories about the island.

Is $1,700 a Fair Price?

The price is $1,700 per group of up to eight people. With eight people, that works out to $212.50 per person before the service charge. For four people, the same boat costs $425 per person, so the value depends heavily on how full your group is.

At the maximum group size, the price includes a private catamaran, about seven hours on the water, crew service, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard access, lunch, snacks, and a wide selection of drinks. It can compare well with arranging several separate activities, especially if privacy matters.

For a couple, the cost is much harder to justify on price alone. You are paying for exclusivity, personal service, and the freedom to set the pace. If you mainly want a cheap swim and a short sail, a shared boat would likely make more sense, though no shared option is described here.

Remember to add transport to the marina and a service charge. You also need to bring towels and suitable sunscreen. These are small items, but they affect the real cost and comfort of the day.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most?

I would choose this trip for a group that values space, food, and service more than a fixed sightseeing schedule. Eight friends, a family group, or several couples can divide the cost and get far more privacy than on a standard catamaran.

It is also a good match for mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can sit on the beach or remain on deck. The included meal helps families and groups avoid the problem of finding food after a long morning in the water.

The charter is disability-friendly, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, though anyone with specific mobility or water-access needs should confirm the arrangements before booking. The provided information does not explain boarding details, so ask the operator about those requirements directly.

This may not suit you if you need guaranteed visits to Tintamarre or Pinel. It may also disappoint if you dislike a full day at sea, open-bar-focused outings, or weather-based itinerary changes.

Booking Details That Matter

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity returns to the same marina where it begins. The tour is private, so only your group participates.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Plan to arrive ready for a boat day. Bring a towel, use non-spray sunscreen, and consider a dry bag for phones or other items, though a dry bag is not listed as supplied. The most important packing mistake to avoid is assuming towels are waiting on board.

Should You Book Red Baron Charters?

I would book this charter if you can fill most of the eight available places and want a private, well-fed day on the water. Captain Mike and Elmira bring the personal touch, the lunch is a serious part of the outing, and the crew provides enough equipment and drink choices to keep the day simple.

I would hesitate if your group is small and cost is the main concern. I would also choose another type of excursion if your priority is a guaranteed visit to a particular island. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for turning a day in St. Maarten into a comfortable outing with snorkeling, beach time, island stories, and plenty of room to set your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The catamaran returns to the same marina where the activity begins.

How long does the 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.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes charcoal-grilled marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include water, juices, sodas, beer, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks. Coffee, croissants, and snacks are also provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the stops.

Are Tintamarre and Pinel guaranteed stops?

No. Destinations can change because of weather and wind conditions.

What should I bring, and is there an extra charge?

Bring a towel, since towels are not included, and use non-spray sunscreen. A service charge or gratuity is not included, and private transportation to the marina is also not included.