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 can shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, or simply stretching out with a drink while the island slips past. The boat carries up to eight people, so this feels like a private outing rather than a shared cruise.

I like the easy marina meeting point and the fact that lunch, snacks, snorkeling gear, and drinks are included. I also like the personal service from Captain Mike and Elmira, who keep the day moving without making it feel rushed. The one catch is that the $1,700 price is per group, not per person, and service charge or gratuity is extra. It makes the most sense for a full group.

Key points to know

• Captain Mike and Elmira host the day: Expect a personal, attentive crew with island stories, practical tips, and frequent offers of drinks and snacks.
• The route may change: Little Bay, Long Bay, Tintamarre Island, and other stops depend on wind and weather.
• Lunch is more than a basic boat sandwich: The spread includes charcoal BBQ chicken, salads, French bread, garlic dip, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.
• The open bar runs all day: Coffee, croissants, water, juices, sodas, beers, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks are included.
• The private format suits families and friends: Your group alone takes part, with room for up to eight people.
• Bring the essentials: Towels and non-spray sunscreen are required practical items, and private transportation to the marina is not included.

Seven hours of sea time, with the boat to yourself

This is a full-day private catamaran charter from AzianaBobby’s Marina in Philipsburg. The price is $1,700 per group of up to eight, which works out to $212.50 per person if you fill every spot. For a couple or a small family, the per-person cost rises quickly, so the value depends heavily on your group size.

That price buys more than a ride around the coast. You get a private boat, a captain, crew service, food, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and several hours to enjoy the water. You also avoid the fixed pace and larger crowd that come with a standard shared cruise.

The day begins with a safety briefing. You will receive instructions about the boat, life jackets, the bathroom, and general use of the catamaran. That short orientation matters, especially if you have children in your group or anyone who is less comfortable on the water.

Coffee and croissants are served before departure. It is a useful touch because the boat leaves for the first stop soon after boarding, and lunch comes later after time in the water.

Leaving Philipsburg with Captain Mike

Captain Mike takes the boat along the coast and adds historical information and practical tips as you cruise. This gives the ride some shape without turning the whole day into a formal lecture. You can look out at the coastline, settle into the boat, and learn where you are headed before reaching the first swimming area.

The exact route is not guaranteed. Wind and weather can affect the plan, including whether the boat reaches Tintamarre Island or Pinel. One outing stayed mainly along the Dutch coast when conditions did not suit the planned route. That flexibility is a benefit for safety, though you should not book this expecting one fixed list of stops.

The private format helps here. Captain Mike can explain a change in plan directly to your group, and the day can still feel full even when the weather shifts the route.

Long Bay brings the first water stop

Long Bay is used as an early snorkeling stop, with information about the area and the sea life you may see, including turtles. Before anyone enters the water, the crew gives a quick briefing on the snorkeling equipment.

You can choose how active you want to be. Swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, relax on the beach, or remain aboard. That range makes the outing work well for groups with different energy levels. One person can snorkel while another stays dry with a drink, and nobody has to follow the same plan.

Do keep expectations sensible. The water conditions and wildlife sightings are natural, not guaranteed. The tour provides equipment and access to good stopping points, but it cannot promise turtles or a particular marine encounter.

While you are in the water, Elmira prepares lunch aboard the catamaran. This is one of the stronger details of the experience because the meal is cooked as part of the day rather than handed out in prepacked boxes.

A charcoal BBQ lunch served on board

Lunch includes marinated chicken breast cooked on a charcoal BBQ, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians. When your group returns from swimming or snorkeling, the meal is served on board.

The menu gives the charter a more substantial feel than a simple snack cruise. There is a proper main dish, several sides, bread, and a meat-free option. The gluten-free pasta salad is also useful for groups with specific food needs, although the supplied details do not describe a full allergy-handling policy. If you have serious allergies, clarify them before booking.

The food is one reason the price can make sense for a full group. You are not paying only for the boat and fuel. You are also getting a prepared lunch, breakfast items, snacks, and drinks throughout the day.

Little Bay adds shipwrecks and underwater sights

Little Bay is another major stop. The area is associated with a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and sea life, giving you several points of interest both above and below the water.

This stop should appeal to people who like snorkeling with something to look toward beyond open water. The underwater sights provide a focus, while the boat can also function as a floating base for swimming and relaxing.

Again, the route can vary. The stated destinations are not a guarantee in poor conditions, and the captain has the final say on where the boat can safely go. That is worth keeping in mind if Little Bay or Tintamarre is the main reason you are booking.

Tintamarre, beach time, and a change of pace

Tintamarre Island is included among the possible destinations, along with beach time and more snorkeling. The island adds a quieter, more remote feeling to the day, but reaching it depends on weather and sea conditions.

If the water is calm enough, you can split your time between the beach and the boat. This is useful for anyone who wants a break from snorkeling. Seven hours is long enough that most people will appreciate a slower stretch in the middle of the outing.

The private charter also lets you avoid the pressure to keep moving. You can sit with a drink, swim for a while, or use the paddleboard without having to match a large group’s schedule. That relaxed pace is the main reason to choose this experience over a shorter shared sailing trip.

An open bar that keeps the day social

Drinks are available throughout the day. The included choices cover water, juices, sodas, beers, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, mixed drinks, and other alcoholic beverages. Coffee and croissants are served at the start, while fresh melon and snacks appear later.

The range is helpful for mixed groups. Someone who wants a mimosa or rum punch can have one, while children and non-drinkers have sodas, juice, and water. The open bar is also part of the price calculation, especially if your group would otherwise spend money on drinks during a full day out.

Use some restraint if you plan to snorkel, paddleboard, or swim. Alcohol is available, but the water activities still require good judgment. The crew provides safety instructions and life jackets, yet you remain responsible for choosing activities that suit your ability.

How the private group format changes the day

Only your group participates, with space for up to eight people. That makes this a good fit for a family celebration, a group of friends, or a couple willing to pay for extra space and privacy.

Captain Mike and Elmira are frequently described as attentive hosts. Elmira keeps an eye on drinks, snacks, and lunch, while Captain Mike handles the boat and shares information about Sint Maarten. Their service style is hands-on, with frequent offers rather than a purely self-serve setup.

Families should note that the boat can feel welcoming to children. One child enjoyed steering with Captain Mike, and younger children responded well to the friendly attention. Still, you should judge your own children’s comfort around water and boats. The tour is suitable for most participants, but a seven-hour day at sea can be tiring.

The private format also helps couples. You can make the day as active or quiet as you want, without worrying about keeping strangers entertained or fitting around a fixed group schedule.

Meeting point, what to bring, and the practical details

The meeting point is AzianaBobby’s Marina at number 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. It is off a main road and described as easy to find. The activity ends back at the same marina.

Private transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, so allow enough time to arrive before departure. The marina is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not specify a pickup service or exact transfer instructions.

Bring a towel. Bring non-spray sunscreen, since spray products are not permitted or requested for use on the boat. Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Service charge or gratuity is not included. Add that cost to your budget rather than treating the displayed price as the final amount.

The activity is described as disability-friendly, and service animals are allowed. Since boat access and individual needs can vary, contact the provider before booking if you require specific assistance.

Who gets the best value from this charter

I would choose this charter for a group of six to eight people who want a private day and plan to spend real time on the boat. At full capacity, the price becomes easier to justify, especially with lunch, drinks, snacks, and equipment included.

It also suits a group with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can snorkel, children can paddleboard or swim, and anyone wanting a quiet day can relax on the beach or aboard. The food and drink service means you do not have to pack a full picnic.

I would think twice if you are booking for only one or two people and mainly want a quick swim. The per-person cost is high for a small party, and a shorter shared excursion may be better value. I would also avoid booking it around one single destination, since weather may change the route.

The seven-hour length deserves attention. It gives you time for several stops and a proper meal, but it is a long day on the water. If you prefer a compact outing, this is not the right format.

Should you book Red Baron Charters?

Book it if you want a private, food-and-drink-included day with a flexible route and personal service from Captain Mike and Elmira. It is especially attractive when six to eight people share the cost, and the combination of snorkeling, beach stops, paddleboarding, BBQ lunch, and open bar creates a full day without extra purchases on board.

Skip it if your budget is tight, your group is small, or you need a guaranteed visit to Tintamarre or Little Bay. Weather can change the itinerary, and the service charge is extra.

For the right group, this is less about checking off every beach and more about having a comfortable base at sea for the day. That is its real strength.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran charter?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private group can include up to eight people.

What is the price?

The price is $1,700 per group of up to eight people.

Where does the charter begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes charcoal BBQ chicken, 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, beers, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, mixed drinks, and other alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Should I bring anything?

Bring a towel and non-spray sunscreen.

Can the destinations change?

Yes. Destinations may vary because of weather and sea conditions.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

Is gratuity included?

No. Service charge or gratuity is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

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