Private Full-Day Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in Sint Maarten

The best part of this charter is the freedom to make a full day at sea feel unhurried. You are not packed onto a boat with strangers or rushed from one photo stop to the next. Captain Mike handles the route, while Elmira keeps drinks, snacks, and lunch moving.

I like the private setting and the unusually generous food and drink service. I also like the mix of activities: you can snorkel near a shipwreck, try the paddleboard, swim to shore, or simply stretch out and enjoy the ride. The main consideration is that the service charge is extra, and wind or sea conditions can change the planned stops.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight people: Your group has the catamaran to itself, which makes this a strong choice for families, couples, and small celebrations.
• Captain Mike and Elmira host the day: Expect local stories from the captain and attentive food and drink service from Elmira.
• Long Bay and Little Bay provide varied stops: Snorkeling, beach time, paddleboarding, and views of a submarine, shipwreck, and helicopter are all part of the possible route.
• A full lunch is cooked aboard: The charcoal BBQ includes chicken, salads, garlic dip, French bread, and Beyond Burgers for vegetarians.
• The open bar runs all day: Coffee, juices, water, sodas, beers, rum punch, mimosas, rum, vodka, and mixed drinks are included.
• The price works best for a full group: At $1,700 for up to eight people, the cost comes to $212.50 per person if your group fills every place.

A private catamaran day from Philipsburg

Red Baron Charters begins at AzianaBobby’s Marina at 22 Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The meeting point is off a main road and near public transportation, so you do not need to hunt for a remote dock. The boat returns to the same marina after roughly seven hours.

This is a private activity, not a shared sailing trip. Only your own group participates, with a maximum of eight people. That detail matters more than it may first appear. You can talk freely, choose how long to stay in the water, and let the crew shape the pace around your group instead of fitting into someone else’s schedule.

The day begins with a safety briefing. You receive instructions about the boat, life jackets, and the bathroom before heading out. That practical start is welcome on a full-day charter, especially if some people in your group have little boating experience.

Bring a towel and use non-spray suntan lotion. Private transportation to the marina is not included, so you will need to arrange your own way there. Service charge or gratuity is also separate from the $1,700 charter price.

Coffee, croissants, and the first run along the coast

The morning starts with coffee and croissants, followed by the open bar for the rest of the day. You cruise along the coastline while Captain Mike shares historical information and points out useful details about the island and the sea.

This portion is less about checking off a sight and more about settling into the boat. You get time to watch the coast, talk with your group, and learn how the day may unfold. The captain also gives helpful information about the sea life you may see at the first stop, including turtles.

The route is not locked in stone. Wind and weather can affect the destinations, and one planned outing could not reach Pinel and Tintamarre because of the wind, so the group stayed mainly along the Dutch coast. That flexibility is worth understanding before you book. You may not receive the exact route you picture, but the crew can adjust the plan to keep the day comfortable and enjoyable.

Long Bay for snorkeling, swimming, and beach time

The first major stop is Long Bay. Before you enter the water, the crew gives a short briefing on the snorkeling equipment and the sea life you might encounter.

You can choose your own level of activity. Use the supplied snorkeling equipment, try the paddleboard, swim, or relax on the beach. This range makes the stop work well for mixed groups. One person can head into the water while another stays aboard or finds a quiet spot on shore.

The snorkeling is not presented as a formal lesson or guided marine-life tour. Instead, you receive equipment and basic instructions, then explore at your own pace. Captain Mike provides information about the area and possible turtles, but sightings are never guaranteed. If turtle spotting is your main reason for booking, keep that expectation sensible.

While you are in the water, Elmira prepares lunch. This is one of the practical pleasures of the charter. You do not return to the boat only to wait for a meal or open a packed sandwich. The cooking happens during the stop, so the return aboard leads directly into lunch.

A charcoal BBQ lunch with real choices

Lunch is cooked on a charcoal BBQ and includes marinated chicken breast, mixed salad, gluten-free pasta salad, homemade garlic dip, and French bread. Vegetarians have Beyond Burgers, so the menu is more useful than the usual basic boat picnic.

The food is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The homemade garlic dip and fresh salads give the meal more character than standard packaged snacks, while the hot chicken and burgers make it substantial enough for a full day outside.

If you have a special dietary need beyond the gluten-free pasta salad or vegetarian burger option, the available information does not promise additional accommodations. Ask before booking if your group requires something specific. The tour does state that it is disability-friendly, and service animals are allowed.

Lunch is served after everyone returns aboard. That timing gives you a proper break from swimming and lets the group eat together. You can also enjoy the bar, with beer, sodas, water, juices, rum punch, mimosas, and mixed drinks available throughout the day.

The second snorkeling stop and Little Bay

After lunch, the boat makes another snorkeling stop. Fresh melon, snacks, and more drinks are served, and Captain Mike continues with stories about Sint Maarten.

The second water stop gives the day a useful change of rhythm. You are not limited to one short swim before spending the rest of the charter sitting down. You can get back into the water, use the snorkeling gear again, paddleboard, or simply remain aboard with a drink.

The itinerary then includes Little Bay, an especially interesting stop for anyone who likes underwater sights with a bit of local character. The area may offer views of a submarine, a shipwreck, a helicopter, and marine life. These objects give the snorkeling a focus beyond swimming over open water.

Again, conditions matter. The exact destinations may change because of weather, and the day described by the crew is not a promise of every named stop. That is normal for a sailing charter, but it is worth keeping in mind if you are choosing the trip for one particular island.

What the crew adds to the day

Captain Mike and Elmira are central to the experience. Captain Mike handles the boat, gives the safety and snorkeling instructions, and provides stories about Sint Maarten. He also appears comfortable involving children in the day. One family particularly enjoyed having an eight-year-old steer the boat with him, though that should be understood as a personal moment rather than a guaranteed part of the itinerary.

Elmira’s role is practical and constant. She prepares the BBQ lunch, offers drinks and snacks, and keeps an eye on what the group needs. That attention matters on a seven-hour boat trip. You are not left to find your own food, pour every drink, or guess when the next stop is coming.

The hospitality also suits different kinds of groups. A couple can treat the day as a relaxed outing, while a family can spread out among swimming, beach time, food, and gentle sightseeing. A group of friends can use the private boat as a celebration without sharing the space with strangers.

Is $1,700 a good value?

The charter costs $1,700 for up to eight people. With eight people, that works out to $212.50 each for about seven hours. With four people, the effective cost rises to $425 per person, so the value depends heavily on your group size.

That price includes the private boat, captain and host service, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, and the open bar. It also buys you control over the atmosphere and pace, which is difficult to get on a standard shared excursion. The meal is not merely a snack box, and the drinks continue throughout the day.

For a full group of eight, I see the strongest value. You are spreading a private charter across the maximum number of people while receiving a full meal and substantial drink service. For two people, the same boat may feel expensive unless privacy, personal service, and a full day on the water are the main priorities.

Remember to add the service charge or gratuity. Transportation to and from the marina is also your responsibility. Those are not dealbreakers, but they belong in your real budget.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this trip for a group that wants a relaxed day with several ways to participate. It fits families with children, couples wanting private time, and friends who prefer a boat to a crowded beach or shared excursion.

It is also a good match if your group has mixed energy levels. Active people can snorkel and paddleboard, while others can stay on the beach or lounge aboard. The private format means nobody has to force the whole group into one activity.

You may want a different trip if your main goal is a fixed route, guaranteed access to Tintamarre, or a specialized snorkeling expedition. Weather can alter the destinations, and the snorkeling is one part of a wider day rather than the sole focus.

The open bar deserves a little thought, too. It includes alcoholic drinks throughout the day, but you should still pace yourself around sun, swimming, and boat movement. Water, juices, and sodas are included, so the day does not have to revolve around alcohol.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the meeting point is AzianaBobby’s Marina in Philipsburg. The tour ends back at that marina, which makes planning the return simple once you have arranged your own transportation.

Most people can participate, and the activity is listed as disability-friendly. Service animals are allowed. The available information does not give detailed boarding dimensions or specific arrangements for every mobility need, so contact the provider before booking if someone in your group requires particular assistance.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

Pack a towel, use non-spray sunscreen, and arrive ready for a long day outside. Because the route may shift with weather, bring a flexible attitude along with your swimwear.

Should you book the Red Baron charter?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight places and want a private, food-focused day with attentive hosting. Captain Mike and Elmira give the charter a personal feel, while the BBQ, open bar, snorkeling gear, and choice of water activities keep the day easy.

Think twice if you are traveling as only one or two people and mainly want the cheapest way to snorkel. The price makes much more sense when shared across a full group. Also accept that wind may change the route, including the chance that Tintamarre or another planned stop is replaced by calmer waters along the Dutch coast.

For the right group, this is less a simple boat ride than a comfortable day organized around your own pace. The food is a major strength, the private setting is genuinely useful, and the crew’s attention helps turn a long day at sea into an easy one.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the same meeting point, AzianaBobby’s Marina.

How long does the experience last?

The full-day charter lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, alcoholic drinks, beers, sodas, mimosas, rum punch, rum, vodka, water, juices, and mixed drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Guests must bring their own towels. Non-spray suntan lotion is also requested.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. Destinations may vary due to weather. The planned stops can be adjusted to suit conditions.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

Is the service charge included in the price?

No. The service charge or gratuity is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

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