I don’t say that lightly — I’ve lived here for 25 years and I still stop what I’m doing when the sky starts to change. There’s a particular light that happens in the last 20 minutes before the sun disappears. Orange, then pink, then that deep purple that makes everything look slightly unreal. And watching it from the water, with the coastline on one side and open sea on the other, is a completely different experience than watching it from the beach.
I get asked about sunset cruises a lot. More than almost anything else. And my answer is always the same : do it. Pick the right one for you — intimate sail, festive dinner cruise, private charter — but do it. It’s the kind of evening that makes the whole trip feel complete.
Here are my honest picks.
Sunset sail — typically 2 hours, snacks and drinks included, pure sailing experience. You’re on the water to watch the sun go down, feel the wind, and disconnect. Intimate, relaxed, no fuss. Perfect for couples or anyone who just wants that quiet moment on the sea.
Dinner cruise — longer (3 hours), full buffet dinner on board, open bar, often with music and dancing. More festive, more social. Great for groups or if you want to combine sunset and dinner in one evening without choosing between the two.
Private charter — just your group, your captain, your itinerary. The most personal experience. Worth every penny for a special occasion.
My honest take : if you’re a couple looking for romance, go for the intimate sunset sail. If you’re a group who wants a full evening of food, drinks and dancing — the dinner cruise delivers. You can’t go wrong with either.
Most sunset cruises depart from Simpson Bay — the main marina on the Dutch side. Easy to reach from Philipsburg, Maho Beach, or most hotels on the Dutch side.
Duration: 2 hours | Group size: Max 14 passengers | From: $65/person
This is the one I recommend first. Pieter and Miriam are a husband-and-wife team with over 44 years of sailing experience — and it shows. No loudspeakers, no party atmosphere, no strangers crammed in. Just a beautiful trimaran, real sailing (no engine), cocktails, snacks, and the coastline of St Maarten drifting by as the sky turns pink.
With a maximum of 14 passengers, it feels genuinely intimate. You’ll sail past Maho Beach and Mullet Bay, wind in the sails, rum punch in hand. The kind of sunset you’ll talk about for years.
⚠️ Likely to sell out — based on Viator's booking data. Don't leave this one for the last minute.
✅ Free cancellation | Secure booking via Viator
→ Check availability & book
Duration: 1h30 | From: $45/person
This one is a different vibe entirely — and that’s exactly the point. Think music, animation, a lively crew that knows how to entertain a group, and an open bar that keeps the energy going from the first sip to the last sunset glow. It’s the perfect way to kick off your evening before heading to dinner — you’ll arrive at the restaurant already in the best mood of your trip.
If you’re traveling with a group of friends and want something festive, fun, and social on the water — this is your sunset cruise. 297 reviews on Viator, and the crowd is always happy.
🎉 Perfect for groups — fun, music, and great vibes to kick off your evening.
✅ Free cancellation | Secure booking via Viator
→ Check availability & book
If you want to combine the sunset with a proper dinner on the water, the Tango is the one.
Duration: 3 hours | Capacity: Max 45 passengers | Includes: Open bar + Creole buffet dinner
Watch the sunset from the water, then stay on board for a full Caribbean buffet dinner — Creole dishes, dessert, Caribbean rum. The open bar flows from start to finish. Once dinner is done, the music kicks in and the dance floor opens. It’s a proper Caribbean evening, all in one boat.
A great option if you want to skip the restaurant decision for the night and make it an event. More festive than the sunset sails — expect music, dancing, and a livelier crowd. 583 reviews on Viator.
🍽️ Likely to sell out — 583 reviews on Viator. The most popular dinner cruise on the island.
✅ Free cancellation | Secure booking via Viator
→ Check availability & book
If you’re staying in Grand Case, Orient Bay, or anywhere on the French side — you don’t need to drive to Simpson Bay. The sunset from the French side is different : you’re facing west, watching the sun drop behind the hills of St Martin. Different light, different angle, completely worth it.
Duration: 2 hours | Type: Private | Route: Anse Marcel → Marigot Bay
Wind in your hair. The French coastline slipping by in the last golden light of the day. A glass of wine, a charcuterie board, and absolutely nowhere else to be.
This private cruise follows one of the most beautiful stretches of coast on the island — from Anse Marcel down to Marigot Bay as the sun sets behind the hills of St Martin. No strangers. No schedule. Just your group, your captain, and that particular magic that only happens on the water at dusk.
If there’s one evening on this trip worth making special — this is it.
Below, a video I made back in 2017. Time flies — but the memory stays with you.
⛵ Private charter — Anse Marcel to Marigot Bay. The French side sunset at its finest.
✅ Free cancellation | Secure booking via Viator
→ Check availability & book
Duration: 2 hours | Type: Private charter | Departure: Grand Case Bay
Your group, your catamaran, your sunset. Departing from Grand Case Bay, you’ll watch the sun set over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea — cocktails and homemade appetizers included. The lounge area at the front of the boat is perfect for settling in as the light changes.
Ideal for couples celebrating something special, or a small group who wants a completely private experience without strangers.
🥂 Private charter — just your group, your catamaran, your sunset. Perfect for a special occasion.
✅ Free cancellation | Secure booking via Viator
→ Check availability & book
On timing: Sunset time varies by season — from around 5:30pm in winter to 6:30pm in summer. Most operators adjust their departure times accordingly. Always check the exact departure time when booking.
On booking in advance: The No1SXM sunset sail is flagged as "likely to sell out" on Viator — and for good reason. Between December and April, the best spots go fast. Don't leave it for the last minute. Check availability here.
On what to bring: A light layer for the evening — it can get breezy on the water after sunset. Sunglasses. A camera. And nothing else. Leave the stress on shore.
🌊 Looking for more adventures?
→ See all things to do in St Maarten
→ Day trips to Anguilla from St Maarten
I've lived in St Martin for 25 years — and I'm an epicurean at heart, in love with my island. I've been giving out insider tips for almost 15 years.
Let me help you plan your perfect vacation in St Martin / St Maarten!
→ Vacation Rentals : Start with our own curated selection of villas and rentals — some owners accept direct bookings. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, VRBO and Booking.com have a wide selection.
→ Hotels : TripAdvisor and Booking.com are our go-to for the best rates.
→ Car Rental : Renting a car is essential in St Martin. DiscoverCars searches all local companies for the lowest rates.
→ Tours & Excursions : We book through Viator and GetYourGuide — both offer free cancellation on most tours.
→ Flights : We search Expedia for the best deals to SXM Airport.
→ eSIM : Skip the roaming fees. Airalo works perfectly in St Martin.
*Transparency Disclaimer
BookStMartin is reader-supported. Some links on this website may be affiliate links — if you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us create our in-depth, original guides, so thank you for your support!
