“Is a catamaran tour worth it?” — it’s one of the questions we get asked most by visitors to St Martin. And the answer is always the same: yes.
In one day on the water you can sail to Tintamarre — a stunning uninhabited island just off the coast, with a vast white sand beach and no one on it. You can swim with sea turtles, stop at Prickly Pear, explore hidden beaches you’d never find by car, and be back in time for dinner in Grand Case.
We live here. We see visitors come back from catamaran days and it’s always the same reaction — they wish they’d booked it sooner.
Shared day sails from $119. We’ve picked the ones actually worth your time.
It’s the first question most people ask — and the answer depends on what kind of day you want.
A catamaran is the classic Caribbean day out. Spacious deck, open bar, lunch cooked on board, music, snorkeling stops, and enough room to find a quiet corner if you want one. The pace is relaxed. You’re not rushing anywhere. That’s the point.
A speedboat covers more ground — faster, louder, more adrenaline. You’ll hit more spots in less time, but you’ll feel every wave. Great if you want to see the whole island in a day. Less great if you want to actually relax on the water.
Most people who ask us this question are really asking: do I want a day out or an excursion? Catamaran is the day out. Speedboat is the excursion.
Our take: If you have one day on the water, book the catamaran. You can always rent a scooter to see the island. You can’t recreate that feeling of anchoring off Tintamarre with a rum punch in your hand.
It depends on what kind of day you’re after.
A shared catamaran is perfect if you’re a couple or traveling solo — you join a group, the drinks flow, the music plays, and you end up having lunch next to people you didn’t know in the morning. That’s half the fun. And from $145 per person, it’s genuinely good value for a full day on the water.
A private charter is a different experience entirely. Your boat, your group, your schedule. You decide when to stop, where to swim, how long to stay. If you’re traveling as a family or a group of friends and you want the Caribbean to yourselves for a day — this is it. Budget $600 and up depending on the boat.
Most of our visitors who’ve done both say the same thing: shared for the vibe, private for the freedom.
5.0 ⭐ (1,600+ reviews) · Full day · Shared · Open bar · Lunch on board · from $139
27 years on the water. 161,000 happy customers. There’s a reason Random Wind is the most reviewed catamaran tour in St Maarten.
The Paradise Day Sail runs from 10am to 3pm — long enough to do everything, short enough to have energy left for dinner. You sail, you snorkel, you swim, you eat a proper lunch cooked fresh on board, you drink from an open bar, and at some point you jump into the Caribbean from the original Tarzan swing. That last part tends to be the moment people talk about for years.
The crew has been doing this for nearly three decades. It shows — in the way they run the day, the way they take care of every passenger, and the way the boat feels less like a tour and more like a day out with people who genuinely love what they do.
TripAdvisor places this in the top 10% of experiences worldwide. We’d place it in the top 1% of things to do in St Maarten.
One thing to know: Maximum 30 passengers — it fills up fast, especially December through April. If your dates work, book now.
4.9 ⭐ (976+ reviews) · 5 hours · Shared · Open bar · Lunch on board · from $139
A 62-foot luxury catamaran, maximum 36 guests — which means real space on the water. Not the sardine-can experience you get on some tours. That’s the first thing people notice when they step aboard The Phoenix.
Captain Benji and his crew run a tight, fun, genuinely well-organized day. You snorkel at Little Bay, paddle board, float on the 18-foot lily pad, and at some point you sail past Maho Beach — where the planes come in so low you feel like you could touch them from the water. It’s one of those only-in-St-Maarten moments.
Lunch is cooked fresh on board — not packed sandwiches, actual food. The open bar runs all day. And the crew somehow manages to make 36 strangers feel like they’ve known each other for years by the time the boat docks.
Since 2021, over 20,000 people have sailed with The Phoenix. The reviews are consistent: the food, the crew, Captain Benji. Always the same three things.
One thing to know: Returns at 3:30pm sharp — ideal if you’re on a cruise ship and need to be back on time.
4.8 ⭐ (58+ reviews) · 5-6 hours · Shared · Open bar · Lunch on board · from $119
Ask anyone on the island which catamaran company they know — Eagle Tours comes up every time. They’ve been sailing St Maarten since 2000 and they’re part of the island’s DNA.
Five catamarans, a crew that’s been doing this for years, and a day that covers the southern coast with multiple snorkeling stops, open bar, and a proper Caribbean lunch on board. Small group — maximum 28 — so it never feels like a factory tour.
If you want to sail with the company that St Maarten actually knows and trusts, this is it.
One thing to know: Eagle also runs a full-day Eco Tour to Tintamarre and Creole Rock with a beachfront lunch in Grand Case — if you want to explore the French side properly, that’s the one to book.
5.0 ⭐ (50+ reviews) · Full day · Private · All-inclusive · From $2,395
Captain Andre and Diane left their careers in Europe, sailed “Freedom” across the Atlantic through the Bay of Biscay, past the Strait of Gibraltar, and landed in St Maarten. That’s who you’re sailing with.
A day on Renegades starts with champagne and a proper breakfast — fruit, omelets, pastries. Then you go wherever you want. Tintamarre, Creole Rock, Anguilla, Long Bay — the itinerary is yours. Diane runs the bar and the kitchen simultaneously, producing cocktails and a grilled lunch that reviewers consistently call restaurant quality. The day ends with homemade chocolate chip cookies, warm from the boat’s oven.
One group came back with dolphins — fifteen of them, swimming alongside the boat for 20 minutes. That’s not something you can book. That’s just what happens when you spend a full day on the water with the right people.
This is the best private catamaran experience on the island. The reviews are unanimous.
One thing to know: Booked on average 31 days in advance. If you have a special occasion — birthday, anniversary, proposal — Renegades handles all of it. Just ask.
4.9 ⭐ (80+ reviews) · Full day · Max 15 guests · 4-course lunch · from $900/person
Maximum 15 passengers on a 48-foot catamaran. That’s the first thing to know — and it changes everything about the day.
Flagship II sails from Bobby’s Marina with Captain Benjamin or Alois at the helm and a chef on board who takes the food seriously. Breakfast starts with French pastries, fresh fruit, mimosas. Then a mid-morning snack. Then a 4-course gourmet lunch — Niçoise salad, grilled chicken, dessert — while you’re anchored off Tintamarre or Happy Bay. The open bar runs all day, and it’s not rum punch from a plastic cooler — it’s top shelf, whatever you want. Ask for the Vanilla Banana Rum in the skull bottle. Exquisite.
Three stops — Long Bay La Samana, Happy Bay, Tintamarre — with enough time at each to actually enjoy the water. One family said their kids preferred it to Disney World. We’ll leave that one there.
One thing to know: Departs 8:30am, returns 5:30pm. A full day — budget accordingly and come hungry.
5.0 ⭐ · Full day · Private · Max 16 guests · Leopard 44ft · from $1,030
Booked on average 114 days in advance. That number tells you everything.
Mojito is a Leopard 44 — a 2017 build with 4 cabins, 4 bathrooms, and the kind of modern interior design that makes it feel less like a charter boat and more like a floating villa. Captain Charlie and Jernel run the day with the kind of attention that guests keep mentioning in their reviews — fruit platters on arrival, bar fully stocked, lunch at Pinel Island or Tintamarre, and Jernel apparently doubling as photographer when needed.
One bachelorette group of seven said it exceeded every expectation. One mom brought two infants and said the crew went above and beyond to make her comfortable. That versatility — luxury without being stiff — is what makes Mojito work for birthdays, anniversaries, family trips, and everything in between.
If you’re planning a special occasion in St Maarten, this is the private charter to book. Just book it early.
One thing to know: 114 days in advance on average means high season dates disappear by October. If you’re coming December through April — book now.
Step aboard Arawak’s Leopard 53 Power Catamaran, a sleek, modern vessel built for both comfort and adventure. With space for up to 12 guests, it’s the perfect setting for a private escape — whether you’re sunbathing on the deck, lounging in the spacious salon, or watching the coastline drift by with a drink in hand.
Arawak specializes in tailor-made charters to some of the region’s most iconic destinations: Anguilla, Saint-Barthélemy, Tintamarre, and beyond. From full-day journeys to half-day getaways or special occasions, their professional crew handles every detail so you don’t have to.
Most people have never been on a catamaran before they come to St Martin. Here’s what actually happens on a typical shared day sail — no surprises.
You board in the morning, usually between 9 and 10am, from a marina on the Dutch side — Simpson Bay or Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg. The crew welcomes you, runs through the safety briefing, and you’re off within minutes.
The first stop is usually Tintamarre — about 45 minutes from the marina. An uninhabited island with one of the best snorkeling spots in the Caribbean. Sea turtles, stingrays, reef fish. The water is clear enough to see the bottom from the boat.
Lunch happens at anchor, somewhere calm and beautiful. It’s cooked fresh on board — not packed sandwiches. The open bar runs all day. Rum punch, beer, soft drinks. Nobody goes thirsty.
The afternoon is slower — a second snorkeling stop, paddleboarding, floating on the lily pad if the boat has one. Some people nap on the netting at the front of the boat. That’s allowed.
You’re back at the marina by 3:30-4pm — enough time to shower, rest, and make your dinner reservation in Grand Case.
One thing we always tell people: bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag for your phone, and water shoes if you have them. Everything else is provided.
Most catamaran tours leave from the Dutch side — Simpson Bay or Philipsburg. But if you’re staying in Grand Case, Orient Bay, or anywhere on the French side, there’s a better option.
We’ve put together a dedicated guide to all boat tours departing from the French side — with local operators you won’t find on the big booking platforms.
With so many options, here’s how to think about it in 30 seconds.
You’re a couple looking for a relaxed day → Random Wind Paradise Day Sail. 27 years of experience, small group, best crew on the island.
You’re on a cruise ship → The Phoenix with Captain Benji. Returns at 3:30pm sharp, never missed a ship in 20,000 passengers.
You’re traveling with kids → Either Random Wind or The Phoenix — both are family-friendly and have snorkel gear in all sizes.
You want the best food on the water → Flagship II private charter. A chef on board, 4-course gourmet lunch, max 15 guests.
You have a special occasion → Renegades with Captain Andre & Diane. Champagne breakfast, dolphins optional but frequent.
You’re staying on the French side → Skip the Dutch side entirely. Our French Side boat tours guide →
Your budget is tight → Eagle Tours from $119. Been sailing St Maarten since 2000, still one of the best on the island.
Catamaran tours in St Maarten typically range from $100 to $150 per person for shared cruises, while private charters can start around $600 and go well above $2000 depending on the size of the boat and duration.
Most catamaran tours include drinks, often an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and several swimming stops. Some full-day cruises also include lunch or snacks on board.
Yes — catamaran tours are one of the most popular experiences on the island. They offer a unique way to explore the coastline, swim in crystal-clear waters, and enjoy a relaxed day at sea.
The most popular catamaran cruises can sell out quickly, especially during peak season. Booking in advance is recommended to secure your preferred date.
Private charters offer more flexibility and privacy, while shared cruises are more affordable and social. The best option depends on your budget and the type of experience you’re looking for.
I've lived in St Martin for 25 years — not as a tourist, as a local. It started with food and SXM Epicure Club, a Facebook culinary blog connecting visitors and locals around the best tables on the island.
BookStMartin grew from the same idea : connecting people and places, and making it easier for our visitors to plan their stays.
