THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a full day aboard a 48-foot luxury catamaran sailing around St Maarten/Saint-Martin, snorkeling with sea turtles at Tintamarre, paddleboarding and enjoying a four-course gourmet lunch with an open bar. This curated day sail blends marine encounters, coastal scenery and relaxed luxury.
Spend a full day aboard a 48-foot luxury catamaran sailing around St Maarten/Saint-Martin, snorkeling with sea turtles at Tintamarre, paddleboarding and enjoying a four-course gourmet lunch with an open bar. This curated day sail blends marine encounters, coastal scenery and relaxed luxury.
By 8:30 a.m. the marina smells of diesel, salt and French pastries. You step onto a 48-foot catamaran flagged as Flagship II, and the deck hums with low conversation, the clink of ice in a cooler and the captain’s steady hands on the helm. The boat slips away from Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg and the bay opens, the island’s limestone coast drawing a low, sunlit arc on the horizon.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by SXM St Martin Catamaran Charters · Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
By 8:30 a.m. the marina smells of diesel, salt and French pastries. You step onto a 48-foot catamaran flagged as Flagship II, and the deck hums with low conversation, the clink of ice in a cooler and the captain’s steady hands on the helm. The boat slips away from Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg and the bay opens, the island’s limestone coast drawing a low, sunlit arc on the horizon.
This is a day built for motion: sail, snorkel, paddle and eat. The itinerary moves east along St Maarten/Saint-Martin, stopping at Long Bay La Samana for a first splash, then the sequestered cove of Happy Bay, and finally the seabird-swept Tintamarre Island, where shallow channels cradle clear water and, often, sea turtles that will glide past with deliberate curiosity. Fishing gear is available for light tackle attempts between stops; two paddleboards are provided for low-key exploration off the transom. Onboard, the rhythm slows for a four-course gourmet lunch, pastries at breakfast and a full open bar that keeps the conversation buoyant.
Geology here reads like a coral-reef story: a fringe of low volcanic highlands giving way to carbonate beaches and shallow reefs. The island’s split sovereignty—Dutch Philipsburg to the south, French communities to the north—has shaped a maritime culture that blends Caribbean trade, seafaring and a kitchen that borrows boldly from both sides of the border. Tintamarre is part of a small archipelago with protected reef patches; the sea’s clarity reflects conservation efforts and local fishing practices that have evolved in response to tourism and marine management.
Practicalities are straightforward. The shared charter runs roughly nine hours (8:30–17:30), capped at about 15 passengers, and is rated easy for fitness—most activities require only basic mobility. Bring a passport: crossings and identity checks are part of moving between Dutch and French waters. Sunscreen, a hat and polarized sunglasses matter more than formal footwear; the catamaran offers extensive shade but you will be exposed on deck and in the water. Seas can be calm in the morning and windier in the afternoon—pack a lightweight shell.
For photographers, mid-morning light cuts through the water while late afternoon returns gild the island cliffs. Snorkel at Tintamarre to find hawksbill and green turtles; stand on the paddleboard near a shallow reef to frame reef fish and coral gardens. If you prefer a gentler day, the boat’s shaded lounges make it easy to trade swims for a book and the hum of the ocean.
A well-run day sail here balances the island’s maritime history with modern comfort: professional crew, gourmet food, and a route that leaves room for marine encounters and unhurried swimming in waters that, for a day, feel entirely yours.
easy.
8–9 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; basic mobility for boarding, snorkeling and paddleboarding recommended
The charter departs around 8:30 a.m. and returns by approximately 5:30 p.m.
Yes; breakfast pastries, a four-course gourmet lunch and a full open bar are included.
Yes; snorkeling at Tintamarre commonly includes turtle sightings, though wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
No pickup is provided; the departure point is within walking distance of the cruise port at Bobby's Marina.
Yes; a valid passport is required due to travel between different jurisdictions.
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult; basic swimming skills are recommended for snorkel participation.
St Maarten’s split Dutch-French governance shaped coastal trade and a hybrid maritime culture; small marinas like Bobby’s were long hubs for inter-island commerce.
Tintamarre and nearby reefs benefit from local marine protection efforts; visitors are asked to use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching coral.
SXM St Martin Catamaran Charters operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
By 8:30 a.m. the marina smells of diesel, salt and French pastries. You step onto a 48-foot catamaran flagged as Flagship II, and the deck hums with low conversation, the clink of ice in a cooler and the captain’s steady hands on the helm. The boat slips away from Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg and the bay opens, the island’s limestone coast drawing a low, sunlit arc on the horizon.
By 8:30 a.m. the marina smells of diesel, salt and French pastries. You step onto a 48-foot catamaran flagged as Flagship II, and the deck hums with low conversation, the clink of ice in a cooler and the captain’s steady hands on the helm. The boat slips away from Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg and the bay opens, the island’s limestone coast drawing a low, sunlit arc on the horizon.
This is a day built for motion: sail, snorkel, paddle and eat. The itinerary moves east along St Maarten/Saint-Martin, stopping at Long Bay La Samana for a first splash, then the sequestered cove of Happy Bay, and finally the seabird-swept Tintamarre Island, where shallow channels cradle clear water and, often, sea turtles that will glide past with deliberate curiosity. Fishing gear is available for light tackle attempts between stops; two paddleboards are provided for low-key exploration off the transom. Onboard, the rhythm slows for a four-course gourmet lunch, pastries at breakfast and a full open bar that keeps the conversation buoyant.
Geology here reads like a coral-reef story: a fringe of low volcanic highlands giving way to carbonate beaches and shallow reefs. The island’s split sovereignty—Dutch Philipsburg to the south, French communities to the north—has shaped a maritime culture that blends Caribbean trade, seafaring and a kitchen that borrows boldly from both sides of the border. Tintamarre is part of a small archipelago with protected reef patches; the sea’s clarity reflects conservation efforts and local fishing practices that have evolved in response to tourism and marine management.
Practicalities are straightforward. The shared charter runs roughly nine hours (8:30–17:30), capped at about 15 passengers, and is rated easy for fitness—most activities require only basic mobility. Bring a passport: crossings and identity checks are part of moving between Dutch and French waters. Sunscreen, a hat and polarized sunglasses matter more than formal footwear; the catamaran offers extensive shade but you will be exposed on deck and in the water. Seas can be calm in the morning and windier in the afternoon—pack a lightweight shell.
For photographers, mid-morning light cuts through the water while late afternoon returns gild the island cliffs. Snorkel at Tintamarre to find hawksbill and green turtles; stand on the paddleboard near a shallow reef to frame reef fish and coral gardens. If you prefer a gentler day, the boat’s shaded lounges make it easy to trade swims for a book and the hum of the ocean.
A well-run day sail here balances the island’s maritime history with modern comfort: professional crew, gourmet food, and a route that leaves room for marine encounters and unhurried swimming in waters that, for a day, feel entirely yours.