St Maarten catamaran sail with snorkeling at Little Bay

Snorkel a protected cove, then float and paddle in open water

A five-hour catamaran sail from St Maarten that stops at Little Bay for a guided snorkel tour with all equipment, then sails past Maho Beach to watch planes land, and finishes with swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding in Simpson or Mullet Bay. Lunch, drinks and snacks are served throughout; the boat holds small groups and suits families with children from age one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Luxury catamaran day sail in St Maarten

• Pick up at Bobby's Marina gazebo
• Safety briefing and cast off
• Snorkel tour at Little Bay
• Sail by Maho Beach and watch planes
• Enjoy drinks at inside bar
• Sail to Mullet or Simpson Bay
• Swim, kayak, paddle board, or relax
• Enjoy food and drinks onboard
• Return to dock on time

The Experience

Pickup happens at Bobby's Marina in front of Aziana's restaurant, where you'll get a safety briefing before The Phoenix casts off along the St Maarten shoreline. The first stop is Little Bay, a small protected cove where the water stays calm because of its rocky breaks and the shelter of Fort Amsterdam. You'll do a one-hour guided snorkel tour here with all equipment provided—mask, fins, snorkel—and the underwater life includes a sunken helicopter and submarine to explore. The cove's shallow, protected waters make it one of the rare beach snorkel spots that works for children and beginners, so there's something to do whether you're diving down or staying in shallower water.

After Little Bay, the boat sails slowly past Maho Beach, which sits right across from Princess Juliana International Airport's runway. Depending on the flight schedule, you'll watch planes take off and land above the mast while you're on deck with a drink from the bar. The catamaran doesn't stop there but holds position long enough to catch the view—an unusual angle most visitors never see. Then you'll head to the final anchorage in Mullet or Simpson Bay, where the boat drops anchor and the afternoon opens up: jump in to swim, float on an 18-foot lily mat, take out one of the two stand-up paddle boards, or paddle a kayak. Food and drinks stay available on the aft deck and flybridge, and the forward trampoline area is open for lounging.

The whole day runs five hours, timed so cruise ship passengers get back to the dock on schedule. Fresh fruit and cake come in the morning, lunch is prepared onboard, and drinks—cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic—flow throughout. A restroom is available on board, and the boat suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Guided snorkel tour at Little Bay with all snorkeling equipment.
• fresh fruit and cake in the morning.
• freshly prepared lunch served onboard.
• cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day.
• two stand-up paddle boards and an 18-foot floating mat.
• kayak access.
• onboard restroom.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sail The Phoenix

Is this one for you?Spend your afternoon snorkeling at Little Bay's sunken helicopter and calm waters, then sail past Maho Beach to watch planes land—a full day combining structured underwater exploration with coastal scenery most catamaran tours skip.

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Top questions

What's the snorkeling like at Little Bay?

Little Bay is a protected cove where the water stays calm, making it ideal for snorkeling. The one-hour guided tour includes all equipment, and you'll see a sunken helicopter and submarine underwater along with tropical fish and sea life. The shallow, rocky-break design keeps the water gentle, so it works well for children and people new to snorkeling.

Can I bring my young child on this catamaran?

Yes, children are welcome from age one, and infants can sit on an adult's lap. Little Bay's calm, shallow waters are designed for families, and the boat has a restroom on board plus plenty of shaded areas to relax.

Will we actually see planes at Maho Beach?

The boat sails slowly past Maho Beach and positions itself to watch planes take off and land near the runway, depending on the flight schedule that day. You won't stop there, but you'll have time to watch and photograph the planes from the deck with a drink in hand.

What water activities are included in the afternoon?

At Mullet or Simpson Bay, you can swim in the open water, float on an 18-foot lily mat, paddle one of two stand-up paddle boards, or take out a kayak. All equipment is provided, and you can move between activities as you like or simply relax on the sundeck.

What food and drinks are served?

Fresh fruit and cake are served in the morning, a freshly prepared lunch is served onboard, and drinks including cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day at the bar and on the aft deck.