Snorkeling in St. Maarten: Private Trimaran Sail

Sail the southwest coast, then anchor in a calm bay to snorkel

A five-hour private sail on a trimaran along St. Maarten's southwest coast and up the Anguilla Channel, with a swimming and snorkeling stop at Baie Rouge Beach. The boat passes Maho & Mullet Bay by water before anchoring on the French side for snorkeling with gear provided. Lunch, drinks and snacks are served on board. Groups stay under 14 people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private day sail along St. Maarten coast

• Board the No1Sxm trimaran
• Sail past St. Maarten airport landing area
• Pass by Maho & Mullet Bay beach
• Sail along south west coast of St. Maarten and Saint Martin
• Stop in calm bay on French side for swimming and snorkeling
• Enjoy drinks, snacks, and sandwich lunch on board

The experience

The No1Sxm trimaran leaves the dock and heads along the southwest coast, passing both the Dutch and French sides of the island. You'll pass Maho & Mullet Bay, where planes land just offshore, and sail past several bays and viewpoints before reaching Baie Rouge Beach on the French side. The boat is stable and fast enough to cover the route in the morning, leaving the afternoon for the main stop.

At Baie Rouge, the trimaran anchors in calm water where you get in with snorkel gear provided and explore the bay. The water is clear and protected, so you're not fighting current or chop. After snorkeling, you stay on board for lunch (a gourmet sandwich, tropical fruit platter and sweet snacks), plus soda, water and alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Captain Pieter, the owner, has 42 years of sailing experience and runs the boat himself, so the pace and stops stay personal rather than rushed.

Transport to the boat happens by dinghy from the dock. The experience is five hours total. A guide speaks English, German or Dutch depending on the group. Groups max out at 14 people, so it never feels crowded.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment.
• sightseeing sail on the trimaran.
• gourmet sandwich lunch.
• tropical fruit platter and sweet snacks.
• soda, bottled water and alcoholic beverages throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by No1Sxm Sailing

Is this one for you?This is a shared sail with a maximum of 14 people, so it's intimate without being completely private. Choose it if you want a guided sailing experience with snorkeling built in, rather than a dedicated snorkel-only boat or a fully private charter. The fixed route and stops mean you're not setting the itinerary, but Captain Pieter's 42 years of experience keeps the pace relaxed and the sailing itself is the main event.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the snorkeling like at Baie Rouge Beach?

Baie Rouge is a calm bay on the French side where the trimaran anchors for the snorkeling stop. The protected water is clear and shallow enough for comfortable snorkeling with the gear provided. It's not a drift snorkel or a deep-water site, but a sheltered bay where you can see the seabed and reef life without fighting current.

Do I need snorkeling experience to join this sail?

No prior experience is required. Snorkel equipment is provided on board, and the stop at Baie Rouge is in calm, shallow water. The operator notes that travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the day, but snorkeling skill is not a prerequisite.

What happens if the weather turns rough?

The trimaran is designed to be stable and smooth even with wind, and the route stays along the coast rather than heading into open ocean. If conditions become unsafe, Captain Pieter makes the call. Specific weather policies belong to the operator's booking terms.

Is lunch included, or do I need to bring my own food?

Lunch is included on board: a gourmet sandwich, tropical fruit platter and sweet snacks, plus soda, water and alcoholic beverages throughout the five hours. No need to pack a meal.

How do I get to the boat, and is there parking?

Transport to the trimaran happens by dinghy from the dock. Public transportation options are available nearby the departure point. Hotel pickup is not included, so you'll need to arrange your own way to the dock.