St Maarten: Catamaran Day Sail with Lunch & Tarzan Swing

Summary

Caribbean sailing, beach stops, open bar and laughter on deck

You’ll sail along St Maarten’s coast on a small-group catamaran day trip with homemade lunch, open bar drinks flowing all day, two swimming stops for snorkeling or paddle boarding, and a go at the Tarzan swing if you dare. Expect laughter, local crew stories, and a salty breeze that lingers long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what rum punch actually tastes like when you’re floating somewhere off St Maarten, salt in your hair and toes pressed into soft deck cushions? I didn’t either, not really—until Diane’s email landed in my inbox the week before. She told us where to meet (don’t trust the ticket!) and that was that. We strolled down from our ship, sun already sharp at 9am, and found the Random Wind waiting with music playing low and some crew already laughing about something in Dutch or maybe French—I couldn’t tell.

The catamaran ride itself felt almost lazy at first. There’s this hush when you leave Philipsburg behind—just water slapping the hull and someone always topping up drinks from the open bar. Our guide (I think his name was Li?) pointed out Maho Bay as we drifted close; he joked about planes nearly skimming your head if you swim too far out. At our first stop, people scattered—some grabbed snorkels, others just paddled around or floated with those silly pool noodles. The water was clear enough that I lost track of time watching little silver fish flicker by my knees. Lunch came out right there: chicken skewers grilled by the captain himself (smelled smoky-sweet), salad, baguette still warm, rice with something spicy tucked in. I ate too fast but nobody cared.

After that we headed up toward Mullet Bay—sometimes it’s first, sometimes second depending on the wind—and that’s where things got loud. The Tarzan swing looked ridiculous until you tried it; even kids barely old enough to hold on were flying off it, shrieking into the sea. I hesitated but went for it anyway (Li cheered me on). There’s a moment mid-air where you forget how old you are—then splash, salt in your eyes again. If you’re hungry after all that flailing around they’ll hand you snacks without asking.

I still think about how easy everyone seemed—crew chatting in bursts of Creole or English, folks passing sunscreen down the bench without a word. We sailed back slow, sunburned and happy. It wasn’t fancy but it felt real; like St Maarten itself wanted us to just relax for once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Catamaran sailing with stops and activities

• Depart from Philipsburg or Simpson Bay
• Shop in the morning
• Stop for snorkeling and paddle boarding
• Enjoy homemade lunch and open bar
• Stop for Tarzan swing and snacks
• Relax on cushioned seats aboard yacht

Top questions

Where does the St Maarten catamaran day sail depart from?

The tour usually departs from either Philipsburg or Simpson Bay depending on the day and sea conditions.

Is lunch included on this St Maarten catamaran tour?

Yes, homemade lunch is included featuring marinated chicken skewers grilled by the captain along with salad, baguette, and Caribbean rice.

Are drinks included during the catamaran sail?

Unlimited drinks from an open bar are included throughout the tour.

What activities are available during the day trip?

You can snorkel, paddle board, kayak, swim to beaches, use pool noodles or try out the Tarzan swing during stops at Maho & Mullet Bay.

How many people are on each sailing tour?

The small-group tour is limited to 30 people for a more personal experience.

Is pickup included near cruise ships?

The meeting point is within walking distance of cruise ships; details will be emailed before your trip.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

The standard menu includes salad and baguette; specific dietary requests should be communicated ahead of time.

Can children join this catamaran day trip?

This family-friendly yacht welcomes guests of all ages; kids as young as 2 have enjoyed the Tarzan swing safely.

What’s included

Your day includes unlimited top-shelf drinks from an open bar, homemade lunch prepared onboard with chicken skewers and Caribbean sides, snacks after swimming or swinging into the sea at Maho & Mullet Bay stops, use of snorkel gear and paddle boards—all guided by a friendly local crew within walking distance of your ship or resort.