St. Maarten: Day Sailing Trimaran Cruise & Snorkeling Lunch

Summary

Sail st maarten’s coast in a small group trimaran with swimming lunch & local captain

You’ll sail St. Maarten’s southwest coast on a stable trimaran with Captain Pieter guiding you past Maho Beach and into calm bays for swimming or snorkeling. Enjoy drinks and a simple lunch on board with a small group — just easy laughter, warm sun, and that salty Caribbean breeze you’ll keep thinking about after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s handing me a cold drink before I’ve even found my spot on the trimaran — Pieter, the captain, just grins and tells us to kick off our shoes. There’s maybe a dozen of us, nobody in a rush, all squinting at the sun bouncing off the water near Simpson Bay. The boat feels wide and steady under bare feet, not like those wobbly catamarans I’ve tried before. You can smell salt and sunscreen everywhere, which is basically how I want every vacation to start.

We’re moving fast before I realize it — sails up, wind catching hard enough to rattle something loose in my brain (in a good way). Pieter points out Maho Beach as we pass by; someone laughs about the planes landing right over our heads if we were on shore. There’s music from somewhere but mostly it’s just water slapping the hull and people talking quietly. When we reach Baie Rouge Beach on the French side, everything goes quiet for a second. Water so clear you can see every ripple over sand. I jump in with borrowed snorkel gear — pretty sure I looked ridiculous getting back up the ladder but nobody cared.

Lunch shows up as sandwiches and fruit platters, nothing fancy but after swimming it tastes like the best thing ever. Rum punch makes its way around (I maybe had two), and there’s this moment where everyone just sits together eating in their swimsuits, legs dangling over the side. Pieter tells stories about storms he’s sailed through — forty years doing this stuff — and you can tell he means every word. On the way back toward Simpson Bay, sunburned and happy, I try to memorize that color of light on the water but it never quite sticks when you’re home again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sailing along St. Maarten coast

• Board No1Sxm Trimaran
• Sail past airport landing area
• Pass by Maho and Mullet Bay
• Sail along southwest St. Maarten and Saint Martin
• Stop in calm bay on French side
• Swim and snorkel in bay
• Enjoy drinks, snacks, and sandwich lunch

Top questions

How long is the day sailing tour in St. Maarten?

The No1SXM day sailing experience lasts about 5 hours.

Is lunch included on the St. Maarten sailing cruise?

Yes, a sandwich lunch plus snacks and drinks are included during the cruise.

Where does the trimaran sail during the tour?

The route follows St. Maarten’s southwest coast into Anguilla Channel with stops near Baie Rouge Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included for all guests.

How many people are on board during this sailing trip?

The maximum group size is 14 passengers for an intimate experience.

Are drinks included on this St. Maarten sailing tour?

Yes, bottled water, soda, beer, white wine, and rum punch are provided onboard.

Can infants or small children join this sailing trip?

Infants and small children are allowed; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Does this tour include pickup from hotels?

No hotel pickup is included; guests meet at the check-in dock for dinghy transfer to the boat.

What’s included

Your day includes a five-hour sightseeing sailing cruise along St. Maarten’s southwest coast with Captain Pieter at the helm; all drinks like soda, bottled water, beer, white wine, and rum punch; a sandwich lunch plus sweet snacks and tropical fruit; use of snorkeling equipment for swimming stops; plus dinghy transfer from dock to boat before heading out together on the trimaran.