St. Maarten: Private Catamaran Cruise & Homemade Lunch

Private sailing in St. Maarten with snorkeling, fresh food and stories

You’ll board a private catamaran in St. Maarten for a laid-back day shaped by your pace—swimming over reefs, eating homemade BBQ lunch on deck, listening to Captain Robert’s sea tales, maybe even steering yourself for a stretch. With snorkeling gear provided and chilled drinks always nearby, expect an easy rhythm that leaves you smiling long after you’ve dried off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private St. Maarten Catamaran Cruise

• Board Hakuna Matata catamaran
• Set sail around Saint Martin
• Listen to Captain Robert's stories
• Snorkel in crystal clear waters
• Spot sea turtles and stingrays
• Relax on secluded beaches
• Enjoy homemade meals onboard
• Drink cocktails or local lager
• Return to port

The Experience

I woke up to the soft slap of water against the hull—already felt different from any hotel morning. We’d barely stepped onto the Hakuna Matata catamaran when Captain Robert grinned and handed us cold bottled water, joking about “island time” (he was right, my phone stayed in my bag all day). The boat felt solid but open, with salty air mixing with something warm and garlicky drifting from the galley. Our group just sort of melted into the deck cushions, shoes off, sunscreen half-rubbed in.

We cruised out past Simpson Bay—turquoise everywhere—and I kept catching myself staring at the color like it might change if I blinked too long. Robert started telling us about his first Atlantic crossing (I still can’t picture living on a boat for weeks), and then suddenly we were anchoring near some rocks where he said turtles liked to hang out. I’m not much of a snorkeler but the crew handed me a mask and noodles anyway—no pressure. There was this moment underwater where everything went quiet except for my own breathing and these little flashes of silver fish darting by. One kid squealed about seeing a stingray; I think everyone heard him all the way back on shore.

Lunch was honestly better than I expected—grilled chicken that tasted smoky and sweet at once, crunchy baguette, salad with something citrusy (lime? maybe). The crew joked around while pouring cold beer for anyone who wanted it. Someone asked if they could try steering for a bit; Robert just laughed and said sure, as long as we didn’t aim for Anguilla by accident. The sun felt heavy after lunch so most of us just sprawled out, half-listening to more stories about storms and dolphins and weird things found at sea.

There wasn’t any rush to get back—we stopped at one more little cove where you could swim or just float around with your drink in hand (I did both). It’s funny how quickly you forget what time it is out there. I still think about that view off the back of the boat: blue on blue, no noise except wind and water, everyone just quietly happy in their own way. I guess that’s what you come here for—even if you’re usually bad at relaxing like me.

Top questions

Is lunch included on the St. Maarten private catamaran cruise?

Yes, homemade lunch is included onboard featuring grilled dishes and fresh sandwiches.

Does the cruise include snorkeling equipment?

Yes, use of snorkeling gear is included during your private cruise.

Who is Captain Robert?

Captain Robert has over 15 years’ experience sailing around St. Maarten and shares stories during your trip.

Can children join this private catamaran cruise?

Yes, infants and children are welcome; prams or strollers can be brought onboard.

Are alcoholic drinks available?

Yes, alcoholic beverages such as beer are included during your cruise.

What should I bring on this St. Maarten day trip?

You should bring beach towels, sun protection like sunscreen, and motion sickness tablets if needed.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No specific mention of hotel pickup; check with operator when booking.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If weather doesn’t cooperate, you can reschedule your trip for another day without penalty.

What’s included

Your day comes with all drinks—water, soda or local beer—plus homemade lunch prepared by the crew right onboard (think grilled chicken or ribs with salad and baguette), snacks throughout the trip, full use of snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles so you can relax or explore as much as you want before heading back to shore whenever you’re ready.