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St Martin Catamaran Snorkel Cruise with Open Bar & Lunch

I've skippered catamarans off this coast since 2014, and this is the trip I send people on when they want the full island day rolled into one: lazy sailing, snorkeling over a calm bay, cold drinks that never run dry, and a barbecue cooked right on deck. It's a gentler, more social sail than the long Anguilla crossing, with no big open-water stretch to push through. See how it sits against the rest of the lineup on our boat trips around the island.

Snorkelers swimming beside a catamaran on a Sint Maarten boat tour with open bar over a clear turquoise bay off Saint-Martin
4.6★83 reviews
$125per person
7 hoursduration
Freecancellation 24h
7 HoursOpen BarBBQ LunchFrom $125Snorkel StopsFree Cancellation
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About the Catamaran Snorkel Cruise

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours ahead and get your money back in full
💳
Reserve now, pay later
Hold a spot today and settle up nearer the sailing date
Duration: 7 hours
A proper full day from the dock and back again
Catamaran day sail
Wide, steady deck circling Saint-Martin with music on
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Snorkel & swim stops
Anchor in sheltered bays with gear handed out on board
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Open bar + BBQ lunch
Drinks flowing all day and a hot barbecue cooked on deck

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Live dates and current pricing for the full-day St Martin catamaran snorkel cruise with open bar and lunch — pick your day and lock it in.

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Why Book the Snorkel Cruise

After years on the helm here, I can tell you the difference between a good catamaran day and a great one comes down to the boat and the pace. This one gets both right. The hulls are wide and stable, so nobody spends the morning gripping a rail, and the route hugs sheltered water rather than fighting a long channel crossing. You sail, you snorkel, you eat, you sail some more — and the open bar runs the whole time without anyone counting your drinks.

What sells it for me is the value. Seven hours, all your drinks, a fresh barbecue off the grill, and gear for the snorkel stops, all rolled into one price from $125. It carries a solid 4.6-star rating, and at that length and inclusion it's hard to beat. If you'd rather chase a powder-white Anguillan beach across open water instead, the Lambada day-sail out to Anguilla is the bigger adventure.

What You'll See and Do

It's a day built around easy water and good food. Across the seven hours you'll get to:

  • Sail a slow loop around the Saint-Martin shoreline with music playing on deck
  • Drop anchor in a calm, sheltered bay and snorkel straight off the steps
  • Float and swim over the reef with gear handed out on board
  • Watch the crew fire up the grill for a barbecue served right on deck
  • Sip from the open bar between every stop without keeping a tab
  • Stretch out on the trampoline nets between the bows as the island slides past
Swimmers floating over a calm reef beside a catamaran on the St Martin catamaran snorkel cruise with open bar and lunch off Sint Maarten

What's Included (and What Isn't)

What's Included

  • A full-day catamaran cruise around the coast of Saint-Martin
  • Snorkel mask, fins and vest for the bay stops
  • An open bar and light snacks flowing the whole day
  • A fresh BBQ lunch cooked and served on deck
  • Music and a hands-on crew who run the day for you

Not Included

  • Getting yourself to and from the marina
  • Tips for the crew — optional, but always welcome
  • Your own towel and a bottle of reef-safe sunscreen

How the Day Flows

  1. Morning

    Cast off

    Step aboard at the marina, find a seat in the shade or out on the nets, and we ease out along the coast with the bar already open.

  2. Late morning

    First snorkel stop

    We anchor over a sheltered bay, hand out the gear, and you slip in for a swim and snorkel over calm, clear water.

  3. Midday

    BBQ on deck

    The grill goes on and lunch is served fresh off the barbecue while we sit at anchor in flat water.

  4. Early afternoon

    Second swim & sail

    One more dip at a quiet bay, then we lift anchor and cruise on with the music and the drinks still going.

  5. Late afternoon

    Sail home

    We trace the shore back to the marina, leaving you plenty of daylight to wash off and head out for the evening.

Important Things to Know Before You Go

A few things I tell every group before we leave the dock — small stuff that makes the day better:

  • An open bar over seven hours catches people out — pace yourself, especially before the snorkel stops
  • Flag any food needs when you book so the BBQ has something on the grill for you
  • Seven hours is a long stretch of Caribbean sun, so reapply sunscreen far more often than you think
  • This is a music-on, social sail rather than a silent glide — come for the atmosphere

What to pack

  • Swimwear on under your clothes plus a towel of your own
  • Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a strap for your sunglasses
  • A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag for the swim stops
  • A little cash for the crew if they keep the day rolling

What to leave behind

  • Any hope of a quiet, no-music sail — that's a different boat
  • Anything that can't take salt water, sun or a splash of barbecue sauce

Where It Departs — Sint Maarten

A barbecue lunch and open bar laid out on the deck of a catamaran during the St Martin snorkel cruise with open bar and lunch in Sint Maarten

Who This Cruise Is For

This is my go-to recommendation for anyone who wants one boat day to do everything — sail, swim and eat well — without it turning into hard work.

  • Friends and groups after a lively, all-day party on the water
  • Couples and families who want a swim plus a real cooked lunch, not a snack
  • Cruise-ship and resort guests with a full day to fill
  • Easy snorkelers who like calm bays over deep, exposed reefs

Not ideal for

  • Anyone wanting a quiet, music-free sail — look at a small trimaran instead
  • Hardcore snorkelers chasing big, multi-reef days underwater
  • Travelers short on time who can't give up a whole day

St Martin Catamaran Snorkel Cruise — FAQ

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to join?

Not at all. We anchor in calm, sheltered bays, the crew hands out buoyancy vests, and you can stay near the boat the whole time or skip the water entirely and enjoy the bar. If you're nervous about swimming, send us a quick note before you book and we'll talk you through it.

What's the BBQ lunch actually like?

It's a hot barbecue cooked fresh on the grill while we sit at anchor — proper food, not a packed sandwich. There are usually a few options on the grill, and the crew can usually cater to dietary needs if you mention them when booking. It's a step up from the lighter spread on the shorter sails you'll find among our other catamaran trips.

Is the open bar really unlimited all day?

Yes — drinks flow the full seven hours with no tab and no drink count. My only advice as the captain is to go steady before the snorkel stops so you actually enjoy the water. Compare the inclusions against the luxury catamaran day sail with lunch and drinks if you want a more upscale version.

How much does it cost and how long is it?

It runs about seven hours and starts from $125 per person, with the open bar, BBQ lunch and snorkel gear all included. Use the live availability tool above to check today's prices for your date.

Is this gentler than the Anguilla day-sail?

It is. This cruise loops sheltered water around Saint-Martin with no long open-channel crossing, so it's calmer and more social. If you want the bigger adventure across the water to a powder-white cay, that's the Lambada day-sail to Anguilla instead.

What Travelers Say About the Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Honestly the best day of our whole trip. The catamaran was huge and steady, the snorkel bay was calm enough for our kids, and the barbecue off the grill was unreal. The crew never let a glass go empty.
Marissa D. · United States
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Booked this over a longer sail because we wanted something relaxed, and it was spot on. Lovely flat water, two good swim stops, and a captain who clearly knows the coast. Pace yourself at the bar though.
Gareth P. · United Kingdom
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Great social day out. Music on deck, drinks all afternoon and a proper lunch. The bow nets are the spot to claim early. Only thing I'd say is bring a dry bag for your phone before you jump in.
Élodie M. · France

Seven hours of easy sailing, calm-bay snorkeling, an open bar all day and a barbecue cooked on deck — the most complete day you can have on the water here.

These full-day sailings sell out fast in high season — check today's availability and grab your date before it goes.

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