Be Happy – Private Catamaran Cruise Sint Maarten Full Day Tour

The best part of the Be Happy private catamaran cruise is control. You have the boat to yourself, so your group can spend more time swimming, less time waiting, and enjoy Sint Maarten’s coast at an easy pace. The route brings together white sand, quiet coves, snorkeling, and open-water sailing.

I like the mix of stops, especially Little Bay’s underwater statues and sunken aircraft. I also like that drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, and a floating mat are included, which keeps the day simple once you leave Bobby’s Marina.

The main drawback is the price: $960 per person is a serious spend, even for a private charter. The value improves for a larger group using a group discount, but you should also remember that towels and lunch are not included.

Key things to know before sailing

• Four coastal stops: Long Beach, Plum Bay, Grand Case Beach, and Little Bay each offer a different kind of beach day.
• Private boat, private group: Only your party takes part, giving you more say over the pace and use of the water gear.
• Snorkeling with unusual sights: Little Bay features underwater statues, a submarine, and a helicopter.
• Food and drinks are supplied: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, juices, water, and small snacks are included.
• Start and finish at Bobby’s Marina: Meet at 9:00 am at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg.
• Weather can change the plan: The route may be altered for conditions, with no price reduction for a changed itinerary.

A private day on Sint Maarten’s water

This is an eight-hour private charter designed for people who want a full day at sea rather than a short sightseeing cruise. You board at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg at 9:00 am, then spend the day moving between beaches and swimming spots around the island.

Because the catamaran is private, your group does not have to match the habits of a large mixed party. If some people want to swim and others want to sit with a drink, both can happen at once. If your group has children, older relatives, or people who prefer a quiet ride, that private setting can be worth paying for.

The crew supplies drinks, snacks, and equipment for several kinds of water time. You can use snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, a floating mat, and fishing gear. The floating mat is also described as a floating bar, a small but useful touch if your group wants to spend time in the water without constantly swimming back to the boat.

The cruise is not a formal sightseeing program packed with scheduled commentary. The crew shares stories and fun facts as you go, while the main focus stays on the sea, beaches, and time with your own group.

Long Beach gives you room to settle in

Long Beach is the first listed stop, with about two hours planned. It is known for white sand and clear blue water, and its name points to its main appeal: it is one of the longest beaches on Saint Martin.

This is a good opening stop because you can settle into the day without rushing straight into an activity. You might swim, use the floating mat, sit on the beach, or simply get comfortable with the rhythm of a full day on a catamaran.

The beach is also a useful contrast to the smaller bays later in the route. Long Beach gives you a broad stretch of sand and open water rather than a tight cove. If your group prefers calm beach time to snorkeling, this may be one of the most satisfying stops.

The schedule allows two hours, but the exact time at each stop can change. The four listed stops each show two hours, while the whole experience lasts about eight hours and also includes sailing between locations. Treat the schedule as a guide rather than a promise that every stop will receive a full two hours.

Plum Bay offers a quieter coastal view

The cruise then sails along Plum Bay, a secluded beach in the gated Terres Basses area. This stop is less about a busy beach outing and more about seeing a quieter section of the coast from the water.

You will pass luxury villas, including a villa associated with Donald Trump. That detail may interest some people, but the larger appeal is the change of mood. Plum Bay gives you a look at a private, villa-lined part of Saint Martin that you would not experience in the same way from a public beach.

The word secluded should be taken as a clue about the setting, not as a promise that you will have exclusive access to the beach. The charter itself is private, but that does not mean every stretch of shore is reserved for your group.

This portion should suit you if you enjoy sailing past attractive coastal property and quieter bays. If you want constant swimming or snorkeling, it may feel slower than Little Bay. That is not a flaw, but it is worth knowing that the day has both active and scenic stretches.

Grand Case Beach mixes swimming with local flavor

Grand Case Beach is another two-hour stop. It is one of the best-known beaches on the French side of Saint Martin, with clear water and pale sand.

The beach works well for a relaxed swim or time on the shore. It is also described as a meeting point for exploring Creole Rock, so this is one of the places where the water itself adds interest beyond the beach.

A useful detail comes from the birthday outing described for this charter: lunch was enjoyed at a beach restaurant. Lunch is not listed as an included part of the package, so you should plan to pay separately if your group chooses a restaurant stop. Still, Grand Case may be the natural point in the day to arrange a meal, depending on the crew’s timing and the conditions.

Do not assume that a restaurant meal is guaranteed as part of your charter. Ask about the lunch plan when booking if a sit-down meal matters to your group. The included food is limited to snacks such as madeleines, oranges, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips.

Little Bay is the strongest stop for snorkeling

Little Bay is the most distinctive water stop on the route. It is presented as a prime snorkeling area, with underwater statues, a sunken submarine, and a helicopter on the bottom.

Those sights give your snorkeling time a clear purpose. You are not just looking at open water and hoping to spot something. You have specific underwater objects to seek out, making this the stop where the included masks and other snorkeling equipment matter most.

The experience depends on conditions and your comfort in the water. Anyone who enters the water does so at their own risk, and the tour does not promise a particular level of visibility or marine life. Weather can also change the route.

If you are not a confident swimmer, use the crew’s equipment only within your comfort level and ask for guidance before entering the water. The paddleboard and floating mat provide other ways to enjoy Little Bay, but the main attraction here is snorkeling.

What is included once you leave the marina

The package covers more than transportation. You receive alcoholic drinks, soda, fruit juices, club soda, and water. The soft drink selection includes Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and ginger ale.

The snacks are simple rather than a full meal. You get madeleines, oranges, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips. This is enough to keep you going between swims, but it does not replace breakfast or lunch.

Water equipment includes snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, a floating mat, and fishing gear. The range is helpful for a mixed group. One person can snorkel while another uses the paddleboard, and someone else can remain on deck with a drink.

Bring your own towel. Towels are specifically not included. You should also plan for any meal you want beyond the supplied snacks, including a possible beach restaurant lunch at Grand Case.

Is $960 per person good value?

At $960 per person, this is not a budget beach excursion. The price makes sense only if privacy, flexibility, and the full-day format are important to you.

A private boat can be valuable for a birthday, family gathering, or special celebration. One birthday group described the day as a success, with the crew helping make the occasion special and arranging time at beautiful spots and a beach restaurant. That gives you a useful picture of the experience: this can work well as a celebration rather than just a standard day at sea.

Group discounts are available, although the exact amount is not provided. Ask for the final price for your group before booking. Since the charter is private, the cost is easier to justify when shared by several people who would otherwise book separate activities.

You should compare the price with what matters to your party. If you mainly want one beach and a short swim, eight hours on a private catamaran may be more than you need. If you want a full day with several stops, onboard drinks, gear, and no strangers sharing the boat, the cost provides a different kind of value.

The price also includes convenience. You do not need to arrange separate rentals for snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, or a floating mat. You still need to budget for towels and lunch.

Timing, meeting point, and weather rules

The day begins at 9:00 am at Bobby’s Marina, located at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another part of the island.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which may help if you are not arriving by private vehicle. Your confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket.

Weather matters more than it does on a land tour. The route is subject to sea and weather conditions, and the crew may change the stops without offering a price discount or cancellation for that change. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

For that reason, keep your plans flexible if possible. Do not place an important flight, shore excursion, or timed event immediately after the cruise. The advertised duration is about eight hours, and sailing conditions can affect the day.

The charter is open to most people, but anyone entering the water does so at their own risk. If your group has concerns about swimming, ask the provider before booking.

Who will enjoy Be Happy most?

I would consider this charter for a group that values privacy more than a low price. It is a particularly good match for a birthday, reunion, family day, or other occasion where staying together matters.

It also suits a group with mixed interests. The beaches provide easy relaxation, Little Bay gives snorkelers something specific to see, and the paddleboard, floating mat, fishing gear, and drinks keep the day from depending on one single activity.

You may prefer another option if you want a tightly timed sightseeing program, a guaranteed restaurant meal, or the lowest possible price. You should also think carefully about the weather policy if your travel dates are fixed.

The best way to plan is to ask about the likely route, lunch arrangements, and group discount before paying. The listed route is attractive, but the crew can change it for weather and sea conditions.

Should you book this private catamaran?

Book Be Happy if you want a full, private day around Sint Maarten and are willing to pay for space, gear, and personal attention. The combination of Long Beach, Plum Bay, Grand Case, and Little Bay gives you beaches, coastal views, and one unusually specific snorkeling stop with underwater statues and wrecks.

I would skip it if your main goal is an inexpensive swim or a simple beach visit. At $960 per person, the charter needs to be a major part of your holiday, not an impulse add-on.

For the right group, especially one celebrating something, the private format and onboard equipment make the price easier to defend. Book early if your date matters, since the experience is often reserved about 120 days ahead.

FAQ

Where does the Be Happy catamaran cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the cruise end?

The experience ends back at the same meeting point at Bobby’s Marina.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private charter.

What food and drinks are included?

Included drinks are alcoholic beverages, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, club soda, fruit juices, and water. Snacks include madeleines, oranges, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, a paddleboard, and a floating mat are provided. Towels are not included.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The route is subject to weather conditions. If the itinerary changes, there is no price discount or cancellation for that change. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.