Don’t Worry – Private Half Day Catamaran Cruise in St Maarten

Little Bay packs unusual sights into a calm first stop: underwater statues, a sunken submarine, and a helicopter sit below the surface. Then the 45-foot Don’t Worry catamaran heads toward Long Beach, where white sand, clear water, and orange-toned cliffs make a fine second setting.

I like the private format, since your group controls the mood instead of sharing a boat with strangers. I also like the ready supply of drinks, snacks, snorkel gear, a paddleboard, and a floating mat. The main consideration is price: at $1,030 per person, this is a serious splurge, and rough weather can change the route.

Key points at a glance

• Little Bay’s underwater sights: Snorkel around statues, a sunken submarine, and a helicopter.
• Long Beach’s quiet setting: Spend time in the water, on the sand, or using the boat’s water toys.
• Private four-hour charter: Only your group participates, giving the trip a personal feel.
• Crew with a family-friendly touch: Jernel, Tom, Victor, and Marion are names associated with particularly warm service.
• Food and drinks included: Expect soft drinks, juices, water, alcohol for adults, fruit, nuts, chips, and madeleines.
• Weather affects the plan: The route may change without a price reduction, though a weather cancellation brings a new date or full refund.

A private catamaran day from Bobby’s Marina

You meet at Bobby’s Marina, at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The cruise lasts about four hours and returns to the same marina, making the logistics simple if you are already in the Philipsburg area.

The boat is Don’t Worry, a Leopard 45 sailing catamaran. A catamaran gives you more than a standard small boat: there are separate hulls, a broad deck, and room to spread out. That matters on a private charter, because you can sit together, move between shaded and sunny spots, and settle into your own pace.

This is not a scheduled sightseeing run with a fixed public group. Only your party participates. You can chat with the crew, let children use the floating equipment, spend longer in the water, or simply enjoy the ride without needing to match the habits of strangers.

The private setup is also the reason the price deserves careful thought. At $1,030 per person, the value depends heavily on your group size, the importance of privacy, and how much use you make of the included equipment. Group discounts are offered, but the available information does not state the exact discount or final price for a particular party.

Little Bay and its unusual underwater collection

The first usual stop is Little Bay, a popular place to snorkel. The attraction is not only clear Caribbean water. Beneath the surface, you can look for underwater statues, a sunken submarine, and a helicopter.

Those objects give the stop more character than a simple swim near a beach. You have specific things to search for, which can make the snorkeling more engaging for children and for anyone who likes a little purpose with their time in the water. The crew can also share stories and fun facts along the way, adding context to the sights.

The listed plan allows about two hours at Little Bay, though the full outing remains approximately four hours. That gives you a generous window for snorkeling, swimming, and getting back aboard without rushing every minute. Still, the exact timing can shift with wind, sea conditions, and the captain’s judgment.

Snorkeling is optional, and the trip includes equipment. That is useful if you did not pack your own mask and fins, or if you want to avoid carrying wet gear through the rest of your holiday. You enter the water at your own risk, so you should be comfortable with your swimming ability and follow the crew’s directions.

If you are hesitant about the ocean, say so early. One family described the boat as a good fit for someone who felt unsure in open water, and specifically credited Victor and Marion with helping the experience feel comfortable. That does not remove the need for caution, but it suggests the crew pays attention to different comfort levels.

Long Beach, also called Baie Longue

From Little Bay, the boat can continue toward Baie Longue, known here as Long Beach. It is described as one of Saint Martin’s most beautiful beaches, with a long stretch of white sand and clear water.

The beach offers a change of scene after snorkeling. You can swim, walk onto the sand, take photographs, or stay near the catamaran and use the water toys. The setting includes the Belmond resort in the background and steep orange-toned cliffs, giving you a strong photo backdrop without needing a separate land excursion.

Long Beach is presented as a quieter stop and a gateway to a more peaceful part of the island. That makes it especially useful for couples or families who want a private beach atmosphere rather than a packed activity schedule.

The practical limit is that beach conditions and access can depend on the weather and sea. The itinerary is not guaranteed in every detail. If the captain changes the route because of conditions, there is no price discount or cancellation for that itinerary change. That is normal for a water excursion, but you should book this for the overall boat day, not for one guaranteed patch of sand.

Water toys that make the four hours more flexible

The equipment gives you several ways to spend time between the two main stops. You receive snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, a floating mat, swimming noodles, and fishing gear.

The floating mat is a strong choice for a mixed-age group. Someone who does not want to snorkel can still float near the boat, while stronger swimmers can use the paddleboard or explore with a mask. The mat is even described playfully as a possible floating bar, though you should treat that as a place to relax with a drink, not a substitute for careful water safety.

Fishing gear adds another option, but the supplied details do not promise a catch or specify the fishing style. Think of it as an extra activity for quiet stretches, not the main reason to reserve the charter.

A paddleboard can also split up the group in a useful way. One person can paddle close to the catamaran while others swim or sit aboard. Because this is a private trip, you do not need to feel guilty about using time for different activities. Your party can rotate equipment as it suits you.

Drinks, snacks, and the feel of the day

The onboard selection covers a broad range of simple refreshments. You receive Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, club soda, fruit juices, and water. Alcoholic drinks are included for those aged 18 and over.

The food is light rather than a full meal: madeleines, oranges, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips. That should keep you going during a four-hour outing, but you should not book this expecting lunch. If anyone in your group has food allergies or special dietary needs, the provided information does not confirm alternative snacks, so ask before booking.

Having drinks and snacks aboard matters more than it might seem. You do not need to leave the water to find a café, and you can settle into the boat instead of organizing extra provisions. It also keeps the day informal. Grab a drink after snorkeling, take fruit to the beach, or have something small while the crew moves the boat to the next stop.

Alcohol can make people less careful around water, so use good judgment. The crew provides it, but each person remains responsible for swimming safely and following instructions.

The crew and the family-friendly atmosphere

The charter is built around attentive service rather than a bare boat rental. The crew is expected to share stories and fun facts, help with the equipment, and look after the group during the outing.

Jernel and Tom are names connected with a family charter that had a particularly good time aboard. Victor and Marion are also named by a family with two children, ages 14 and 12. That family found the boat welcoming for someone who was initially hesitant about the ocean, and the crew helped the children enjoy the adventure as well.

You should not assume a particular crew member will be aboard on your date, but these names give you a useful sense of the service style attached to the boat. The strongest praise focuses on the crew’s warmth, the family experience, and the quality of the boat itself.

One unusual detail is that a party booked another outing after finishing the first one. That suggests the four-hour format can leave you wanting more time on the water, especially if your group enjoys snorkeling and water toys. It can also mean the day feels active without becoming exhausting.

Who gets the best value from this charter

I would look first at this experience if you are traveling with family or a close group that values privacy. The boat gives you a shared setting for swimming, photographs, snacks, and conversation, while the private format lets different people choose different levels of activity.

It also suits a group with mixed confidence in the water. Strong swimmers can snorkel or use the paddleboard, while someone more cautious can stay aboard, use a noodle, or float on the mat with support nearby.

Couples may like the quiet setting at Long Beach, especially if a private beach stop matters more than checking off a long list of sights. The catamaran provides a more personal day than a large public cruise.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone, on a tight budget, or mainly want a guaranteed beach visit. The per-person cost is high for a half-day, and weather can alter the route. A public boat trip or a land-based beach day may make more financial sense for those priorities.

What the $1,030 price really buys

The listed price is $1,030 per person. That is not a casual add-on to a St Maarten holiday. You are paying for a private boat, crew service, equipment, refreshments, and the ability to spend four hours with only your own group aboard.

The price becomes easier to assess when you compare it with what privacy means to you. If your group wants control over the pace, a quiet setting, and the freedom to switch between snorkeling, beach time, and floating, the charter offers more than a simple transfer to a beach.

The group discount may improve the calculation, but you need the exact terms before booking. Ask for the total price for your party rather than assuming the advertised per-person figure tells the whole story.

I would also judge value by your activity plans. A group that uses the snorkeling gear, paddleboard, floating mat, fishing gear, and beach stop will get more from the outing than a group that mainly sits aboard. Drinks and snacks help, but they should not be treated as the main source of value.

Weather, timing, and practical planning

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the operator runs the trip but changes the itinerary because of conditions, that change does not qualify for a price reduction or cancellation.

That policy makes the booking date important. Give yourself enough flexibility to accept another day if needed, particularly if this cruise is one of the main highlights of your stay.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The cutoff follows local St Maarten time.

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The information says most people can participate, but it also makes clear that anyone entering the water does so at their own risk. Bring your normal sun and swim essentials, and confirm any personal needs before departure.

Should you book Don’t Worry?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the water, have a group large enough to share the cost, and care about service, flexibility, and a relaxed pace. Little Bay offers unusual snorkeling sights, while Long Beach adds a quieter beach setting and excellent photo opportunities.

I would especially consider it for families with mixed swimming confidence. The crew names associated with the boat, the comfortable family setting, and the range of water toys all point to an outing that can work for different ages and energy levels.

Skip it if $1,030 per person strains your budget or if one specific beach and route are non-negotiable. The weather may change the plan, and the price only makes strong sense when your group values the privacy and makes good use of the boat.

For the right group, Don’t Worry is less about rushing through St Maarten’s sights and more about having your own floating base for snorkeling, beach time, drinks, and easy family fun.

FAQ

Where does the Don’t Worry catamaran cruise begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

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

How long is the private catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

What snorkeling and water equipment is included?

The charter includes snorkeling equipment, a floating mat, a paddleboard, swimming noodles, and fishing gear.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks cover soft drinks, fruit juices, water, and alcoholic beverages for people aged 18 and over. Snacks include madeleines, oranges, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The itinerary is subject to weather conditions. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the trip operates with a changed route, there is no price discount or cancellation for that change.