Knot at Work – Private Catamaran Tour in St Maarten – Full day

The best part of this St Maarten charter is the freedom to enjoy two very different islands without sharing the boat with strangers. You get a full day aboard Knot at Work, a luxury sailing catamaran, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, and relaxing on a floating mat.

I like the mix of Pinel Island’s calm beach and Tintamarre’s uninhabited feel. I also like that Tomas and David are named as the crew, and that the onboard setup includes drinks, snacks, and useful water gear rather than just a ride from one island to another. The main caution is the $960 per-person price, which makes this a serious splurge, especially for a small group.

Key points to know before booking

• Two contrasting island stops: Spend time at developed Pinel Island, then visit quiet Tintamarre Island.
• Private boat for your group: No other party joins your charter.
• Eight hours on the water: The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to Bobby’s Marina.
• Water gear is included: Snorkels, fishing gear, a paddleboard, swimming noodles, and a floating mat are provided.
• Food and drinks are covered: Expect alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, juice, water, and simple snacks.
• Weather matters: The route can change in poor conditions, and swimming is done at your own risk.

A private day aboard Knot at Work

Knot at Work is built for people who want St Maarten from the water, but want control over the day. This is not a quick boat shuttle or a crowded group cruise. Your party has the catamaran to itself, giving you room to settle into the pace that suits you.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. from Bobby’s Marina, at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The experience lasts about eight hours and ends at the same marina. That early start gives you a full day outside, with time for both island stops and water activities.

The crew adds a personal touch to the outing. Tomas and David are specifically associated with the charter, and the service includes stories and fun facts along the way. One playful review joked that David, serving as chief stew, failed to arrive in a skirt because he had not had time to iron it. The provider answered in the same light spirit, promising better skirt preparation next time.

That exchange tells you something useful about the tone. This is meant to feel relaxed and social, not stiff or formal. If you enjoy a crew that can laugh with your group while still handling the practical side of a boat day, that atmosphere should suit you.

Pinel Island for calm water and an easy shore break

Pinel Island is the more developed of the two stops, and it is the better choice if you want a comfortable beach visit with several options. A sheltered main beach has calm water, making it suitable for swimming and paddleboarding.

You can step ashore for a white-sand beach, rent a chair and umbrella, or sit down for a meal at one of the island’s two restaurants. Since admission is free, your main choices here involve how you want to use your time, not how much you need to pay to enter.

I like the flexibility of this stop. You can stay active in the water, have a slow beach break, or walk around and see more of the island. A short, easy hike leads to a viewpoint, giving you a change of scene without turning the day into a strenuous outing.

Pinel also has a gift shop and small wildlife details that add character. You might see sugar birds, iguanas, and land turtles near the restaurants, where they are fed. These are simple encounters, but they give the island more personality than a beach stop built only around sand and swimming.

The drawback is that Pinel is not an untouched island. Restaurants, rentals, umbrellas, and a gift shop make it easier and more comfortable, but they also mean you should not expect total solitude. That contrast is useful when planning the day: Pinel provides convenience, while Tintamarre provides a more remote setting.

The listed timing allows up to four hours at Pinel Island. The actual flow can depend on weather and the captain’s decisions, but the generous stop gives you enough time to swim, eat, walk, and relax without rushing from one activity to the next.

Tintamarre Island for snorkeling and a wilder setting

Tintamarre Island offers a sharper change of pace. It is uninhabited, with sandy beaches, greenery, and rust-colored cliffs. There are no restaurants described here, so bring your attention to the natural setting and the water rather than expecting the same services available at Pinel.

Snorkeling is a major reason to visit. Turtles live around the island, giving you the chance to see them in the water with the provided snorkeling equipment. The tour also includes a paddleboard, fishing gear, swimming noodles, and a floating mat, so you can choose how active you want to be.

The water activities are not limited to snorkeling. Fishing gear is included for anyone who would rather spend time trying their luck, while the paddleboard and noodles work well for casual play. The floating mat is especially useful for people who want to get in the water without constantly swimming.

Tintamarre also has enough to see on land. An easy stroll can reveal remains of an old farm, an old airplane connected with a former airbase, and a stranded boat covered with graffiti. These details make the stop more than a beach landing. You can walk, look around, and enjoy the odd mix of island remains and improvised art.

The listed timing allows up to four hours at Tintamarre as well. That is plenty of time for snorkeling and a walk, though the island’s uninhabited nature means you should not expect shade, shops, or a staffed beach facility from the information provided. Plan to use the supplies on the boat and follow the crew’s guidance.

As with all water activities here, you enter the sea at your own risk. The charter provides equipment, but it does not remove the need to judge your own swimming ability, comfort, and conditions on the day.

What comes with the $960 price

The advertised cost is $960 per person, which places this firmly in the luxury category. The value depends heavily on your group size and how much you use the private setting. A couple seeking a low-cost beach excursion should look elsewhere. A group that wants its own boat, crew, schedule, and equipment may see the price differently.

You are not paying only for transportation between two islands. The price includes an eight-hour private charter, crew service, a selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, and several pieces of water equipment.

Drinks include Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, ginger ale, club soda, fruit juices, and water. Alcoholic beverages are also included, though the available types are not specified. Snacks include madeleines, oranges, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips.

That is a practical spread for a long day on the water. It covers small hunger and thirst, but it is not presented as a full meal. Since Pinel has two restaurants, you have a lunch option ashore, but the details of meals and restaurant prices are not included. If lunch matters to you, ask the provider how the schedule works before departure.

The equipment list is generous:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Fishing gear
• Paddleboard
• Swimming noodles
• Floating mat
• Drinks and snacks

Towels are not included. Bring your own, along with anything else you need for a full day around salt water. The supplied information does not specify sun protection, so you should also plan for the usual personal beach essentials without assuming they will be provided.

Group discounts are available, but no discount amount is given. Because the listed rate is high, ask how the discount applies to your party and whether the $960 figure changes with the number of people booking.

Why the private format matters

The private format is the main reason to consider this charter instead of a standard island cruise. Only your group participates, so you are not tied to the preferences of a large mixed party. That matters when one person wants to snorkel, another wants to paddleboard, and someone else would rather sit with a drink.

It also makes the day a better fit for families, friends, celebrations, or groups that value privacy. You can use the boat’s equipment without competing with a large number of other people, although the exact capacity and layout of Knot at Work are not provided.

The private setting does not mean you control every part of the itinerary. Weather can change the route, and a change to the itinerary does not result in a price reduction or cancellation. This is an important point at this price level. You are paying for the charter experience and the day on the water, but the exact island plan depends on conditions.

If weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this catamaran day

I would point this charter toward people who care more about privacy and time on the water than about keeping costs low. A group of friends can spread out across several activities, while a family can combine calm swimming at Pinel with snorkeling and shoreline exploring at Tintamarre.

It also suits people who want choices. The itinerary is not built around one single attraction. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, fish, walk, eat, or simply sit with a drink while the crew handles the day.

Pinel is likely the easier stop for people who want facilities and calm water. Tintamarre is better for those who want an uninhabited island, turtle snorkeling, and unusual sights such as the old airplane and graffiti-covered boat.

I would be more cautious about booking if you dislike open-water activities, need guaranteed weather, or want a clearly stated full lunch included in the price. The tour is built around the sea, and the provider makes clear that anyone entering the water does so at their own risk.

Practical details for a smooth morning

Your meeting point is Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, Philipsburg. The tour returns there after the day ends, and the location is near public transportation.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, but the information does not give a detailed accessibility breakdown for the boat, beach landings, or island paths. If anyone in your party has mobility concerns, ask the provider specific questions before paying.

Bring a towel, since towels are the one clearly stated item not included. You should also be ready for a full day around water and sun, with personal items kept secure and dry as appropriate.

Keep the weather policy in mind when choosing your date. The route may change without a price adjustment, and a poor-weather cancellation offers either another date or a full refund. That is helpful protection, but it does not guarantee that your preferred two-island route will operate exactly as planned.

Should you book Knot at Work?

Book it if you want a private, full-day St Maarten boat charter with two distinct island stops and plenty of included water gear. The combination of Pinel’s calm beach, Tintamarre’s turtles and odd island remains, and the relaxed service from Tomas and David gives the day real variety.

Think carefully about the price. At $960 per person, this is not a casual excursion, and the value is strongest for a group that will use the private boat for the full eight hours. Ask about the group discount, lunch arrangements, boat capacity, and what alcoholic drinks are available before you commit.

For a private celebration or a group that wants its own space, this is a strong choice. For a budget-conscious outing or a simple beach transfer, it is more than you need.

FAQ

How long is the Knot at Work catamaran tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at Bobby’s Marina, the same place where it begins.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Pinel Island and Tintamarre Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, fruit juices, water, and snacks such as madeleines, oranges, mixed nuts, peanuts, and chips are included.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The itinerary may also change because of weather, and that change does not qualify for a price reduction or cancellation.