A private catamaran day beats any beach day. This luxury charter on the 42ft Lagoon 42 Freedom is a full-service sail with your own captain and crew, plus comfort touches like cool towels and a mimosa start. You also get a route that mixes classic St. Maarten sights with calmer swimming stops.

What I like most is the way the day is handled end-to-end: food and drinks are built in all day, not treated like an add-on. The boat also comes with the fun gear you’d otherwise rent (snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and a floating lily pad mat), plus reef-safe sunscreen and towels to keep things easy.

One thing to plan around: there’s no hotel pickup, and the day depends on weather. Also, gratuity isn’t included, so you’ll want to budget for that when you go.

Key highlights at a glance

• Freedom (2022 Lagoon 42): a roomy, modern 42ft sailing catamaran with a teak deck and a luxury layout
• Captain-led route: stops built for variety, from swim-and-snorkel anchors to a quick Maho Beach hit
• All-day premium bar: craft cocktails and mocktails, plus beer, wine, prosecco, juices, and infused water
• BBQ lunch plus sweets: skewers, fresh salads, homemade cookies, and locally made ice cream
• Water toys included: snorkel gear, paddle boards (x2), and a floating lily pad mat
• Crew names you’ll hear: Carla as the point person on the operation; onboard hosts like Andre, Denise, and Tony get named often

Freedom: What you really get on a 42ft Lagoon 42

This is the kind of private charter where the boat itself matters as much as the stops. Freedom is a 2022 Lagoon 42 catamaran, custom-equipped for comfort and safe cruising. On a cat, you feel the stability right away—less pitching, more room to hang out, and easy movement across the teak deck without that cramped “boat shuffle” feeling.

You’ll start the day with a small, classy welcome: a cool scented towel and a handmade chocolate, then you move into lounge areas for the morning sail vibe. The day is timed so you’re not rushing from one thing to the next immediately; it’s more “settle in” than “power through.”

If you’re picturing a mega-yacht feel but without the chaos of large groups, this charter leans exactly into that: your group goes out privately while the crew handles the sailing, timing, and service.

Port de Plaisance meeting at 8:00 am and how to make it work

Your day starts at 8:00 am at Renegades, 155 Union Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. That matters because an early departure gives you smoother cruising conditions more often and gives the captain daylight to place you at the right spots.

Since there’s no hotel pickup, plan a simple “show up and go” morning:

• Give yourself time to get to Cole Bay before 8:00
• Have swimwear ready, because you’ll be on anchor and in the water at several points
• Bring your own beach bag for phones and sunglasses, but you won’t need to worry about water gear once you’re aboard

Also, this is a private charter, so it’s not a shared schedule. It’s only your group on the boat, with the captain and crew focused on your day.

Princess Port de Plaisance: the calm start before the big sights

Before the route turns into the classic St. Maarten highlights, you begin at Princess Port de Plaisance. You’ll spend about 30 minutes at the port area as part of the day’s flow, then you’re out on the open water enjoying the turquoise sea and sailing toward the day’s swim spots.

This first stretch is useful even if you’re familiar with the island, because it sets your rhythm:

• you get oriented without rushing
• you’re already on the water while the day is fresh
• service starts early, so breakfast-type hunger doesn’t sneak up on you later

If you’re the type who likes photos, this is also a great window for boat views and shoreline shots before the water-and-sun part takes over.

Happy Bay Beach: mimosas, anchor time, and real relaxation

Happy Bay Beach is built for slowing down. You’ll anchor there for around 3 hours, which is long enough to do more than a quick dip.

The vibe here is easy: you sail over with mimosas, then enjoy a late-morning snack. Once you reach the anchorage, you have time to swim and enjoy the 360° natural scenery around the secret beach area.

The big win with a 3-hour stop like this is that you don’t have to choose between “swim or hang out.” You can split your time:

• snorkel early while everyone’s fresh
• float and read or just cool off later
• use the included paddle boards if you want something active without committing to a full workout

Practical note: because this portion of the day is a swim-first experience, you’ll appreciate that the charter includes reef-safe sunscreen and towels. It’s one less thing to pack or track down once you’re on the island.

The Spa at Belmond La Samanna area (Baie Longue): cliff views and swim time

After Happy Bay, your sail continues toward the exclusive Baie Longue area, tied to The Spa at Belmond La Samanna. You get about 3 hours here as well.

This stop is all about atmosphere. The area is known for soaring cliffs and crystal-clear water, so even if you don’t plan to do much but swim, it’s the kind of scenery that makes you linger. The day plan includes plenty of time to enjoy the water, and it’s long enough to get comfortable rather than rushing in and out.

One consideration: the word spa is in the stop name, but you should think of this as a scenic, water-focused break rather than a guaranteed spa-treatment package. Your actual experience here will center on the beach/anchorage time and what the crew sets up for you.

If you want a balanced charter day, this is the “beautiful and calm” counterweight to the louder Maho Beach moment later.

Maho Beach: the short stop that still feels memorable

No St. Maarten day tour is complete without Maho Beach. You’ll get about 30 minutes here, which is tight by design.

This stop is famous for plane landings that come in low and fast. Even with only a half hour, you can usually catch at least a few passes if you’re positioned and ready. The key is not trying to do everything at once. Treat it like a quick photo and people-watching window:

• get your spot early
• keep one eye on the sky and the other on your footing
• enjoy the spectacle, then go back to the boat before you run out of daylight and patience

Because this is a “hit it and move on” segment, it’s a great fit if you like the iconic stuff but don’t want a whole day of heat and crowds.

Food and drink: why this charter price can actually make sense

The big question with a private charter is usually cost. Here, the number ($598.75 per person) only tells half the story. What matters is that the day is genuinely all-inclusive in ways that cost extra on many other charters.

You’ll get:

• Late-morning snacks: an apple plus an apple-and-cheese charcuterie board
• Happy hour hors d’oeuvres: homemade beet and garlic hummus with crudités, pita chips, and rice crackers
• Lunch: barbecued skewers plus fresh salads, followed by homemade cookies and locally made ice cream
• An all-day premium bar: craft cocktails and mocktails shaken fresh, plus standard mixed drinks, beer, wine, prosecco, soft drinks, and juices
• Infused water to keep things flowing without constant refills

From what I gather about the way this operation runs, the crew treats the meal and drink rhythm as part of the experience, not as a side item. That’s why people keep calling the service “top notch” and emphasizing that everything felt included without surprise upcharges.

So if you’re splitting the day among a group, this can be real value compared with piecing together a boat rental, captain, food, and separate beach activities. You’re paying for convenience, comfort, and time.

Snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and the floating lily pad mat

The best luxury isn’t just the boat. It’s the fact that you can use the day without extra rental stops.

Included gear:

• snorkeling equipment
• paddle boards (x2)
• a floating lily pad mat
• reef-safe sunscreen and towels

That combination matters because it gives you options depending on the water conditions and your mood. On a charter day, that flexibility is gold. When the water is calm, snorkel and paddle. When you just want to relax, float on the lily pad mat and let the day slow down.

Also, the boat has a restroom onboard, which sounds basic until you’re a few hours into a day on the water. It makes the whole schedule feel smoother.

What the crew service feels like in real life

The quality signal here isn’t just the food list. It’s the way the day gets hosted.

The operation includes Carla as a key point person for coordination, and names like Andre, Denise, Diana, and Tony show up repeatedly as onboard hosts. The consistent theme is that the crew makes you feel taken care of from the moment you step aboard.

That matters because on a private charter, your day lives or dies on service timing:

• towels ready when you board
• drinks arriving without hunting
• lunch showing up when you’re hungry, not when the schedule says
• water-time transitions handled without friction

If you’re celebrating a birthday or planning a group day that needs to stay relaxed, this kind of service focus is exactly what you want.

Who should book Freedom, and who might want a different style

This charter is ideal if you want:

• a private day with your own crew, not a shared group boat
• a comfortable, modern catamaran experience (42ft Lagoon 42 Freedom)
• a day built around swimming and lounging, plus a “big moment” stop at Maho
• strong food-and-drink value, with craft cocktails and mocktails

You might consider a different setup if you:

• want a lot of long onshore exploring time (the stops are time-bound, especially Maho)
• need hotel pickup (not offered)
• can’t be flexible with weather (the day requires good weather, and the itinerary may adjust)

Booking timing, getting there, and weather reality

This charter is typically booked about 40 days in advance, so if your dates are fixed, don’t wait until the last minute. The meeting point is in Cole Bay, so make sure your travel plans match the 8:00 am start.

Weather is the real wildcard for sailing. If conditions are poor, the experience may be canceled and you’ll be offered another date or a refund. When sailing goes smoothly, you’ll get the kind of day that feels like a vacation inside a vacation.

Should you book this luxury catamaran charter?

If your ideal St. Maarten day includes privacy, swimming, and an all-day food-and-drink setup, I’d say this is a strong pick. Freedom’s size and comfort, the included water gear, and the way the crew hosts the day are exactly what make it feel worth the premium price.

Book it if you want the full luxury treatment without spending your vacation managing details. Skip it only if you need hotel pickup, expect a lot of long shore excursions, or you’re traveling with no flexibility for weather.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran charter?

The experience runs about 7 hours 30 minutes.

Where do we meet for the charter?

You’ll meet at Renegades – Private Catamaran Charter – St. Maarten & Anguilla, 155 Union Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this tour private?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What’s included in the price?

Snacks (late-morning nibble), happy hour hors d’oeuvres, lunch with grilled skewers and salads, homemade cookies, and locally made ice cream. Alcoholic beverages are included, along with snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, a floating lily pad mat, reef-safe sunscreen, towels, and a restroom on board. Fuel and a captain and crew are also included.

Are drinks included, and what is the alcohol age requirement?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included. The minimum age requirement for alcohol consumption is 18 years old.

What is not included?

Gratuity is not included, and hotel pick up and drop off are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the experience.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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