A day on the water, planned your way. This private Sea Ray Sundancer charter turns St Maarten into your personal marine playground, with an open bar on board and snorkeling gear ready to use. You pick the areas you want to see, then you get to slow down for beaches and swim time instead of rushing through a checklist.

What I like most is the easy comfort: snorkel gear is included, plus there’s an open bar with multiple drink choices so you’re not doing mental math every hour. I also like the control you get as a private group—your captain can help shape the day around views, landmarks, and downtime.

One consideration: lunch isn’t included, and there’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to get to the dock area yourself. Also, like any boat day, good weather matters for the best experience.

Key things to know before you go

• Private charter up to 8 people: you’re not sharing space with strangers, and your timing stays in your hands.
• Open bar on board: beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum punch, plus water and soft drinks.
• Snorkel equipment included: you can gear up without paying extra or scrambling for rentals.
• You choose the vibe: sightseeing, snorkeling, or a quiet stretch of beach to relax.
• Tintamarre Island is the quiet highlight: you get a stop on an uninhabited island with that “no rush” feeling.

Why a Sea Ray Sundancer private charter makes sense in St Maarten

St Maarten is made for time on the water. From the shore, you can admire coasts. From a boat, you get the full picture: shoreline shapes, perspective on towns and headlands, and that constant sense of motion that keeps the day feeling fresh.

This charter is built around one big idea: your itinerary. You’re not locked into a rigid “tour bus” schedule. Instead, you set the direction—sightseeing, snorkeling, or beach time—then the captain helps you make it work during your time afloat. That flexibility is the difference between a day that feels like sightseeing and a day that feels like a vacation.

There’s also a practical comfort factor. A private charter means the day won’t hinge on fitting everyone into the same pace. If your group wants to linger near a view, you can. If you’d rather swim and then head back, you can.

What’s included on board (and what that really buys you)

The included package is simple and useful: you get an open bar and snorkeling gear.

Open bar, without the hassle

The bar list includes beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum punch, water, and soft drinks. That matters because it removes one of the most annoying parts of boat days: paying for drinks while you’re also juggling sun, saltwater, and timing.

Also, the range is helpful. Not everyone wants the same thing, so you can keep the mood easy for the whole group rather than trying to coordinate a single “type” of drink.

Snorkeling gear included

You’ll have snorkeling equipment available for your use. That’s a real savings win, because rentals add up fast on islands. More importantly, it reduces friction: you don’t have to plan where to pick up gear, when to return it, or whether the sizes will be right.

Lunch is not included

Lunch is the one big non-inclusion, and the charter handles it in a flexible way: you’ll stop at a restaurant of your choice. Translation: you can eat what you actually want—local food, something casual, or wherever your group feels like going—rather than being forced into a set meal you might not like.

Your day at sea: how you build your own itinerary

This is a private tour/activity, and it runs about 6 to 7 hours (the summary and duration info both point to a full half-day charter). The day ends back at the meeting point in Cole Bay.

You’ll likely spend your time in three modes:

• cruising and viewing St Maarten from the water
• stopping for the scheduled island moments
• switching between swim/snorkel time and relaxation

Your captain can steer the day based on what you want to prioritize. If your priority is snorkeling, you’ll treat the stops like swim windows. If your priority is scenery and beach time, you’ll treat snorkeling as optional and pace the day more slowly.

You should also be ready for what matters on a boat: bring what you’ll need for sun and water. The practical recommendation here is a towel and swimsuit. Do it, and you’ll save yourself from that last-minute scramble.

Getting to the meeting point (Cole Bay) and planning your timing

You meet at 62 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. There’s no hotel pickup and drop-off, so plan on getting yourselves there.

The good news: the meeting area is noted as being near public transportation. So if your group is using taxis and local transit, you’re not completely dependent on one specific vehicle arrangement.

Because the charter is private and time-on-water matters, I’d treat the meeting time like a hard appointment. Even if your group is early, that’s fine; it gives you buffer to organize towels, gear, and drinks and start the day in a calm way.

Opening hours are listed as 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, which helps you choose a time window that fits your overall trip schedule.

Stop 1: St Martin / St Maarten from the water for an easy first hour

Your first stop is St Martin / St Maarten for about 1 hour. This is where the day gets its “you’re on a boat, not stuck on land” payoff.

From here, you’ll get a view of the coastline and the mix of island energy without having to fight traffic or pick between multiple viewpoints. It’s the kind of stop that works well early in the day because you’re fresh, sun levels are manageable, and you can orient yourselves visually before the later, quieter moments.

A practical benefit: this is also the segment where a captain can set the tone. In one high-rated experience, the boat plan stayed smooth even when a cruise ship arrival was delayed, and the crew was prepared to keep the day moving. That’s exactly what you want to hear for St Maarten—flexibility when schedules shift.

Keep in mind: the “St Martin / St Maarten” label is broad, so think of this hour as scenery + positioning, not a one-site museum visit.

Stop 2: Tintamarre Island, the uninhabited quiet break

Your second scheduled stop is Tintamarre Island for about 1 hour. This is the one people remember because it’s uninhabited and feels remote. It’s on the north side of SXM, and it’s described as a must-visit place—so plan to treat this as your downtime moment.

What you’ll love about an uninhabited island stop is the contrast. After you’ve been in motion on the water, you get a chance to slow down. Depending on conditions and your captain’s guidance, you can use this window for:

• relaxing on a quieter shoreline
• taking in the views without crowds
• snorkeling if conditions line up well

One caution: uninhabited means you should come ready. You’re not going to find the same kind of convenience as a developed beach area. That’s another reason the included gear and the bring-a-towel tip matter.

Also, because you’re limited by a fixed stop time, this is a place where you’ll want to decide fast: do you want your swim time early, or do you want to stretch out first and snorkel later?

Snorkeling with included gear: how to make it worth the effort

Snorkeling is optional in spirit, but it’s a core part of what makes the charter feel like more than just a boat ride.

Since snorkel gear is included, you can focus on the activity instead of logistics. That means:

• you can spend your mental energy on buoyancy and comfort, not on where to rent equipment
• you’re more likely to actually use the gear because it’s already there

If your group includes beginners, this is a good setup because everyone can get into the water without additional add-on fees. If your group is more experienced, you’ll still appreciate the simplicity—gear is available and you can spend more time planning where you want to swim rather than hunting for rentals.

A good boat-day rhythm is to snorkel during the calmer, clearer-feeling window. If the captain suggests conditions are best at a particular moment, take the hint. You’ll get more satisfaction and less frustration.

Drinks on board: fun without turning the day into a mess

Having an open bar onboard changes the tone of a day at sea. It’s not just about alcohol—it’s about convenience and group comfort.

With options like rum punch, vodka, whiskey, tequila, and wine, there’s something for different tastes. Water and soft drinks are also included, so you can pace yourself and keep energy up.

That said, boating is a real body experience: sun, salt air, and time on waves can add up. If your group wants to snorkel, you’ll enjoy the water more if everyone drinks moderately and keeps hydrated. You’ll have a better swim and a better mood for the full charter.

Price and value: is $1,990 per group a good deal?

The price is $1,990 per group, up to 8 people. That makes the math straightforward:

• If you fill the boat (8 people), you’re at about $248 per person.
• If you bring fewer people, the per-person cost climbs fast.

What makes it feel like value is the bundle: open bar + snorkeling gear + a private speedboat charter experience. Many island activities charge separately for drinks and gear, so your group isn’t piecing together a custom package yourself.

It also helps that it’s private. Paying extra for privacy is only worth it if you’ll actually use the benefit—slower pacing, less waiting around, and a day that fits your group. If you’re the type of group that likes choices (snorkel or beach, lunch by preference), the price structure makes more sense.

Where it might feel less attractive is if you’re traveling solo or as a small couple with no flexibility to add more people. In that case, you’ll pay a premium for the private format.

Who should book this charter (and who should think twice)

This is a strong fit if you want:

• a private boat day without sharing the day with strangers
• an easy way to snorkel because the equipment is already included
• open bar convenience built into the experience
• a flexible day that can match your group’s style: sightseeing, swimming, and relaxing

It’s a tougher fit if:

• your group needs guaranteed lunch included (it isn’t)
• you don’t want to handle your own transport to Cole Bay (there’s no pickup)
• your dates are weather-sensitive and your group doesn’t enjoy plan changes at sea

Because it requires good weather, you should treat this as a “go with the flow” experience. If conditions are poor, the experience can be canceled and you’d be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Sea Ray Sundancer charter?

If your group wants a day where you steer the pace, this charter is a smart choice. The combination of private speedboat time, included snorkel gear, and an onboard open bar can turn St Maarten into a relaxed, high-comfort half-day that feels like you got more out of the island than just a few photos.

I’d book it when you have a group of people who will genuinely use the flexibility. If you can fill up to 8, the value gets much easier to justify. If you’re a smaller group, it can still work, but you’ll want to be sure you’ll enjoy the privacy and included extras enough to make the cost feel fair.

If your priority is quiet, unhurried island time, plan to treat Tintamarre Island as the centerpiece of the day.

FAQ

Is lunch included in the charter price?

No. Lunch is not included. The boat will stop at a restaurant of your choice.

What drinks are included with the open bar?

The open bar includes beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum punch, water, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for your use.

Where do I meet for the tour?

The meeting point is 62 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if weather conditions are poor?

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

You Might Also Enjoy

Private Speedboat Charter: St Maarten to AnguillaSunset Painting Class on the Beach from Philipsburg, Sint MaartenBig Bastard’s Ultimate Great Bay Beach Day for 2Boat rental To go by yourself CAP CAMARAT