Private Speed Boat Charter in St Maarten & Nature Reserve

A private speedboat is one of the best ways to see both sides of St. Maarten in one day. You can zip from Cole Bay to the French side, stop for snorkeling, eat lunch on Pinel Island, and still have time to watch planes at Maho Beach. Captain Sam sets the pace with you, rather than leading a fixed group from one stop to the next.

I like the freedom to shape the day around your priorities, and I like that water, soft drinks, beer, rosé wine, rum punch, and snorkeling gear are included. The main consideration is the price, listed at $398.56 per person, plus lunch and a $5 marine park fee. This makes the charter most attractive for a group sharing a private boat, especially with the available group discounts.

Key points at a glance

• Choose your own route: Work with Captain Sam to adjust the stops for weather, time, and your interests.
• Snorkel in the nature reserve: Creole Rock offers a strong chance to see many kinds of fish in clear water.
• Visit uninhabited islands: Tintamarre brings open beaches and possible sea turtle sightings, while Pinel Island offers shallow water and lunch restaurants.
• Get a fast island overview: The route can include Simpson Bay Lagoon, French-side beaches, Baie Longue, and Maho Beach.
• Enjoy a private setting: Only your group participates, with no strangers sharing your boat.
• Pack lightly: Drinks and snorkeling equipment are provided, but lunch, transfers, and the marine park fee cost extra.

Why a private boat works so well in St. Maarten

St. Maarten is compact, but its best coastal stops are spread around the island. Driving from beach to beach can take time, and a land tour cannot reach Tintamarre or Creole Rock. On this charter, the boat becomes your transport, viewing platform, swim stop, and quiet place to relax.

You also avoid the fixed rhythm of a large excursion. If your group wants more time in the water, you can ask for it. If someone prefers to sit in the sun with a drink, the day can slow down. That flexibility was especially useful for families, couples, and groups with different ideas of fun.

The service has earned a 4.9 rating from 83 ratings, with 99 percent recommending it. The repeated strength is Captain Sam. He is described as kind, responsive, relaxed, and willing to adjust the day. That matters on a private charter, where the captain’s attitude shapes the whole experience.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You get the open-water feeling of a speedboat rather than the slower, more formal pace of a sightseeing vessel. Still, one person found the seating layout less comfortable than on other boats. If comfortable seating is important to you, ask about the boat setup before booking.

Starting at Cole Bay and Simpson Bay Lagoon

The meeting point is Powerboat Adventures at 57 Well Road in Cole Bay. The trip begins with a short look at Cole Bay, followed by cruising through Simpson Bay Lagoon. This gives you a quick introduction to one of the island’s busiest boating areas.

The lagoon is known for its large yachts, and your captain points out notable boats and local sights while explaining some of the island’s culture and history. It is a useful opening because you get more than a transfer to the first swim stop. You begin to understand how St. Maarten’s waterfront works, from marina life to the island’s two-country character.

This portion is listed at about 15 minutes, so do not expect a full historical tour. Think of it as a quick orientation before the boat heads toward the open coast.

Creole Rock: the best early snorkeling stop

Creole Rock sits in the St. Martin nature reserve and is one of the main reasons to book this outing. The area is known for a wide variety of fish, making it a strong choice for anyone who wants real time in the water rather than only a scenic cruise.

The planned stop is about an hour. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing fins and masks or renting them separately. You should still bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel, since the focus here is swimming and snorkeling.

The captain can adjust the order of stops based on conditions. That is useful because water clarity and comfort can change with the weather. A half-day charter cannot visit every location listed below, so tell Captain Sam early if Creole Rock is a priority.

Tintamarre Island and the chance to see sea turtles

Tintamarre is an uninhabited island with a more remote feel than the developed beaches near the main towns. The attraction is simple: open surroundings, a stop away from hotels, and the possibility of snorkeling with sea turtles.

The wording matters here. Turtles are possible, not guaranteed. Wildlife sightings depend on nature, weather, and timing. Several outings have included turtles, and one private trip also produced dolphins, an eel, and stingrays, but you should book this for the island and snorkeling rather than for a promised animal encounter.

The planned time is about an hour. That gives you room to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the boat without rushing through the stop. Since Tintamarre is uninhabited, do not expect shops, restaurants, or a full range of facilities. Bring the right attitude: this is a nature stop, not a resort beach.

Pinel Island for shallow water and lunch

Pinel Island is a practical stop for groups with mixed interests. The water is very shallow, which suits people who want to wade or swim without heading straight into deeper water. Iguanas may also be seen on or around the island, adding a small wildlife detail to the beach visit.

There are two beach restaurants where you can buy lunch. Lunch is not included, so plan on paying separately. The restaurant option makes Pinel easier for families and groups that want a proper meal, but it also means your final cost will be higher than the charter price alone.

The suggested stop lasts about an hour. If lunch is important, discuss the timing with Captain Sam when you board. A one-hour visit can work for a quick meal, but your exact schedule depends on the boat route, restaurant timing, and weather.

Baie Longue beneath La Samanna

Baie Longue, near La Samanna, a Belmond hotel, is presented as one of the island’s most beautiful and secluded beaches. The beach sits beneath the five-star resort, but the appeal here is the setting rather than resort access.

This is a good choice when your group wants a quieter beach stop after snorkeling. You can swim, sit in the sun, or simply enjoy the coast from the water. The planned time is about an hour.

The charter does not include entry to the hotel or any resort service. Treat Baie Longue as a coastal stop viewed from the boat or beach, not as a hotel visit. Ask the captain how conditions affect the landing and time available there.

Maho Beach and the famous airport view

Maho Beach is the most playful stop on the route. Large aircraft pass low over the beach during takeoffs and landings, creating one of St. Maarten’s best-known spectacles. The planned visit is only about 15 minutes, so this is a quick photo and sightseeing stop, not a long beach session.

Plane schedules vary, so an aircraft is not something you can fully control. The short visit makes sense as an add-on after the nature reserve and beaches. If Maho is your main reason for booking, tell the captain before the trip so he can advise on the timing.

This stop also gives the day a different flavor. Creole Rock and Tintamarre are about water and wildlife. Maho is about the island’s unusual meeting of aviation, beach life, and tourism.

Half-day or full-day: choose based on your priorities

The half-day option lasts about 3.5 hours. It works best when you want a focused outing, such as snorkeling at Creole Rock and one beach stop. It can also suit cruise passengers with a short port visit, provided you give the operator your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time.

The full-day option lasts about seven hours. Choose it if you want a slower route with several stops, a possible lunch at Pinel, and enough time to combine snorkeling with beach visits. You still may not visit every listed location, since the route depends on weather and what your group requests.

I would not try to force every stop into a half-day. Simpson Bay Lagoon, Creole Rock, Tintamarre, Pinel, Baie Longue, and Maho cover a lot of ground. A private charter is most enjoyable when you choose two or three priorities instead of treating the day like a checklist.

What is included, and what will cost extra

The boat includes a professional captain and guide, snorkeling equipment, water, soft drinks, beer, rosé wine, and rum punch. These inclusions make the boat feel self-contained, especially during a long day on the water.

Lunch is not included. Neither are hotel pickup and drop-off. You also pay a $5 per-person marine park fee, listed both as a marine park fee and an entrance fee. Budget for that charge in addition to the advertised price.

At $398.56 per person, this is not a bargain excursion for a solo booking. The value improves when a group shares a private charter and uses the available group discounts. You are paying for a private boat, a flexible route, a captain focused only on your party, drinks, equipment, and access to places that are difficult to combine by land.

Before booking, compare the price with the size of your group and the length of the charter. A seven-hour private day with several people can make more sense than separate taxis, beach fees, boat trips, and meals. A short half-day with only two people will feel like a larger splurge.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This outing suits couples who want a relaxed day with control over the route. It also works well for families. One family completed the trip with a four-year-old child, and another family used the boat with college-age children. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and everyone should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

It is a good fit for cruise passengers who want to avoid a large ship excursion. Captain Sam has adjusted timing around ship schedules, but you are responsible for providing the correct port information at booking. Build in care around your return time and confirm the plan with the captain.

The charter is less suitable if you want guaranteed wildlife sightings, a fixed sightseeing script, included lunch, or hotel transportation. It is also not the right pick for someone who dislikes boat movement or needs a particular seating arrangement without confirming it first.

Useful booking and weather details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity returns to the same meeting point in Cole Bay. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to and from Powerboat Adventures.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Drinks are available onboard, but the captain’s priority is safe boating and a good day on the water. Children need adult supervision, particularly around the boat, beaches, and snorkeling areas.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. For your own cancellation, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

Should you book the St. Maarten private speedboat?

Book this charter if you want a flexible private day on the water, especially if your group values snorkeling, quiet beaches, and the freedom to change plans. Captain Sam’s attentive style is a major part of the appeal, and the combination of Creole Rock, Tintamarre, Pinel Island, Baie Longue, and Maho gives you a wide view of St. Maarten.

Think carefully about the price, the extra marine fee, lunch, and transport. I would choose the full seven-hour option for a group that wants a proper island day. I would choose the 3.5-hour trip for a focused snorkel outing or a cruise stop.

If you want to see a lot without joining a large group, and you are willing to pay for privacy, this is a strong choice. If your budget is tight or you prefer a simple beach day with no boat planning, choose a less expensive outing instead.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat charter?

You can choose a half-day charter lasting 3.5 hours or a full-day charter lasting seven hours.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Powerboat Adventures at 57 Well Road in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Cole Bay.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

Who is the captain?

Captain Sam is the captain and guide named in the tour information and guest feedback.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, beer, rosé wine, and rum punch are available onboard.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Pinel Island has two beach restaurants where you can buy lunch.

Is there an additional marine park fee?

Yes. A $5 marine park fee per person is not included in the charter price.