Planes land while you chill. This adult-only Magic Time power catamaran turns St Maarten coastline sightseeing into a real beach party, with unlimited drinks, snorkeling gear, and beach time built into the route.

I especially like two parts of this outing: the mix of classic postcard stops (Great Bay, Simpson Bay, and the famous airport view at Maho) and the onboard comfort. You get oversized floating comfort like the Lilly Pad and inflatable floaties, so you don’t have to be the sporty type to enjoy the day.

One thing to think about first: this is designed as a party cruise, not a quiet, slow boat ride. If you want hushed scenery and minimal music, you might find the sound system and upbeat vibe a bit much.

Key things to know before you go

• Adult-only (18+) vibe with party music and an on-water “beach day” feel
• Open bar + snacks including beer, Mount Gay Rum Punch, sodas, juices, and French baguette sandwiches
• Four coastal stops built around beaches and the Maho airport plane action
• Small group size up to 26 people, so it feels roomy on a catamaran
• Snorkeling equipment included if you want to add coral-reef time
• Weight limit 125 kg / 275 lbs for safety

Magic Time Catamaran: comfort, crowd level, and the real vibe

Magic Time is a spacious power catamaran, and that matters more than you might think. On smaller boats, you spend your energy guarding personal space. Here, with a max of 26 travelers, you’re more likely to find a spot—whether that’s on the deck, in the shade of the cockpit area, or on the water-friendly gear.

This is also an adults-only tour (18+), so the energy tends to stay light and social. Live party music plays onboard, and the day is structured around downtime: lounge, swim when you want, and enjoy the open bar. If that sounds like your pace, you’ll have an easier time relaxing.

Logistics are straightforward. The tour starts at 1:15 pm at Eagle Tours at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg. You return to the same meeting point at the end, with time in Philipsburg afterward to explore on your own if you’re not heading back to your cruise ship.

Price and value: why $99 feels fair here

At $99 per person, this isn’t just “a boat ride.” The value comes from how much is folded into one ticket.

Here’s the practical math I see:

• Open bar included: beer, gin and tonic, vodka mixers, and Mount Gay Rum Punch (plus sodas and juices). That alone can easily become the most expensive part of a beach day if you pay à la carte.
• Food included: freshly made French baguette sandwiches (turkey ham and cheese and/or tuna with lettuce and tomato). Even if you’re not a big eater, it’s a real benefit on a trip with beach time and sun.
• On-water comfort gear included: inflatable floaties, floating chairs, and the oversized Lilly Pad foam mattress.
• Snorkeling equipment included. If you’d otherwise rent gear, this is a direct cost you avoid.

If you’re looking for an easy “one price, most things covered” afternoon, this is a solid pick. You do still need to handle a couple small items yourself—like beach towels.

The coastline cruise: what you’ll actually see from the water

This trip isn’t only about reaching beaches. The cruise portion is part of the entertainment. The captain points out landmarks and mega yachts along the way, and you’ll also get that iconic St Maarten view of landing and departing aircraft near the airport area.

There’s also a slower scenic stretch where the boat stays on the south side, letting you watch coastline views as you go. That pacing is good because it doesn’t trap you only on “stop-and-go” timing. It gives you a chance to settle in, grab a drink, and decide whether you want to swim at each stop.

And since the group is capped, you’re not constantly queuing. That small-group factor makes the sightseeing feel smoother.

Great Bay Beach: first stop, first chance to settle in

Your first meaningful beach moment centers on Great Bay Beach. The tour starts at Bobby’s Marina, so boarding is described as easy from their dock. In other words, you’re not wrangling long transfers or searching for the right dock for half an hour.

Once you’re there, you’ve got a straightforward choice:

• Lounge on the water using the floaties or the Lilly Pad
• Swim in the turquoise-looking water
• Snorkel if you want to add that layer early

A short early arrival also gives you time to get comfortable with the boat routine: where the floating bar is, how the crew manages snacks and drinks, and how long it takes to get from the deck to the water.

Potential drawback: if you’re the type who likes a long, slow beach setup, you’ll notice the schedule moves. Great Bay is the opener, not a full-day resort stay.

Simpson Bay: sand time plus yacht-photo energy

Next up is Simpson Bay. You’ll have about 1 hour here, which is long enough to do real beach time instead of just stepping off for photos.

This stop is where I’d expect most people to go into “camera and swim mode.” The route includes passing areas like Little Bay and Indigo Bay, and Simpson Bay Beach is highlighted as a white-sand option. You also get photo time for the mega yacht scenery in the bay.

What makes this stop work is that it balances action with recovery. After the first beach moment and the cruising, that second hour on sand gives you time to:

• Reapply sunscreen
• Switch from lounging to swimming (or back again)
• Eat your sandwich and keep the drinks flowing

If you’re not a big swimmer, don’t worry—you can still enjoy the view from the water using the floating chairs and mattresses.

Maho airport view: the plane-spotting stop

The Maho stop is short—about 10 minutes—and that’s exactly why it’s so memorable. You pass the airport and get to watch landing and takeoff aircraft up close.

This is one of those stops where timing matters. The boat doesn’t hang around all day, so you’ll want to be on the right side of the experience mindset: pay attention fast, take photos quickly, then enjoy the ride again while the crew keeps things moving.

A practical note: bring your eyewear needs. You’re in sun and glare territory around open-air waterfront viewing. Since the tour includes drinks and music, it’s easy to get distracted—so just remember this stop is brief.

Mullet Bay: second beach hour and a calmer rhythm

You’ll have another 1 hour at Mullet Bay, described as one of the island’s most beautiful beaches.

This stop is where the day often shifts from “party momentum” into “final relaxation.” By now, you’ve typically already snorkeled at least once or enjoyed the water from the floating setup. So even if you don’t snorkel again, you can still enjoy the beach rhythm: swim, float, rest, drink, repeat.

The benefit of having two longer beach blocks (Simpson Bay and Mullet Bay) is that you’re not locked into one single sand choice. If the first beach feels too busy, you get another shot at a different setting.

Open bar and snacks: the onboard details that change the whole day

Food and drinks aren’t an afterthought here. They’re part of the pacing.

You get a real spread onboard, including:

• Freshly made French baguette sandwiches filled with turkey ham and cheese and/or tuna with lettuce and tomato
• An open bar with beer, Mount Gay Rum Punch made with Mount Gay Rum, sodas, juices, and mixed drinks like gin and tonic and vodka mixes
• A floating bar experience, so you’re not stuck constantly going back and forth

There’s also party music to keep energy up while you lounge. For some people, that’s the fun. For others, it’s exactly the drawback I mentioned earlier: it’s not a quiet, low-volume sightseeing tour.

The sandwiches are especially useful because a full afternoon in the sun can sneak up on you. Even if you don’t feel hungry, food helps you pace the drinks.

Also worth noting: a vegetarian option is available if you advise ahead of time. If this matters to you, plan to request it during booking so it doesn’t become a last-minute scramble.

Snorkeling setup: what you get and what to expect from it

Snorkeling equipment is included, which is a big plus. You don’t have to pay for gear rental or figure out what’s available once you’re already on the water.

What’s not guaranteed in the details is the exact dive spots or any specific marine-life checklist. So I recommend treating this as a “snorkel when conditions and timing allow” experience, not as a promised wildlife encounter.

That said, multiple water stops give you a better chance to enjoy the sea. And because the schedule includes beaches and time to float, you’re not forced into long continuous snorkeling. You can do a quick check of the coral and fish, then switch back to relaxing.

Crew energy: why names like Charlie and Lisandro keep showing up

The crew seems like a major reason this tour gets strong feedback. I saw repeat mentions of Captain Malina and crew members including Charlie and Lisandro/Lisandro.

The pattern is clear: you’re not just handed a map and left to manage your own time. The crew helps shape the mood, keeps things organized, and tends to guide the flow from cruise time into beach-and-water breaks. On a party boat, that makes a difference because it helps the day feel like it stays on track.

If you value a friendly, active captain and a crew that keeps the vibe fun, this is the kind of tour that should fit.

Who this trip is best for (and who might want a different style)

This is a great match if you:

• Want a sun-and-water afternoon with built-in drinks and food
• Like the idea of Maho plane-spotting but don’t want to spend hours there
• Prefer a small group (max 26) over a big bus-and-boat crowd
• Enjoy lounging on float gear like the Lilly Pad

You might want to skip it if you:

• Prefer quiet sightseeing over music and party atmosphere
• Need a strict, sit-down meal schedule at set times (this is more of a continuous casual flow)
• Are sensitive to alcohol serving on a boat setting (open bar is included)

Safety note you shouldn’t ignore: there’s a weight restriction of 125 kg / 275 lbs for safety reasons.

My booking recommendation: should you book Magic Time?

Yes—if your ideal St Maarten day includes a mix of beach time, a little snorkeling, and easy entertainment. At $99, you’re paying for convenience: open bar, food, floating comfort, snorkeling gear, and multiple scenic stops in one package.

Before you book, do a quick reality check:

• Confirm you’re good with a party atmosphere and music onboard
• Request a vegetarian option if you need it
• Plan for sun: even with shaded areas, you’ll spend time on open water
• Bring your own beach towel since it’s not included

If you want a low-stress way to see the coast—plus the iconic airport plane view—this is one of the better “one ticket, lots of fun” formats in Philipsburg.

FAQ

How long is the Magic Time tour?

The experience is listed as about 3 hours (approx.), with additional time described as travel time in the schedule.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Eagle tours at Bobby’s Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten and ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Included features are snacks (freshly made French baguette sandwiches), open bar (including beer, Mount Gay Rum Punch, sodas, juices, plus gin & tonic and vodka mix), party music, inflatable floaties, the Lilly Pad oversized foam mattress, floating chairs, snorkeling equipment, and easy boarding from the dock.

Do I need to bring a beach towel?

Beach towels are not included, so you’ll want to bring your own.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes an open bar all day, including beer and Mount Gay Rum Punch, plus sodas and juices and mixed drinks.

Is this tour for children?

No. It’s an adults-only tour for travelers 18 years and older.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. For safety, there is a weight restriction of 125 kg (275 lbs).

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, and you should advise during booking if needed.