That boat day feels like a cheat code. You get a private speedboat for your group plus snorkeling gear and an underwater scooter, with a captain and crew handling the details from St. Martin or Grand Case. It’s built for people who want St. Maarten by sea without waiting in line or sharing views with strangers.

I love the way they pack real water time into a full day, starting with Tintamarre snorkeling where you’re likely to spot sea life like turtles and sting rays. I also love that the food and drinks are handled—lunch, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled water are included—so you can stay in vacation mode. The main drawback to factor in is that the experience runs when weather cooperates, and that can affect the day.

Key things that make this trip worth your time

• Private charter for up to 10: your group controls the vibe, not a tour bus.
• Tintamarre + Pinel Island: protected nature reserve water with a great snorkeling focus.
• Underwater scooter included: extra fun, especially when conditions are calm.
• Lunch plus drinks on board: alcohol, soft drinks, and bottled water are part of the package.
• Grand Case + Creole Rock: a top snorkeling stop paired with a local lunch.
• Plane spotting near Princess Juliana Airport: if you catch it, it’s a wild moment.

Why a private speedboat day beats a crowded cruise

If your goal is St. Maarten water views, a private boat is the smart move. You travel by speedboat, so you spend less time stuck and more time in the good stuff—snorkeling, swimming, and beach moments.

This is also a calmer way to explore. You’re not trying to herd a big group from place to place, and you can usually move at the pace your crew sets for your group. With a captain and crew included, you’re free to focus on what’s actually fun: the sea, the beaches, and the reef stops.

Price and value: what $1,439.85 per group really means

The price is $1,439.85 per group for up to 10 passengers, for a 6 to 7 hour outing. If you fill all 10 seats, you’re looking at roughly $144 per person, which can start to feel reasonable for a private charter day that includes snorkeling equipment, an underwater scooter, lunch, and drinks.

If your group is smaller, the per-person value drops—because you’re still chartering the whole boat. So I’d treat this as a great choice when you have 6–10 people who want to travel together, or when you want to split the cost between friends or family and keep it truly private.

The practical timing: how the day fits (9:00 to 11:00)

Tours run daily during the operating window shown, with departures in the 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM range. Expect a full day at sea and on the islands that lands you back at the meeting point at the end.

That late-morning start is helpful. You’re not racing the clock at dawn, but you still get most of the day for beaches and snorkeling. It also tends to work well for a day that includes multiple stops, where timing matters more than you might think.

Tintamarre Island snorkeling: turtles, sting rays, and protected water

Tintamarre is where this trip shows its teeth—in a good way. You’ll spend around 2 hours at Tintamarre Island, and it’s described as a beautiful spot within a French Nature Reserve, with snorkeling built into the stop.

What I like about this stop is the focus. You’re not just passing by—you’re getting time to float above the reef and look around. The experience notes point to colorful fish, turtles, and sting rays, so if you care about wildlife sightings while snorkeling, this is the stop to set your expectations around.

Possible drawback: snorkeling conditions can always vary by day, and reef visibility is never the same twice. Still, with a private crew and your own snorkeling setup, you’re in a much better position to make the most of whatever conditions you get.

Pinel Island time: snorkel plus optional strolling and snacks

Pinel Island is your break from pure underwater focus. You get about 1 hour there, which is long enough to snorkel and swim but short enough to keep the day moving.

This stop is described as Saint Martin’s gem, with plenty to see. There’s also a bit of flexibility: you can choose to do a light hike if you want, and grab a drink or snack at places like Karibuni or Yellow Sub—those extras are at your expense.

Here’s the practical angle: Pinel gives you a change of scenery without turning the day into a long bus tour. One hour feels tight, though. If you love beach hangs and want to wander, you’ll probably want to bring that energy to your other beach stop too.

Grand Case and Creole Rock: lunch on board’s best friend

Grand Case is where the day adds food and another snorkeling highlight. You’ll spend about 2 hours here, including lunch on the house at lolo’s in Grand Case, with local food described as very tasty.

Then there’s Creole Rock, singled out as one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. If you’re the kind of person who plans your vacation around reef time, this is the moment in the day to be fully ready—mask clean, sunscreen applied, and your buoyancy comfort dialed in before you drop in.

What makes Grand Case worth it, beyond snorkeling, is the balance. You go from open-water sea life moments to a more anchored, local-feeling setting where you can refuel properly. That lunch is included, so you don’t have to mentally budget or hunt for food between stops.

Long Beach near Belmond La Samanna: reef time with a polished look

Long Beach is the stop near Belmond La Samanna, and it’s described as a place where you’ll appreciate the luxurious scenery plus beautiful snorkeling reefs. You’ll have about 1 hour here.

If you like beaches that feel a bit more polished, this is likely your kind of stop. You’re not only coming for sand—you’re coming for the reef time too, and the description makes it clear that snorkeling matters.

The one consideration: this is only an hour. Use it for what you want most—swim and snorkel first, then decide if you want to linger afterward. If you’re someone who needs more beach time to relax, you may find yourself wishing you had half an hour extra. But the trade-off is that the trip stays active and varied.

Mullet Bay and Princess Juliana Airport: swim, float, and catch the planes

Mullet Bay is described as a beach that feels like a pool on most days, and it’s often called the best beach on the island in this context. You’ll spend about 1 hour there, with time to snorkel, swim, float, and enjoy island time.

This is a great stop for different styles of travelers. If you want easy water fun, you’ll probably like the calmer vibe. If you’re a snorkeling enthusiast, it’s still framed as a strong reef moment, not just a shoreline break.

Then comes the fun twist: you may get to see a plane land or take off from Princess Juliana Airport, if you’re lucky. That’s not something you can control, but including it shows the day is designed to catch the St. Maarten experience people talk about—where the airport and the sea share the same stage.

Tip: have your eyes up when you’re near the water areas. The plane moment can be quick, and you don’t want to miss it while you’re adjusting your gear.

Snorkeling gear and the underwater scooter: how to get the most fun

This trip includes snorkeling equipment plus an underwater scooter. That matters because it changes the type of snorkeling experience you get.

With standard snorkeling, you’re often working against your own fin power and time in the water. With an underwater scooter available, you can slow down and cover more ground with less effort, which can help you spend more time watching and less time battling your technique.

Practical advice for comfort: use your first minutes in the water to get familiar with how it moves. If you’ve never used one before, treat it like a new toy—start gently, then adjust. Also, keep an eye on where your group is so you don’t drift into someone else’s swim path.

What’s included (and what you might pay for)

The day is all-in on core basics. You’ll get lunch, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled water, and you’ll have the snorkeling equipment and underwater scooter available.

There are also a couple spots where you might want to add money. On Pinel Island, drinks or snacks at Karibuni or Yellow Sub are at your expense. That’s optional, but it’s nice that you have choices if you want something specific beyond what’s provided.

You should plan your day expecting most of the big-ticket items are handled. This is the kind of tour that makes it easier to relax, because you’re not stopping repeatedly to figure out food and logistics.

Service you can feel: communication and flexible scheduling

One of the strongest signals here is how the experience is handled before and during the trip. G&R ISLAND WAVES is described as communicating ahead of time to determine your wants and needs, then accommodating your schedule during the outing.

That kind of attention matters with a private charter. Even when the route is set, small adjustments—timing, how the crew paces stops, how your group handles snorkeling time—can make the day feel smooth instead of rushed.

If you’re the kind of traveler who hates uncertainty, I think this is a good fit. Clear pre-trip communication and on-the-water flexibility tend to be what turn a good day into a memorable one.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This private boat day fits best if you want maximum fun per hour and minimum crowd stress. It’s a strong option for friend groups, multi-family trips, and couples traveling with others who want to split the cost while still staying private.

It’s also great if snorkeling is part of your vacation identity. You’re getting multiple reef-oriented stops, equipment included, plus the underwater scooter for extra play.

The main reason to think twice is weather. The experience depends on good conditions, and if weather doesn’t cooperate, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Also, if you’re traveling solo or as a small party and you can’t fill the boat, the per-person cost will be less attractive.

Should you book the Full Day All Inclusive Private Sxm Trip?

I’d book it if you want a St. Maarten day that feels like your own vacation bubble: private speedboat cruising, real snorkeling time, included lunch and drinks, and beaches that don’t require you to race between tour check-ins.

I’d hesitate if your schedule is tight and you can’t flex for weather, or if you’re going with only a couple of people and aren’t able to spread the group cost. In those cases, you might end up paying more than the experience feels worth.

If you can travel with 6–10 people (or you don’t mind paying a premium for total privacy), this is one of those trips where the inclusions actually matter. You’ll spend the day on the water doing the fun parts, not hunting logistics.

FAQ

How many people can this private speedboat trip accommodate?

The trip is for up to 10 passengers per group.

How long is the experience?

It runs about 6 to 7 hours.

Where does the boat trip depart from?

Departures are from St. Martin or Grand Case.

What’s included in the all-inclusive package?

It includes lunch, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and bottled water, plus snorkeling equipment and use of an underwater scooter.

Which snorkeling and sightseeing stops are part of the day?

You’ll visit Tintamarre Island and Pinel Island, plus time in Grand Case, Long Beach, and Mullet Bay. You may also get to see a plane land or take off from Princess Juliana Airport if you’re lucky.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is an underwater scooter included?

Yes. The underwater scooter is included for use during the trip.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Is the tour suitable for most travelers?

Most travelers can participate.

What happens if weather is poor?

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

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What are the tour start times?

During the listed operating season, it runs daily with opening hours of 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid won’t be refunded.