The St Maarten Catamaran Snorkel Cruise with Open Bar & Lunch
For a relaxed, social day under sail, this is the one. The St Maarten catamaran snorkel cruise with open bar and lunch puts you on a spacious 40-foot catamaran with music, an open bar and the boat's nets to lounge on, with a snorkel stop at Creole Rock off Grand Case, a local BBQ lunch ashore, and swim-and-sunbathe time on Tintamarre's sandy beach. It's a full seven hours of sun, sea and rum punch. Here's everything to know before you go, plus how it compares with the other st maarten snorkeling tours.
About the Catamaran Snorkel Cruise
Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund
Hold your spot and pay closer to the day
A full day of sailing, snorkeling and beach time
Lounge on the nets with music and an open bar
Snorkel gear and float belts provided for the reef
Local chicken and rib shacks in the island's food capital
Check Live Availability & Prices
Real-time dates and prices for the open-bar catamaran snorkel cruise to Creole Rock and Tintamarre.
Why Book the Catamaran Snorkel Cruise
This is the laid-back, sail-powered way to do St Maarten snorkeling. You board a roomy 40-foot catamaran and head out along the coast, lounging on the nets with a cold drink from the open bar while music plays. The day's highlight is a snorkel at Creole Rock off Grand Case — a sheltered reef thick with sergeant majors, parrotfish and blue tang — followed by a local BBQ lunch ashore in Grand Case and swim-and-sunbathe time on the warm sandy beach at Tintamarre. It's rated 4.6 stars and is one of the better-value full-day catamaran trips on the island. Compare it on our snorkeling tours in st maarten page.
The route typically runs down the south coast past Maho and Mullet Bay, up the west coast to Creole Rock for the snorkel, then on to Tintamarre, hoisting the sails again for the rugged east coast on the way home when winds allow. Snorkel gear and float belts are provided, so it suits casual swimmers as well as confident ones.
What You'll See Underwater
The main snorkel is at Creole Rock, a protected reef site off Grand Case, with calm conditions and plenty to look at:
- Dense schools of sergeant majors, parrotfish and blue tang
- French angelfish and yellowtail snapper around the rocks
- The occasional barracuda hanging in the blue off the reef
- Starfish and conch on the sandy patches between coral heads
- Clear, sheltered water that's calm enough for first-timers
What's Included (and What Isn't)
What's Included
- A seven-hour cruise on a spacious 40-foot catamaran
- Snorkel gear and float belts for the Creole Rock stop
- An open bar with drinks and snacks on board
- A local BBQ lunch in Grand Case
- Music and use of the boat's nets and deck
- A friendly, experienced sailing crew
Not Included
- Gratuities for the crew (optional but appreciated)
- Your own towel, swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen
- Extra drinks or purchases beyond the open bar and included lunch
How the Day Flows
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Morning
Board at the marina
Set off from the marina and help the crew hoist the sail to earn your first drink of the day.
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Outbound
Sail the south coast
Cruise down the south coast past Maho and Mullet Bay with music and the open bar.
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Midday
Snorkel Creole Rock
Anchor off Grand Case and snorkel the sheltered reef with provided gear and float belts.
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Lunch
BBQ lunch in Grand Case
Come ashore for a local chicken-and-rib BBQ lunch in the island's culinary capital.
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Afternoon
Tintamarre beach
Continue to Tintamarre for more swimming and time to relax on the warm sandy beach.
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Return
Sail home
Hoist the sails along the rugged east coast when winds are safe, and toast the trip on the way back.
Important Things to Know Before You Go
A relaxed day, but a long one in the sun — plan for both water and deck time.
- What to bring: swimwear under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Not allowed: touching or standing on the coral and littering — Creole Rock is a protected reserve site
- Bring a little cash for crew tips; the open bar and BBQ lunch are already included
- Mention any dietary needs in advance for the Grand Case BBQ
- Sea conditions set the exact route and whether the sails go up on the east coast
- Take a seasickness tablet beforehand if you're prone to motion sickness
Want a turtle-focused powerboat day instead of a sailing catamaran? The eco snorkeling tour with turtles adds Pinel Island and a Tintamarre turtle stop. For a luxury catamaran with paddleboards and a Maho flyover, see the luxury catamaran day sail.
Where It Sails — Grand Case & Creole Rock, St Martin
Who This Tour Is For
This is the pick if you want a sociable, sail-powered full day with a snorkel, a real lunch and plenty of deck lounging.
- Couples and groups who want a relaxed party-boat atmosphere
- Travelers who'd rather sail than ride a fast powerboat
- Snorkelers happy with one quality reef stop plus beach time
- Anyone who values an open bar and a proper BBQ lunch ashore
Not Suitable For
- Travelers who want several snorkel stops in one day
- Anyone seeking a quiet, low-key trip without music and a bar
- Guests short on time — this is a full seven-hour day
St Maarten Catamaran Snorkel Cruise — FAQ
Where does the catamaran snorkel cruise go?
It sails down the south coast and up to Creole Rock off Grand Case for the snorkel, then to Tintamarre for beach time, with a BBQ lunch ashore in Grand Case. See how it compares on our st maarten snorkeling tours.
Is the open bar really unlimited?
Yes — drinks and snacks from the onboard open bar are included throughout the cruise, along with the BBQ lunch in Grand Case. You can check live availability for your date above.
Is the snorkeling beginner-friendly?
Very. Creole Rock is a sheltered, calm reef and the crew provides snorkel gear and float belts, so casual and first-time snorkelers are comfortable. For an even gentler half-day, see the Sand Dollar half-day cruise.
How big is the boat?
It's a spacious 40-foot catamaran with nets and deck space to lounge, so even a full group doesn't feel cramped. It's a sail-powered trip, so the exact route flexes with the wind.
How much is the St Maarten catamaran snorkel cruise with open bar and lunch?
It starts at $125 per person and includes the seven-hour cruise, snorkel gear, the open bar and the Grand Case BBQ lunch. Compare it with the island's other trips on our best st maarten snorkeling tours page.
What Travelers Say About the Catamaran Cruise
A brilliant day out. We lounged on the nets with a drink, snorkeled at Creole Rock with loads of fish, then had a fantastic BBQ lunch in Grand Case. The crew were fun and the open bar kept everyone happy. Highly recommend.
The catamaran was huge and never felt crowded. Creole Rock was calm and full of fish — perfect for my kids' first snorkel — and Tintamarre's beach was gorgeous. Music, rum punch and a great lunch. A perfect island day.
Loved the sailing — they put the sails up on the way back and it was beautiful. Snorkel gear and float belts made it easy, the BBQ lunch was tasty, and the crew were welcoming from the first drink to the last.