TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Day Trip Ideas?

We will be on island in early March. During our visit we usually take at least one day trip sailing excursion of some kind. We have done both Scoobitoo and Winners Touch. We enjoyed both very much. Since the hurricane went through this year and knocked out some of the boats I was wondering who is left that you folks would recommend. I actually wanted to try the Celine but the hurricane has knocked out Neil’s boat too. Basically we are looking for an excursion that will not be super crowded and will have some snorkeling available. This is the first time we have been on island during the Regatta week and I don’t really know how busy the island will be. So with all of that said. Here are my questions.

Who do you recommend and do we need to book something before we leave so everything is not sold out? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance for your help.

The island is extremely busy during Regatta, so yes, I would recommend booking ahead of time. Passaat is a very nice all-day excursion. They also offer a dinner cruise and a sunset cruise. I believe they're a sponsor here.

I mentioned Passaat to my wife but she was afraid of that type of boat not having much room. Does it feel crowded on there?

Not at all! They limit the number of passengers and it's quite roomy.

No, it is not crowded as they usually only take a total of 12 people for the cruise. The day cruise is really only part of the day as it leaves at 11:00 A.M. and you arrive back usually around 3:00 P.M. Lunch is served on board with a choice of chicken or fish.

Not only not crowded but you actually sit at a table to eat unlike the rest where it is usually a plate on your lap.

OK. I will have to do some more homework on that one. I was afraid since that it was not an "open deck" that there would not be much room to move around. I thought it looked interesting, but as I said before I need to convince the "powers to be". Wish me luck.

We thoroughly enjoyed each of our trips on the Passaat and I agree, the boat is certainly roomy and the lunch was a full sit-down meal and was delicious.

Of the two trips we did on her, and as much as we enjoyed the day sail, I actually enjoyed the sunset sail even more.

We were very fortunate in that it was on the night of a full moon which added immensely to the experience of gliding across the water and watching the moon glisten on the waves as you cut through them. The only sounds were those of the muted chatter of the other people on board and the clanking of the pulleys and the ropes against the masts. Truly a lovely experience.

That said, during our December trip we did what was called the all day Around the Island Eco Tour on Golden Eagle Charters Quality Time. This is a good sized cat rated for 60+ passengers but they only take 28 on this particular trip. No more!

You sail completely around the island from P'berg, stopping first at Tintamarre where they will let you snorkel a bit or dinghy you into shore if you want; then on to Creole Rock for more snorkeling; next stop - a three course lunch at Calmos Cafe in GC where you can swim in or be dinghied to shore; and lastly a stop off LaSamana where they do their floating bar. Home again to P'berg but not before a farewell champagne toast before you return to the dock in town.

It's an all-inclusive day from morning resort pick- up for the ride to the Marina and back again at the end of the day, and includes snacks, drinks and lunch plus all snorkel and swim noodles, etc.

We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed our day but we were fortunate that we were a very congenial group of twenty-eight and everyone went out of their way to mix and mingle. This is NOT a trip that caters to cruise ship groups and is truly an all day sail.

One last option I can recommend is the Soualiga Tours, and while I haven't done their tours personally, but only because I'm more comfortable on a roomy cat than on a power boat, I can vouch for the care and attention they give their passengers, and if you check out the Trip Advisor reviews, everyone raves about them and there's a reason. They're THAT GOOD!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat, is the 'around island' trip clothing optional? If it is, what other outing would you recommend for an all day trip? (with clothes)

This was definitely NOT a clothing optional trip.......the Captain, First Mate and her assistant were all clothed as were all the guests, both on board and off. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

My wife and I are booked for day 1 of the regatta on Passaat. Really looking forward to it.

Thanks Pat. Those are exactly the types of ideas I was looking for. I will check them all out. Thanks again for your help.

Pat,

What fun is that???? Everyone wearing clothes!

BobandJeana

MPrevo,

You are very welcome! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

BobandJeana,

Hey! Whatever floats your boat, right? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />