St Barth Sailor: Private Catamaran Days Out of Gustavia
Three Lagoon catamarans, one Yellow Submarine, and the whole leeward coast to yourselves
Why Go
St Barth is best seen from the water, and this Gustavia-based outfit gives you a private catamaran (or a glass-bottom sub) with a local captain who actually knows which cove will be empty that morning. It's the sort of day where you leave the marina in flip-flops and come back convinced you should have booked a second one.
The Experience
St Barth Sailor runs a compact, well-kept fleet of three Lagoon catamarans — the 45-footers Good Life and Good Vibes and the newer Lagoon 46 Good Times — plus a glass-bottom Yellow Submarine for guests who'd rather stay dry. Everything sails privately, so it's just your group, the captain, and a mate. Trips push off from Gustavia harbor and typically loop up the calm leeward side toward Colombier, ducking into Anse du Gouverneur or Île Fourchue depending on wind and swell. The boats are modern (2016–2022 builds), shaded, and roomy enough for a family or a bachelorette without anyone fighting for a sun pad. Captain Miguel gets name-checked repeatedly in guest reviews for reading the day, finding turtles, and pacing the stops so nobody feels rushed.
What to Try
Book the Full Day + Sunset on the Lagoon 46 (Good Times) if the group can swing it — you get a proper Colombier swim in the morning when the water is glassy, a long lunch anchor with paddleboards out, and then the boat repositions for the sunset off Gustavia so you're clinking rosé as the lights come on in town. If it's a shorter trip, the Afternoon + Sunset combo (1pm–6:30pm) is the sweet-spot value. Snorkelers should ask specifically for the turtle spots inside Colombier cove; groups with small kids or non-swimmers should add on the Yellow Submarine morning slot to see the Marignan wreck before boarding the catamaran.
Insider Tip
Catamaran prices are per boat, not per person — so the €2,500 Lagoon 45 full day pencils out to under €250pp with a group of ten, cheaper than most of the seat-on-a-shared-boat operators once you count drinks. Message @stbarthsailor on Instagram before you book the website slot; Miguel and the team are quick to respond there and will often confirm route flexibility (Fourchue vs. Colombier vs. a Tintamarre run over to St Martin) that isn't spelled out in the online form. Bring cash for the crew tip — 10–15% is standard and appreciated.
The Practical Stuff
Base: Gustavia harbor, 97133 Saint-Barthélemy. Departures typically 9am for full days, 1pm for afternoons, with sunset windows running to 6:30pm. Half-day charters from €1,000 (Lagoon 45) / €1,300 (Lagoon 46); full days €2,500–€3,100; Full Day + Sunset €3,200–€3,900; Yellow Submarine from €550. Private charter only — no shared seats. Book via stbarthsailor.com or DM @stbarthsailor on Instagram/Facebook. Confirm food & drink arrangements when booking (BYO is often the play; the crew will happily ice everything down). Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a light layer for the sunset leg.
Pair It With
- 1493 Lodges St Barth Guide — Colombier hillside hideaway that's a natural pre- or post-charter base — you can practically wave at the boat as it swings into the cove below.
- 6e SENS Massage Wellness Beauty Saint Barth Guide — Book a late-afternoon massage the day after a full-day sail; sun and salt earn you a proper rubdown.
- Abyss Restaurant Guide — Easy Gustavia dinner once you've docked — you're already showered, sun-drunk, and ten minutes' walk away.
- Absolute Hot Yoga Guide — Morning class in Gustavia before an afternoon + sunset charter is the sneaky-good way to structure a St Barth day.
