Sail The Phoenix — 62-Foot Privilege Catamaran with Sunken Helicopter Snorkeling
Shared day sails from $139 on a 62-foot Privilege 615 catamaran, featuring Little Bay snorkeling over a sunken helicopter, Maho plane spotting from the water, and chef-cooked lunch.
Why Go
Sail The Phoenix operates one of the largest day-sail vessels in St. Maarten — a 62-foot Privilege 615 catamaran departing from Bobby's Marina. The signature snorkeling stop at Little Bay includes something most charters cannot match: a sunken helicopter and submarine resting on the seabed alongside the tropical fish, turtles, and stingrays. Shared sails start at $139 per person.
The Experience
The Privilege 615 is a serious catamaran — 62 feet of spacious decks, an indoor salon for shade, a flybridge for panoramic views, and the stability that comes from a hull designed for ocean crossings. The Phoenix uses this platform to deliver a 5-hour day sail along the southern Dutch coast that balances activity and relaxation. The Little Bay snorkeling stop is the highlight: the protected cove harbors a sunken helicopter and submarine on the seabed, creating artificial reef structures that attract dense marine life — fish, turtles, stingrays, and the occasional nurse shark. It is the most interesting underwater scenery accessible from any St. Maarten day sail. After snorkeling, the catamaran anchors at Mullet Bay for swimming and beach time, then sails past Maho Beach for the plane-spotting spectacle from the water. Throughout, the chef prepares fresh lunch in the galley — not reheated catering — and the open bar serves Painkillers, rum punches, beers, and non-alcoholic options. The eco-conscious approach includes reef-safe sunscreen requirements and sustainable practices. Shared sails at $139 per person (group rates from $1,200 for 8) make this premium experience accessible, while private charters accommodate up to 50 guests for events and celebrations. Over 20,000 happy customers since 2021 validate the operation.
What to Try
Book a shared day sail for the best-value big-catamaran experience on the island. Snorkel at Little Bay and find the sunken helicopter on the seabed — it is surreal to hover over a helicopter rotor surrounded by tropical fish. Watch the Maho Beach plane landings from the water. Use code SAILPHOENIX for 10% off direct bookings. Try the lily pad float during the swimming stop.
Insider Tip
The sunken helicopter at Little Bay sits in about 15 feet of water — shallow enough for breath-hold diving but deep enough that the marine life is abundant. Bring an underwater camera or ask the crew about their photo service. The helicopter and submarine make for unique underwater shots you will not get at any other snorkeling stop on the island.
The Practical Stuff
Departing from Bobby's Marina, 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, Philipsburg, Dutch side. Vessel: The Phoenix (62ft Privilege 615, 2011). Shared day sail: 10 AM - 3 PM, from $139/person. Private charters: from $3,190, up to 50 guests. All-inclusive: chef lunch, open bar, snorkel gear, paddleboards, lily pad float. Eco-conscious (reef-safe). Direct booking discounts available. Price range: luxury ($$$$).
Pair It With
- Aziana Guide — Philipsburg restaurant near Bobby's Marina for dinner after the sail
- The Greenhouse Guide — Waterfront dining close to the marina departure point