PRIVATE POWER CATAMARAN

Small boat, big freedom. This private power catamaran lets you set the pace along the coast of St Kitts and Nevis, with two snorkel stops, swimming, beach time, and lunch at Pinny’s Beach. I especially like the private group format and the fact that drinks, fuel, crew, and snorkeling gear are included. The main drawback is that food costs extra, and the tour is not suited to anyone with several listed health or mobility limitations.

For a group of six, the $900 price works out to $150 per person. That is not a budget boat trip, but it is a fairer deal when you split the cost with family or friends. The pickup at Port Zante Marina is also very handy, just a two-minute walk from the cruise ship dock and close to downtown Basseterre’s duty-free shops.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six people: You avoid sharing the catamaran with a large group and can shape the day around your own interests.
• Two exclusive snorkeling sites: Equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel.
• Fast route between islands: The modern power catamaran can carry you between St Kitts and Nevis without spending the whole day in transit.
• Pinny’s Beach lunch stop: Food is not included, but you can buy lunch at one of Nevis’s famous beach bars.
• Port Zante pickup: Meet at the guard hut and ask for Aquamax Adventures, right by the cruise terminal.
• Strong early feedback: The experience has a perfect 5.0 rating from three bookings, including praise for the captains from Missy of the United States.

Why this private boat trip works so well

The central appeal is control. On a standard group boat trip, you usually follow a fixed route, fixed stop times, and someone else’s idea of a good afternoon. Here, your group can decide how much time to give snorkeling, swimming, beach time, sightseeing, or lunch.

That flexibility matters most for small groups with different priorities. One person may want to look for marine life, another may prefer a swim, and someone else may be happiest with a cold drink and a beach bar. The crew can move you between activities rather than forcing everyone into a single rhythm.

I also like the scale of the boat. A power catamaran gives you more room than a small open motorboat, while the power allows a quicker trip between the islands. You are not signing up for a long, slow sailing excursion. The advertised plan includes roughly 30 minutes of boat travel in each direction, leaving much of the four-hour outing for time on the water and on shore.

The private format does come with one important tradeoff: you are paying for the boat rather than buying individual seats. At $900 for up to six people, the price is strongest when all six places are filled. A group of four pays $225 per person, while a couple would effectively pay $450 each. I would consider this for a family, a group of friends, or cruise passengers who want a special half-day outing, but it is harder to justify for only two people.

Meeting at Port Zante Marina in Basseterre

The meeting point is one of the easiest parts of the day. Go to the guard hut at Port Zante Marina and ask for Aquamax Adventures. The marina sits in the heart of downtown Basseterre, next to the cruise terminals and about a two-minute walk from the cruise ship dock.

That location is useful if you are visiting St Kitts on a cruise. You do not need a long taxi ride across the island before the boat even starts moving. You are also close to duty-free shopping and central Basseterre, which makes it simple to combine the excursion with a little time in town before or after.

I would still allow a few extra minutes to find the guard hut and confirm the exact meeting spot. The operator is listed as Aquamax Adventures, so use that name when asking for directions. Since the tour has scheduled starting times, check availability before planning the rest of your port day.

The crew speaks English, and the experience is sold as a private group outing. That means you can ask questions and discuss your preferred plan directly with the crew instead of trying to catch their attention in a large crowd.

The first 30 minutes: cruising from St Kitts

The first portion of the trip is a roughly 30-minute boat cruise from St Kitts. This is not simply wasted travel time. It gives you a first look at the coast from the water and carries you toward the day’s swimming and snorkeling areas.

The power catamaran is described as fast, clean, and modern. Those qualities matter on a four-hour tour because every minute spent getting from one location to another reduces your time for the activities you actually came to enjoy. A faster boat can make the island-to-island route feel practical rather than exhausting.

The boat ride also gives you room to settle in. Drinks are included, and the crew provides welcome refreshments. You can use this first stretch to talk through your preferences for the day. If your group wants more time in the water, say so early. If lunch at a beach bar is the priority, make that clear before the boat reaches Nevis.

The route includes both St Kitts and Nevis, so the ride is part of the appeal. You are not only visiting a beach by road. You are using the water to connect two islands, with scenic views along the way.

Snorkeling, swimming, and marine life around St Kitts

The main activity period includes a photo stop, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, marine life viewing, and more time on the boat. Two exclusive snorkeling locations are part of the experience, and snorkeling equipment is included.

That is a useful inclusion for cruise passengers and casual swimmers. You can leave your own mask and snorkel at home, though you should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A hat is also recommended for the open boat and the shore stop.

The word exclusive is important here, but it should be read in the practical sense. These are designated private-tour snorkel spots rather than a crowded group excursion with many boats and dozens of people. The exact sites are not specified, and marine life is never guaranteed, so you should arrive expecting a chance to see underwater life rather than a promised wildlife encounter.

I like that the outing does not treat snorkeling as the only reason to go. If you are not a confident snorkeler, you can spend time swimming, looking at the coast, taking photos, or enjoying a drink aboard the boat. That makes the trip more flexible for mixed groups.

The tour is not designed for everyone physically. It is listed as unsuitable for people with back problems, heart problems, respiratory issues, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people over 80, and people weighing more than 300 pounds or 136 kilograms. Those restrictions may reflect the boat, the water activities, the boarding process, or all three. If any of these points apply to you, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the crew can make adjustments.

The two-hour Nevis stop at Pinny’s Beach

The longest scheduled stop is a two-hour visit in Nevis. This is where the trip shifts from boat activity to free time, with the chance to visit Pinny’s Beach and eat at one of the area’s famous beach bars.

Food is not included, so bring cash for lunch and drinks or other purchases on shore. The boat does include drinks, but the supplied information does not specify exactly which drinks are provided. If you have dietary needs or a particular lunch plan, ask the crew or beach bar in advance.

Two hours is a useful amount of time for a relaxed shore stop. You should have enough time to get off the boat, settle in, order food, enjoy the beach, and return without turning lunch into a rushed transaction. At the same time, this is not a full-day beach stay. The two-hour limit keeps the excursion moving because the boat still needs to return to St Kitts.

Pinny’s Beach gives the trip a local flavor that a purely boat-based snorkeling outing would lack. You get time on Nevis rather than only seeing it from offshore. The beach bar setting also lets you choose how active you want to be. Swim if you like, sit with a drink, or simply enjoy the coast before returning to the marina.

I would keep your shore stop simple. Since this is a short private excursion, it is better suited to lunch and beach time than to trying to add several separate Nevis attractions. The beach stop is the place to slow down, not another opportunity to overpack the schedule.

Returning across the water to St Kitts

After the Nevis visit, the plan includes another roughly 30-minute boat cruise back to St Kitts. The return is part of the sightseeing, with views of the islands from a different direction and another chance to enjoy the boat.

The crew handles the fuel and navigation, so you are free to relax rather than manage the practical work of moving between islands. That is one reason the private format feels more comfortable than arranging several separate activities yourself.

The tour returns to Sailing St Kitts at Port Zante Marina. For cruise passengers, the central location is valuable, but you should still keep a sensible time cushion before your ship’s departure. The tour is scheduled for four hours, and conditions on the water can affect timing. Do not plan an important ship-related appointment immediately after returning.

What the $900 price really buys you

The price is $900 per group of up to six. It includes the private power catamaran, professional crew, fuel, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Food is the main stated extra cost.

At full capacity, the math is straightforward:

• Six people: $150 per person
• Five people: $180 per person
• Four people: $225 per person
• Three people: $300 per person
• Two people: $450 per person

The value is not just the equipment. You are buying privacy, control over the day, a fast boat, and direct access between St Kitts and Nevis. For six people, that can compare well with booking several separate seats on a premium boat trip, especially if you care about avoiding crowds.

The price is less attractive if your group is small or if you mainly want a short swim near Basseterre. The tour makes the most financial sense when you use its full range: two snorkeling stops, a beach visit, a cross-island route, and plenty of time aboard a private boat.

The perfect 5.0 rating from three bookings is encouraging, though the sample is small. The clearest personal praise comes from Missy of the United States, who singled out the captains as awesome. That fits the design of the trip: a private boat works best when the crew is responsive and can adjust the outing to your group.

Who should book this catamaran

I would recommend this experience to:

• Families or friends traveling as a group of four to six
• Cruise passengers who want a convenient Port Zante pickup
• People who prefer privacy over a large shared excursion
• Swimmers who want snorkeling, marine life viewing, and beach time in one outing
• Groups that want to choose their own balance of activity and relaxation
• Visitors interested in seeing both St Kitts and Nevis from the water

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, have any of the listed health restrictions, or want a fully inclusive lunch package. The tour also may not suit someone looking for a long, quiet day on one beach, since the itinerary includes boat travel and multiple activities.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash. Sunscreen is especially important because much of the outing is on or near open water. Since food is not included, cash gives you more freedom at Pinny’s Beach.

The operator allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your island plans are still changing, but you should still check the available departure time before committing to other activities.

Should you book the private power catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a flexible day split between St Kitts and Nevis. The strongest reasons are the private boat, two snorkeling sites, included equipment and drinks, and the easy Port Zante meeting point.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and the per-person price feels too high. Also skip it if you need wheelchair access or have one of the listed medical or mobility concerns.

For the right group, this is a practical way to turn a short port visit into a personalized island outing. Fill the boat, bring cash for lunch at Pinny’s Beach, and tell the crew early how you want to spend your four hours.

FAQ

How much does the private power catamaran cost?

The tour costs $900 per private group of up to six people. The per-person cost depends on how many people share the boat.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts four hours. The schedule includes about 30 minutes of boat travel from St Kitts and another 30 minutes returning from Nevis.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Port Zante Marina in Basseterre. Go to the guard hut and ask for Aquamax Adventures.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with drinks, fuel, and the crew.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included. You can eat at one of the beach bars on Pinny’s Beach in Nevis, so bring cash.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people with back, heart, or respiratory problems, people over 80, or anyone over 300 pounds or 136 kilograms.