Private Afternoon Tour Catamaran 44 Big Ben

The best part of this private catamaran cruise is the freedom to shape the afternoon. You can swim from Pine Cay, walk across to Half Moon Bay, look for iguanas on Little Water Cay, or spend more time floating near the Sand Dollar Bar. The route is yours to adjust with the crew.

I like the small private setting and the easygoing mix of beach time, shallow turquoise water, and sailing views. I also like that Captain Ben’s crew provides snacks, soft drinks, water, and alcohol, so you can settle in without arranging extra supplies.

The main catch is the price: $3,490 per group, with space listed for up to 12 people. It can make good sense for a full family or friend group, but it is a costly afternoon for only two or three people. Also, the advertised stops are flexible, so you should discuss your priorities before leaving.

Key points to know before you book

• Pine Cay and Half Moon Bay connect beach time with a short island walk, letting you swim, stroll, and reach shallow water without rushing.
• Little Water Cay is the best stop for iguana watching, while Sand Dollar Bar offers a calmer place to float and search for shells.
• The four-hour cruise runs from 1 to 5 pm, making it a useful afternoon plan after a slow morning on Providenciales.
• The route is customizable, so you can favor swimming, beaches, wildlife, snorkeling, or time under sail.
• Food and drinks are included, including snacks, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages.
• The catamaran is private, but the capacity detail matters: the tour is priced per group and lists a maximum of 12 people.

A private afternoon on the Big Ben catamaran

This is not a sightseeing boat where everyone follows a fixed script. You reserve the catamaran for your own group, then work with the crew to decide how the four hours should feel.

That makes the cruise especially useful for mixed groups. One person can want a swim, another can prefer a quiet drink, and children may need a little patience between stops. The crew has received strong praise for keeping children safe, interacting with them, and allowing parents time to relax.

The boat is described as a clean, comfortable 44-foot catamaran. One family noted that the boat was spotless, while another group praised the captain and first mate for being accommodating. Those details matter more than they may seem. A private boat day depends on having room to move, a tidy setting, and a crew that can adjust without making the outing feel hurried.

The route begins at Salt Bar and Grill in Leeward Settlement at 1 pm. You return to the same meeting point around 5 pm. Since the tour requires good weather, the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force a cancellation.

Pine Cay: your first chance to swim and slow down

Pine Cay is a natural opening stop because it gives you room to settle into the boat day. You can swim, walk along a quiet beach, relax on board, or have a drink.

The beach is described as deserted, which is the appeal. This is less about checking off a famous attraction and more about having a stretch of sand and shallow water where your group can spread out. If you have children, this may be the most useful early stop because it gives them space to move after boarding the boat.

You should not expect the same kind of structured activity here as at a water-sports center. The pleasure is simple: get off the boat, enjoy the shore, and take the afternoon at your own speed. If swimming is a priority, tell the crew before departure so Pine Cay receives enough time.

The route may continue from Pine Cay toward Sand Dollar Bar, but the crew can adapt the order. That flexibility is useful when the group has different ideas about how long to stay ashore.

Walking from Pine Cay to Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is reached by walking across Pine Cay. The payoff is shallow turquoise water and a quieter setting that feels different from simply looking at the sea from the catamaran.

This stop works best for people who want more than a boat ride. You can combine a beach walk with time in the water, then return to the boat when the group is ready. The short crossing also adds a bit of movement to an afternoon that could otherwise consist mostly of sitting and swimming.

The water here is shallow, making it a good place to look closely at the coastline and enjoy the color changes near shore. The information supplied does not promise snorkeling equipment or a guided marine-life lesson, so you should ask the crew what gear is available if snorkeling is one of your main goals.

The route includes a listed snorkel site, but the exact location and time spent there can change with your preferences and the day’s conditions. This is another reason to discuss the plan early rather than assume every possible stop will receive a full hour.

Little Water Cay and its iguanas

Little Water Cay is the wildlife-focused stop. You can walk around the small island and look for iguanas.

This stop gives the cruise a bit more variety. Pine Cay and Half Moon Bay are about beach and shallow water, while Little Water Cay asks you to leave the boat and explore on foot. For families, the chance to look for iguanas can provide a clear focus and keep younger children interested between swims.

Keep your expectations practical. The experience promises the chance to see iguanas, not a guaranteed close encounter or a formal wildlife tour. Your time on the island may also depend on the group’s interests, the weather, and the rest of the route.

If you want to spend longer walking here, tell the captain. If the group would rather swim or snorkel, Little Water Cay may receive less time. That is the trade-off built into a private, adjustable cruise.

Sand Dollar Bar and the art of doing less

Sand Dollar Bar is described as a place to stop, float, relax, and look for sand dollar shells. It may be the easiest stop for a group that wants a drink and a quiet stretch of water rather than another active outing.

The name gives you a good idea of the appeal. You can search the shallows for shells, then return to the boat for snacks and a drink. The setting is made for a loose schedule, with no need to force every minute into an activity.

I like this kind of stop because it breaks up the afternoon. A private cruise can become tiring if every stop involves walking, swimming, and getting back aboard on a clock. Sand Dollar Bar offers a pause, especially useful for older family members or anyone who wants the pleasure of being on the water without constant motion.

Do not assume a shell find is guaranteed. The stop offers the chance to look for sand dollars, but natural conditions vary. Take only what local rules allow, and ask the crew if you are unsure.

Grace Bay views to begin or end the cruise

Grace Bay Beach can serve as the start or finish of the route. From the water, you get a broad view of the bay and the horizon. The boat can also stop if you want to walk along the beach.

This is a good final stretch if your group wants a calm ride back with a familiar Providenciales view. It can also be useful at the beginning, giving you a scenic introduction before heading toward the smaller islands.

The value here is perspective. Grace Bay is one of the main coastal sights on Providenciales, but seeing it from the catamaran gives you a different sense of its length and open water. If you are staying near the bay, this portion can help connect the boat day to the rest of your holiday.

Because Grace Bay is a possible start or end point rather than a fixed promise of a full beach stop, mention your preference when you meet the crew. You may want to walk, sail past, or simply spend more time at the smaller islands.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew is identified through the operator as Captain Ben, and one family review names Captain Sellassie. The supplied information does not fully explain the crew arrangement, so confirm the captain’s name when you book if that matters to you.

The strongest praise centers on the boat crew’s attitude. Families describe the captain as friendly and patient, with particular care shown toward children. One first mate was praised for interacting with kids and helping parents relax. Another family said the crew tailored the route to suit their group of four.

That is important on a private tour. You are not just paying for transport between islands. You are paying for someone to manage the boat, watch the conditions, help organize stops, and adjust the pace for your group.

There is also one serious caution. A past departure was interrupted by law enforcement because of a licensing issue, and the customer reported a delay with the refund. The operator responded that the matter was caused by a software problem and that operations had returned to normal. Because this is a significant concern, I would confirm current licensing and booking details before paying, particularly for a costly private charter.

Price, group size, and the real value

The price is $3,490 for the group, up to 12 people. At the full stated capacity, that works out to about $291 per person. For 10 people, it is about $349 per person; for six, about $582 per person.

That calculation tells you who should consider this tour. A large family, reunion group, or gathering of friends can divide the cost and gain a private boat, a flexible route, and included refreshments. A couple or small family will pay much more per person for the same four hours.

The listing describes space for up to 12 people, while one past party reported a group of 13. Do not rely on that exception. Ask the operator to confirm the exact passenger limit for your date before booking.

Included refreshments add some value. You receive snacks, soda, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks. You still need to decide what kind of food your group requires, since the available details do not promise a full meal.

The tour is often reserved about 25 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 1 pm start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except that poor weather can lead to another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience most strongly to:

• A family that wants its own schedule
• A group with children and adults who need different activity levels
• Friends splitting the cost of a private boat
• Couples who value privacy and do not mind the high per-person price
• Anyone who wants a mix of beaches, wildlife, swimming, and sailing views

It may not be the best match if you want a tightly timed program with every stop guaranteed. The route is flexible by design, and a four-hour tour cannot give equal time to Pine Cay, Half Moon Bay, Grace Bay, Little Water Cay, Sand Dollar Bar, Mangrove Cay, and a snorkel site.

That flexibility is a benefit when you use it well. Before boarding, choose two or three priorities. For example, you might ask for Pine Cay and Half Moon Bay with plenty of swimming time, or Little Water Cay and Sand Dollar Bar with a slower pace. Clear preferences will help the crew build a better afternoon.

Should you book the Big Ben afternoon tour?

Book it if you have a large enough group to share the cost and want a private, adjustable boat day rather than a fixed group excursion. The combination of Pine Cay, Half Moon Bay, Little Water Cay, Sand Dollar Bar, and Grace Bay gives you plenty of choices, while included drinks and snacks keep the day simple.

Think twice if only two or three people are going, or if a guaranteed snorkeling program is your main goal. Confirm the current licensing situation, passenger limit, available equipment, and preferred route before payment. For the right group, this can be a relaxed way to see several coastal spots without spending the afternoon following someone else’s timetable.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

It begins at Salt Bar and Grill in Leeward Settlement, Turks and Caicos Islands.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 1 pm and runs until about 5 pm.

How long is the private catamaran tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a group of up to 12 people. Confirm the limit with the operator if your group is larger.

Which places can the cruise visit?

Possible destinations include Grace Bay, Little Water Cay, Pine Cay, Half Moon Bay, Sand Dollar Bar, Mangrove Cay, and a snorkel site.

Is the route fixed?

No. The cruise is customizable, and the places visited and time spent at each stop can change according to your interests and preferences.

What is included in the price?

Snacks, soda, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Can I see iguanas during the cruise?

Little Water Cay is described as a good place to walk around and look for iguanas. Sightings are not presented as guaranteed.

Is snorkeling included?

A snorkel site is among the possible destinations, but the supplied details do not specify equipment or guarantee a snorkeling stop. Ask the operator before departure.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.