Boomerang’s Best of St. Martin/Maarten: Swim with Turtles

Swimming with sea turtles near Tintamarre is the headline here, but the real appeal is the full day on the water. Boomerang’s power catamaran covers much of St. Maarten’s coast, moving at about 20 knots so you spend less of the day simply getting from one bay to another. You can snorkel, paddle, float, eat, or settle into the music with a cocktail in hand.

I like the four-stop plan, which gives the day a useful rhythm instead of leaving you in one crowded cove. I also like the easy setup: gear, life jackets, paddleboards, float mats, lunch, snacks, water, and drinks are supplied. The main caution is that this is a lively party boat, with music and an open bar, not a quiet nature cruise. Rough seas can also change the route and reduce underwater visibility.

Key points to know before booking

• Tintamarre is the main wildlife stop: This is where you have the best stated chance to snorkel with sea turtles, with stingrays and colorful fish also possible.
• Four water stops fill the day: Creole Rock, Pinel Island, Tintamarre, and Mullet Bay each offer a different setting and pace.
• The boat carries up to 28 people: That is small enough to feel organized, but large enough for a social, energetic atmosphere.
• Lunch is more than a snack: You get jerk and curry chicken skewers, garlic shrimp, Greek pasta salad, baguette, and garlic bread.
• The bar is open throughout the trip: Beer, liquor, cocktails, soft drinks, juices, and water are included, with premium drinks made to order.
• Sea conditions matter: The crew may swap locations when the water is rough, and that can mean less fish, less shore access, or warmer conditions on the covered boat.

From Simpson Bay to the open Caribbean

The day begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Bar & Restaurant on Welfare Road, near the Simpson Bay Bridge. You return to the same place after roughly seven hours, which makes the outing simple to fit into a day based in Simpson Bay or nearby parts of the island.

The catamaran is built for a mix of sun and shade. A staircase at the back makes it easy to get into the water, and the boat has an onboard restroom. You can bring your own towel, since towels are not supplied. There is no Wi-Fi, which is either a small inconvenience or a welcome excuse to put your phone away.

The boat’s listed maximum is 28 people. That is a useful size for a day with several water activities. Crew members can keep an eye on the equipment and help people in and out of the water, while you still get the social energy that comes with a shared cruise.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Names associated with different departures include Toby, Angelo, Deanna, Stefan, Merit, Dionne, Oscar, and Nikita. The exact team can change, but the job is clear: serve drinks, set out food, help with gear, watch the swimmers, and keep the day moving.

Creole Rock: your first look below the surface

The first major stop is around Creole Rock, a well-known snorkeling area off the French side of the island. The water here may bring spotted eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, and smaller fish, though marine life is never guaranteed.

This is a good first water stop because you can settle into the boat’s routine. Collect your mask and snorkel, choose a flotation vest if needed, and use the rear steps to enter the water. Paddleboards and floating equipment are also available, so you do not have to snorkel every minute to enjoy the stop.

Keep your expectations sensible. Water clarity, wind, and the movement of the animals can change the experience from one day to the next. Several departures have offered excellent sightings, including turtles and stingrays, while rough conditions have sometimes forced the crew to use alternate locations with less habitat and fewer fish.

If you do not swim confidently, ask for an adult or child-size flotation vest. One non-swimmer found the vest made it possible to spend much of the stop snorkeling. The supplied infant-size vest is listed as supporting only up to 35 pounds, so families with very small children should check the fit before booking.

Pinel Island and its iguanas

Pinel Island brings a different kind of stop. The calm shallows around the island are suited to paddleboarding and floating, and the island is known for its iguana colony. You may also have time to look around for distinctive souvenirs.

This stop breaks up the snorkeling nicely. You can paddle in shallow water, watch for iguanas, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view. Families often appreciate having choices here, since not everyone wants to wear a mask and snorkel at every stop.

Pinel can also feel more exposed to conditions than the name calm shallows suggests. Wind and waves may limit how close the boat gets to shore or how long you can comfortably paddle. The crew adjusts the plan for safety, so the exact time in the water can vary.

Lunch on board, with a proper open bar

By midday, the boat serves a barbecue lunch. The menu includes Jamaican jerk and curry chicken skewers, garlic shrimp skewers, Greek pasta salad with feta and a sharp dressing, baguette, and garlic bread. A platter of pineapple and watermelon provides a fresh finish.

This is one of the better value points at $169 per person. You are not paying only for transportation and a few minutes of snorkeling. The price also covers a substantial meal, snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, and an open bar for a full day.

The bar includes assorted beer, liquor, sodas, juices, and water. Hand-shaken signature cocktails are part of the draw, and drinks are made to order. That can make the trip feel generous, but it also shapes the mood. If you want a quiet boat, this is probably not the right choice. If you enjoy music, conversation, swimming, and a drink between stops, the format makes sense.

Food allergies and dietary needs should be raised with the crew. The team has accommodated gluten-free requests and shellfish allergies, but you should still communicate your needs before eating. The listed menu includes both shrimp and bread, so do not assume substitutions unless the crew confirms them.

Tintamarre and the sea turtles

Tintamarre is the most anticipated stop. This remote island sits within the French Marine Reserve, and the surrounding water is the place to look for sea turtles. Stingrays and schools of colorful fish may also appear.

The turtle sightings are not guaranteed, but the location gives the day a clear purpose beyond a standard beach cruise. You get a chance to swim in a less developed setting and look for wildlife in open water. The crew may know where conditions are best on the day, and they can alter the route if wind or swell makes a planned site unsafe.

This is where your snorkeling ability and sea conditions matter most. A calm, clear day can make the stop memorable. A rough day can stir the bottom, reduce visibility, and make it harder to stay comfortable in the water. The crew has sometimes pressed on to find turtles despite wind, while on other days the itinerary has needed to change.

You can use a flotation vest, noodle, or the floating lily pad mat. That makes the stop more approachable for children and adults who are not strong swimmers. Still, this is an ocean excursion, not a controlled swimming pool. Stay within the crew’s guidance and do not expect every person in your group to see the same wildlife.

The downwind ride and Mullet Bay finale

After Tintamarre, the catamaran heads back downwind from the French Marine Reserve. This can be one of the most pleasant parts of the day. You have already used the equipment, eaten lunch, and seen the main wildlife stop, so the ride becomes a chance to sit back, listen to music, and enjoy the coast from the water.

The final stop is Mullet Bay, one of St. Maarten’s best-known beaches. You can have more fruit, take one last swim, or remain on board in the shade. Ending with a simple beach stop works well after the more active snorkeling sessions.

Mullet Bay is not always a quiet finish. Music remains part of the boat’s atmosphere, and the boat may be lively after several hours of drinks and swimming. Some people enjoy that energy. Others find the sound system too loud, especially after a full day in the sun.

Why the 20-knot catamaran matters

St. Maarten’s best water stops are spread around the island. A slower boat could turn a full-day cruise into long stretches of sitting in transit. The stated cruising speed of 20 knots helps keep the itinerary moving and creates a breeze on hot, calm days.

The tradeoff is that faster open-water travel can feel rough when wind and swell rise. One departure had choppy water, yet the captain adjusted the plan and still reached a turtle area. Another had to use backup spots where the sandy bottom offered less to see. If you are prone to seasickness, consider your tolerance before booking and keep your first drinks modest until you know how the water feels.

The boat is partly enclosed, with indoor shade available. That is helpful in strong sun, but the covered area can become warm when the boat is sitting still. Move between shade, open air, and the water as conditions allow.

How much value do you get for $169?

At $169 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. It is priced as a full-service day on the water, with four stops, lunch, snacks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, flotation gear, an open premium bar, and a restroom.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several parts of the package. A person who snorkels, paddles, eats the full lunch, and enjoys a few cocktails gets much more from the price than someone who only wants a short scenic sail. You also avoid paying separately for basic water equipment.

Add the $6 marine park fee per person. Towels are not included, and Wi-Fi is not available. The booking terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

The 99 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 532 reviews point to a very consistent overall experience, especially for the crew, food, drinks, and day-long format. I would still treat that as a guide, not a promise of perfect snorkeling. Sea conditions can change the route quickly.

Who will enjoy this boat most?

I would choose this cruise if you want an active, social day and prefer having many costs bundled together. It suits couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and cruise ship passengers whose all-aboard time is 6:30 p.m. or later.

It is also a good fit if members of your group want different activities. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, another can use the float mat, and someone else can stay in the shade with a drink.

I would think twice if you want a quiet sail, a small private charter, or a carefully controlled wildlife tour. The music can be loud, the bar encourages a party mood, and rough weather can replace the advertised snorkeling locations. A previous departure even stopped at a nude beach without advance warning, so families may want to ask the crew about the day’s planned route before setting out.

Should you book Boomerang’s turtle cruise?

Book it if your ideal St. Maarten day includes swimming, snorkeling, open-water views, good food, cocktails, and a friendly crew keeping the action moving. The four-stop route gives you more variety than a simple beach outing, and the combination of Tintamarre turtles, Pinel’s iguanas, Creole Rock, and Mullet Bay makes good use of the island’s coast.

Skip it if you need silence, guaranteed wildlife, or a calm-water plan that will not change with the weather. For most people who want a fun day rather than a scientific snorkeling trip, the $169 price is fair, especially when you make full use of the lunch, drinks, gear, and water toys.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins and ends at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Bar & Restaurant, 90 Welfare Road, Simpson Bay, near the Simpson Bay Bridge.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Jamaican jerk and curry chicken skewers, garlic shrimp skewers, Greek pasta salad with feta, baguette, and garlic bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes assorted beers, liquors, hand-shaken cocktails, sodas, juices, and water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with paddleboards, a floating lily pad mat, and adult and child-size flotation vests.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available onboard.

Is the marine park fee included?

No. The marine park fee is an additional $6 per person.

Can cruise ship passengers take this tour?

Yes, but the tour is intended for passengers with an all-aboard time of 6:30 p.m. or later.