Speed Boat & Snorkeling Tour Pinel & Tintamarre Islands for CRUISE SHIP GUESTS

Tintamarre’s sea turtles and the fish-packed waters around Creole Rock are the stars here. You zip across St. Maarten by speedboat, stop at an uninhabited island, eat lunch by the beach, and finish with planes roaring over Maho Beach. I like the small-group format, with no more than 16 people, and the way the crew can cover far more coastline than a slow sightseeing boat.

I also like that lunch, snorkeling gear, floating devices, and unlimited beer, soda, and water are included. The main drawback is the open-water ride: it can be fast and bouncy, especially in wind. You’ll also need to pay a $10 marine or docking fee, usually in cash, and carefully match the departure time to your cruise ship’s local time.

Key points at a glance

• Sea turtles at Tintamarre: Swim in the calm waters around an uninhabited island where turtles are often seen.
• Creole Rock snorkeling: Explore one of St. Maarten’s best-known snorkeling areas, with colorful fish and coral.
• Beach lunch on Pinel Island: Take a relaxed break at Yellow Beach, with time for food, swimming, and a short walk.
• Speedboat access: Cover the Dutch and French sides of the island, plus beaches and coves that are difficult to reach by land.
• Maho Beach aircraft views: Watch planes approach Princess Juliana International Airport from directly above the shoreline.
• Cruise-port friendly timing: The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. and returns to its starting point after about six hours.

A full day at sea from Philipsburg

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest shore outing in St. Maarten. It is a strong value if you want several separate experiences in one day: island sightseeing, two snorkeling areas, a beach lunch, drinks, and the famous Maho Beach aircraft view.

You meet at Bobby’s Marina, listed at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, with the activity also described as starting at Dock Maarten Chesterfield Wharf. I would confirm the exact dock instructions before leaving your ship. The port area is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The boat carries a maximum of 16 people, although some information gives a maximum of 20. Either way, this is a small outing rather than a large party boat. That matters when you are climbing aboard, collecting snorkeling gear, or moving from one stop to the next. The crew can get people in and out of the water with less waiting.

Captains and crew members vary by departure. Names associated with recent trips include Nico, Sammy, Frankie, Junior, Nacho, Miguel, Damian, and others. The crew’s role is more than steering. They point out landmarks, explain the island’s Dutch and French sides, offer snorkeling tips, and keep drinks moving from the onboard bar.

Simpson Bay and the Dutch-French divide

The first stretch gives you a useful orientation to St. Maarten. The speedboat heads toward Simpson Bay Bridge and the island’s large lagoon, where rows of luxury yachts fill the water. From the boat, you get a quick look at the scale of the marina and the island’s boating culture without spending your day walking from one dock to another.

The route then crosses toward Marigot on the French side. Marina Royale has a distinctly European feel, with cafés along the waterfront. Above town, Fort Louis carries the French flag and gives the captain a natural landmark to explain the island’s divided government and history.

You also pass Friars Bay and Happy Bay. Friars Bay is linked with the island’s Full Moon parties, while Happy Bay is a quieter coastal stop viewed from the water. This is not a formal history tour, but the crew often adds useful background as the boat moves along. I appreciate that balance. You get context without sitting through a long lecture while the boat is idling.

The speed is part of the fun, but it is also the part that demands the most attention. Reviews describe the ride across open water as fast and bouncy. If you have a sensitive back, dislike spray, or want a quiet cruise, this may not be your ideal outing. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, and you should be comfortable boarding by a ladder.

Tintamarre Island and the turtle stop

Tintamarre is an uninhabited island off St. Martin’s coast. The boat stops at Baie Blanche, where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or float in the warm water for about 45 minutes.

The island has an amusing past. It once had its own king, navy, and airline, even though it is now deserted. That odd detail makes the stop more memorable than a simple beach break, and the captain may add more local stories while you are there.

The main reason to stop at Tintamarre is the sea turtles. Green turtles are often seen in the protected waters, and several people have also spotted stingrays and other marine life. No wildlife sighting can be guaranteed, but this is the place where you have a real chance to swim near turtles in open water.

The stop is short enough that you need to organize yourself quickly. Put on your mask and fins before you are fully ready to enter, and keep your towel and dry items together. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment and floating devices, but you should bring your own towel and swimsuit.

Tintamarre is a good match for families and confident swimmers. Small children have enjoyed the outing, but you need to judge the water conditions and your child’s comfort yourself. The crew can make the stop easygoing, yet this is still a boat excursion with transfers in and out of the water.

Pinel Island, lunch, and time to slow down

After Tintamarre, the boat heads to Pinel Island in Orient Bay. The island is known for warm, shallow water and soft sand, so it provides a welcome change from the moving boat and open-water snorkeling.

Lunch is served at a beachfront restaurant near Yellow Beach. Depending on the day’s arrangement, you may have a barbecue-style meal or dishes such as ribs. The food has received strong praise, and the meal is included in the tour price. Drinks from the boat remain available, including beer, soda, and water.

You get roughly an hour at Pinel, though the timing can vary with conditions. I would use the first part of the stop for lunch, then choose one simple activity. You can sit in the shallows, swim, relax on the sand, or walk around the small island to look at tide pools. Iguanas are another possible sight.

This is not the stop for a long beach day. If you want hours on one stretch of sand, book a beach transfer instead. Pinel works well here because it breaks up the snorkeling and speedboat time with food and a little room to wander.

One practical point: the tour description refers to both Pinel Island and a lunch stop in Grand Case. The exact restaurant and meal setting can change. The supplied information names Yellow Beach, Lola’s, and Skubi’s in different descriptions, so confirm the day’s lunch location with the crew. The important constant is a beachside meal on the French side.

Creole Rock and Grand Case snorkeling

Creole Rock sits in Grand Case Bay and is described as the best snorkeling spot on the island. The stop usually lasts about 45 minutes, giving you enough time to swim around the rock and look for fish, coral, rays, and other sea life.

This is likely the strongest underwater stop for variety. Tintamarre is the turtle stop, while Creole Rock is where you look for schools of colorful fish and coral formations. Several outings have also reported stingrays and other marine life, though conditions can affect visibility.

The crew supplies masks, snorkels, and fins. Listen closely to the captain’s instructions before entering the water, especially if wind or current has picked up. The boat’s floating devices are useful for anyone who wants extra support, but you should still be comfortable in the sea.

I like that the tour gives you two different snorkeling settings rather than repeating the same type of stop. You get the protected-island feel at Tintamarre and the underwater variety of Grand Case Bay. The tradeoff is time. Forty-five minutes at each location passes quickly, particularly if you need help with equipment or are traveling with young children.

La Samanna, Long Bay, and the island’s western coast

The route continues around the western side of St. Martin, where the boat passes the mansions of Terre Basse and the red rock cliffs near Bay Rouge. These views help you see a quieter, more private side of the island, far from the cruise port and main beach roads.

At Long Bay, you may have a chance to feed fish from the boat. The route also passes La Samanna Resort, where you can look toward the beach and possibly spot people enjoying the shore. The stop is more of a scenic cruise than a full visit, so do not expect time to go inside the resort or use its facilities.

This section is valuable because the boat lets you connect separate coastal areas in one run. By land, seeing Philipsburg, Marigot, Tintamarre access points, Pinel, Grand Case, Bay Rouge, and Maho Beach would require much more planning and driving. On the water, the captain handles the route while you sit back with a drink.

The onboard bar is a practical benefit rather than a small extra. Beer, soda, and water are available without separate purchases during the day. Some trips also include rum punch, but the confirmed inclusions are beer, soda, and water. If you want cocktails beyond what the crew provides, bring enough money for extras.

Maho Beach and planes overhead

The final major sight is Princess Juliana International Airport and nearby Maho Beach. The boat positions offshore so you can watch aircraft approach the runway over the beach and take photographs from the water.

The stop is brief, listed at about 10 minutes, and timing depends on air traffic. The crew may wait for a plane so you get the classic overhead view, but no airline or landing time can be promised. Keep your camera ready before arriving rather than searching through a dry bag at the last second.

Maho Beach is one of St. Maarten’s signature sights, but viewing it from the boat has two advantages. You avoid spending part of the day getting to the beach by road, and you see the approach from a different angle. You also get the fun of watching the boat crew time the moment.

The plane stop is not the reason to book this tour by itself. It is a memorable finish to a day already filled with water stops. If aircraft photography is your top goal, a land-based Maho Beach visit may give you more time on the beach. If you want to combine it with snorkeling and island cruising, the boat view is a smart use of the final minutes.

Cruise-ship timing and the details that matter

The scheduled start is 9:30 a.m., and the tour lasts about six hours. It returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the final transfer simple. Since this is an independent outing rather than a cruise-line excursion, you are responsible for getting to the dock and back to the ship.

This is the most important booking point: cruise ships and St. Maarten may use different local times. One party found that the ship’s gangway opening time matched the tour’s local departure time. The operator confirmed they would wait, but you should not rely on that as a general rule. Check the ship’s time, local time, and the exact dock before booking.

Bring:

• A swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Cash for the $10 marine park or docking fee
• A waterproof phone case or small dry bag
• Comfortable clothes for a fast boat ride

The $10 fee is listed as not included, and the registration desk may not accept credit cards. Bring small bills if possible. The tour includes lunch and drinks, but you may still want cash for tips or personal purchases.

Weather can change the route. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund. The outing also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation is possible if that number is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Who will enjoy this six-hour boat tour?

I would choose this outing if you want to see a lot of St. Maarten in one day and prefer active sightseeing to sitting on one beach. It suits couples, families with older children, and cruise passengers who want a shore day with several distinct stops.

The small boat works especially well for people who dislike large organized groups. The crew can answer questions, help with snorkeling equipment, and adjust the pace more easily than a vessel carrying dozens or hundreds of people. The atmosphere is social, but it is not designed as a quiet luxury cruise.

You should think twice if you have trouble with ladders, dislike a fast ride, or want a guaranteed turtle encounter. The boat may bounce in open water, and the schedule leaves limited time at each stop. Snorkeling is central to the day, so you should be willing to get wet and swim from the boat or beach.

Is the $139 price worth it?

For $139, you are paying for transportation around much of the island, a small group, snorkeling equipment, lunch, floating devices, and unlimited beer, soda, and water. You also get a captain and crew who provide local commentary and handle the route between stops.

That is a fair price for a six-hour outing, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for a beach visit, snorkeling trip, lunch, drinks, and transportation to Maho Beach. The value is strongest when you use the whole day: snorkel at both Tintamarre and Creole Rock, eat at Pinel, and stay aboard for the coastal sightseeing.

The value drops if you plan to skip snorkeling or do not care about seeing several beaches from the water. In that case, a shorter beach transfer could suit you better. But for an active cruise-port day, this package covers a lot without feeling like a checklist of bus stops.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if your ideal St. Maarten day includes sea turtles, colorful fish, a beach lunch, and a fast ride rather than a single resort beach. The crew names change, but captains such as Nico, Sammy, Frankie, Junior, and Nacho have been praised for keeping the day safe, friendly, and well organized.

Before paying, confirm the precise meeting point, ship-to-island time difference, and cash requirement for the $10 marine fee. If you accept a bumpy ride and understand that wildlife and plane timing cannot be guaranteed, this is one of the better ways to pack the island’s water highlights into one cruise stop.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The meeting information lists Bobby’s Marina at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg and also refers to Dock Maarten Chesterfield Wharf. Confirm the exact dock instructions before departure.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m. The activity lasts approximately six hours and returns to the starting meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snorkeling equipment, lunch, unlimited beer, soda, and water on board, plus floating devices.

Is the $10 marine or docking fee included?

No. A $10 per-person marine park or docking fee is not included. Bring cash because the registration desk may not accept credit cards.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

No. Masks, snorkels, and related equipment are supplied. You should still bring a swimsuit and towel.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also result in a different date or a full refund.