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

The island looks best from the water. This six-hour speedboat trip packs St. Maarten’s main coastal sights into one lively day, from sea turtles at Tintamarre to fish-filled Creole Rock, lunch on Pinel Island, and planes roaring over Maho Beach. I especially like the small-group boat and the chance to see both Dutch and French St. Martin without spending the day in a van. The included lunch, snorkeling gear, and onboard drinks also make the $139 price easier to justify.

The main caution is the sea itself. A speedboat can be bouncy across open water, and the tour requires a moderate level of fitness, including getting in and out of the boat by ladder. Cruise ship passengers should also confirm the meeting time against local time and leave plenty of margin before sailing.

Key points at a glance

• Sea turtles at Tintamarre: Swim and snorkel near an uninhabited island in a protected marine area.
• Creole Rock snorkeling: Look for colorful fish and coral in Grand Case Bay, widely considered one of the island’s best snorkel sites.
• Lunch on Pinel Island: Enjoy a hot meal at a beachfront restaurant, with time for swimming and a short walk around the island.
• A true small-boat day: The boat carries no more than 16 people according to the main tour details, allowing quicker stops and less waiting.
• Maho Beach from the water: Watch aircraft approach Princess Juliana International Airport overhead.
• Drinks included: Beer, soda, water, and floating devices are available on board, while the $10 marine park or docking fee is extra.

Starting at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg

You meet at Bobby’s Marina, also identified as Dock Maarten Chesterfield Wharf on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. The scheduled start is 9:30 a.m., and the tour returns to the same place after about six hours.

That central location works well for cruise ship passengers because it is close to the port area. Still, do not treat the walk from your ship as the whole timing plan. Cruise ship time and local island time can differ, and the boat will not necessarily operate on your ship’s clock. Confirm the pickup instructions with Captain Flint Boat Charters and allow time to leave the ship, walk through the port area, check in, and find the correct marina entrance.

The supplied information names both Bobby’s Marina and Dock Maarten Chesterfield Wharf. Those references may describe the same general harbor area, but I would verify the exact dock before you leave the ship. A quick check can prevent a stressful start to an otherwise relaxed day.

The boat carries snorkeling equipment, floating devices, and an onboard supply of beer, soda, and water. Bring your own towel and swimsuit. Sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof way to carry your phone are sensible additions, although only the towel and swimsuit are specifically required in the tour instructions.

Crossing Simpson Bay and seeing two sides of St. Martin

The first part of the route gives you a useful introduction to the island. The boat heads through the Simpson Bay area and past the Simpson Bay Bridge, with views of the large lagoon and its collection of expensive yachts.

This is one of the pleasures of using a speedboat. You are not tied to one beach or one resort. You move quickly from the Dutch side toward the French side, seeing marinas, shoreline neighborhoods, and coastal headlands from a fresh angle.

At Marigot, the French influence becomes clear. You can see Marina Royale, cafés beside the water, and Fort Louis above town with the French flag flying overhead. The tour does not appear to stop for a full town visit, so think of this section as a moving coastal tour rather than a shopping or history walk.

You also pass Friars Bay and Happy Bay. Friars Bay is associated with the island’s famous full-moon parties, while Happy Bay is quieter and more undeveloped. Your captain shares local information during the ride, and the exact commentary will depend on the captain assigned that day. Past captains named in the tour feedback include Nicolas, Sammy, Nacho, Junior, Nico, Lucas, Frankie, DJ B, Miguel, Damian, Julian, Owen, and others. The repeated praise for the crews centers on safe boat handling, island facts, humor, and friendly drink service.

Tintamarre Island and the chance to see turtles

Tintamarre is the first major water stop. This uninhabited island once had its own king, navy, and airline, a strange and memorable bit of local lore. Today, the appeal is much simpler: white sand, open space, warm water, and the possibility of seeing green sea turtles.

The stop at Baie Blanche lasts about 45 minutes. You can swim, snorkel, or relax on the shore. The water is described as calm and warm, though conditions can change with wind and weather.

Turtles are not guaranteed, and no wildlife encounter should be treated as a promise. Still, this is one of the tour’s strongest draws. Several outings reported sea turtles along with stingrays and other marine life. Keep your movements calm, give animals room, and follow the captain’s instructions about where to swim.

Tintamarre is also a good place to understand the value of the boat. It is accessible by water, not by an ordinary road transfer, and the stop feels more remote than the busy resort beaches. The tradeoff is that 45 minutes goes quickly. You will have time for a swim and snorkel, but not a long island walk.

Pinel Island, shallow water, and a beach lunch

The route continues to Pinel Island in Orient Bay. Pinel is small, low-key, and known for warm shallow water and soft sand. That makes it a comfortable stop for families and for anyone who wants a break from the boat’s motion.

Lunch is included and served at a beachfront restaurant in the Pinel or Grand Case area, depending on the day’s arrangement. The tour details refer to Yellow Beach Restaurant, while individual outings have also mentioned places such as Lola’s and Skubi’s. Restaurant assignments can change, so do not count on a particular menu or venue.

The food receives unusually strong praise. Ribs are singled out as a good choice, and the lunch has been described as delicious and better than expected. The meal adds real value to the $139 price because you are not simply buying a boat ride and then paying separately for food.

You get roughly 45 minutes to an hour around this part of the itinerary. You may sit in the shallows, swim, look for iguanas, explore tide pools, or walk around the tiny island. The stop is not designed for a long hike, and the schedule does not leave time for a slow restaurant meal followed by extensive exploring. You will need to choose what matters most.

The onboard drinks continue through the day. Beer, soda, and water are included, and several outings also refer to rum punch. Since the official inclusions list beer, soda, and water, treat rum punch as something that may depend on the boat or crew rather than a guaranteed item.

Creole Rock, the best snorkeling stop

After Pinel, the boat heads toward Creole Rock in Grand Case Bay. This is the tour’s main underwater stop and generally lasts about 45 minutes.

The rock sits in a protected marine area and supports colorful fish and coral. The tour provides masks, snorkels, and fins, so you do not need to pack your own equipment unless you strongly prefer it. Floating devices are also available on board.

Creole Rock is likely to be the most rewarding stop for confident snorkelers. You can expect more fish activity here than at a simple sandy beach, with the chance to see rays and other Caribbean sea life. Water visibility depends on the weather, and a rough day can affect both the boat ride and the quality of the snorkel.

The boat’s small size helps here. With a maximum of 16 people in the main description, the group can get into the water without the long lines common on large excursion boats. One logistical note is worth checking: another capacity reference says a maximum of 20, while the detailed tour information says 16. Ask for the expected group size if that matters to you.

A ladder is used to get back into the boat. One passenger found it a little difficult, so consider this carefully if you have trouble climbing from the water. You should also be comfortable swimming in open water and handling a moderate amount of boat movement.

Cruising the western coast and feeding fish

The sightseeing continues after the main snorkel stop. You pass the large homes of Terre Basse and the red rock cliffs around Baie Rouge. The captain may also stop near Long Bay, where you can feed fish from the boat or in the water.

The La Samanna Resort area provides another scenic pause. The tour refers to feeding fish from the beach and possible celebrity spotting near the resort. That does not mean a celebrity appearance is part of the schedule. The reliable part is the view of the beach and resort coastline.

This section is a good reminder that the trip is more than a transfer between snorkeling sites. You are circling much of the island, seeing beaches and cliffs that would take far longer to reach by land. The boat ride itself is part of the attraction, especially for people who enjoy speed and open water.

The drawback is comfort. Several accounts describe the ride across open water as fast and bouncy. That is exciting for many people, but not ideal if you are prone to seasickness or prefer a quiet, slow cruise. Sit where you can hold on, follow the crew’s instructions, and consider bringing any motion-sickness treatment you already know works for you.

Maho Beach and aircraft overhead

The final signature stop is near Princess Juliana International Airport, beside famous Maho Beach. The boat pauses for about 10 minutes so you can watch aircraft approach the runway and take photographs as they pass overhead.

This is a short stop, not an airport tour or a long beach visit. The timing depends on aircraft movements, and the crew may wait briefly for a plane when conditions allow. Several outings included large aircraft landing directly above the boat, which can be a memorable finish to the day.

Maho is one of St. Maarten’s most recognizable sights, but it is also easy to experience poorly if you arrive at the wrong time. Seeing it from the boat gives you a different angle and avoids making the entire day about standing on the beach waiting for a plane.

After Maho, the boat returns around Simpson Bay, with another look at the large yachts before arriving back at the marina.

What the $139 price really covers

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in St. Maarten. It is also not a simple beach transfer. The price includes approximately six hours on the water, a small-group speedboat, snorkeling equipment, lunch, beer, soda, water, and floating devices.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In one outing, you cover Tintamarre, Pinel, Creole Rock, sections of the French and Dutch sides, the La Samanna area, and Maho Beach. You also avoid arranging separate transport, snorkel rental, lunch, and a second coastal excursion.

There is one extra charge: a $10 marine park or docking fee per person. Bring cash unless the operator confirms another payment method. One registration problem involved a lack of change and no card option, so small bills are a smart precaution.

The boat is not affiliated with the cruise line, which can make the price attractive compared with ship-run excursions. It also means you are responsible for getting to the marina and staying alert to the return time. The crews have brought cruise passengers back with enough time to reach the ship, but you should still confirm the schedule rather than assume the operator knows your ship’s departure time.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would recommend it to active cruise passengers who want to see a lot of St. Maarten in one day. Families with older children and teenagers should find the speed, snorkeling, beaches, and aircraft viewing appealing. The tour has also worked for mixed-age groups, including one party ranging from age three to 73, though young children must be comfortable around water and on a moving boat.

It suits you if you like:

• Fast boat rides and frequent changes of scenery
• Snorkeling with a chance of seeing turtles and rays
• Small groups rather than large excursion boats
• A planned lunch and drinks included in the price
• A mix of French and Dutch island sights
• A full day with little unused time

It may not suit you if you need a calm boat, dislike getting wet, have difficulty climbing a boat ladder, or want a long, unhurried stop at one beach. The trip is active, with several boarding and swimming moments.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered. The tour requires good weather, so flexibility helps.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the broadest possible taste of St. Maarten from the water and are comfortable with speed, sun, and a little bouncing. The combination of Tintamarre turtles, Creole Rock snorkeling, Pinel lunch, and Maho aircraft gives you four very different highlights in one day.

I would skip it only if you prefer a quiet beach day or are uneasy in open water. Before paying, confirm the exact marina, local start time, expected group size, and $10 fee. With those details settled, this is a strong choice for cruise passengers who want an active island day without wasting hours in traffic.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and begins at 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Bobby’s Marina, also identified as Dock Maarten Chesterfield Wharf, on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served at a beachfront restaurant on or near Pinel Island, with the exact restaurant potentially varying.

Are snorkeling supplies provided?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and floating devices.

Are drinks included?

Beer, soda, and water are included on board. Some outings also include rum punch, but the listed inclusions specifically guarantee beer, soda, and water.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. A $10 marine park or docking fee per person is not included in the tour price.

Can I see sea turtles?

Tintamarre Island is a known spot for sea turtles, and the tour is designed to give you a chance to snorkel near them. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to board the speedboat, use a ladder to get out of the water, and manage swimming or snorkeling stops, so it may not suit people who have difficulty with these activities.