Snorkeling in St Maarten: Motorboat to Creole Rock & Tintamarre

A full day on the water hitting multiple islands, with snorkel gear and an open bar built in

A motorboat snorkeling tour around St Maarten departing daily, with stops at Long Bay, Creole Rock, Tintamarre Island and Pinel Island. The 39-foot Santino carries snorkel gear, noodles and an open bar of beer, rum punch and sodas. Lunch at the Lolo Shacks is included. Roy, the captain, knows the reefs and the turtle sites. The trip runs six and a half hours and can shift routes between seasons: April through October the boat heads all the way around the island, while winter winds push the route to the west side and Creole Rock.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tintamarre Island45m
2. Pinel Island1h
3. Baie Rouge Beachpassing by

Explore St Maarten by motorboat

• Board the Santino motorboat
• Visit Long Bay
• Snorkel at Creole Rock
• Swim at Tintamarre Island
• Stop at Pinel Island
• Enjoy open bar drinks onboard
• Bring cash for lunch at Grand Case

The experience

The Santino is a 39-foot motorboat built for the job, and you board it for a full morning and afternoon of snorkeling across four stops. Long Bay comes first, then Creole Rock where the reef work starts. Tintamarre Island is where turtles often show up. Pinel Island rounds out the route. The boat carries snorkel gear and noodles for everyone, so you don't pack your own, and the open bar runs all day: beer, rum punch, sodas and bottled water are there when you need them.

Lunch happens at the Lolo Shacks and is included in the price. The boat has a marine toilet on board, which matters on a six-hour day. One thing to know: snacks beyond lunch aren't covered, so bring cash if you want to eat more. The trip can get wet, so zip your phone and wallet into a plastic bag before you leave the dock.

The route shifts with the season. From April through October, the Santino can make the full loop around St Maarten and hit more stops along the way. When the Christmas winds pick up and the north side gets rough seas, the boat stays on the west coast instead, visiting Creole Rock and the western beaches. Roy, your captain, has run this route long enough to know where the turtles are and which reefs are worth the time.

What’s included

• Snorkel gear and noodles.
• open bar with beer, rum punch, sodas and bottled water.
• lunch at the Lolo Shacks.
• use of the marine toilet on board.
• English-speaking captain for the full six and a half hours.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and FridayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 to 75 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Aqua Mania Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day on the water with snorkeling, swimming, and lunch included in one itinerary. You'll return to your hotel late afternoon with nothing else to arrange.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the snorkeling like at Creole Rock?

Creole Rock is a reef stop where the snorkeling is the main event of the day. The Santino includes snorkel gear and noodles for the water, so you're set to go down and look around the reef structure itself.

Will I see turtles on this trip?

Turtles often show up at Tintamarre Island, which is one of the regular stops. There's no guarantee on any given day, but the captain knows where they tend to be and times the stop to give you the best chance.

How does the route change in winter?

From April through October, the boat goes all the way around St Maarten and hits multiple stops. When the Christmas winds arrive and the north side gets big seas, the Santino stays on the west side instead, visiting Creole Rock and the western beaches, so the trip still runs but covers different water.

Is lunch included, and what if I want to eat more?

Lunch at the Lolo Shacks is included in the price. Snacks beyond that aren't covered, so bring extra cash if you want to buy more food or drinks on the islands.

What should I bring or know before I board?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Bring a plastic ziplock bag for your phone and wallet because the boat ride can get wet. Snorkel gear is provided, and the open bar of beer, rum punch and sodas runs all day, so you don't need to pack those.