Snorkeling in St Maarten: Turtles, Tintamarre & BBQ lunch

Swim with sea turtles at a deserted island, then eat lunch on the beach

A 7-hour snorkeling tour from St Maarten visits Tintamarre Island and Pinel Island by powerboat, with a professional guide, snorkeling gear, and an open bar on board. You'll swim in shallow reefs where sea turtles and stingrays live, sunbathe on two beaches, and finish with a BBQ lunch at Grand Case before a final stop at Maho Beach to watch planes land.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tintamarre Island45m
2. Pinel Island45m

Snorkeling and beach BBQ tour

• Visit Tintamarre Island
• Snorkel and swim with turtles
• Stop at Pinel Island
• Enjoy BBQ lunch at Grand Case
• Relax at La Samanna or Mullet Bay
• Watch planes land at Maho Beach

The experience

The boat leaves daily and carries a maximum of 20 people, so the group stays small enough to move between sites without long waits. Tintamarre is the main snorkeling stop: a deserted island that once had its own king and airline, now part of a marine park where the shallow reefs hold schools of fish, sea turtles, and stingrays. You can swim from Baie Blanche beach or walk across to a second, rockier beach on the same island. Pinel Island comes next, with warmer, shallower water and soft sand: a low-key spot if you want to rest between snorkels or eat at one of the beach restaurants there.

The boat carries snorkeling gear for everyone and floating devices if you need them. An open bar runs the whole 7 hours, stocked with beer, soda, and water. Lunch is a BBQ meal served on the beach at Grand Case, the island's food hub. A professional captain and crew guide the day, and the guide speaks English, Spanish, or French depending on the group. The last stop is either La Samanna or Mullet Bay for about 30 minutes of beach time, and if the timing works, you'll pass Maho Beach to photograph planes landing just offshore.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear and floating devices.
• BBQ lunch at Grand Case.
• unlimited beer, soda and water on board.
• professional guide in English, Spanish or French.
• boat transport between Tintamarre Island, Pinel Island, Grand Case and Maho Beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (under 7)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

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 yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Captain Flint Boat Charters

Is this one for you?The tour runs 7 hours with multiple water entries and beach time, so plan for a full day in the sun and bring sunscreen. If you're comfortable swimming in open water and want to move at an easy pace between snorkeling stops and beaches, this suits a mixed group of swimmers and non-swimmers alike.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 7).

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 water like for snorkeling at Tintamarre Island?

Tintamarre sits in a marine park with shallow reefs full of tropical fish, sea turtles, and stingrays. The water is warm and clear enough to see the reef from the surface, and the island has two beaches so you can choose where to enter the water.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided on the boat for all guests, along with floating devices if you want them. You should bring a towel and swimsuit.

Is there food and drink on the boat?

Yes. An open bar on board serves unlimited beer, soda, and water for the full 7 hours. Lunch is a BBQ meal served on the beach at Grand Case, included in the price.

How many people go on each tour?

The maximum is 20 guests per tour, so the group stays manageable for moving between snorkeling sites and beaches.

Can I see planes landing at Maho Beach?

Yes. Maho Beach is the final stop on the route, and if timing allows, you'll pass close enough to photograph planes landing on the nearby runway.