St Maarten Islands: Snorkeling & Speedboat Tour with Lunch

Summary

Snorkeling with sea turtles and island hopping from St Maarten

You’ll jump between islands by speedboat from St Maarten, snorkel with sea turtles at Tintamarre Island, and relax over lunch on Pinel’s soft sand beaches. With a local guide leading your small group and drinks included onboard, expect laughter, new sights underwater, and those quiet moments only found out at sea.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous about the speedboat at first — not really my usual thing. But as soon as we left St Maarten’s harbor, the wind just sort of wiped that away. Our guide, Jean-Luc (he insisted we call him JL), had this way of making everyone laugh, even when he was explaining the safety stuff. The water out here is this weirdly clear blue — almost like someone turned up the color on a TV. JL pointed out Tintamarre Island in the distance and said it used to have its own king. I still can’t tell if he was joking or not.

The snorkeling at Creole Rock was wild — fish everywhere, darting through these coral shapes that looked like something from a dream. I kept getting distracted by the sound of my own breathing in the snorkel mask, but then a turtle just glided past me like it owned the place. I forgot about everything else for a second. The main keyword for me? Day trip to Tintamarre Island — that’s where you want to be if you’re hoping to spot sea turtles (and maybe stingrays, though I didn’t see one myself). JL handed out cold beers on board after, which tasted way better than they should have under that sun.

Lunch on Pinel Island felt like some kind of reward — toes in warm sand, grilled fish on my plate, and this salty breeze mixing with barbecue smoke from the restaurant behind us. There were families splashing in the shallow water, locals chatting in French at the next table, and someone’s dog chasing crabs along the shore. If you want to walk off lunch (I did), there’s a little trail over to quieter beaches on the other side of Pinel. Didn’t make it all the way because I got distracted by hermit crabs — they move faster than you’d think.

On our way back we slowed near Maho Beach just long enough to watch a plane come in low overhead — everyone scrambled for their phones but honestly it was more fun just feeling that sudden roar and watching people’s faces light up. It’s funny how much you can fit into six hours around St Maarten when someone local is steering you around. I still think about that turtle sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Speedboat tour with snorkeling and lunch

• Depart for Tintamarre Island
• Swim and snorkel at Tintamarre
• Visit second beach on Tintamarre
• Snorkel at Creole Rock
• Stop at Pinel Island
• Enjoy beachside lunch at Pinel
• Relax or hike on Pinel Island
• Optional BBQ lunch at Grand Case beach
• View planes landing at Maho Beach

Top questions

How long does the St Maarten snorkeling tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 hours from start to finish.

Is lunch included during the speedboat tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a beachside restaurant on Pinel Island.

Are drinks provided on board?

Unlimited beer, soda, and water are available throughout the day.

Where do we snorkel during this day trip?

You’ll snorkel at Creole Rock and around Tintamarre Island.

Can I see sea turtles on this tour?

Yes, there’s a good chance to see sea turtles near Tintamarre Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, all necessary snorkeling gear is included in your tour.

How many people are on each boat?

The group size is limited to 16-20 guests per boat for comfort.

Is hotel pickup included for cruise ship guests?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes use of snorkeling equipment for both Creole Rock and Tintamarre Island stops, unlimited beer, soda and water while on board the speedboat, plus a relaxed lunch right on Pinel Island’s beach before heading back in time for your cruise departure.