St. Maarten Private Boat Charter: Pinel Island & Snorkeling

A Boat Gets You to Places St. Maarten's Roads Don't Reach

You get picked up by a private boat, snorkel at a reef, visit Pinel Island to see iguanas, and stop at three more spots only reachable by water: Tintamare, Creole Rock, and La Samanna. Drinks are unlimited throughout. The charter handles navigation and timing, so you show up and the day unfolds without you arranging transport, entry, or logistics between stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day private boat charter

• Depart for snorkeling spots
• Snorkel at first location
• Visit Iguanas on Pinel Island
• Explore Tintamare Island
• Stop at Creole Rock
• Visit La Samanna area

The experience

The thing about St. Maarten is that the best parts sit on the water. You can drive the coastal roads and see the island from the shore, or you can book a private boat charter and actually get there: to Pinel Island where iguanas sunbathe on the sand, to Tintamare, Creole Rock, and La Samanna, spots that don't have a parking lot or a road sign. The Billy Bones charter is built around that simple fact: some places only make sense from a boat.

A full day runs five stops, starting with snorkeling at one of the reefs, then moving to Pinel Island to see the iguanas up close before hitting the other spots around the island. The boat is private. Just your group, a professional guide, and an open bar that keeps running the whole time. Half days are available too if you're short on time, though honestly, once you're out there, the hours disappear. The guide handles the route and knows which spots have the clearest water and the calmest conditions on any given day.

Cruise ship passengers can book this, but you'll need to give the ship name, docking time, and re-boarding time at checkout so the captain can time the return. There's also a reserve fee collected at check-in. It's a St. Martin government requirement, not something the charter controls, so factor that into the budget. Infants sit on a lap, small children can come along, and the boat works for any fitness level. Just note: pregnant travelers aren't recommended for this one.

What’s included

Your charter includes private boat access, a professional guide, all five stops (Pinel Island, Tintamare, Creole Rock, La Samanna, and a snorkeling reef), snorkeling time, and an open bar with unlimited drinks throughout the day. You arrange your own transport to the departure point, though public transportation is available nearby.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private charter for the half dayGuide in 6 languages · 09:30A perfect 3.5-hour escape away from the crowds. Choose a 9:00 AM morning departure or a 12:45 PM afternoon departure.

Private charter for the full dayGuide in 6 languages · 09:00A full-day outing around St. Maarten visiting Pinel Island, Tintamare, Creole Rock and La Samanna. We'll start with some snorkeling, then have lunch in Grand Case with cold drinks, and take in the island's must-see spots along the way.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch and Russian

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 15

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Billy Bones

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the parts of St. Maarten that don't have road access and prefer not to navigate a rental boat yourself: the private charter and guide remove the logistics, leaving you to snorkel, spot iguanas, and drink without planning the route or timing between stops.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

113 verified traveler reviews

5 ★111

4 ★0

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian and Dutch.

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.

Is snorkeling gear included?

The description mentions snorkeling as part of the activity but doesn't specify whether gear is provided. Confirm with the operator at booking.

Can I book a half-day instead?

Yes, half-day charters are available. The five-stop itinerary is for the full day. A half-day would cover fewer stops.

What if I'm on a cruise ship?

You can book it, but you must provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time so the captain returns you on schedule.

Is there a reserve fee on top of the listed price?

Yes. A reserve fee is payable at check-in and is required by the St. Martin government. It's not included in the advertised price.

Can I bring a baby or small child?

Yes. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and small children can ride in a pram or stroller if needed.

Is this suitable for someone who isn't very fit?

The charter is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the day is spent on the boat or in calm water.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are permitted on the charter.