St Maarten: Speed Boat Snorkeling Tour & Beach Lunch

Summary

Speed boat adventure across Dutch & French St Maarten with snorkeling, beach time, and wild airport thrills

You’ll zip between Dutch and French sides of St Maarten by speed boat, snorkel with turtles off Tintamarre Island, eat lunch with your feet in Pinel Island’s sand, float at Mullet Bay with a cold drink, and feel jets thunder overhead at Princess Juliana Airport—plus plenty of laughs along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I almost bailed that morning — the idea of a “speed boat tour” sounded way more intense than I’d pictured for my lazy vacation in St Maarten. But there we were at Philipsburg’s dock, coffee barely kicked in, when Captain Bob (not his real name, but everyone calls him that) grinned and handed out snorkel gear like it was candy. The boat wasn’t huge, maybe 14 of us plus the crew, and right away it felt less like a tour and more like some weird family outing where nobody knows each other yet.

Simpson Bay Lagoon was our first stretch — you can smell salt and diesel mixed together as you pass those mega yachts. Our guide pointed at one and said something about Jay-Z; I missed the punchline because a pelican dive-bombed right next to us. Crossing over to the French side felt subtle — suddenly the signs switched languages and Marigot’s buildings looked softer somehow. We zipped past Happy Bay (I still don’t know why it’s called that) before anchoring off Tintamarre Island. That water is so clear you can see your own feet from the boat. My mask fogged up instantly but I still caught sight of a turtle gliding under me — slow as if he knew we were watching.

Lunch happened on Pinel Island, which honestly just smells like grilled fish and sunscreen. There are these iguanas everywhere, acting like they own the place. One tried to climb onto my bag while I was distracted by rum punch (included — dangerous). The sand is soft enough to make you forget about shoes for a while. After that we hit Creole Rock for more snorkeling — this time with way more fish than I could name, all darting around coral that looks painted on.

The last bit was pure chaos in a good way: Mullet Bay’s water is that impossible turquoise you see in postcards but never believe is real until you’re floating in it with a noodle and a beer (yep, also included). And then Princess Juliana Airport — planes roar so low overhead you feel them in your chest before you even look up. Someone on our boat screamed-laughed when an Air France jet came in; I think we all did.

I didn’t expect to remember the little things — like how our captain kept checking everyone had enough drinks or how sunburned my nose got despite three layers of SPF. But yeah, this day trip from St Maarten sticks with me for reasons I can’t quite put into words.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Speed boat tour with snorkeling and beaches

• Depart from Philipsburg
• Pass islands Saba, Statia, St. Barts
• Enter Simpson Bay Lagoon and view mega yachts
• Cross to French side, pass Marigot and bays
• Snorkel at Tintamarre Island with turtles and stingrays
• Relax and have lunch at Pinel Island
• Snorkel at Creole Rock coral reef
• Pass Baie Rouge, Plum Bay, Terres Basses
• Swim and float at Long Bay or Mullet Bay
• Watch jets land at Princess Juliana Airport
• Return to dock and receive free ice cream

Top questions

How long does the Captain Bob speed boat tour last?

The tour lasts about 6 hours with five main stops around St Maarten/St Martin.

Is lunch included on this St Maarten snorkeling tour?

Yes, lunch is included during the stop at Pinel Island along with snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No, snorkel equipment and flotation devices are provided by the crew.

Will we visit both Dutch and French sides of St Maarten?

Yes, the tour visits both sides—starting from Philipsburg (Dutch) and stopping at several French-side beaches and islands.

Are drinks included on board?

Yes, complimentary alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are available all day on the boat.

Is hotel or cruise ship pickup available?

The tour includes pickup arrangements for cruise ship visitors and hotel guests staying on the island.

What are some highlights of this speed boat day trip?

You’ll snorkel at Tintamarre Island, relax at Pinel Island with lunch, swim at Mullet Bay or Long Bay, see mega yachts in Simpson Bay Lagoon, and watch jets land overhead at Princess Juliana Airport.

Are there vegetarian meal options?

Yes—just mention dietary requirements when booking so they can accommodate you.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or cruise ship dock, all snorkel equipment and flotation devices provided by your local captain-guide, complimentary drinks (soft or alcoholic), snacks throughout the ride plus lunch served right on Pinel Island’s sand before returning late afternoon—sunburn optional but likely.