St Maarten Snorkeling Tour: Speedboat to Creole Rock

Three islands, three snorkel stops, one speedboat and an open bar

A 7-hour speedboat snorkeling tour of St Maarten visits Creole Rock in Grand Case Bay, Tintamarre Island and Pinel Island with a live English-speaking guide, snorkeling equipment, unlimited drinks and floating devices. The tour operates as a small group and requires a minimum of six guests. It is not available to cruise ship passengers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tintamarre Island45m
2. Pinel Island45m · entry included
3. Maho & Mullet Bay10m · entry included

Snorkeling and island exploration

• Snorkel at top spot
• Explore Tintamarre Island
• Visit Pinel Island
• Lunch and beach time
• Quick swim stop
• Stop by famous airport

The experience

The speedboat leaves for Creole Rock first: 45 minutes of snorkeling at what the operator calls the island's number one snorkel site. The marine reserve sits in Grand Case Bay and holds enough fish and coral to justify the reputation. From there the route heads to Tintamarre Island, an uninhabited marine park where sea turtles and stingrays show up often enough that spotting them is part of the pitch. The island has two beaches separated by a short rocky walk, so you can swim, snorkel or sunbathe depending on the hour and the crowd.

Pinel Island comes next, with warm shallow water and soft sand beaches in Orient Bay: the kind of stop that works for families or anyone who wants to move slowly through the day. Iguanas live on the island and will let you pet them if you're willing. A lunch stop follows at a local beach (hot lunch runs $14 extra at a BBQ restaurant if you want it), and there's time to swim at Maho & Mullet Bay before a final pass by the famous airport where planes land low over the water. The onboard open bar runs the whole day: unlimited rum punch, beer, Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke and bottled water.

The guide stays with the group throughout and speaks English. Snorkeling equipment, floating devices and a worry-free shore excursion guarantee are included. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the boat movement and the water time, and the tour requires a minimum of six guests to operate. It does not run for cruise ship passengers.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and floating devices.
• unlimited rum punch, beer, Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke and bottled water throughout the day.
• a live English-speaking guide for the small group.
• a worry-free shore excursion guarantee.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

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

GroupUp to 20

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 6

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Captain Flint Boat Charters

Is this one for you?Book this tour for a morning or afternoon when you want to snorkel three different marine reserves without arranging transport or timing yourself: the speedboat, the guide and the stops are all planned, so you move through the day without building it.

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Top questions

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 snorkeling like at Creole Rock?

Creole Rock is the island's top snorkeling site and you spend 45 minutes there: long enough to move past the entry and into the reef itself. It sits in Grand Case Bay as part of a marine reserve.

Will I see sea turtles on this tour?

Tintamarre Island is a marine park where sea turtles and stingrays show up often enough that the operator lists them as likely encounters, though sightings are never guaranteed on any given day.

Is lunch included in the price?

A lunch stop at a local beach is included, but hot lunch at a BBQ restaurant costs an extra $14 per person if you want it. You can also browse local stores or just enjoy the beach instead.

What drinks are available on the boat?

Unlimited rum punch, beer, Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke and bottled water are included throughout the 7-hour tour on the onboard open bar.

Can cruise ship passengers book this tour?

No, this tour is not available to cruise ship passengers. It operates for independent travelers only and requires a minimum of six guests to run.

What equipment do I need to bring?

Snorkeling equipment and floating devices are provided, but you should bring a towel and swimsuit. Hiking shoes are optional if you want to hike to the second beach on Tintamarre or explore Pinel Island's far side.