St Maarten snorkeling tour: Creole Rock & Tintamarre Islands

Snorkel three islands in one morning, then lunch on the boat while planes pass overhead.

A six-hour boat charter in St Maarten takes you snorkeling at Creole Rock, Tintamarre Island and Pinel Island, with a professional captain and crew providing live commentary in English, Spanish, French, German and two other languages. The boat includes snorkeling equipment, life jackets, bottled water, soda, snacks and a French gourmet sandwich lunch; pickup and return to your cruise ship are guaranteed on time. A marine park fee payable in cash at check-in is separate.

The Experience

The boat leaves with a small group and heads straight to Creole Rock, where the reef sits shallow enough to see the fish without diving deep. After snorkeling there, you move to Tintamarre Island—a wilder stop where sea turtles swim in the shallows and you can wade out without a guide pointing the way. The captain and crew stay on board, ready with fresh water and snacks between stops.

Pinel Island is the longest stop, a stretch of soft sand where you can swim, walk the beach or just sit while the crew sets up lunch. The sandwiches come in five options—chicken, turkey, ham and cheese, tuna, crab, or vegetarian—and you eat on the boat with a view back toward the island. On the way back to the cruise terminal, the boat passes Maho Beach, where the runway sits so close to the shore that planes descend almost directly overhead; the captain times it so you see them land.

Snorkeling gear and flotation noodles are included, so you don't pack your own. The crew speaks multiple languages and narrates the stops live, pointing out what you're seeing in the water and on the islands. The whole day runs six hours, and the return to your ship is scheduled to get you back on time.

What’s included

• Professional captain and crew.
• snorkeling equipment and life jackets.
• bottled water, soda and snacks.
• French gourmet sandwich lunch with vegetarian option.
• live commentary in five languages.
• guaranteed on-time return to your cruise ship.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by All About Boat Charters

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want three distinct snorkel sites plus beach time in one day—the boat departs from your ship and returns you before it leaves port, so you won't need to arrange your own way back.

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Top questions

What will I see when I snorkel at Creole Rock?

Creole Rock holds a vibrant reef with fish and coral in shallow water—the kind of snorkeling where you can see everything without going deep or staying under long.

Can I really swim with sea turtles at Tintamarre Island?

Tintamarre Island is wild enough that sea turtles swim in the shallows there; you'll wade out and may encounter them, though sightings are not guaranteed on every trip.

What food is included, and can I request vegetarian?

Lunch is a French gourmet sandwich with five options: chicken, turkey, ham and cheese, tuna, crab, or vegetarian upon request—served on the boat with water and soda included.

Will I make it back to my cruise ship on time?

The boat guarantees on-time return transfers to your cruise ship; the six-hour charter is timed around that schedule.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling equipment and flotation noodles are included; you don't need to bring your own or rent separately.

What languages does the guide speak?

The captain and crew provide live commentary in English, Spanish, French, German and two additional languages.