Snorkeling in St. Maarten: Swim with Turtles & Reefs

Creole Rock's clear water and the turtles at Tintamarre Island, all in one day.

This seven-hour snorkeling tour departs St. Maarten aboard a fast catamaran and visits four to five stops including Creole Rock (a vibrant reef in the Marine Reserve), Pinel Island with its calm waters and friendly iguanas, and Tintamarre Island where sea turtles swim. The boat carries snorkeling gear for all ages, paddle boards, and a floating lily pad. Lunch and an open bar are served on board, and stops typically run 45 minutes to 1.5 hours each so you have real time in the water. The captain adjusts the route for weather and sea conditions, and if timing allows, the boat passes Maho Beach to watch jets land overhead.

The experience

Creole Rock sits in the Marine Reserve with clear water and colorful reefs where tropical fish, spotted eagle rays, and sea turtles move through the same space you're snorkeling. The catamaran gets you there in comfort. It's a fast, stable boat with plenty of shade and seating both inside and out, so the ride between stops doesn't eat the day. Each location stays open for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, which means you're not rushing through the water or sitting idle on the boat waiting for the group.

Pinel Island brings a shift in pace: the water turns calm, the beach has a laid-back feel, and the iguanas are famous enough that they show up. Paddle boards and a floating lily pad sit ready if you want to try something besides snorkeling. Tintamarre Island, a remote stop with pristine beaches, is where the sea turtles are most likely to appear. The final stop (either La Samanna or Mullet Bay, depending on conditions) gives you one more swim before heading back. If the timing works, the captain will cruise past Maho Beach so you can watch jets descend low enough to feel the engine noise.

The boat carries masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets in all sizes, so you don't pack gear or rent it separately. Lunch is a full BBQ served on board: jerk and curry chicken skewers, garlic shrimp, Greek pasta salad, and bread. The open bar runs all day with beer, liquor, soda, juice, and water. A fruit platter arrives in the afternoon. There's a restroom on board and a swim staircase with handrails so getting in and out of the water is straightforward. An English-speaking guide is with you throughout.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear (masks, snorkels, fins, life jackets for all ages).
• paddle boards and a floating lily pad.
• a full BBQ lunch with jerk chicken, garlic shrimp, pasta salad, and bread.
• an open bar with beer, liquor, soda, juice, and water.
• a tropical fruit platter in the afternoon.
• a restroom on board.
• and an English-speaking guide for the full seven hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 28

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Boomerang Boat Charters

Is this one for you?The seven-hour commitment leaves room for a full morning or afternoon elsewhere on the island, but not both. Book this if you want a complete day on the water with multiple snorkeling stops and a meal included, rather than a quick half-day excursion or a separate lunch arrangement.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

633 verified traveler reviews

5 ★607

4 ★19

3 ★3

2 ★1

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

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 is Creole Rock like for snorkeling?

Creole Rock sits inside St. Maarten's Marine Reserve and is known for clear water, colorful reefs, and marine life including tropical fish, spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, and occasionally dolphins. It's one of the main stops on this tour and typically gets 45 minutes to 1.5 hours in the water.

Will I definitely see sea turtles?

Sea turtles are most likely at Tintamarre Island, one of the tour's main stops, but sightings depend on conditions and timing. Creole Rock and other stops also have sea turtles in the area, so encounters are common but not guaranteed.

How much time do you actually spend snorkeling versus traveling between stops?

Each of the four to five stops typically lasts 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, so the majority of the seven-hour day is in the water or on the beach. The catamaran is fast and stable, so travel time between locations is kept short.

Is all the snorkeling gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets in all sizes are provided on the boat. You don't need to bring or rent gear separately. Everything is ready when you board.

What's included in the lunch and open bar?

Lunch is a full BBQ served on board with jerk and curry chicken skewers, garlic shrimp skewers, Greek pasta salad, baguette and garlic bread. The open bar includes beer, assorted liquors, sodas, juices, and water throughout the day, plus a tropical fruit platter in the afternoon.