Tintamarre first, then turtles and stingrays. This is one of the best ways to see both sides of St Maarten without sitting with the cruise crowds, and you also get snorkel gear plus lunch and drinks in the same price. One thing to consider: it’s a speedboat day, so the ride can feel choppy when the water kicks up.

I like that the tour is built for cruise schedules: there’s an on-time return guarantee so you don’t end up stress-watching the clock. With a maximum group size of 22, you spend more time swimming and less time waiting. The captain and crew also bring the stories—names you might hear on board include Captain Brett and first mate Dillon, both of whom are known for mixing safety, humor, and local context.

You’ll meet up at Dock Maarten, then spend the next ~6 hours bouncing from reserve water to postcard beaches, finishing at Maho Beach to watch the planes come in low. If you’re prone to seasickness, this is the only real “heads up” I’d give—plan to be flexible, and expect you’ll be outside for most of the day.

Key things to love about Captain Bob’s St Maarten speedboat day

• Small-group feel (max 22) with lots of time in the water
• Snorkel stops in protected areas where turtles and stingrays are part of the plan
• Five stops that mix French and Dutch St Maarten highlights, plus airport drama at the end
• Lunch, snacks, and drinks included so you’re not hunting for food between swims
• Return timing built for cruise ships, with staff focused on getting you back on schedule

Why this speedboat tour works better than big cruise excursions

This is the kind of island day I’d choose if you want variety without the long, crowded “bus-to-everything” feeling. You’re out on the water quickly, and the stops are chosen to get you away from the densest cruise-anchored zones.

The mix matters: you get the French side’s nature reserve vibe early, then you transition into Dutch-side beaches and the classic airport show at Maho. In practice, that gives you a day that feels like more than a single beach plus a quick look around town.

And the crew approach helps. In past trips on this route, the captain and first mate (often cited as Brett and Dillon) keep the day moving while still making time for proper safety briefings and getting people sorted for the water.

Price and what’s actually included (plus the cash you’ll need)

At $139 per person, this tour prices itself in the “worth it if you’ll snorkel and swim” category. The value comes from bundling the key costs you’d otherwise piece together: boat transportation, snorkeling equipment, flotation devices, lunch, and drinks/snacks.

Here’s what’s included:

• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Lunch and snacks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Flotation devices
• A captain/local guide and commentary
• The on-time return guarantee

One catch: the nature reserve fee is not included. You’ll pay a $10/person reserve fee in cash at check-in.

Also budget for gratuity. The tour recommends 15–20%.

Dock Maarten to Tintamarre Island: the French reserve start

You’ll start at Dock Maarten (Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Philipsburg). After you dock, you walk a short distance to the marina area to board the speedboat, with the departure time listed at 9:30am.

The first stop is Tintamarre Island, in a French Nature Reserve. The big idea is simple: you’re going somewhere that boats can reach but big groups can’t. That usually means a calmer, more nature-focused snorkel start instead of a crowded entry.

Once onboard gear is sorted, you’ll head into a protected area that’s known for sea turtles and stingrays. In a lot of Caribbean tours, turtles are a wish. Here, it’s part of the plan, and the day’s structure gives you real time in the water right away.

Potential drawback: because this is a speedboat and the stop is on an exposed side of the island at times, conditions can turn choppy. If you’re sensitive, take it slow during the first transfer and be ready for the boat ride to be energetic.

Pinel Island lunch break: calm water, drinks in hand, and a little shopping time

Next comes Pinel Island. This is the “unwind” portion of the day: calm, waist-deep waters and a relaxed pace after the first snorkel stop.

You’ll have about an hour here, with time for a drink and your lunch. There’s also a chance to browse souvenirs.

What I like about a stop like Pinel is that it breaks up the day. You’re not doing back-to-back water entries the whole time. You can dry off, eat, and reset your legs before the next snorkel.

If you’re traveling with kids or people who aren’t fully sold on snorkeling, Pinel tends to be the moment where everyone finds something easy to enjoy.

Creole Rock snorkeling: coral reef energy without a long trek

Creole Rock is your next snorkel stop, built around reef life. This is one of the places where you can expect bright fish and colorful marine activity, since it’s described as a coral reef area.

The time window is shorter here—about 45 minutes—so the key is to snorkel with purpose. Get your breathing rhythm and position early, then settle into the reef.

A useful tip from how the day is paced: when the crew calls you back to the boat, go right away. Speedboat days run on timing, and the captain has to keep moving between reserves and beach sections.

Also, remember snorkeling is weather-dependent. The tour requires good conditions, and if conditions shift, the captain can adjust the itinerary and locations visited for safety.

Mullet Bay or Long Bay: your last swim and beach time

After Creole Rock, you’ll get one more swim at either Mullet Bay or Long Bay. Both are known for beautiful beaches, and this is the “one more dip” stop.

This part of the day is about 45 minutes. You may also have your last chance for drinks and snacks before you head toward the famous airport finish.

The practical value of this stop is that it gives you a proper beach payoff after the snorkel focus. You’re not done with water fun, but it’s also less equipment-heavy than the reef snorkel locations.

Watching planes land at Maho Beach: the Caribbean airport thrill

The final stop is Maho Beach for Princess Juliana International Airport views. This is the moment most people remember: commercial jets taking off and landing directly overhead.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here. It’s short on purpose, because it’s part of a five-stop loop that still needs to get you back on time.

If you want a good plane view, show up ready. Don’t spend your limited time fiddling with gear. Your best bet is to position yourself quickly, then enjoy the show.

Drinks, snacks, and lunch: what a day on a fast boat really costs you

The tour includes lunch plus unlimited snacks and drinks while you’re on the water. That matters more than it sounds. A boat day can eat up your budget fast once you’re out from land.

The “boat meal” format also helps the day feel smoother. Instead of losing time to a restaurant search, you eat during the scheduled beach break, then rejoin the action.

From the on-the-boat experiences people describe, the lunch tends to be satisfying for a day trip on the move, and the snack/drink flow keeps energy up between snorkeling stops. There’s also a steady focus on keeping everyone comfortable after water entries.

How safety and comfort play out on a small speedboat

This tour runs on a small speedboat and is designed for a maximum group size of 22. That small scale is a big reason the day feels more personal.

Safety is a repeated theme for the crew. Before snorkeling, you’ll get briefings on how to use the snorkeling equipment and flotation devices, and the captain/crew assist with getting you in and out at the stops.

One consideration: open-water speedboat travel means the ride can be bumpy at times. If you feel uncomfortable with waves, bring a mindset for it. You’ll likely do best if you’re able to enjoy the motion rather than fight it.

If you want to maximize comfort, keep your expectations realistic: you’re going for snorkel time, beach time, and island views, not a quiet cruise.

The route meaning for your itinerary: French vs Dutch in one day

A lot of St Maarten/St Martin day trips try to cover everything, then do it with heavy hopping. This one uses a route that actually feels like two experiences.

You start with the French Nature Reserve setting at Tintamarre, then shift to beach breaks like Pinel and reef-focused Creole Rock. By the time you reach Mullet Bay/Long Bay and finish at Maho, you’re seeing the classic Dutch-side beach and the island’s airport spectacle.

That structure also gives you variety if your group has different priorities:

• Snorkel fans get multiple water stops
• Beach lovers get more than one shoreline moment
• Plane watchers end the day with a crowd-pleaser

Who should book this tour (and who might want a different style)

I think this fits best if you:

• Want a boat-forward day that still includes real snorkel time
• Care about avoiding cruise crowds and doing it in a smaller group
• Like the idea of both French and Dutch scenery in one loop
• Have kids or mixed-interest family members who still want an active day

It’s also a good fit if you want a tour that takes cruise schedules seriously. The day is built around getting you back on time, with a stated guarantee for return timing.

If you’re someone who gets motion sick easily or prefers slow, calm sightseeing, you might find the speedboat ride less comfortable than you’d like. The stops are great, but the transportation is intentionally energetic.

Should you book Captain Bob’s St Maarten speedboat, snorkeling, beach tour, and lunch?

If your goal is a full St Maarten day with multiple swims, good food built in, and that famous Maho airport finish, I’d say yes—this is one of the more cost-efficient ways to pack it in at $139 per person. Just plan for the $10 cash nature reserve fee and the recommended gratuity.

Book it when:

• You’ll snorkel and you want more than one water stop
• You want the French reserve + Dutch beaches combo
• You care about getting back to your cruise ship without stress

Consider skipping or choosing a calmer option if:

• You’re very sensitive to choppy water
• Your idea of a beach day is mostly sitting still with minimal boat time

FAQ

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, flotation devices, lunch and snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. It also includes a captain/local guide and onboard commentary, plus the guarantee to return on time for cruise ships.

How long is the Captain Bob speedboat tour?

The experience runs about 6 hours.

How many snorkeling and beach stops are there?

There are five stops total: Tintamarre Island, Pinel Island, Creole Rock, Mullet Bay or Long Bay, and Maho Beach.

Is the nature reserve fee included?

No. There is a $10 per person nature reserve fee that you pay in cash at check-in.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Dock Maarten on Juancho Yrausquin Blvd in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30am.

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