Captain Bob Speed Boat, Snorkeling, Beach Tour & Lunch St Maarten

St. Maarten is best seen from the water, and this six-hour speedboat trip packs both the French and Dutch sides into one lively day. You’ll snorkel near Tintamarre, eat lunch on Pinel Island, stop at Creole Rock, swim at a major beach, and finish beneath the aircraft at Maho Beach.

I like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 22 people, and I like how much is included for $139: lunch, drinks, snacks, flotation gear, and snorkeling equipment. The main caution is the ride itself. This is a fast boat on open water, so expect spray, sun, and rough patches rather than a quiet cruise.

Quick points before you book

• Five very different stops: You get an uninhabited nature reserve, a calm beach setting, two snorkeling areas, and the famous airport shoreline.
• Captain Brett and Dylan may be your crew: Their humor, local stories, and attention to safety are a big part of the day.
• Snorkeling includes turtles and stingrays: Tintamarre is the key wildlife stop, while Creole Rock focuses on reef fish.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Beer, soft drinks, water, snacks, and a prepared lunch help keep the day simple.
• Cruise-ship timing is taken seriously: The company guarantees an on-time return and can adjust departure times for ship schedules.
• Bring $10 cash for the nature reserve: This fee is not included in the tour price.

Why this St. Maarten boat tour works so well

St. Maarten and St. Martin share one small island between two countries, and the boat gives you a practical way to see both sides without spending the day in traffic. From the marina in Philipsburg, you head toward French-side waters, small islands, beaches, reefs, and the airport shore.

The pace is active but not frantic. You are not simply pulled from one photo stop to another. The day includes real time in the water, time to eat, and time to sit on the sand with a drink. The crew also fills the boat rides with stories about the island, local culture, marine life, and points of interest.

That mix matters. Many island tours offer either a beach day or a sightseeing ride. This one gives you a sample of several St. Maarten experiences in one outing. It is especially useful if you are visiting from a cruise ship and have only one day on the island.

The boat holds no more than 22 people. In practice, some departures have had about 14 or 15 people, which gives the trip a more personal feel than a large catamaran excursion. You can ask questions, get help with the equipment, and hear the captain without competing with a crowd.

Leaving Dock Maarten at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Dock Maarten on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. From the cruise port, the marina is a short walk, with some cruise passengers describing it as roughly 15 minutes. Give yourself enough time to leave the ship, walk over, and check in without rushing.

The scheduled start is 9:30 a.m., although earlier and later departures may be arranged for different cruise schedules. When you book, you need to provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time.

That information is not just paperwork. The tour operator says it will guarantee your return to the ship on time and can adjust the start for cruise schedules. If your ship arrives late or does not arrive, a refund is available for a missed tour caused by that delay or non-arrival.

Once aboard, expect a quick safety briefing and an explanation of the flotation equipment and snorkeling gear. The crew takes safety seriously, and the first mate helps people in and out of the water. This is useful at stops where the boat is offshore and conditions are less calm.

Tintamarre Island: turtles, stingrays, and open water

The first stop is Tintamarre Island, an uninhabited island inside the French Nature Reserve. It can only be reached by boat, and large groups are restricted, so this stop feels more removed from the cruise-port scene.

You receive instructions on using the mask, snorkel, and flotation device before getting in. The water here is known for green sea turtles, stingrays, and tropical fish. The scheduled stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you a solid first swim rather than a quick look.

This is the stop that makes the tour more than a beach-hopping trip. You are visiting a protected marine area, and the crew explains the local ecosystem while helping you stay aware of the conditions.

Keep your expectations sensible. Snorkeling depends on wind, water clarity, current, and the season. One experienced snorkeler found the reef life less impressive than expected, while other participants saw turtles, stingrays, fish, and coral. The crew may change locations if conditions affect safety or visibility.

If you are not a confident swimmer, the flotation devices are important. You can still take part, but this tour includes several water stops, and you should be comfortable getting wet and moving around a boat.

Pinel Island: lunch, calm water, and time to relax

After Tintamarre, the boat heads to Pinel Island. This is the slower part of the day, with calm, shallow water, palm trees, soft sand, and a chance to get out of the swim gear for a while.

You have about an hour here. Lunch is included, along with drinks, and the stop also gives you time to browse for souvenirs. The meal is a prepared lunch rather than a restaurant experience. A ham and cheese sandwich made with bread from a French bakery has been a particular favorite, and a vegetarian option is available if requested when booking.

The beach setting is a welcome change after the speedboat ride. You can sit with a beer, eat, stroll, or wade in the shallow water. Pinel Island is also a good point in the day for anyone who wants a break from constant swimming.

The tradeoff is that the stop includes a public beach and souvenir shopping, so it is less remote than Tintamarre. If your ideal tour is six hours of isolated coves, this section may feel more developed. For most people, the mix works well because it provides food, shade or sand time, and a proper pause.

Creole Rock: the second snorkeling stop

The next water stop is Creole Rock, near the French side. The snorkeling focus changes here. Tintamarre is best known for turtles and stingrays, while Creole Rock is a reef stop with tropical fish and coral.

You get around 45 minutes in the water. That is enough time for a relaxed swim and a second look at the island’s marine life, especially if the first stop was focused on larger animals.

The crew supplies the mask, snorkel, and flotation equipment, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well. The provided gear has been described as being in good shape, and the crew gives instructions before each stop.

As with Tintamarre, conditions can change the experience. Wind can make the sea rough, and reef health is not perfect in every area. The tour’s strength is the amount of time it gives you in the water, not a promise of perfect underwater conditions every day.

Mullet Bay or Long Bay: one last swim

The fourth stop is usually Mullet Bay or Long Bay, depending on the day’s conditions. Both are known for white sand and clear Caribbean water, and this stop is designed for swimming, floating, and relaxing rather than a formal guided snorkel.

You have about 45 minutes here. The crew may offer a noodle and a beer, making this the most casual part of the day. It is a good chance to let your muscles rest after two snorkeling stops.

The exact beach can change. That flexibility is a positive when wind or waves affect the route, but it means you should not treat one particular beach as guaranteed. The captain has discretion to adjust the itinerary for safety and comfort.

This is also a useful reminder about the tour’s overall style. It is not a rigid sightseeing circuit. The crew tries to preserve the best parts of the day when conditions shift, which may mean visiting four stops instead of five or changing the order.

Maho Beach and the airport spectacle

The last stop is Princess Juliana International Airport, where aircraft pass low over Maho Beach during takeoff and landing. The boat stops near the beach for about 30 minutes, giving you time to watch the planes and take in one of St. Maarten’s most famous sights.

The size of the aircraft and the low approach make this a memorable finish. You may not catch a landing or takeoff during your exact stop, since flight schedules change, but the airport visit is built into the tour rather than left as an optional extra.

Maho is a developed, popular beach, so do not expect the quiet feel of Tintamarre. Its appeal is the spectacle, not solitude. After a day of swimming and snorkeling, the airport stop adds a distinctly St. Maarten moment that you cannot easily duplicate elsewhere.

The tour then returns to Dock Maarten. Since the day is planned around cruise schedules, keep your ship’s required boarding time in mind when booking and tell the operator about any unusual schedule.

What is included for $139?

At $139 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the included food, drinks, and equipment. You are paying for roughly six hours on the water, a captain and local guide, five planned stops, snorkeling gear, flotation devices, lunch, snacks, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and water.

The value is strongest for cruise passengers. Booking separate transportation, beach access, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks would take more planning and could cost nearly as much. The on-time return promise also has real value when missing the ship is your main concern.

Two costs are extra. The French Nature Reserve fee is $10 per person and must be paid in cash at check-in. Gratuities are not included, with 15 to 20 percent recommended for good service.

The boat tour is not the cheapest way to spend a beach day. If you want one beach, a slow lunch, and no schedule, a simple taxi trip may suit you better. But if you want wildlife, several beaches, two snorkeling stops, local commentary, and the airport, the bundled price makes sense.

The ride, the weather, and the physical side

The speedboat is part of the attraction, not just transportation. You get fast runs between stops and wide views of the island, but open water can be bumpy. The ride may be uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness or anyone expecting a smooth sightseeing cruise.

You will also spend much of the day in sun and water. Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and anything you need to stay comfortable between swims. The tour provides equipment and flotation devices, but personal items should be kept secure and protected from spray.

Weather can affect the route. If conditions are poor, the operator may change the itinerary, offer another date, or provide a full refund if the tour is canceled. This flexibility is important because the best snorkeling stop on paper is not always the safest stop on a windy day.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but tell the operator about health issues, disabilities, or special needs at booking. Dietary needs should also be shared in advance, especially if you want the vegetarian lunch.

The crew makes a real difference

The strongest part of this experience is the crew’s combination of safety, humor, and local information. Captain Brett and first mate Dylan have led many departures, and their friendly banter helps the day feel relaxed rather than scripted.

The crew explains how to use the gear, assists people in and out of the boat, and watches conditions at each stop. They also share stories about St. Maarten, its beaches, history, and marine environment while you move between locations.

That personal attention is easier to provide with a boat limited to 22 people. It also explains why repeat visitors return to the tour. The route is attractive, but the people running it turn a list of stops into a full day out.

The guides may vary, and the tour can be multilingual. Still, the operator’s small, family-run character is clear in the way the schedule can be adjusted for cruise passengers and changing sea conditions.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose Captain Bob’s tour if you want to see several sides of St. Maarten in one day and enjoy being active. It suits couples, families with older children, first-time visitors, and cruise passengers who want more than a short beach stop.

You should be comfortable with swimming, sun, and a fast boat. If you dislike rough water, need a quiet day, or prefer a fixed schedule with no route changes, this may not be the right match.

Book it if you care about time in the water, wildlife, local conversation, and a full package that includes food and drinks. Skip it if your main goal is a long, peaceful afternoon on one beach.

Should you book Captain Bob’s St. Maarten boat tour?

For most active visitors, yes. The tour gives you a strong first look at both sides of the island, with enough time for snorkeling, swimming, lunch, beach time, and Maho’s aircraft show.

The best reasons to book are the small boat, the reliable cruise-ship timing, the amount of included food and drink, and the chance to see turtles and stingrays in a protected area. Just budget the extra $10 cash reserve fee and gratuity, and prepare for a bumpy ride.

If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a practical and memorable way to meet St. Maarten from the water.

FAQ

How long is the Captain Bob speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m., with earlier or later departures available upon request to fit cruise schedules.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends at Dock Maarten, Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and water are included. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and flotation devices. The crew provides instructions before the snorkeling stops.

Is the nature reserve fee included?

No. You must pay a $10 per person nature reserve fee in cash at check-in.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose another date or experience.