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

Five stops, one lively boat ride. Captain Bob’s six-hour outing packs a lot into one day: turtle snorkeling at Tintamarre, lunch on Pinel Island, reef fish at Creole Rock, beach time, and airplanes overhead at Maho Beach. I especially like the small-group format and the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and flotation devices are included.

I also like the cruise-ship return guarantee, which removes one major worry from a port-day excursion. The main consideration is the boat ride itself. It can be bumpy on open water, and you should be comfortable with plenty of sun, swimming, and getting on and off a speedboat.

The price is $139 per person, plus a $10 nature reserve fee paid in cash at check-in. With food, beer, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and five stops included, this is a solid value for an active day on the water, though it is not the right pick if you want a quiet, slow-moving beach day.

Key points to know before booking

• Turtle snorkeling comes first at Tintamarre, an uninhabited island inside the French Nature Reserve.
• Pinel Island provides the relaxed middle break, with lunch, drinks, calm water, and time to browse souvenirs.
• Creole Rock offers a second snorkeling setting, with reef fish and coral rather than the turtle habitat.
• Mullet Bay or Long Bay supplies beach time, plus the chance to float with a noodle and beer.
• Maho Beach ends the route with airplane action, as commercial jets pass low over the beach during arrivals and departures.
• The boat holds no more than 22 people, although smaller groups are common and help the day feel personal.

What this six-hour boat day is really like

This is an active island tour rather than a simple boat transfer. You spend much of the day moving between the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten, with regular stops for swimming, snorkeling, eating, and beach time.

The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m. from Dock Maarten on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. If you arrive by cruise ship, the marina is described as a short walk from the port area. One useful planning detail is that the walk can take about 15 minutes, so allow extra time rather than leaving the ship at the last possible moment.

The maximum group size is 22 people. In practice, the boat often carries fewer, with several outings running at around 14 or 15 people. That matters when you need help with a mask, want to ask a question, or are climbing back aboard after snorkeling. The crew can also arrange earlier or later departures on request to fit different cruise schedules.

The guides provide local stories, island history, and information about the marine environment during the ride. Captains Brett and Bob, along with first mate Dylan, have received particular praise for their humor, safety focus, and easy rapport. The exact crew can vary, but the intended style is clear: practical instruction mixed with plenty of conversation and jokes.

Tintamarre Island: turtles in a protected setting

The first stop is Tintamarre Island, an uninhabited piece of land inside the French Nature Reserve. It is reached only by boat, and large groups are not allowed, which gives the stop a more remote feel than the island’s main beaches.

You receive a briefing on the snorkeling equipment and flotation devices before entering the water. This is the place to look for green sea turtles, stingrays, and tropical fish. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, long enough for a proper swim rather than a quick look over the side.

I like starting here because the water activity comes before lunch and beach lounging. You get into the sea while your energy is high, and the protected setting makes the first stop feel different from the more developed parts of St. Maarten.

Keep your expectations sensible. Marine conditions change with wind, visibility, and current. One experienced snorkeler found the reef condition less impressive than expected, while still praising the overall day. If you are a serious scuba diver or dedicated reef enthusiast, this may not replace a specialized marine trip. For most people, though, seeing turtles and stingrays in a natural setting is a memorable beginning.

The boat crew also provides flotation support, which helps if you are not a strong swimmer. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and you should mention health concerns or mobility needs when booking.

Pinel Island: lunch, calm water, and a change of pace

After Tintamarre, the boat heads to Pinel Island for about an hour. This is the most restful stop of the day, with palm trees, soft sand, and shallow water that is described as calm and around waist depth.

Lunch is included. The meal has been described as a prepared sandwich, including ham and cheese on bread from a French bakery, with a vegetarian option available if requested in advance. It is not a restaurant meal with a long menu, but it suits a boat excursion well: easy to eat, filling, and served without taking half the stop away from the beach.

Drinks are included too. You can have water, soft drinks, beer, and other alcoholic beverages, along with snacks throughout the outing. That inclusion adds real value to the price, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks at a beach stop.

Pinel is also the best place to pause between water activities. You can sit on the sand, walk a little, swim in calmer water, or browse for souvenirs. The tradeoff is that this is a popular beach setting, not an untouched island stop. You will have more activity around you than at Tintamarre.

If you have dietary requirements, tell the operator when booking. The vegetarian option is available, but special needs should not be left until the morning of departure.

Creole Rock: a second look at St. Maarten’s marine life

The third stop is Creole Rock, with about 45 minutes set aside for another snorkeling session. This stop changes the scenery and the type of marine viewing. Instead of Tintamarre’s turtle habitat, you look around a reef area known for coral and tropical fish.

That second snorkeling stop is one of the tour’s strongest features. You are not betting the entire day on one patch of water. If wind or visibility affects the first stop, conditions at Creole Rock may be different, and the captain can adjust the route for safety and comfort.

The crew gives instructions and helps people enter and leave the water. This matters on a small boat, where careful timing is needed to keep everyone safe and comfortable. The trip is built for ordinary swimmers and families, but it still requires you to be willing to swim and climb a short distance back onto the boat.

The open-water ride between stops can be fast and rough. The speed is part of the fun, but it is not gentle. Hold on, secure loose items, and expect spray and sun. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly.

Mullet Bay or Long Bay: the last swim before Maho

The fourth stop is usually Mullet Bay or Long Bay, depending on conditions and the captain’s judgment. Both are known for white sand and clear Caribbean water, and the stop lasts about 45 minutes.

This is less about organized snorkeling and more about floating, swimming, and relaxing. The boat carries noodles, and the trip includes beer and other drinks, so you can settle into the water without needing to rush through another structured activity.

The choice between Mullet Bay and Long Bay is one of the reasons the captain needs flexibility. Wind and sea conditions can change quickly, and the best beach for the day may not be the beach originally expected. The itinerary can be adjusted for safety and comfort.

I see this stop as useful recovery time. By now, you have already snorkeled twice and spent hours in the sun. A simple swim lets you enjoy St. Maarten without another checklist of sights. Still, the stop may feel short if you want a long, lazy beach session. Forty-five minutes goes quickly once you have walked from the boat, found a place to sit, and entered the water.

Maho Beach: airplanes overhead to finish the day

The final stop is Princess Juliana International Airport, better known to many visitors through Maho Beach. The boat stops for roughly 30 minutes so you can watch commercial aircraft take off and land directly over the beach.

This is a very different finish from the nature reserve and reef stops. Maho is a spectacle, and the timing of aircraft movements can never be guaranteed. You may see a plane arrive or depart during your stop, but the experience depends on the airport schedule.

The beach is famous because of the low flight path, not because it is the quietest or most secluded shore on the island. That contrast makes it a fun final scene after a day of protected water and empty-island stops. You may also find this is the loudest part of the day, especially when an aircraft passes overhead.

The tour ends back at Dock Maarten. For cruise passengers, the return guarantee is a major advantage. You still need to follow the stated meeting and re-boarding details, but the operator specifically structures the trip around cruise schedules and will issue refunds if the excursion is missed because a ship arrives late or fails to arrive.

What the $139 price includes

At $139 per person, the tour costs more than a basic beach transfer but includes far more. The package covers:

• Captain and local guide
• Snorkeling equipment
• Flotation devices
• Lunch
• Snacks
• Soft drinks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Five stops across both sides of St. Maarten

The value is strongest if you plan to eat and drink during the outing anyway. Buying a separate lunch, rental gear, drinks, and transportation to several beaches could quickly narrow the price difference.

Remember to add the $10 nature reserve fee, payable in cash at check-in. Gratuity is not included, with 15 to 20 percent recommended for good service. The crew’s safety attention, local commentary, and help in the water are central parts of the experience, so include that cost when setting your budget.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 4,338 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it. Those numbers suggest unusually steady satisfaction, especially with the crew, food, small-group feel, and range of activities. They do not remove the main risks: rough seas, strong sun, and snorkeling conditions that depend on the weather.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want to see a lot of St. Maarten in one port day and like switching between activities. Families with older children, couples, groups of friends, and active cruise passengers are the best fit.

You will probably enjoy it if you want:

• Two separate snorkeling locations
• A chance to see turtles and stingrays
• Beach time without arranging your own transport
• Lunch and drinks included
• Local stories during the ride
• A small group rather than a large ship excursion
• A firm return plan for your cruise

You may want something else if you dislike speedboats, have difficulty with repeated water entry and exit, or want several uninterrupted hours on one beach. The boat ride can be bumpy, and the day moves at a steady pace.

Most people can participate, but you should report health issues, mobility concerns, or dietary requirements when booking. The operator can make route changes when sea conditions require them.

Booking details and cancellation terms

You receive confirmation when booking, and the operator accepts cruise passengers and people staying at hotels on the island. Cruise passengers should provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

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

I would book it if this is your only day in St. Maarten and you want a broad sample of the island from the water. The combination is hard to beat: turtles at Tintamarre, lunch at Pinel, reef fish at Creole Rock, a white-sand beach, and the famous aircraft stop at Maho.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the small-group service, the included food and drinks, and the careful attention to cruise timing. Captains Brett and Dylan have also been praised for making the ride funny without losing sight of safety.

Just arrive ready for sun, swimming, and a fast, sometimes bumpy boat. Pay the $10 reserve fee in cash, request a vegetarian meal if needed, and leave enough time to walk from your ship to Dock Maarten. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a well-priced way to turn a single port call into a full island outing.

FAQ

How long is Captain Bob’s St. Maarten tour?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends back at Dock Maarten.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Dock Maarten on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and flotation devices are included in the tour price.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 22 people. Earlier or later departure times may be available on request to accommodate different cruise schedules.

Do cruise passengers receive a guaranteed return to the ship?

The operator guarantees an on-time return to the cruise ship. Cruise passengers must provide their ship and port schedule details when booking.

What extra costs should I expect?

A $10 nature reserve fee per person must be paid in cash at check-in. Gratuities are not included, and 15 to 20 percent is recommended.