You board a catamaran, let the waves rock you gently, the wind in your face and your hair. And then you arrive at Tintamarre — this uninhabited island sitting quietly in the Caribbean — and you start spotting them. One here. One there.
You grab the snorkel gear, jump in the water, and then — silence. Just you, the ocean, and a sea turtle gliding past you like you’re not even there.
There are no words for that moment. You just have to live it.
We’ve been living in St Martin for 25 years. We still talk about it.
This page covers the best tours to swim with sea turtles in St Maarten and St Martin — from both the Dutch and French sides of the island.
Because this is one experience you absolutely cannot miss.
Want a quick answer? These are the tours we'd book to swim with sea turtles in St Maarten — tried, tested and recommended by a local.
Most turtle-spotting tours in St Maarten depart from Simpson Bay on the Dutch side. Here are the four we recommend — from the most complete to the most intimate.
You leave Simpson Bay at 10am — no crack-of-dawn rush — and spend the day hitting the island’s best spots. Creole Rock for snorkeling, Pinel Island for the iguanas and the shallow water, Tintamarre for the turtles. That last stop is the one people talk about. An uninhabited island, a marine sanctuary, and sea turtles gliding past you in water so clear you can see the bottom from the boat.
The crew — Captain Toby, Angelo, Marritta — run a tight ship. Fun, attentive, genuinely good at what they do. The hand-shaken signature cocktails don’t hurt either.
One thing to know: Boomerang’s tours sell out fast — especially December through April. Book early.
✅ Open bar · ✅ BBQ lunch · ✅ Snorkel gear · ✅ Paddle boards · ✅ Giant lily pad
🔥 One of the most reviewed turtle tours in St Maarten.
Multiple snorkeling stops including Tintamarre and Creole Rock — both known for turtle sightings. The crew is knowledgeable, eco-conscious, and genuinely passionate about the marine life. If you want to understand what you’re seeing underwater, not just see it — this is the tour for you.
BBQ lunch cooked fresh on board, open bar all day, snorkel gear included.
One thing to know: The eco focus means the crew will brief you on responsible snorkeling — no touching, no chasing. Good for the turtles. Good for you.
✅ Open bar · ✅ BBQ lunch · ✅ Snorkel gear · ✅ Eco-focused
🔥 Best value full day turtle tour from the Dutch side.
Instead of staying around St Maarten, you cross the Anguilla Channel — 20 minutes at cruising speed — and spend the day on some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Prickly Pear Cay for snorkeling with turtles in the marine reserve. Little Bay for cliff jumping and more turtles. Shoal Bay for the sand.
The sea turtle sightings at Prickly Pear are legendary — shallow, calm water and a protected reef means they’re almost always there.
One thing to know: Bring your passport. Anguilla is a separate country. No exceptions.
[✅ Open bar · ✅ BBQ lunch · ✅ Snorkel gear · ✅ Cruise-friendly
🔥 Sells out 41 days in advance on average — book early.
Staying in Grand Case, Orient Bay, or anywhere on the French side? You don’t need to drive to Simpson Bay. This tour departs from your side of the island.
The catamaran heads to Prickly Pear — one of the best turtle spots in the region, a protected marine area with calm shallow water and a coral reef that sea turtles call home. Open bar all day, lunch included, snorkel gear provided.
If you’re staying on the French side, this is the one to book.
One thing to know: This tour is on GetYourGuide — our French Side operators tend to list there rather than Viator.
✅ Open bar · ✅ Lunch included · ✅ Snorkel gear · ✅ French Side departure
🔥Likely to sell out
Twenty-five years on this island. Here’s what we actually tell people before they jump in the water.
The turtles are not guaranteed — but Tintamarre comes close. Tintamarre is a protected marine sanctuary. No fishing, no development, no disturbance. The turtles come back because it’s safe. In 25 years, we’ve rarely heard of someone going to Tintamarre and not seeing at least one. But nature is nature — no tour can promise it.
Morning is better than afternoon. The water is calmer, clearer, and the turtles are more active. Most tours leave at 10am — that’s the sweet spot.
Don’t chase them. We know it’s tempting. But a turtle that feels threatened will dive deep and disappear. Stay calm, float quietly, let them come to you. They will.
Reef-safe sunscreen only. Regular sunscreen kills coral and disrupts marine life. The turtles live here — treat their home accordingly. Most tour operators will remind you, but bring your own reef-safe sunscreen just in case.
Bring a waterproof phone case. You will want photos. You will regret not having one
Two species live in these waters : the Green turtle and the Hawksbill. Both are protected — you can’t touch them, you can’t chase them, and the St Martin Nature Reserve makes sure of that.
They’re here all year. But summer is special — the females come ashore at night to lay their eggs on the beaches. We’ve seen it. It’s one of those things that reminds you this island is still wild.
One thing we always say : a turtle underwater moves differently than anything else. Slow, deliberate, completely unbothered by your presence. You stop swimming. You just watch. And then you understand why people come back.
Tintamarre — The best spot, full stop. Uninhabited island, protected marine sanctuary. 45 minutes from Simpson Bay, 30 minutes from Anse Marcel. No fishing, no hotels, nothing — just turtles and clear water.
Prickly Pear (Anguilla) — 20 minutes by catamaran. Shallow, calm, protected reef. If Tintamarre is the local favorite, Prickly Pear is the one that makes people gasp.
Creole Rock — Right off Grand Case. You can snorkel there from the beach. Mostly fish and rays, but turtle sightings happen. Creole Rock Watersports runs daily trips from the Grand Case Beach Club.
Little Bay (Anguilla) — Accessible only by boat. Cliff jumping, turtles, the kind of place you don’t forget.
I've lived in St Martin for 25 years — and I'm an epicurean at heart, in love with my island. I've been giving out insider tips for almost 15 years.
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No — and any tour that guarantees it is being dishonest. Tintamarre and Prickly Pear offer the highest probability, but turtles are wild animals. Most visitors see them. Some don't. The experience is worth it either way.
Yes — but you must not touch, chase, or feed them. Sea turtles are a protected species in St Martin and St Maarten. The St Martin Nature Reserve monitors their nesting sites and enforces the rules. Observe from a distance, stay calm, and let them come to you. They will.
Mostly Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Tintamarre and Prickly Pear. Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are less common but also present around the island. Both species are protected under international law.
Sea turtles are present around St Martin and St Maarten all year round. Summer months (June-September) see more activity as females come ashore at night to lay their eggs on the beaches. High season (December-April) offers the best weather and sea conditions for snorkeling.
Tintamarre Island is the best spot — a protected marine sanctuary where turtles are spotted almost every day. Prickly Pear Cay in Anguilla is a close second, with calm shallow water and a healthy coral reef. Creole Rock, just off Grand Case on the French side, also offers regular turtle sightings.
You don't need to be a strong swimmer — most tours provide life vests and noodles. But basic comfort in open water is recommended. If you're nervous, mention it to the crew before departure — they'll look after you and make sure you feel safe in the water.
Reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof case for your phone, a towel, and your passport if you're doing the Anguilla day trip. Everything else — snorkel gear, fins, food, drinks — is provided by the tour operator.
About 45 minutes by boat from Simpson Bay on the Dutch side, and approximately 30 minutes from Anse Marcel on the French side. Tintamarre is an uninhabited island and protected marine sanctuary — no road access, no facilities, just the beach and the turtles.
Yes — there is one catamaran tour departing from Grand Case on the French side that goes to Prickly Pear, one of the best turtle spots in the region. If you're staying in Orient Bay, Grand Case, or Anse Marcel, this is the most convenient option — no need to drive to the Dutch side.
Yes — most tours are family-friendly and provide snorkel gear in all sizes. The Boomerang tours and the Captain Alan small-group tour are particularly good for families. Children tend to love the turtle encounters. Just make sure they understand the rules — no touching, no chasing.
→ Vacation Rentals : Start with our own curated selection of villas and rentals — some owners accept direct bookings. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, VRBO and Booking.com have a wide selection.
→ Hotels : Expedia and Booking.com are our go-to for the best rates.
→ Car Rental : Renting a car is essential in St Martin. DiscoverCars searches all local companies for the lowest rates.
→ Tours & Excursions : We book through Viator and GetYourGuide — both offer free cancellation on most tours.
→ Flights : We search Expedia for the best deals to SXM Airport.
→ eSIM : Skip the roaming fees. Airalo works perfectly in St Martin.
