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.
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 I recommend — from the most complete to the most intimate.
Since plans can change while you’re traveling, all bookings go through trusted platforms — offering instant confirmation and the flexibility to cancel if needed.
4.8 ⭐ · Full day · Shared · Open bar · BBQ lunch · Simpson Bay · From $159
54 feet. Fast. Stable. Bean bags on the bow and a sound system that actually sounds good. You leave Simpson Bay at 10am — no crack-of-dawn alarm — and by the time you reach Tintamarre, you’ve already forgotten what day it is.
That last stop is the one. An uninhabited island, a marine sanctuary, water so clear you can see the bottom from the deck. And then you’re in it — floating, weightless — and a sea turtle glides past you like you don’t exist. Slow, deliberate, completely unbothered. You stop moving. You just watch.
Everything is handled for you — snorkel gear, BBQ lunch, drinks all day, even paddle boards to play with between stops.
Captain Toby, Angelo, Marritta run the boat like people who actually love what they do. The hand-shaken cocktails on the way back don’t hurt either. Boomerang sells out fast — if you see dates that work, don’t wait.
If swimming with turtles is your priority, this is the tour most people end up booking — simply because it gives you the best chances to actually see them.
→ Check availability for your dates & secure your spot
4.8 ⭐ · Full day · Shared · Open bar · BBQ lunch · Simpson Bay · From $139
There’s something about Billy Bones that feels a little more real from the moment you step on board.
The crew knows these waters — not in theory, but in that quiet, familiar way. The reefs, the currents, the places where turtles tend to show up. You stop at Tintamarre, at Creole Rock… and at some point you catch yourself actually paying attention. Not just floating past things, but seeing them.
Before you get in, they remind you: don’t chase, don’t rush. Just stay still. Let the moment happen.
Most of the time, it does.
Lunch is cooked on board, drinks are there all day, everything’s easy — but that’s not really what stays with you. It’s the feeling of being in the right place, with people who know exactly where to go.
If you’re looking for something a bit more grounded — and still one of the best chances to see turtles — this is the one people quietly keep coming back to.
If you’re looking for something a little more thoughtful — not just another boat day, but one where you actually slow down and notice what’s around you — this is the one people tend to choose.
→ Check availability for your dates & secure your spot
4.8 ⭐ · Full day · Shared · Open bar · BBQ lunch · Simpson Bay · From $169
✅ Cruise-friendly
Same Boomerang boat. Same crew. But the moment you clear the channel and Anguilla appears on the horizon, you feel it — this isn’t quite the same day anymore.
Twenty minutes across and everything shifts. Prickly Pear first — shallow, calm, almost unreal. You can see the turtles before you even put your mask on. Then Little Bay, tucked under the cliffs. Then Shoal Bay… that sand, that colour, that kind of quiet you don’t really find on St Maarten.
Anguilla does something to people. They come back a little slower. A little fuller.
One practical thing — bring your passport. Anguilla is a separate country, and they do check.
If you like the idea of seeing turtles but also want that feeling of going somewhere else entirely, this is the one people tend to choose.
There are days you remember — and this is usually one of them, especially if you’re looking for something a little different from St Maarten.
→ Check availability for your dates & secure your spot
4.9 ⭐ · Half day · Max 12 travelers · Sandwiches & drinks · Simpson Bay · From $99
Some of the best moments here happen in small groups — and this is exactly why people choose this tour.
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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.
⭐ Full day · Shared · Open ar · Lunch included · Grand Case departure · From $206
You’re staying on the French side. You don’t need to cross the island.
The catamaran leaves from Grand Case — ten minutes from Orient Bay, five from Anse Marcel — and heads straight to Prickly Pear. A protected marine reserve, shallow calm water, and a reef that sea turtles have been coming back to for years.
You’re in the water quickly. No long crossings, no logistics. Just that moment — quiet, clear, and exactly what you came for.
Everything is taken care of on board — lunch, drinks, snorkel gear — so you can just enjoy the day.
If you’re staying on the French side and don’t want to overthink it, this is the one people naturally go for.
Staying on the French side? This is the easiest way to do it — no crossing the island, just straight out to the best spots.
→ Check availability for your dates & secure your spot
A few things I always tell people before they get in the water.
The turtles are not guaranteed — but Tintamarre comes close. It’s a protected marine sanctuary. No fishing, no development, nothing to disturb them. They come back because it’s safe. I’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. 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. I 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.
Please use Reef-safe sunscreen only. Regular sunscreen kills coral and disrupts marine life. The turtles live here — treat their home accordingly.
And bring a waterproof case for your phone. You will want photos. You will regret not having one.
Note : The turtles live here. Treat their home accordingly.
→ Find reef-safe sunscreen on Amazon
Two species live in these waters — the Green turtle and the Hawksbill. Both protected, both present all year. But summer is when things get quietly extraordinary. The females come ashore at night to lay their eggs on the beaches. I’ve seen it. There are no words for it — just the darkness, the sand, and this ancient creature doing what she’s always done.
Underwater, a turtle moves differently than anything else. Slow. Deliberate. Completely unbothered by your presence. You stop swimming. You stop thinking. You just watch.
And then you understand why people come back to this island.
Tintamarre — The best spot on the island, and it’s not close. An uninhabited island, a protected marine sanctuary, no fishing, no hotels, no noise. Just clear water and turtles that have been coming back here for longer than any of us. About 45 minutes from Simpson Bay, 30 from Anse Marcel.
Prickly Pear — Twenty minutes by catamaran, just off Anguilla. Shallow, calm, protected. I’ve watched people come out of that water and just stand there for a moment, not quite ready to speak.
Creole Rock — Right off Grand Case. You can reach it from the beach. Mostly fish and rays, but turtles show up. Creole Rock Watersports runs daily trips from the Grand Case Beach Club.
Little Bay — Accessible only by boat, tucked below the cliffs of Anguilla. The kind of place that doesn’t feel real until you’re in it.
This is exactly why most people choose a boat tour — these spots aren’t easily accessible on your own.
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.
🌊 Looking for more adventures?
→ See all things to do in St Maarten
→ Day trips to Anguilla from St Maarten
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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