Captain Bob's St Maarten Speed Boat Snorkeling & Beach Tour — Five Stops in a Day
If you want to see the most of the island in one go, this is the trip. The St Maarten speed boat snorkeling and beach tour with Captain Bob avoids the cruise-ship crowds and visits both the Dutch and French sides in a small, family-friendly group, with five stops that mix reef snorkeling, a sea-turtle habitat, white-sand beaches and the famous low-flying planes at Maho. At 4.9 stars across more than 4,400 reviews it's the most-booked boat trip on the island. Here's everything to know before you go, plus how it stacks up against the other st maarten snorkeling tours.
About the Speed Boat Snorkeling Tour
Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund
Hold your spot and pay closer to the day
Five stops on the Dutch and French sides
Snorkel a turtle and stingray habitat off uninhabited islands
White-sand beach stop with lunch and unlimited snacks
Anchor under the jets landing at the famous airport
Why Book Captain Bob's Speed Boat Tour
Most St Maarten snorkel trips pick one or two sites and stay put. This one keeps moving: a fast, comfortable speedboat carries a small group around the island for five different stops, so you get reef fish at one anchorage, sea turtles and stingrays at the next, a quiet white-sand beach for lunch, and a finale parked beneath the planes at Maho. The captains share entertaining commentary on the island's history along the way, and snacks and drinks are included throughout. It's rated 4.9 stars across more than 4,400 reviews — the highest-volume boat trip on the island. See how it compares head to head on our snorkeling tours in st maarten page.
Because the group is small and the boat is quick, you cover a lot of water without the cattle-herd feeling of the big catamarans. Reviewers regularly mention turtles, stingrays, sea urchins and clouds of tropical fish, plus crews — Dylan, Brett, Tony — who patiently brief first-timers on snorkeling and boat safety.
It also works neatly for cruise passengers: the meeting point is a short walk from the pier, and a typical day runs roughly 9:30am to 3:00pm, leaving time to get back aboard. You don't need to be an experienced snorkeler — the crew gears you up and keeps an eye on the group at every stop.
What You'll See Underwater
The five stops are chosen to show off different parts of St Maarten's marine environment, from sheltered reef to seagrass turtle habitat. On a typical day you can expect:
- Green sea turtles grazing the seagrass at the turtle-habitat stop
- Southern stingrays gliding over the sandy patches
- Parrotfish, sergeant majors, blue tang and yellowtail snapper on the reef
- Sea urchins and starfish tucked into the rocks and sand
- Clear, warm water with good visibility on settled days
- Uninhabited islands and quiet white-sand beaches between snorkels
What's Included (and What Isn't)
What's Included
- A six-hour small-group speedboat tour with five stops
- Snorkeling gear and an in-water-friendly briefing at each site
- Lunch plus unlimited snacks on board
- Drinks throughout the day
- Entertaining live commentary on the island's history
- Visits to both the Dutch and French sides of the island
Not Included
- Gratuities for the crew (optional but appreciated)
- Your own towel, swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen
- Hotel pickup — the meeting point is near the cruise pier
How the Day Flows
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9:30am
Board near the pier
Meet the crew a short walk from the cruise port and set off in the small-group speedboat.
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Stop 1
Reef snorkel
First anchorage over a sheltered reef alive with parrotfish, sergeant majors and tropical fish.
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Stop 2
Sea-turtle habitat
Drop in over the seagrass to snorkel with green turtles and stingrays off an uninhabited island.
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Midday
Beach stop & lunch
Pull up on a white-sand beach for lunch, snacks and time to sunbathe and swim.
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Afternoon
Maho Beach planes
Anchor beneath the famous airport approach to watch the jets land low overhead.
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3:00pm
Cruise back
Relax on deck for the ride back, in good time for cruise passengers to re-board.
Important Things to Know Before You Go
A little preparation makes a sun-exposed day on a fast boat much smoother.
- What to bring: swimwear under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Not allowed: standing on or touching coral, and littering — the French-side sites are a protected reserve
- Bring a little cash for crew tips and any optional extras
- The boat is fast and can bounce in chop — take a seasickness tablet beforehand if you're prone to it
- Cruise passengers: give the crew your ship's all-aboard time so they get you back on schedule
- You don't need to be a strong swimmer — gear and a briefing are provided — but say so if you're nervous
Want a calmer, sail-powered day instead of a fast powerboat? The St Maarten trimaran sailing cruise trades speed for quiet sailing and a single sheltered snorkel stop. For an open-bar catamaran day with a BBQ lunch in Grand Case, see the catamaran snorkel cruise with open bar.
Where It Departs — Simpson Bay, St Maarten
Who This Tour Is For
This is the pick if you want to see as much of the island and its marine life as possible in one easy day.
- First-timers and families who want variety — reef, turtles, beach and planes
- Cruise passengers with a full day in port and a pier-side meeting point
- Travelers who prefer a small group over the big party catamarans
- Anyone who wants both the Dutch and French sides in a single trip
Not Suitable For
- Travelers who get badly seasick — a fast boat in chop may not suit you
- Anyone wanting a slow, sail-powered day (try the trimaran cruise instead)
- Guests who need hotel pickup rather than a meeting point near the port
St Maarten Speed Boat Snorkeling Tour — FAQ
Where does Captain Bob's speed boat tour go?
It runs a five-stop loop around the island, visiting both the Dutch and French sides for reef snorkeling, a sea-turtle habitat, a white-sand beach lunch and the planes at Maho Beach. See how it compares with the island's other trips on our st maarten snorkeling tours.
Will I see sea turtles on this tour?
One of the five stops is a sea-turtle habitat over seagrass, where green turtles and stingrays are commonly seen. Sightings are never guaranteed with wild animals, but it's a regular highlight. For a turtle-focused full day, compare the eco snorkeling tour with turtles.
Is it good for cruise passengers?
Yes — the meeting point is a short walk from the cruise pier and the day runs roughly 9:30am to 3:00pm. Just give the crew your ship's all-aboard time so they return you on schedule. You can check availability for your port day.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No. The crew provides snorkel gear and a briefing and keeps an eye on the group at each stop, so casual and nervous swimmers are fine. Let the crew know if you'd like extra flotation.
How much is the St Maarten speed boat snorkeling and beach tour?
It starts at $149 per person and includes the six-hour trip, snorkeling gear, lunch, snacks and drinks. Compare it with the island's other reef trips on our best st maarten snorkeling tours page.
What Travelers Say About Captain Bob's Tour
Great way for beach and sun lovers to see St Maarten by way of beach and snorkeling. The high-speed boat ride gives a touch of adrenaline, and the guides were fun, professional and full of island history. All five stops were done and it never felt overcrowded.
Dylan and Brett were great and knew every stop and the island's history. They explained all the snorkeling and safety for the novices on board. We saw turtles, a stingray, a sea urchin and so many colorful fish. Crystal-clear water and a perfect day — a 15/10!
Short walk from the ship and we were out from 9:30 to 3:00 with plenty of time to spare. Two sessions of snorkeling, beach time and lunch provided. The two-man crew were professional and the boat was perfect for the day. Highly recommend!