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Tintamarre Island Saint Martin

4.9
·101 reviews·, Saint Martin

An uninhabited nature reserve near Saint Martin, offering pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and incredible sea turtle encounters.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime boat tours

Best for snorkeling & beach time

CrowdMedium
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Manutea Charters

Tintamarre Island Saint Martin

Best Time

Daytime boat tours

Best for snorkeling & beach time

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An uninhabited nature reserve near Saint Martin, offering pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and incredible sea turtle encounters.

4.9
(101 reviews)

"A beautiful piece of paradise, with pristine sandy white beaches and turquoise crystal clear water… just magical."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚤 Boat Access is Key

Tintamarre is only accessible by boat. Book a tour or rent a private boat for a day trip .

🐢 Turtle Spotting

Snorkel in the clear waters for a chance to swim with sea turtles .

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Swim with Sea Turtles

Swim with Sea Turtles

Coastal waters

Encounter majestic sea turtles in their natural habitat. A truly magical snorkeling experience.

Untouched Sandy Beaches

Untouched Sandy Beaches

Main beach and private coves

Relax on secluded, pristine white sand beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Exploring Old Colonial Walls

Exploring Old Colonial Walls

Interior of the island

Discover remnants of the island's past, including old colonial walls from its farming days.

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Planning Your Visit

Accessing Tintamarre Island

Tintamarre is an uninhabited nature reserve, accessible only by boat. Most visitors opt for organized boat tours from Saint Martin, which often include snorkeling and lunch stops. Renting a private boat is an option if you have a boating license, but research rental companies in advance as options can be limited.Reddit

What to Expect on Tintamarre

This secluded island offers pristine beaches and a chance to disconnect. It's a nature reserve, so expect untouched landscapes and abundant marine life. While beautiful, it's uninhabited, meaning no facilities or services are available. Pack everything you need, including food, water, and sun protection.

Best Times

When
Daytime boat tours
Why
Best for snorkeling & beach time
Crowd
Medium
When
Early mornings
Why
Quieter, better for wildlife
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

sint maarten is beautiful 🥺 and the people are SO friendly. already planning to go back fr.which spot would you go to? ⬇️ #travel #itinerary #saintmartin #sintmaarten #caribbean
@galleryofgemai
74K likes • 344.7K views

🚤 Boat Access is Key

Tintamarre is only accessible by boat. Book a tour or rent a private boat for a day trip.Reddit

🐢 Turtle Spotting

Snorkel in the clear waters for a chance to swim with sea turtles.Instagram

Warning⚠️ extreme big back activities!!! These are the restaurants I tried in Sint Maarten, the sxm food scene owes me nothing!!!! #sintmaarten #blackgirltravel #caribbeanfood #foodtiktok #saintmartin #placestoeat #sintmaartenfood #johnnycake
@lifeofnxce
30.4K likes • 388.7K views
𝗧𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱. You might wonder what makes Tintamarre so special? Without human intervention and destruction, now a part of the Nature Reserve of Saint Martin, Tintamarre is flourishing in both nature on land, and the underwater world. There is a beach for everyone. The main beach has a sheltered location, meaning there’s no wind to worry about! Just white sand at your feet, no...
wearesxm
286 likes • 5.7K views

☀️ Pack Essentials

No facilities here! Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and snorkel gear.Instagram

🚶‍♀️ Explore Hidden Coves

Hike to discover more private beaches on the island's other side.Reddit

Tintamarre Island is a nature reserve where you can experience nature at its best, with a beautiful sandy beach and oh, that crystal clear turquoise water…..just magical. This deserted tropical fairyland only 20 minutes by boat from Saint Martin in the Atlantic Ocean. A beautiful piece of paradise, with pristine sandy white beaches and turquoise crystal clear water. It’s a haven for snorkelin...
shar_kurtz
167 likes • 3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚤 Boat Access is Key

Tintamarre is only accessible by boat. Book a tour or rent a private boat for a day trip.Reddit

🐢 Turtle Spotting

Snorkel in the clear waters for a chance to swim with sea turtles.Instagram

☀️ Pack Essentials

No facilities here! Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and snorkel gear.Instagram

🚶‍♀️ Explore Hidden Coves

Hike to discover more private beaches on the island's other side.Reddit

📸 Capture the Beauty

The turquoise waters and untouched beaches are incredibly photogenic.Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.9
(101 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about Tintamarre Island as a pristine, uninhabited paradise accessible by boat. Highlights include swimming with sea turtles, relaxing on secluded beaches, and exploring the island's natural beauty. Some note that overnight stays can be rocky due to sea conditions, and it's essential to be fully prepared as there are no facilities.

"Amazing place to visit for one day or more. Grab a free mooring if you’re on a boat and stay for a night or more. Make a fire, have lunch or take a walk on the beautiful and calm beach. Explore the small island and even more private beaches on the other side on a short hike. Highly recommend. If you’re staying overnight note that the sea can get rocky, not the most comfortable sleep."

Jonathan Hershon St-Jean

"Such a lovely uninhabited island we visited on our Tradewinds sailing cruise. Well, inhabited by hermit crab and little lizards maybe. We had a fun time exploring this little piece of heaven—and then we anchored and had lunch in the bay. Amazing views."

Corrine Mosburg

"Secluded beach, only available by boat, where you can snorkel and see fishes, turtles and rays. Beautiful water."

Solen HAUTIN-GUIRAUT

What People Like

Swimming with sea turtles
Secluded, pristine beaches
Untouched natural beauty

What People Dislike

No facilities available
Rocky overnight anchorage

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Tintamarre Island is an uninhabited nature reserve and is only accessible by boat. The most common way to visit is by booking a boat tour from Saint Martin, which often includes stops for snorkeling and lunch.Instagram+1 Alternatively, if you have a boating license, you can rent a private boat for a half-day trip, though finding rental options specifically for Tintamarre might require some research.Reddit

Yes, it's possible to visit Tintamarre Island without a tour if you rent your own boat and have the necessary boating license.Reddit However, many visitors find that organized tours offer a convenient and comprehensive experience, often including equipment and guided snorkeling.

The journey to Tintamarre Island from Saint Martin typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes by boat, depending on your departure point and the type of vessel.Instagram+1

Boat tours to Tintamarre Island usually depart from various points along the coast of Saint Martin, including Marigot and Grand Case on the French side, and Philipsburg on the Dutch side. Check with your chosen tour operator for specific pick-up locations.

Yes, if you are arriving on your own boat, you can often find free moorings available to anchor and spend time on the island.Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Tintamarre Island is a nature reserve, and while there isn't a formal entrance fee for the island itself, you will need to pay for boat transportation. This is typically included in the price of a boat tour or charter.Instagram

The primary cost associated with visiting Tintamarre is the boat transportation. Some tours may also offer optional add-ons or have separate fees for equipment rental, though many include snorkeling gear.

As an uninhabited nature reserve, Tintamarre Island does not have set operating hours. Access is determined by the schedules of boat tours and private charters, which typically operate during daylight hours.

While it's possible to anchor a boat and stay overnight, it's not a typical tourist activity. The island is uninhabited and lacks facilities. Reviews suggest that sleeping on a boat can be rocky.Reddit

Yes, Tintamarre Island is part of the Nature Reserve of Saint Martin, a protected marine and terrestrial area.Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The main activities on Tintamarre include swimming, snorkeling with sea turtles and rays, relaxing on the pristine beaches, exploring the island's interior to find old colonial walls, and enjoying a secluded picnic or BBQ.InstagramReddit+1

Absolutely! Tintamarre is renowned for its excellent snorkeling opportunities. The clear waters of the nature reserve are teeming with marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and rays.InstagramReddit

No, Tintamarre Island is uninhabited and has no facilities. Visitors must bring all their own supplies, including food, water, sunscreen, and any necessary gear.Instagram

You can expect to see abundant marine life while snorkeling, such as sea turtles and various fish species.Instagram+1 The island itself is also home to lizards and hermit crabs.

Yes, Tintamarre Island is a perfect destination for a day trip. Most boat tours offer a half-day or full-day excursion, allowing ample time to enjoy the beaches and snorkeling.Instagram+1

📸 📸 Photography

Tintamarre Island offers stunning photographic opportunities, from the crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine white-sand beaches Instagram+1 to the chance of capturing sea turtles while snorkeling.Instagram The untouched natural beauty provides a picturesque backdrop for any shot.

A waterproof camera or a GoPro is highly recommended for capturing underwater shots of marine life and for general use around the water. A wide-angle lens can be useful for capturing the expansive beach and ocean views.Instagram

While the entire island is scenic, the main beach offers a classic tropical paradise view. Exploring the island can lead to discovering more secluded spots with unique perspectives, especially along the coastline.

Taking photos of sea turtles requires patience and a good underwater camera setup. They can be elusive, but with clear water and a bit of luck, you can capture some incredible shots.Instagram

Early morning or late afternoon can offer softer light, reducing harsh shadows and creating a more atmospheric feel for your photos. However, the vibrant blues of midday can also be stunning.

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Tintamarre Island offers a fantastic day trip for families looking for a natural adventure. The calm, sheltered main beach is perfect for younger children to play in the shallow waters.Instagram Snorkeling here is a highlight, and the chance to see sea turtles is often a thrilling experience for kids.Instagram+1 Remember to pack plenty of snacks, drinks, and sun protection, as there are no facilities on the island. The boat trip itself can also be an exciting part of the adventure for children.

🐠 Snorkelers & Nature Lovers

For those passionate about marine life and pristine nature, Tintamarre Island is a must-visit. It's a designated nature reserve with exceptional snorkeling conditions, offering unparalleled opportunities to swim alongside sea turtles and observe diverse fish species in their natural habitat.InstagramReddit The island's untouched beaches and the chance to explore its historical remnants also appeal to nature enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape.

🏝️ Day-Trippers Seeking Seclusion

If you're looking for a day trip that offers genuine seclusion and tranquility, Tintamarre Island is ideal. Accessible only by boat, it provides a welcome escape from the busier tourist spots.Instagram Spend your day relaxing on deserted beaches, exploring hidden coves, and immersing yourself in the peaceful, natural environment. It's the perfect place to disconnect and enjoy a slice of paradise.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Natural Haven of Tintamarre

Tintamarre Island is a protected nature reserve and an Important Bird Area, emphasizing its ecological significance.Instagram Its designation as part of the Nature Reserve of Saint Martin means it's managed to preserve its natural state, both on land and in the surrounding waters.Instagram This lack of human intervention allows the island's flora and fauna to flourish, offering visitors a glimpse into a truly untouched tropical paradise.

The island's main beach is known for being sheltered, meaning you can often enjoy calm waters without much wind, making it ideal for swimming and relaxing.Instagram Beyond the main beach, a short hike can lead you to more private coves, offering even greater seclusion and a true 'Robinson Crusoe' experience.InstagramReddit The underwater world is just as spectacular, with vibrant coral reefs and a rich diversity of marine life.

Encountering Marine Life: Turtles and More

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Tintamarre Island is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles.Instagram The island's waters are a crucial nesting ground for these magnificent creatures, and conservation efforts are in place to protect them.Instagram Snorkeling here provides a high chance of encountering them gracefully gliding through the clear, turquoise sea.

Beyond turtles, the surrounding waters are a vibrant underwater park teeming with life.Reddit Expect to see a variety of colorful fish darting amongst the reefs, and keep an eye out for other marine animals like rays.Reddit The visibility is often excellent, making it a prime spot for both novice and experienced snorkelers to explore the rich biodiversity of the Caribbean Sea.

A Glimpse into Tintamarre's Past

Tintamarre Island wasn't always uninhabited. Historically, it was home to farmers who cultivated cotton, produced dairy, and raised sheep during the 18th and 19th centuries.Instagram There's even a tale of a man who declared himself 'King of Tintamarre' and welcomed inhabitants after a bachelor party.Instagram

Today, the only remnants of this past are the old colonial walls scattered across the island's interior.Instagram Exploring these ruins adds a layer of historical intrigue to the natural beauty, offering a unique juxtaposition of past human activity against the backdrop of a thriving natural reserve. It’s a chance to imagine life on this secluded island centuries ago.

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