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

Highlights
Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best for snorkeling & beach time

Tintamarre Island Saint Martin
Best Time
Best for snorkeling & beach time

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An uninhabited nature reserve near Saint Martin, offering pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and incredible sea turtle encounters.
"A beautiful piece of paradise, with pristine sandy white beaches and turquoise crystal clear water… just magical."

🚤 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 .

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Swim with Sea Turtles
Coastal waters
Encounter majestic sea turtles in their natural habitat. A truly magical snorkeling experience.

Untouched Sandy Beaches
Main beach and private coves
Relax on secluded, pristine white sand beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters.

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
What to Expect on Tintamarre
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚤 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.
☀️ Pack Essentials
No facilities here! Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and snorkel gear.
🚶♀️ Explore Hidden Coves
Hike to discover more private beaches on the island's other side.
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.
🐢 Turtle Spotting
Snorkel in the clear waters for a chance to swim with sea turtles.
☀️ Pack Essentials
No facilities here! Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and snorkel gear.
🚶♀️ Explore Hidden Coves
Hike to discover more private beaches on the island's other side.
📸 Capture the Beauty
The turquoise waters and untouched beaches are incredibly photogenic.
What Travellers Say
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
What People Dislike
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.
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.Yes, it's possible to visit Tintamarre Island without a tour if you rent your own boat and have the necessary boating license.
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.
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.
🎫 🎫 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.
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.
Yes, Tintamarre Island is part of the Nature Reserve of Saint Martin, a protected marine and terrestrial area.
🎫 🧭 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.
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.
No, Tintamarre Island is uninhabited and has no facilities. Visitors must bring all their own supplies, including food, water, sunscreen, and any necessary gear.
You can expect to see abundant marine life while snorkeling, such as sea turtles and various fish species.
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.
📸 📸 Photography
Tintamarre Island offers stunning photographic opportunities, from the crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine white-sand beaches
to the chance of capturing sea turtles while snorkeling. 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.
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.
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
🐠 Snorkelers & Nature Lovers
🏝️ Day-Trippers Seeking Seclusion
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Natural Haven of Tintamarre
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. Beyond the main beach, a short hike can lead you to more private coves, offering even greater seclusion and a true 'Robinson Crusoe' experience. The underwater world is just as spectacular, with vibrant coral reefs and a rich diversity of marine life.
Encountering Marine Life: Turtles and More
Beyond turtles, the surrounding waters are a vibrant underwater park teeming with life. Expect to see a variety of colorful fish darting amongst the reefs, and keep an eye out for other marine animals like rays. 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
Today, the only remnants of this past are the old colonial walls scattered across the island's interior. 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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