avril 7, 2026
Saint-Martin has 37 beaches. Some of the best ones you can't reach by car.
Most visitors to Saint-Martin spend their days on Orient Bay or Grand Case — beautiful beaches, no question. But the island's most extraordinary spots are hidden from the road entirely. They're only accessible by boat, which means they stay uncrowded, unspoiled, and genuinely wild. If you want to experience Saint-Martin's best beaches by boat, here is your complete guide.
Tintamarre Island is the crown jewel of boat-access beaches in Saint-Martin. Located about 6 km northeast of Orient Bay, this uninhabited island is part of the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve and is completely undeveloped. No restaurants, no loungers, no crowds — just a wide arc of white sand and water so clear you can see the turtles from the surface.
Baie Blanche, on the western side of the island, is the main beach. Sheltered and calm, it's perfect for swimming and snorkeling. A second wilder beach sits on the eastern side — a 10-minute walk across — where the coral reef creates an incredible natural nursery for dozens of fish species.
👉 Tintamarre is a highlight stop on our Saint-Martin full-day catamaran tour. Read our full guide: Tintamarre Island — Everything You Need to Know.
Just off the coast of Grand Case, Creole Rock is a small rocky islet that sits in the middle of the bay like a natural aquarium. It's technically not a beach, but the snorkeling here is so exceptional that no list of boat-access spots in Saint-Martin would be complete without it.
Beneath the surface, the rock is covered in coral, sponges, and sea fans sheltering an extraordinary variety of Caribbean marine life — French angelfish, parrotfish, sergeant majors, blue tangs, and occasionally young sea turtles. The water is shallow, crystal clear, and ideal even for beginners.
A short 10-minute boat ride from Cul-de-Sac, Pinel Island (Îlet Pinel) is the most visited of Saint-Martin's offshore islands — and for good reason. The main beach facing Saint-Martin is postcard-perfect: shallow turquoise water, white sand, swaying palms, and two excellent beachside restaurants for lunch.
On the other side of the island (a 10-minute walk), the North Beach is completely different — wilder, rockier, more exposed, and far less visited. The seagrass beds around both beaches are home to sea turtles and stingrays year-round, and a marked snorkeling trail runs through the marine reserve.
Just south of Pinel Island lies Petite Clef, a tiny uninhabited islet that most visitors never even know exists. It sits within the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve and offers some of the island's most pristine snorkeling conditions, with dense seagrass beds that attract green sea turtles almost daily.
There's no beach to speak of — this is purely a snorkeling and anchoring spot — but the water quality and marine life density make it one of the most rewarding stops on any boat charter. Rays, turtles, and an impressive variety of reef fish gather here in numbers you rarely see elsewhere.
Sitting directly opposite Orient Bay, Green Cay (or Caye Verte) is a small rocky islet surrounded by healthy coral reef and some of the clearest water on the island. It's part of the Nature Reserve, which means the ecosystem is protected and thriving.
The reef that wraps around Green Cay is particularly rich, with excellent hard coral cover and a high density of reef fish. Sea turtles are commonly spotted grazing in the seagrass beds between the cay and the mainland. The island itself is tiny and rugged, but the snorkeling around it is world-class.
The good news: you don't have to choose. All five of these spots sit within a relatively compact area of Saint-Martin's northeastern coast and Nature Reserve. A well-planned full-day charter can comfortably cover Tintamarre, Pinel Island, and at least one snorkeling stop at Creole Rock or Petite Clef in a single day.
At Captain SUP SXM, our Saint-Martin full-day catamaran tour is designed to hit the best spots in one seamless day — with snorkeling gear, open bar, breakfast, and snacks all included. Our crew knows these waters inside out and will make sure you reach each spot at the right time, before the crowds arrive.
Tintamarre Island is for those who want total wildness, no facilities, exceptional snorkeling, and the real Robinson Crusoe experience. Pinel Island is the ideal balance of nature and comfort — great snorkeling plus good food. Creole Rock is the go-to for underwater marine life without needing to go far offshore. Petite Clef and Green Cay are for snorkelers who want to go beyond the tourist trail and experience the Nature Reserve at its most pristine.
Whatever your style, one thing is certain — the best of Saint-Martin is only accessible by boat. And that's exactly why it stays so beautiful.
Ready to Explore Saint-Martin's Best Beaches by Boat?
Our full-day catamaran charter covers Tintamarre, Pinel Island, and the best snorkeling spots in the Nature Reserve — everything included, nothing to worry about.
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