Snorkel reefs, turtles, and plane-spotting in one day. This Billy Bones St Maarten getaway mixes snorkeling stops with a laid-back boat day for cruise ship guests, starting at Bobby’s Marina and running about 6 hours. I like that you get an open bar plus snacks, bottled water, snorkeling gear, and a real lunch, so you’re not scrambling for food or gear. The one thing to keep in mind is the water can be rough, and the crew may adjust the route if conditions get unsafe.

What makes this work especially well for cruise visitors is the pacing and the small group vibe. With a maximum of 20 travelers and a crew that keeps track of timing, you get multiple scenery and swim moments without feeling herded. Do note: you do need moderate physical fitness, and if you’re prone to seasickness, plan for a bumpy ride at least once.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Up to 20 people: small enough to feel personal, not crowded.
• Creole Rock snorkeling: one of the island’s best snorkeling sites.
• Tintamarre Island turtle chance: a snorkeling stop built around seeing sea turtles.
• Pinel Island beach + pet iguanas: time on a beautiful beach where iguanas roam nearby.
• Grand Case lunch included: hot lunch at a local restaurant.
• Maho Beach from the route: you’ll get views of the world-famous airport for planes landing and taking off.

Why This Boat Day Makes Sense for Cruise Ship Guests

Cruise excursions often feel like a checklist. This one feels more like a full day on the water that happens to fit cruise timing. You meet at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg for a 10:00 am start, and the tour returns you back to the same meeting point. That matters because it keeps the day simple when you’re dealing with ship schedules.

The other big win is the “away from the crowds” plan. You’re not just parked near the busiest beaches. You’re heading to secluded swim and snorkel spots, then breaking up the day with islands and a lunch stop that’s actually tied to local life.

One more practical edge: you’ll provide your ship name and docking and re-boarding times at booking. That gives the operator the information needed to manage the day around your departure, which is half the battle for cruise travelers.

Price and Value: What $139 Buys on the Water

The price is $139.00 per person, and for what you get, it’s a solid value. In most Caribbean boat days, you typically pay separately for either snorkeling gear, food, or drink. Here, the tour includes:

• Local guide
• Open bar and alcoholic beverages (with a minimum drinking age of 21)
• Bottled water and snacks
• Snorkeling gears with flotation
• Lunch

You should budget one extra line item: a marine park and/or port fee of $10.00 per person is not included. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it is the one predictable add-on.

Where the money feels like it’s paying off is the “all day” comfort. You’re not just getting transportation to a beach; you’re being set up for water time repeatedly—snorkeling equipment is provided, and the crew keeps you fed and watered during the day.

Getting to Bobby’s Marina and What to Expect on Arrival

You’ll start at Bobby’s Marina on Juancho Yrausquin Blvd in Philipsburg. Pickup is offered, but private transportation isn’t included, so I’d plan on meeting the tour at the marina unless you’re explicitly told you’ll be collected. Either way, you’re near public transportation, which is helpful.

The operation uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation comes at the time of booking. If you’re traveling with kids, they must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, too.

Physically, you should be ready for a day that includes water entry and time on boats and beaches. The tour notes moderate physical fitness, so if walking and getting in and out of the water is hard for you, this is worth thinking through before booking.

On the Water: Crew Energy, Open Bar, and the Real Weather Check

This is one of those tours where the crew’s job isn’t just driving. They’re also making sure the day stays smooth and social—many guides on past departures have been praised for being caring, upbeat, and quick to get people where they need to be.

And yes, the ride can be bumpy. Multiple cruise guests describe the ocean portion as very rough at times. The good news: on a rough day, the crew can still find calmer water for swimming and snorkeling. When conditions force changes, the itinerary may get tweaked so you don’t take unnecessary risks.

A useful detail from the operator side: when weather disrupts plans, they’ve compensated for the inconvenience. So the “weathery” part of this tour isn’t just accepted—it’s handled.

Practical advice: plan for motion. If you’re sensitive to seasickness, consider bringing what helps you personally (ginger, medication if you use it, or motion sickness bands). Since snorkeling gear is provided, you can focus on comfort rather than hauling equipment.

Stop 1 Philipsburg: Starting From Bobby’s Marina

You’ll begin the day at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg. This first stop is short in terms of activity—think of it as the launchpad. The benefit is you’re not losing time to complicated transfers across the island.

You’ll get underway from the marina, and from there the tour builds momentum quickly with a snorkeling stop soon after. It’s a good structure for cruise travelers because it reduces the amount of time you’re waiting around with luggage or limited shade.

Creole Rock Snorkeling: One of the Island’s Best Sessions

Next up is Creole Rock, where the tour schedules about 45 minutes. This is described as one of the best snorkeling sites on the island, and that expectation matches how cruise guests talk about the water here.

What I like about this stop timing is that you’re not trying to squeeze snorkeling into the last hour of the day. You hit it earlier, when energy is still high, and the crew can guide the group into the best conditions.

You’ll have snorkeling gears with flotation provided. That’s a huge deal if you’re traveling light. It also helps families and casual swimmers enjoy the water without feeling underprepared.

Drawback to note: visibility and water conditions can change with the weather and swells. If the sea is stirred up, the water can look less clear during swells, even when the route is still safe. In other words, you might see plenty of marine life even on a less-than-perfect water day, but the “wow” factor can vary.

Tintamarre Island: Sea Turtles Are the Point

After Creole Rock, you head to Tintamarre Island for another 45-minute snorkeling stop focused on sea turtles. That’s the kind of stop that turns a boat excursion into a real memory. This is the stop where the tour feels mission-driven, not just scenic.

If seas are rough, this is also one of the stops most likely to be adjusted for safety. The tour’s real strength is how the crew handles that—when conditions make it unsafe, the plan can shift rather than forcing people into risky water.

Even when you don’t get perfect sea conditions, you still get the benefit of the crew’s local know-how. More than one captain has been praised for finding workable calm water during less-than-ideal weather.

If seeing turtles is your top priority, this is the stop to protect. Plan to arrive ready to swim and follow the crew’s guidance closely.

Pinel Island Beach Time and Pet Iguanas If You Dare

Then you get to Pinel Island, scheduled for about 45 minutes. This is the “beach and break” stop, and it’s not just about laying on sand. It’s also where you can see iguanas up close—described as pet iguanas if you dare.

That combination is why people rate this excursion so highly. You’re getting both: time for swimming and time for watching the island’s natural side up close. It’s also a good mental shift after snorkeling—your body gets rest while your eyes keep working.

One honest consideration: this stop is part beach and part animal viewing. That means you should respect space and avoid chasing or crowding wildlife. The tour environment is casual, but wildlife etiquette still matters.

Grand Case Lunch: A Real Local Meal Break

The schedule includes Grand Case for lunch, about 1 hour. This isn’t a snack bar stop. You get hot lunch at a local restaurant, and it’s one reason this tour feels complete.

Cruise guests have called the lunch delicious, including options like barbecue ribs, chicken, and fish in different menus, plus meals that sound hearty and not just tourist-friendly portions. You can also request a vegetarian option at booking, and you should advise any dietary requirements when you book.

Why lunch here matters: it’s not only about food. It gives you a full break from sun and salt water. On a 6-hour tour, that kind of downtime helps you enjoy the last stops instead of feeling wiped out.

Baie Longue Quick Swim and Maho Beach Plane Views

After lunch, the day shifts back into water and scenery.

Next is Baie Longue, a short swim stop (about 10 minutes). The schedule is tight, so treat it as a refresh moment rather than a long beach day. Still, it’s a smart addition: another chance to cool off without breaking the flow of the tour.

Then comes Maho Beach, also about 10 minutes. This is the big-ticket “only-in-St Maarten” moment where you can watch planes landing and taking off at the world-famous airport. It’s one of those places where the novelty hits fast, and even non-aviation people end up staring.

If the seas are calm and the crew has positioned the boat well, this stop can feel like the perfect closing chapter: you get a different type of thrill, one you can’t replicate at most Caribbean beaches.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Reconsider)

This is a great match if you want a boat tour that feels active but not chaotic. You’ll like it if you care about snorkeling spots, want a real lunch included, and enjoy beach time plus a memorable spectacle like Maho Beach.

It’s also a smart pick for:

• Cruise ship passengers who need a well-timed day
• People who don’t want to rent snorkeling gear
• Families with kids who can follow crew instructions in and out of the water
• Anyone who prefers a smaller group (max 20)

You might reconsider if:

• You’re very sensitive to rough water. The boat can be bumpy, and some snorkeling conditions depend on weather.
• You have trouble with moderate physical activity, since this is a water-and-beach day with boat movement.

Should You Book the Billy Bones St Maarten Getaway?

If you’re choosing one cruise-friendly excursion in St Maarten and you want snorkeling, beaches, lunch, and a dose of iconic plane-watching, I’d book this. For $139, the value comes from how much is included: snorkeling gear with flotation, snacks, open bar, and a hot lunch, plus multiple water stops that break up the day.

The only real caution is the ocean. If you know you get seasick, plan for it and accept that the crew may tweak the day for conditions. If you can handle that reality, this is the kind of trip that leaves you with a mix of turtle hopes, iguana surprises, good food, and the wow factor of Maho.

FAQ

How long is the Billy Bones St Maarten Getaway for cruise ship guests?

The tour is about 6 hours.

Where does the tour start and when?

It starts at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg at 10:00 am and ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the $139 price?

The tour includes a local guide, open bar, snacks, snorkeling gears with flotation, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and lunch.

Is there any extra fee not included?

Yes. A marine park and/or port fee of $10.00 per person is not included.

Is alcohol included, and is there an age limit?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included, but the minimum drinking age is 21.

What if weather is bad or the itinerary changes?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If conditions affect planned stops, the crew adjusts the itinerary to keep the day safe.