Billy Bones St.Maarten Getaway for CRUISE SHIP GUESTS

Catch St. Maarten from the water. Billy Bones packs snorkeling, beaches, lunch, and Maho Beach into a six-hour boat trip, with a small group capped at 20 people. I like the mix of stops, from sea turtles near Tintamarre to iguanas on Pinel Island, and I like that lunch, drinks, gear, and a local guide are included. The main drawback is the rough open-water ride, which can change the route and may not suit anyone prone to seasickness.

The cruise timing is handled with care, and the crew has earned strong praise for keeping the day relaxed rather than rushed. Captains and guides such as Sammy, Jim, AJ, Captain Boy, Nico, and Frankie have been singled out for their good humor and local knowledge. Just remember the $10 marine park or port fee, and arrange your own transportation to Bobby’s Marina.

Key things to know before you book

• Seven water-and-shore stops: Creole Rock, Tintamarre, Pinel Island, Grand Case, Baie Longue, and Maho Beach are packed into one outing.
• Lunch and open bar are included: You choose from local lunch options, with alcoholic drinks, sodas, and bottled water available.
• Snorkeling gear comes with flotation: You do not need to bring your own mask, snorkel, or flotation equipment.
• The boat ride can be bumpy: Rough seas may shorten the snorkeling time or replace one island stop with a calmer bay.
• Built for cruise schedules: The tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends back at Bobby’s Marina, with ship details required at booking.
• Small group, not private charter: The maximum is 20 people, which keeps the outing more personal but does not give you a private boat.

A six-hour view of St. Maarten from the sea

This is a busy day, but it is not just a boat ride with one swim stop. Billy Bones combines open-water cruising with several different sides of St. Maarten: reef snorkeling, quiet beaches, a local meal, island wildlife, and the famous aircraft views at Maho Beach.

I like this format for a cruise port day because you see much more from the water than you would by taxi alone. You also avoid spending the whole day at one crowded beach. The tradeoff is simple: seven stops in roughly six hours means some visits are short, and the exact route depends on weather and sea conditions.

The boat leaves from Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg at 10:00 a.m. You return to that same meeting point at the end. Private transportation is not included, so you need to plan your way to the marina. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.

The group maximum is 20 people. That is small enough for direct help in the water and conversation with the crew, though it is not the same as having a boat to yourself. Past outings have featured captains and crew including Sammy, Jim, AJ, Nicholas, Captain Boy, Frankie, and Nico. The crew lineup can change, but the repeated praise for friendly, attentive service is one of this trip’s strongest points.

Creole Rock starts the water time

Creole Rock is the first major stop, with about 45 minutes for snorkeling. It is described as one of the island’s best snorkeling areas, and the stop is a useful early test of the sea conditions and your own comfort in the water.

You receive snorkeling gear with flotation, so the activity is accessible even if you are not a confident swimmer. Guides have also been praised for getting into the water with hesitant snorkelers and helping people feel at ease. You may see fish, sea urchins, stingrays, and other marine life, though water clarity can change after swells.

This is one place where conditions matter. Strong wind or rough seas can make the water murky, shorten the stop, or lead the captain to choose a safer location. That is not a failure of the tour. It is the sensible choice on an open-water outing, especially with children and mixed swimming abilities in the group.

Tintamarre brings turtles and open sea

The boat then heads toward Tintamarre Island, where the planned 45-minute stop focuses on snorkeling and the chance to see sea turtles. This is the kind of stop that gives the day its sense of adventure. You are not simply looking at St. Maarten from a developed beach. You are reaching a more isolated island setting and spending time in the water.

Tintamarre is also one of the stops most likely to be affected by weather. Rough conditions have led to alternate routes, including time at Pinel Island or another calmer swimming area. The crew’s priority is safety, and the schedule is flexible enough to keep the day enjoyable when the sea does not cooperate.

Do not treat the turtle sighting as a guarantee. Marine life is wild, and visibility changes. Still, the chance to snorkel around Tintamarre is a major reason to choose this excursion over a basic beach transfer.

Pinel Island adds sand, iguanas, and a slower pause

Pinel Island offers a different mood. The planned 45-minute stop is less about a long snorkel and more about beach time, warm water, and the local iguanas. You may also see hermit crabs around the island.

I like this stop because it gives you a break from the boat. The day includes fast travel across open water, so a chance to walk on shore, swim, or simply look around keeps the outing from becoming tiring. Families in particular may appreciate the change of pace.

The iguanas are part of the fun, but the wording if you dare is fair. You should not expect a wildlife park or a formal animal encounter. This is a casual island stop where you can look for them and enjoy the beach.

Depending on sea conditions, Pinel Island may replace Tintamarre or another planned stop. That flexibility has helped preserve the day when the water was rough.

Grand Case turns lunch into part of the tour

Grand Case is scheduled for about an hour and includes a hot lunch at a local restaurant. This is more satisfying than carrying a snack back to the ship, especially after snorkeling and swimming.

Lunch choices have included barbecue ribs, chicken, fish, rice, grilled vegetables, and sandwiches when weather disrupted the normal restaurant plan. You are asked to provide dietary needs when booking, and a vegetarian option is available if requested in advance.

The food has received some of the warmest praise. Several accounts describe the meal as delicious or better than expected, with grilled chicken and local-style plates mentioned in particular. Still, the exact meal can change with the route, restaurant arrangements, and weather. One outing substituted sandwiches, and compensation was issued for the inconvenience.

The crew may collect lunch orders before departure. That can save time once you reach Grand Case, helping the group eat within the one-hour stop rather than waiting through a long restaurant service. I would still treat lunch as a substantial included meal, not a carefully chosen culinary tour.

Baie Longue keeps the final swim simple

Baie Longue is a quick 10-minute swim stop. That sounds brief, and it is. Think of it as a chance to get back into the water, cool off, and enjoy a quiet bay rather than a full beach visit.

Short stops like this work well for people who want variety. They are less useful if you prefer to settle into one place for an hour with a book. The tour aims to show you several corners of the island, so expect movement throughout the day.

Maho Beach is best seen from the boat

The Maho Beach stop lasts about 10 minutes and is timed around the famous airport approach. From the boat, you can watch aircraft land or take off close to the beach. Guides have sometimes waited for a plane to arrive so the group could see the spectacle.

This is a fun finish because it is so different from the snorkeling stops. You move from sea turtles and quiet beaches to one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable aviation views. The stop is short, and a plane arrival cannot be guaranteed at a specific moment, but the crew can position the boat for the view.

Seeing Maho from the water also avoids committing the whole afternoon to the crowded beach itself. You get the memorable part, then continue toward the marina and your ship.

The included drinks make the day easy

The open bar is a major part of the value. Alcoholic drinks, rum punch, beer, sodas, and bottled water are included. Past outings have received special praise for generous drinks and music during the boat ride.

The minimum drinking age is 21. If you are traveling with children, the included sodas and water still help, but this is an adult-friendly excursion rather than a purely family-focused program.

I would pace yourself. Six hours on a moving boat, under a Caribbean sun, is not the time to treat the open bar as a challenge. The crew’s job is to keep you comfortable, and you will enjoy the snorkeling and boat ride more if you stay hydrated.

What the boat ride is really like

The quick travel between stops is part of the appeal. You cover a lot of coastline and get views of St. Maarten that are hard to reach by road. Some past trips describe the ride as smooth through waves, while others warn that the open-water sections are very bumpy.

Both can be true. Sea conditions vary, and the same route can feel gentle one day and rough the next. If you are prone to seasickness, consider bringing whatever remedy you normally use. This is also worth considering for young children or anyone with back or mobility concerns.

The crew can change the itinerary when the water becomes unsafe. That may mean fewer snorkeling sites, a different island stop, or more time in calm water. The best attitude is to view the route as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed minute by minute.

Is $139 a fair price?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a cruise stop. It is also not an unreasonable price once you count what is included: roughly six hours on the water, a local guide, snorkeling equipment with flotation, lunch, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and several stops around St. Maarten.

A cheaper beach transfer might leave you paying separately for lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and transportation between beaches. Billy Bones bundles those costs and adds a captain-led route that reaches Tintamarre, Pinel Island, Grand Case, and Maho in one day.

The value depends on your priorities. You get good value if you want a full day of swimming, snorkeling, local food, and sightseeing without organizing each piece yourself. You get less value if you want a quiet beach day, dislike fast boat travel, or would rather spend several hours at one snorkeling reef.

There is also a $10 marine park or port fee per person. Add that to your budget, along with your transportation to Bobby’s Marina. Pickup is offered in some arrangements, but private transportation is listed as not included, so confirm the exact meeting plan before you go.

Cruise timing and practical details

This excursion is designed for cruise ship passengers, and the crew is clearly aware of the need to return people on time. That said, you should not cut your ship’s all-aboard time close. Give yourself a buffer after the scheduled return to Bobby’s Marina.

If the ship arrives late or does not arrive, refunds are issued when the missed tour is caused by the late or non-arrival of the cruise ship. You still need to provide accurate ship details at booking so the operator can plan properly.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended because the day involves boarding a boat, swimming, snorkeling, and moving between stops.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would recommend it to active cruise passengers who want to make one port day count. It suits couples, families with older children, and mixed-age groups. One past group ranged from 17 to 73, which gives you a useful picture of the broad appeal.

It is especially good for people who want a friendly crew. Captains such as Sammy, Jim, Captain Boy, and Nico have been praised for being attentive, entertaining, and willing to explain the island. The strongest outings seem to come when guests join in with the relaxed group spirit.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed schedule, calm water, or long time at one beach. The route can change, the boat can bounce, and the short stops may feel rushed to someone who prefers a slow afternoon.

Should you book Billy Bones?

Book it if you want variety, water time, and strong practical value in one cruise-port day. The combination of snorkeling, turtles, Pinel Island, local lunch, drinks, and Maho Beach gives you a broad taste of St. Maarten without arranging several separate activities.

Skip it if rough seas are a serious concern or if your ideal vacation day means staying on one quiet beach. If you do book, bring sun protection, prepare for a bumpy ride, request dietary needs in advance, and leave plenty of time before your ship’s departure.

The route may shift, but the basic promise is solid: a sociable day on the water, good access to several island highlights, and a crew focused on making the cruise schedule work.

FAQ

Where does the Billy Bones tour start and end?

The tour starts at Bobby’s Marina on Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard in Philipsburg. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant in Grand Case is included. Vegetarian meals are available if you request one when booking, and you should also provide other dietary requirements in advance.

Are snorkeling equipment and flotation included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear with flotation is included, along with bottled water.

Is transportation included?

Private transportation is not included. Cruise ship passengers meet at Bobby’s Marina, so you should plan how you will reach the marina.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The itinerary may also be adjusted during the day if sea conditions make a planned stop unsafe.