There are popular beaches, and then there are places that feel like they belong in a different era entirely. Tintamarre Island is one of those places. Sitting about three kilometers off the northeast coast of St. Martin, this small, uninhabited island is a nature reserve — and one of the most beautiful spots in the entire Caribbean.
You can’t fly there. There’s no ferry. The only way to reach Tintamarre is by boat, which is exactly what keeps it so pristine.
What makes Tintamarre special
The island is flat, dry, and mostly covered in low scrub. There’s an old abandoned airstrip from the 1940s that’s slowly being reclaimed by nature. It’s not lush or tropical in the postcard sense — it’s raw, wild, and strikingly quiet.
But the real magic is in the water. The bay on the western side of the island, known as Baie Blanche, has some of the clearest water in the region. The sand is white, the sea shifts between pale turquoise and deep blue, and on a calm day, visibility is exceptional. This is one of the best spots in the area for snorkeling — sea turtles, rays, and colorful reef fish are regular visitors. If you enjoyed reading about where to swim with turtles in Saint-Barth, Tintamarre offers a similar — and sometimes even better — experience on the St. Martin side.
Getting there
From St. Martin, the boat ride takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on sea conditions and your departure point. Most charters leave from Orient Bay or the Anse Marcel area. It’s an easy addition to a half-day or full-day trip, and it pairs well with a stop at Pinel Island or a cruise along the northern coast.
Infinity Boat includes Tintamarre as a regular stop on many of their itineraries. The crew knows the best anchoring spots and the most sheltered areas depending on wind and swell — which matters, because the island is exposed and conditions can shift.
Read also : The best lunch stops between St. Barth and St. Martin by boat
What to do once you’re there
Snorkeling is the main attraction. The reef just off the beach is home to turtles that are remarkably calm around swimmers. You don’t need to go far — often just a few meters from shore — to spot them gliding through the seagrass.
Beyond snorkeling, the island is worth exploring on foot. A short walk inland brings you to the old airstrip and the ruins of a few structures. It’s a strange, almost eerie landscape — beautiful in a quiet way. Birdwatchers will appreciate the variety of seabirds nesting on the island, especially during spring.
Because there are no facilities on Tintamarre — no restaurants, no shade structures, no fresh water — everything you need has to come with you. That’s another reason a boat charter works so well. Your crew brings the food, the drinks, the shade, and the snorkeling gear. You just show up and enjoy it.
When to go
The best conditions for visiting Tintamarre are typically between December and May, when the seas are calmer and the weather more predictable. During the peak season — particularly around the holidays — it’s common to see a handful of boats anchored in the bay, but it never feels crowded. On a weekday in February or March, you might have the entire beach to yourself.
For those planning a longer day, combining Tintamarre with other stops along the St. Martin coast makes for an outstanding itinerary. Our article on 3 hidden gems in the Caribbean you can only reach by yacht touches on similar experiences for those looking to go further afield.
Tintamarre doesn’t try to impress. It doesn’t need to. It’s simply one of those places that reminds you why the Caribbean still has the power to take your breath away — especially when you arrive the right way: by boat.
