Tintamarre Island
Île Tintamarre · Flat Island
18°06.9'N 63°01.0'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Excellent
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for excellent holding in 3–8m clean sand. Day visit only — NO overnight anchoring permitted (Réserve Naturelle). Use mooring buoys where provided. Depart before sunset.
About This Anchorage
Tintamarre is an uninhabited limestone island 3nm northeast of Grand Case, part of the Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin — one of the premier marine nature reserves in the Lesser Antilles. The island and its surrounding waters are protected habitat for sea turtles, rays, dolphins, and a wide variety of reef fish. The flat-topped island (tintamarre = 'din' or 'racket' in French, describing the wind noise across the flat plateau) is surrounded by brilliant white sand beaches and crystal-clear water with exceptional snorkelling along the SW reefs. Day visits only — overnight anchoring is prohibited under Réserve Naturelle regulations. Mooring buoys are provided on the SW side; use them in preference to anchoring to protect the seagrass meadows. The island has no facilities whatsoever — bring everything you need. One of the most beautiful day stops in the northern Caribbean.
Protected From
S · SW · W · SE
Exposed To
N · NE · E
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (use mooring buoys where available)
- Permit required
- No
- Mooring buoys
- Available — use in preference to anchoring
Restrictions: DAY VISITS ONLY — no overnight anchoring permitted (Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin regulation); use mooring buoys where provided; no anchoring in coral or seagrass; no collection of shells, coral, or marine life; no spearfishing; no BBQ or fires on the island; depart before sunset.
Hazards
- !NO OVERNIGHT ANCHORING — Réserve Naturelle regulation; fines apply; wardens patrol regularly
- !Exposed to NE and N — do not visit in strong NE trade swell conditions; approach only in calm conditions
- !No facilities: no water, no fuel, no food — self-sufficient day trip only
- !Reef hazards approaching from the east — approach from the SW only in clear water
- !Sea turtle nesting areas — do not disturb; keep dogs off the island
Skipper's Tips
- →Use mooring buoys on the SW side rather than anchoring — protects the seagrass and sets your day-stop position quickly
- →Snorkel the SW reefs in the morning before the trade wind builds — visibility is best early in calm conditions
- →Bring a packed lunch, snorkelling gear, and plenty of water — no supplies available on the island
- →Depart by 1500 to return to Grand Case or Marigot before the trade wind afternoon swell builds on the return passage
- →Dolphins are frequently seen around Tintamarre in the morning — keep engines off and drift if dolphins approach
Facilities
No facilities whatsoever on Tintamarre — uninhabited island. Bring all food, water, and supplies from Grand Case or Marigot.
Nearest provisions: Grand Case Bay (3nm) (3nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
December–May (day visits only). Best in settled NE trades with swell below 1m. Not recommended June–November (hurricane season). Always a day trip — no overnight.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
Simpson Bay Lagoon is the busiest cruising anchorage in the northern Caribbean — anchor drag in a crowded lagoon overnight can be catastrophic. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously and alerts you before drift becomes dangerous.
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