Rhino Safari Mini Speedboat Snorkeling Excursion

Meet your Rhino Rider boat: safety and operational briefing

Upon your arrival at the Rhino Safari SXM headquarter in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, you will be welcomed by our enthusiastic staff who will outfit you with safety equipment and snorkeling gear. Watch a quick and interactive operational briefing to provide you with all the information necessary to have a safe and enjoyable Caribbean adventure.

Once you have been assigned to your own user-friendly watercraft, our signature Rhino Rider, you will perform a few supervised test spins before following your guide out into the exotic waters of the Simpson Bay Lagoon of Saint Martin and begin your guided activity.

The adventure begins: driving your own Rhino Rider

As you follow your guide through the Caribbean's largest lagoon, you will maneuver safely between hundreds of boat anchorages, cruising alongside the mega yachts of the Rich and Famous. Check out luxury vessels owned by the likes of Donald Trump, Michael Kors, U2, the late Steve Jobs, and even catch a glimpse of the world’s top models sunbathing onboard Victoria Secret's "Limitless" mega yacht.

As you take in these extravagant surroundings, jumbo jets will fly overhead, taking off from our iconic Princess Juliana International Airport. Make your way beneath the Dutch causeway, crossing St. Martin’s international border, and exit under the French bridge into the clear, sparkling turquoise of the Caribbean Sea. Then proceed forward to discover the tropical bay of the French capital of Marigot.

Rhino Safari St. Maarten tour: Forts, villages and picturesque beaches

The first site you will notice dominating Marigot’s skyline is Fort Louis perched on top of the hill, a French military fort built in 1789 in order to protect the warehouses of the city. At its feet is a marina that still carries the fort’s name, serving as a homeport for dozens of luxury sailboats and mega-yachts.

Further along in your St. Martin excursion is Gallis Bay, where the wrecked remains of an old steel cargo ship still lingers offshore, providing shelter to many species of Caribbean wildlife. You may also find the largest clipper sailboat in the world, the Stad Amsterdam, anchored here. From there, hold on to your sunglasses and push the throttle to the max as you speed towards the next bay!

As you skip and splash from bay to bay along the island’s coastline, you’ll be served panoramic views of the finest St. Martin beaches. Lover’s Beach, the smallest on the island, offers enough sand for just two people on a same towel. Friars Bay, where locals party the night away during every full moon.

Happy Bay, the best beach in St. Martin

Happy Bay, which is perhaps the most charming of all the island’s secluded beaches, features hills grazed by goats and shores lined with tall palm trees, making it the preferred spot for honeymooners. Pressing along to your final destination, the town of Grand Case will unveil in front of you, a small fisherman village that now serves as the restaurant capital of the Caribbean.

Rhino Safari final destination: snorkeling at Creole Rock

Your final destination, Creole Rock, which is a rock formation emerging from the water at the far end of the bay, as well as one of the finest snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean located in the middle of the French Nature Reserve.

Moor your Rhino to the guide’s boat, put on your mask and fins, and jump right into the crystal clear sea to experience this colorful underwater world as you snorkel under the watchful supervision of your guide. Enjoy floating on warm tropical waters as the playful sergeant-major fish surround you, watch the colorful parrot fish having a feast among the coral, or look for the lobsters’ antennas peeping out of holes. If you are lucky enough, you can also spot stingrays, turtles, barracudas or even dolphins hopping around the surf.

If you're not a snorkeler, you can relax on the Rhino Rider soaking up the sun rays, swim over to the rock and hit land, or enjoy a complimentary drink under the Caribbean sunshine while listening to your guide's stories.

Return to the Rhino tours SXM departure point

Once everybody is back on board, your guide will start up your engine and you start the final leg of your Rhino Safari tour back to the base. Upon your arrival, you will be able to purchase drinks and snacks, as well as souvenirs. If you are feeling hungry, make sure to stop at the famous Pineapple Pete restaurant next door where you can instantly upload your photos and videos to Facebook or Instagram while waiting for your lobster thermidor.