Baie Blanche, Tintamarre
Baie Blanche, the finest deserted beach of the Nature Reserve
Baie Blanche is the long western beach of Tintamarre Island, about 3 km off the north-east coast of Saint Martin. Uninhabited and entirely included in the National Nature Reserve, the island offers one of the wildest and most beautiful swims in the Lesser Antilles: fine white sand, crystal-clear water, low cliffs lined with manchineel trees and zero buildings.
Access is by boat only. Three main options: organised day trip (catamaran or RIB from Anse Marcel, Oyster Pond or Marigot marina), private boat charter, or yacht at anchor. Crossing time is 20 to 40 minutes depending on the departure port. Several mooring buoys are installed by the Reserve: maximum depth 12 m, maximum tonnage 10 t, overnight mooring prohibited.
The shallow sand bottom is ideal for family swimming; closer to the coral heads at the south and north ends of the bay, you find an excellent snorkeling spot. The area is home to green and hawksbill turtles, southern stingrays and large schools of sergeant-majors. A Tintamarre quirk: a natural white-clay seabed that some divers use as a face mask - tolerated but to be done sparingly so as not to stir up the bottom.
Strict protected area: no fishing, no jet-skis, no taking sand, coral, shells or plants. Reef-safe mineral sunscreen is strongly recommended. Brown noddies and other seabirds nest on the nearby cliffs - do not disturb the colonies. Tintamarre also keeps the remains of an old airstrip and a wrecked plane for the curious who walk up to the plateau.
On site there are no facilities: no restaurant, no loungers, no toilets, no real natural shade. Bring water, lunch, parasol, mask & snorkel, dry bag, and pack out all your trash. A windbreaker is also handy: the bay catches the trade winds in mid-day.
Gallery
Practical Info
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Location
Tintamarre Island, National Nature Reserve, 97150 Saint Martin
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Access
Boat only (organised trip or charter) from Anse Marcel, Oyster Pond or Marigot
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Parking
No parking on the island; park at your chosen departure port
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Amenities
No services. Reserve-managed mooring buoys. Bring water, food, shade, snorkel.
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Safety
No lifeguard, strong trade winds, currents at the bay exit. Protected area — strict rules.
A Tintamarre day takes a bit of planning
Book your excursion in advance, leave early, bring everything you need, and take all your trash back with you.