May 2023 Newsletter

Just Scoobidoo It! Take a Sailing Tour of Tintamarre

Tintamarre Island; photo courtesy Scoobidoo

Tintamarre is a prominent tropical paradise and offshore nature reserve that simply must be included on any nature lover’s itinerary when vacationing in St.Martin. With white sand, ochre-coloured cliffs and crystal-clear water, Tintamarre - just off St. Martin’s northeastern coast - is resplendent in its wild, untamed beauty. Whether you’re hiking, diving, or just lounging on the beach, Tintamarre is the perfect destination for a getaway-within-a-getaway. While there’s no one right way to experience Tintamarre, one of the most compelling options is on a sailing tour of the island…and no one does sailing tours quite like Scoobidoo. 


This highly regarded, locally-owned charter company offers a comprehensive odyssey (both above and below the waves) in the waters around Tintamarre - all from the comfort of a luxurious catamaran. Scratch your itch for adventure and relaxation on Tintamarre with Scoobidoo. Below, we break down the top four reasons why you’ll want to hoist the sails with Scoobidoo on an unforgettable excursion to Tintamarre.

St. Martin viewed from Tintamarre Island; photo courtesy Scoobidoo

The Catamaran with a Plan


With no present-day human inhabitants, many say Tintamarre represents the ‘old soul’ of the Caribbean - verdant, tranquil, and unspoiled. Echoing the nature of the island itself, a Scoobidoo charter tour channels relaxed vibes and good times long before you even make landfall. The company’s growing fleet of nimble catamarans come fully equipped to meet all your relaxation needs. In fact, each boat comes equipped with the following:


  • A Central bar
  • A Bose sound system
  • Cushioned seats
  • A deployable waterslide
  • Front steps for water easy access
  • Comfortable seating and lounging
  • Plenty of shade
  • Spacious deck area
  • 2 toilets (one in each hull)
  • Smooth and stable navigation


Passenger capacity maxes out at 28 people, and you can always book a private charter to maximize your ‘me time”. Whether you’re venturing to Tintamarre solo or with family and friends, a trip on a well-appointed Scoobidoo catamaran sets the perfect tone for the rest of the day.

Photo courtesy of the St. Martin Tourism Office

The World Under Tintamarre


Arriving at Tintamarre, one can’t help but take in the magnificent landscape and the visual interplay between the green land and the azure sea. Gaze deeply into the multi-hued waves and an astounding secret reveals itself: a thriving ecosystem built on a kingdom of corals. Tintamarre is one of the foremost diving, scuba, and snorkelling destinations within St. Martin, and a tour with Scoobidoo makes each of these options an accessible and irresistible option. The knowledgeable crew will provide you with all the gear and information you need to dive right in and observe the turtles, rays, and colourful fish in the crystal-clear water of their natural habitat. Don’t worry about parsing through reviews to craft a diving itinerary: your Scoobidoo captain knows all the best spots and will maneuver the catamaran directly above a submerged wreck where many of the most elusive species love to hide. With Scoobidoo, the secrets of Tintamarre’s underwater world are laid bare and ready to be discovered with a snorkel and flipper. If you get especially lucky, you might just spy a migrating pod of whales, who favour the waters around Tintamarre for their warmth. Your eagle-eyed captain will keep a lookout for these gentle giants during whale season, which typically runs from December to April.


Edifying and Edible Culture


Though Tintamarre today may be the ultimate picture of tranquility, the meaning of its name (a ‘great discordant noise’) hints at a fascinating past. Taking a lay of the land, one can spot old, rusted plane engines and the architectural bones of an old factory, now reclaimed by nature. Decades ago, the island used to serve as a small, remote airbase - a portal to neighbouring islands. The presence of other sorts of ruins on the island hints at even more forgotten lore…but we’ll leave it to the Scoobidoo crew to tell you. The charter’s guides relish in sharing the many tales of Tintamarre with visitors, some of which extend all the way back to the 1800s. For the culturally curious, a trip to Tintamarre is as much a physical getaway as it is an intellectual exercise: an engaging look into the storied Caribbean of the past. 

Lunch on board; photo courtesy Scoobidoo

If you’re the type that prefers culture of the edible variety, Scoobidoo owner and captain Stéphane is more than just an AGOA-certified whale-watcher: he’s also a renowned chef. While the captain is beloved for his sense of humour, his skill in cooking delicious dishes and selecting fine wines is no laughing matter. All lunches with Scoobidoo include an assort of wine and cheese and a selection of fresh bread and croissants delivered from Bacchus L'Express. Most tours are catered by Fabulous Feast, a private chef service that stocks each catamaran with mouthwatering options like poached salmon in dill sauce, Mediterranean pasta salad, and banana cakes. Of course, it wouldn’t be a cruise without an open bar: professional bartender JR serves up the Scoobidoo signature rum punch.


With a Scoobidoo sailing tour, the enchanting allure of Tintamarre has never been more accessible. Apply your sunscreen, breathe in the salty air of the sea and step aboard for a day of discovery you’ll never forget. Start planning your voyage and learn more about Scoobidoo at Sailing Tours in Saint Martin | Scoobidoo. 

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St. Martin is a charming, scenically beautiful island. It’s the smallest territory to be shared between two nations (France and The Netherlands), and home to over a hundred different nationalities and cultures. Surrounded by both the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, this small 88 square kilometer island is a paradise for beach lovers. Being the undisputed capital of gastronomy, St. Martin not only offers a blend of traditional French cuisine but as well innovative gourmet cuisine from around the world. With its lavish, unspoiled landscapes and idyllic beaches, St. Martin embodies the true spirit of vacation. This “Friendly Island’’, as it’s often referred to, is bursting with treasures for gourmets, hikers, adventures and dreamers alike. From hotels to resorts to boutique properties to beautiful villas, St. Martin’s hilly topography ensures beautiful views from the hills as well as on its beautiful shores.


Its vibrant setting and tropical climate pleasantly cooled by trade winds year-round make this island your ideal destination, whether you wish to relax, explore or get active, alone, with a loved one, family or friends. Here, you’ll find all the right ingredients from an unforgettable stay on one of the most enchanting islands of the Caribbean.


Website: https://www.st-martin.org/

Facebook: Iledesaintmartin

Instagram: @discoverSaintMartin

Contact:

Nancy Drolet / Nicola Blazier

Jesson + Company Communications Inc. 

ndrolet@jessonco.com / nblazier@jessonco.com

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