Jeep Tour: Dutch & French St. Maarten from Phillipsburg

Drive both sides of the island in a 4x4 Jeep, then swim at the beach

A half-day guided Jeep tour from Phillipsburg that crosses the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten in a 4x4 Wrangler with automatic transmission. You'll stop at Airport Beach on the Dutch side, browse Marigot Market across the border, and spend an hour swimming at Philipsburg Beach. The route mixes on-road and off-road driving, with your guide communicating via VHF radio throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Dutch and French Sint Maarten

• Visit Airport Beach on Dutch side
• Pass through Orient Bay, take pictures
• Visit Marigot Market area
• Walk MOSES path if tide low
• Spend one hour at Philipsburg Beach

The experience

If you're docked in Phillipsburg or have a free afternoon on the island, this tour fits a half-day window without requiring your own rental. You drive a 4x4 Jeep Wrangler (not as a passenger, but as the one behind the wheel), which means you navigate the route yourself while your guide directs you by radio and points out what matters at each stop. The Jeep is equipped and ready. You just need a valid driver's license and the willingness to handle both paved roads and rougher terrain.

The route covers both the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten in three hours. You'll see Airport Beach, a popular spot on the Dutch side where planes take off overhead, then cross into the French territory to walk through Marigot Market. If the tide is low, you can attempt the Moses Walk: a natural path that appears across shallow water to a small island. Orient Bay is on the route too, and if time allows, you stop for photos. After three hours of exploring, you get an hour at Philipsburg Beach to swim and cool off. Bottled water is provided throughout, and when you finish, you receive a complimentary drink: water, soda, fruit punch or rum punch.

Children from age 6 can join. Specialized infant seats are available for younger children. The tour suits all fitness levels, and public transportation options are nearby if you need to reach the departure point. Your guide speaks English and leads the entire experience by radio, so you're never alone on the route, even though you're driving.

What’s included

• Use of a 4x4 Jeep Wrangler with automatic transmission and VHF radio.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• a complimentary drink (water, soda, fruit punch or rum punch) after the tour.
• English-speaking guide.
• pickup included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 80 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Island Life Explorer

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to drive yourself rather than sit as a passenger, and you're comfortable navigating unfamiliar roads with some off-road sections.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten that I'll actually see on this tour?

Airport Beach on the Dutch side is known for planes landing and taking off overhead, a distinctive sight you won't find elsewhere on the island. Marigot Market on the French side is a bustling shopping area where you can walk and browse local goods. The two sides have different atmospheres and vendors, and crossing between them is part of what makes the route interesting.

Do I have to drive the Jeep myself, or does the guide drive?

You drive the Jeep. Your guide communicates with you by VHF radio throughout the tour, directing you to each stop and explaining what you're seeing. The Jeep has an automatic transmission, so it's easier to handle than a manual, and the route is a mix of on-road and off-road, not extreme terrain.

How much time do I actually spend swimming, and where?

You get one full hour at Philipsburg Beach to swim and relax after three hours of driving and exploring. That's enough time to get in the water, dry off and have a drink before heading back.

What is the Moses Walk, and will I definitely get to do it?

The Moses Walk is a natural path that appears across shallow water to a small island when the tide is low. If the tide cooperates during your tour, you can walk across it. If the tide is high, the path is underwater and you'll skip it, but your guide will let you know in advance.

Is this tour suitable if I've never driven in the Caribbean before?

The tour suits all fitness levels and the Jeep has an automatic transmission, which makes it easier to drive. Most of the route is on paved roads with a portion off-road. Your guide is with you by radio the whole time, so you're not navigating alone. If you're comfortable driving a regular car, you can handle this Jeep.