Private St Maarten Island Tour: Maho Beach & Grand Case Highlights

Summary

Luxury Private Sightseeing in St Maarten: Beaches, Food & Local Life

If you want to see both sides of St Maarten in comfort—with plenty of local flavor—this private tour covers it all: famous plane landings at Maho Beach, quiet swims at Mullet Bay, French bakeries in Marigot, and food stops in Grand Case. It’s flexible too—you can linger where you like or ask your guide for hidden gems.

What’s the experience like?

First thing you notice when you step into the van is how cool it feels—air conditioning is a blessing here. Our guide, Alex, greeted us with a grin and a cooler stocked with cold water and local beer. We set off from Philipsburg, the Dutch capital. The boardwalk was already buzzing, and you could smell fresh pastries wafting from a bakery near Front Street. I grabbed a coffee to go; it’s just what you do here.

Maho Beach is wild—planes roar right over your head so close you can almost read the airline names on the belly. We found a spot at Sunset Bar (you’ll hear reggae playing and people cheering every time a jet comes in). It’s loud but in the best way. Nobody minds if sand gets everywhere; everyone’s just watching the sky and laughing when the wind kicks up.

Mullet Bay was quieter. The water’s that clear blue you see on postcards, but it’s real—tiny fish dart around your ankles if you wade in. There’s a shack selling grilled chicken that smells incredible, and honestly, I wish I’d brought more cash for snacks. Locals say this is their favorite beach for swimming or just hanging out under the sea grapes.

Crossing into Marigot on the French side felt like entering another country—signs switch to French, and suddenly there are open-air markets with spices and fresh fruit stands everywhere. We stopped at Bread and Butter bakery near Oyster Pond; their croissants are flaky with just enough crunch on top (I ended up buying two). Grand Case came next—rows of beach bars and little restaurants line the sand. You hear French mixed with English everywhere, and the grilled fish at one of the lolos (open-air BBQ spots) is worth waiting for.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — St Maarten Island Highlights

• Visit Beach Bars
• Explore Philipsburg Boardwalk
• Watch Planes at Maho Beach
• Relax at Mullet Bay Beach
• Visit Marigot Town
• Enjoy Pastries at Bread and Butter
• Dine and Walk in Grand Case

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young kids?

Yes! The van has space for strollers or prams, and kids love watching planes at Maho Beach. Just let us know if you need anything special.

Can we customize our stops or spend more time at certain places?

Absolutely—you set the pace. Just tell your guide what interests you most or if there’s somewhere special you want to visit longer.

Are drinks included during the tour?

Yes, we provide bottled water, soft drinks, local beers, and even some rhum punch in the cooler onboard.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

The van is wheelchair accessible and we do our best to accommodate everyone comfortably.

What’s included

Your private tour includes comfortable air-conditioned transport with WiFi onboard, bottled water, sodas, beers, rhum punch—and a friendly local guide who’ll help plan your perfect day around St Maarten’s highlights.