Sint Maarten & St Martin: Guided UTV Tour with French Loop

Summary

UTV drive across Dutch & French sides with stops for iguanas, coastal views, and beach time

You’ll zip across both Dutch Sint Maarten & French St Martin in a UTV with a local guide—feeding iguanas, walking skinny trails over water, catching salty breezes on coastal roads. Stops come quick: beaches, nature reserves, photo ops every turn. Expect laughter, unexpected silences, and maybe sand in your shoes by the end.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever fed an iguana?” our guide grinned as we pulled up to this little dusty spot somewhere between the Dutch and French sides of Sint Maarten. I hadn’t — not unless you count that one lizard in Florida (which, apparently, you shouldn’t). The UTV was still humming under me, grit on my teeth from the wind. We’d started in Philipsburg just an hour before, but it already felt like we’d crossed a dozen borders — signs flipping languages, people waving in different accents. The main roads are smooth enough but every so often you get this quick jolt off-road and your whole body wakes up. I kept laughing at how much salt was stuck to my lips after that first coastal stretch.

Li (our guide) kept pointing out things I would’ve missed — like the “Jesus walk” in the French Nature Reserve. It’s not what you think; it’s this skinny path over water where everyone tries to balance like they’re walking on it. Some locals strolled by carrying baguettes under their arms (not kidding), and Li laughed when I tried to say bonjour in a way that didn’t sound like a sneeze. We stopped for photos every fifteen minutes or so, never long enough to get bored but just enough to catch your breath. There was this one moment where everything went quiet except for the breeze and some distant music from a beach bar — I still think about that view sometimes.

The loop itself is about four hours if you count all the photo stops and random detours (“shortcut,” Li called it, but I’m not sure he wasn’t just showing off his favorite potholes). You need a driver’s license if you want to drive your own UTV, and they won’t let kids under six join — which makes sense once you feel how bouncy it gets. There’s fuel included so you don’t have to worry about running dry somewhere weird. Honestly, by the time we got back into town, I had sand everywhere and couldn’t stop smiling. If you’re looking for a day trip around Sint Maarten & St Martin that actually feels like both countries at once… well, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 4-hour guided UTV island tour

• Start tour with guide introduction
• Drive main roads around island
• Stop for Jesus walk in French Nature Reserve
• Feed iguanas
• Enjoy coastal sightseeing
• Take beach time break
• Make several 15-20 minute photo stops
• Drive brief off-road section
• Complete 2-country loop of St Maarten

Top questions

How long does the guided UTV tour last?

The tour lasts between 3.5 to 4 hours including stops.

Is there an age limit for the UTV tour?

Yes, minimum age is 6 years old; drivers must be at least 18 with a valid license.

Does the tour include both Dutch Sint Maarten & French St Martin?

Yes, it loops through highlights of both sides of the island.

Are there any off-road sections during the tour?

Yes, there is a brief portion of off-road driving included.

What should I bring for the UTV tour?

A driver’s license if you want to drive; wear comfortable clothes for wind and sun.

Is fuel included in the price?

Yes, fuel for your UTV is included.

Can children join this day trip around Sint Maarten?

Children aged 6 and above can join as passengers.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes use of your own UTV with fuel provided throughout the loop around Sint Maarten & St Martin plus guidance from a professional local guide at each stop—just bring your license if you want to drive yourself!