ATV riding in St Maarten: Maho Beach & coastal tour

Ride the coast, cross the border, watch jets land at Maho

A 3.5-hour ATV or UTV tour in St Maarten where you operate the vehicle yourself, riding from Philipsburg through Simpson Bay and Cole Bay to Marigot on the French side, then to Maho Beach to watch planes land low over the runway. The tour includes a professional guide in English or Spanish, a tutorial on operating the ATV or UTV, helmet and fuel, and ends with beach chair and umbrella access at Great Bay Beach.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cole Bay Hill20m
2. Maho & Mullet Bay20m
3. Simpson Baypassing by
4. St. Maarten Cruise Port30m

UTV/ATV Coastal and Island Tour

• Cruise through Philipsburg capital
• Ride near Little Bay coast
• Stop at Cole Bay Hill viewpoint
• Cruise through Cole Bay village
• Pass through French side border
• Stop at Marigot waterfront
• Drive alongside Princess Juliana Airport
• Stop at Maho Beach for plane views
• Pass through Simpson Bay area
• Relax at Great Bay Beach

The experience

You arrive at the cruise port and head straight to the ATV staging area for an 8:30 AM check-in. A guide walks you through the controls and safety basics: how to handle the throttle, brakes and turns on the terrain you'll cover. Then you mount your own ATV or UTV (single or double seating, depending on your booking) and follow the guide out onto the island roads. The vehicle is yours to operate for the next three and a half hours, so the pace and the handling are entirely in your hands.

The route starts in Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, where you ride past the Great Bay Beach and the cruise port itself, then head toward Simpson Bay Lagoon: one of the largest inland lagoons in the Caribbean, split down the middle by the border between the Dutch and French sides. You pass through Cole Bay village and cross into French Saint Martin at the Concordia Monument, which marks the 300-year-old treaty that divided the island. Marigot, the French capital, sits on the waterfront with colonial houses and markets. You stop there to walk around if you want. Then comes the famous part: Maho Beach, where the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport ends just behind the sand. Planes land and take off at low altitude over the water. The spectacle is real enough that it made it into Microsoft Flight Simulator. You'll see the jets come in and hear them depart while you're on the beach.

After Maho, you ride back along the coast past Mullet Bay and through Simpson Bay again, then return to Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach. Your guide brings you to the Rum & Reggae Beach Bar, where beach chairs and umbrellas are waiting for you, both included. You can swim, relax, or grab food and drinks at your own cost before heading back to the ship. The whole outing is timed so you're back with plenty of time before departure.

What’s included

• Professional guide leading the group in English or Spanish.
• in-depth tutorial on operating the ATV or UTV before departure.
• helmet and fuel for your vehicle.
• beach chair and umbrella at Great Bay Beach at the end of the tour.

Options for this experience

19 options

Single ATVUp to 1 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! Single ATV: Guests will ride their own ATV.

Double ATVUp to 2 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! Double ATV: Guests share one ATV, with one seated at the front and one at the back. The double has a joint weight limit of 360 lbs.

2 Single ATVsUp to 2 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 2 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

See 16 more options

2 Seater UTVUp to 2 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 2-seater UTV: This vehicle is an option for guests who would rather sit side by side than on a shared ATV, back and front.

3 Single ATVsUp to 3 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 3 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

2 Double ATVsUp to 4 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 2 double ATVs: Each ATV is shared by a couple. *The shared ATV has a joint weight limit of 360 lbs*

4 Single ATVsUp to 4 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 4 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

4 Seater UTVUp to 4 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 4-seater UTV: This vehicle seats 4 people in total, 2 at the front and 2 at the back.

5 Single ATVsUp to 5 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 5 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

3 Double ATVsUp to 6 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 3 double ATVs: Each ATV is shared by a couple. *The shared ATV has a joint weight limit of 360 lbs*

5 Seater UTVUp to 5 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 5-seater UTV: This vehicle seats 5 people in total.

6 Single ATVsUp to 6 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 6 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

6 Seater UTVUp to 6 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 6-seater UTV: This vehicle fits 6 people.

4 Double ATVsUp to 8 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 4 double ATVs: Each ATV is shared by a couple. *The shared ATV has a joint weight limit of 360 lbs*

7 Single ATVsUp to 7 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 7 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

8 Single ATVsUp to 8 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 8 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

5 Double ATVsUp to 10 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 5 double ATVs: Each ATV is shared by a couple. *The shared ATV has a joint weight limit of 360 lbs*

9 Single ATVsUp to 9 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 9 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

10 Single ATVsUp to 10 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00Lasts 3 hours and visits the famous Maho beach! 10 single ATVs: Each traveler will ride their own individual ATV.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by The Jeep Plug

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to drive yourself across both sides of the island and have a specific reason to be back at the ship by mid-afternoon: the fixed 3.5-hour window and the cruise-port timing mean you're not negotiating your return or watching the clock. If you've never ridden an ATV, the tutorial and guide-led pace mean you're not figuring it out alone on unfamiliar roads.

Traveler reviews

4.98★★★★★★★★★★

65 verified traveler reviews

5 ★64

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can I ride an ATV in St Maarten if I've never done it before?

Yes. Every rider gets an in-depth tutorial on operating the ATV or UTV before the tour starts, covering throttle, brakes, turning and safety. The guide leads the group at a pace that works for everyone, and you control your own speed on the road.

What happens at Maho Beach? Do planes really land that close?

Maho Beach sits at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport, so planes land and take off at very low altitude over the water and sand. It's one of the most famous plane-spotting beaches in the world, and the landing approach is steep enough that it's become a viral moment for travelers.

Is there time to swim or eat during the tour?

Yes. You stop at Marigot on the French side if you want to walk the waterfront and markets, and the tour ends at Great Bay Beach with beach chair and umbrella access. You can swim there, and food and drinks are available for purchase at the beach bar.

What do I need to bring or wear?

Bring a valid driver's license. The operator will not accept photos. Swimwear is recommended because you'll be near water and may get wet. You must be at least 18 years old to operate the ATV or UTV. Helmet and fuel are included.

How long is the whole experience, and when do I need to be back at the ship?

The tour runs 3.5 hours from the 8:30 AM check-in, ending at Great Bay Beach. The timing is built around cruise ship schedules so you have time to relax on the beach before returning to port.

Can two people ride together on one vehicle?

Yes. Double ATV and UTV options are available at checkout, seating two riders per vehicle. Double ATVs have a weight limit of 360 pounds combined.