St Maarten Island Private Tour: French & Dutch sides, 3 hours

See both sides of the island in one morning without fighting a group tour

A 3-hour private tour of St Maarten covers the French and Dutch sides of the island in a single minivan with your own guide and driver. Pickup from the cruise port is included. The route moves through Dawn Beach and Oyster Pond on the northeast coast, Parotte Ville bird park, the iguana park, Grand Case beach town on the French side, Maho Beach to watch jets land at the airport, and Cole Bay Hill for a final overlook before returning to port or dropping you in Philipsburg for shopping. Bottled water is provided throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore St Maarten highlights

• Pickup at cruise port
• Drive to Dawn Beach and Oyster Pond
• Visit Parotte Ville and feed tropical birds
• Feed mini dinosaurs at iguana park
• Relax and swim at Grand Case Beach
• Explore Lowland and watch planes at Maho Beach
• Drive past Simpson Bay and stop at Cole Bay Hill
• Optional drop off in Philipsburg for shopping

The experience

Three hours is tight for an island split between two nations, but the private minivan format means you skip the wait for a group to assemble and the stops a larger tour has to make. Your guide picks you up directly at the cruise port and drives northeast first, skirting the natural reserve at Oyster Pond before heading to Parotte Ville, where you can feed tropical birds and walk through a small museum. A quick stop at the iguana park follows (the mini dinosaurs are the draw), then the route crosses into the French side and Grand Case, a beach town built on the Anguilla Channel with a long sandy shore and a row of restaurants and beach bars. The water there is turquoise and calm enough to swim in if you choose to.

The return to the Dutch side takes you through Lowland and past Maho Beach, where jumbo jets descend low enough over the sand that you can watch them touch down at Princess Juliana International Airport. It's the kind of moment that reads stranger than it is: planes landing close enough to feel real, not like a photograph. The tour ends at Cole Bay Hill for a last panoramic view, then either back to the port or dropped in Philipsburg if you want an hour to hunt for duty-free goods before your ship leaves. Bottled water travels with you the whole way.

What’s included

• Pickup from cruise port.
• air-conditioned minivan.
• private guide in English and French.
• entry to Parotte Ville bird park and mini museum.
• stop at iguana park.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by King & Queen TAXI & TOURS

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and French, so if you're comfortable with English-language commentary, you get the full attention of one guide for your whole group instead of competing for a microphone on a crowded bus. The 3-hour window suits cruise passengers who need to be back before departure.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Can I choose which beach to visit on the tour?

Grand Case Beach on the French side is the main stop, and you can swim there if you want. The itinerary also mentions Orient Bay Beach and notes you can decide on any beach of your choice, so ask your guide about swapping in a different one if another appeals to you more.

What time does the tour start from the cruise port?

Pickup is arranged at your agreed-upon time from the cruise port. Since the tour runs 3 hours, book an early departure if you want to be back well before your ship leaves.

Is there time to eat lunch in Grand Case?

Grand Case is known as the Caribbean's gourmet capital and has many restaurants and beach bars along the shore. The tour stops there, so you can order lunch (try the Johnny Cake, a fried cornmeal pancake), though meals are not included in the tour price.

What happens if I want to stay in Philipsburg to shop instead of returning to the port?

The tour can drop you in Philipsburg for duty-free shopping instead of taking you back to the cruise port at the end, so you have the option to explore on your own.