St. Maarten: Island sightseeing tour with local guide

Summary

Experience St. Maarten’s lively beaches, French flavors & plane landings up close

You’ll ride around St. Maarten with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story, stopping at Oyster Pond’s breezy shorelines, sipping guava berry coladas at Orient Bay Beach, wandering Marigot’s lively market stalls for pastries or souvenirs, then feeling your heart race as jets thunder over Maho Beach — all packed into an easygoing four hours you’ll remember long after you’ve shaken out the last bit of sand.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed was the salt in the air — not just from the sea, but from the way everyone on St. Maarten seems to greet you like you’re already part of the story. Our driver, Winston, handed me a cold bottle of water (he called it “island AC”) and grinned as we rolled out of Philipsburg, windows down just enough to let in that mix of sun and engine rumble. We’d barely started this 4 hour sightseeing tour when he pointed out a cluster of goats balancing on a hillside — “They know all the shortcuts,” he said, and honestly, I believed him.

Oyster Pond was our first stop — windier than I expected, with Atlantic spray coming off the rocks and a few fishing boats bobbing like they’d been there forever. I tried walking across to that little spit of land Winston mentioned, shoes in hand, toes sinking into cool sand. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for the slap of waves and someone laughing behind me (I think it was one of the other travelers trying to take a selfie without dropping their phone). The island feels small here, but also kind of endless.

Orient Bay Beach came next — powdery sand underfoot and guava berry coladas that tasted like summer holidays should taste. Our guide told us about how French families come here on Sundays; I watched two kids chase each other into the water while their parents argued gently over pastries from Marigot. Speaking of Marigot: it’s busy in that market way — smells of fried fish and sweet bread mixing with perfume from some shop I couldn’t quite find. I bought a pastry (no idea what it was called) and tried to ask for another in French; the woman at the counter smiled patiently while I stumbled through my order.

Maho Beach is louder than anywhere else on St. Maarten — not just because of the planes (which really do come in so low you feel like ducking), but because everyone’s shouting or laughing or filming each other getting blasted by jet engines. I got sand everywhere, including places sand shouldn’t go, but honestly? Watching people cling to that fence while jets roar overhead is something I still think about when I hear airplanes now. Winston poured us some rum punch before we left; sweet and sharp at once, just like this whole island day trip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — St. Maarten Island Highlights

• Walk on Oyster Pond land
• Relax at Orient Bay Beach
• Shop and eat in Marigot
• Visit Maho Beach and Maho Village

Top questions

How long does the St. Maarten sightseeing tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours from start to finish.

Are drinks included during the tour?

Yes, free ice-cold drinks such as water, sodas, beers and rum punch are included.

Is there hotel pickup available?

The tour includes pickup; public transportation options are also nearby if needed.

What stops are included on this day trip around St. Maarten?

The main stops are Oyster Pond, Orient Bay Beach, Marigot (French capital), and Maho & Mullet Bay.

Is lunch provided during this sightseeing tour?

No lunch is included but there are opportunities to buy food at stops like Marigot or Maho Beach.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Will we have time to swim at any beaches?

You’ll have time to dip your feet or swim at Orient Bay Beach and Maho Beach if you wish.

Is there a guide throughout the day trip?

A professional local guide narrates the entire tour and shares island history along the way.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle with a friendly local guide narrating each stop; enjoy free drinks from a cooler stocked with water, sodas, beers and rum punch as you explore Oyster Pond’s views, stroll Orient Bay Beach with time for a swim or drink, browse Marigot’s shops and markets for gifts or pastries, then watch planes land right overhead at Maho Beach before heading back refreshed (and maybe sandy).