Philipsburg Island Tour: 6-Pack Small Group with Maho Beach

Watch planes land at Maho Beach while the sand blasts your face

A 6-pack island tour of Philipsburg covers both the Dutch and French sides in five hours with a professional English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport and a cooler of complimentary drinks. The group stays between six and ten people for comfort. Food, beach chairs and umbrellas are available for purchase at the beach bars, not included. Children must be at least 12 years old.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore St. Maarten island highlights

• Visit panoramic photo stop
• Watch planes at Maho Beach
• Shop and explore Marigot capital
• Relax and enjoy Orient Beach

The experience

Philipsburg is the starting point for a route that hits the island's two most-visited beaches and the shopping districts on both sides of the border. The tour opens at a photo stop with panoramic views, then moves to Maho Beach, the main draw, where planes land and take off low enough that brave swimmers can hold the fence and get sandblasted by jet wash. You'll have time to soak in the scene, take pictures and sip the national drink while the aircraft come in. The minivan is air-conditioned and carries no more than ten people, so the ride itself stays comfortable even in the heat.

From Maho, the route crosses to the French side and Marigot, the capital. The waterfront has an open flea market with local art, souvenirs and the island's best French bakeries within walking distance of each other. There's also the biggest fort on the island nearby. After browsing and eating, you cross back to the Dutch side to explore downtown Philipsburg for duty-free and tax-free shopping: jewelry, alcohol and real Cuban cigars are the draws here. The cooler in the van stays stocked with ice-cold water, sodas, beer and rum punch throughout the day.

Orient Beach on the French side is the final stop. It's about a mile long with two sections (one clothing-optional, one clothed) plus beach bars, restaurants, water sports and shopping. The itinerary can shift due to traffic or weather, but the operator aims to hit all four stops. The whole tour runs five hours, so plan accordingly if you have a ship departure or evening plans.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned minivan transport.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• cooler stocked with ice-cold water, sodas, beer and rum punch.
• small group of six to ten travelers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by St. Maarten Presidential Tours

Is this one for you?Five hours leaves room for a ship departure or evening plans without cutting the main stops short. The small group size and included drinks mean you're not managing logistics or a crowd while watching planes at Maho or browsing the French and Dutch shopping districts.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Maho Beach and why do people go there?

Maho Beach is the number-one photo stop on the island, famous for planes landing and taking off at low altitude. Swimmers and beachgoers hold onto the fence as jets pass overhead, creating a sandblasting effect. It's voted the must-see beach in the world and is the main attraction on this tour.

Can I eat lunch during the tour?

Food is not included in the tour price. You can purchase meals and drinks at the beach bars and restaurants during the stops in Marigot and at Orient Beach, where there are shaded dining options and water-sports facilities.

What's included in the cooler of drinks?

The cooler comes stocked with ice-cold water, sodas, beer and rum punch: all complimentary throughout the five-hour tour.

Is there a clothing-optional beach on this tour?

Orient Beach has two sections: one clothing-optional and one clothed. You choose which area to visit. The beach is about a mile long with bars, restaurants and water sports in both sections.

How many people go on this tour?

The tour runs with a minimum of six people and a maximum of ten, keeping the group small enough for comfort in the air-conditioned minivan.