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

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/11

Duration5h

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

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.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfants 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.