St. Maarten: Island Tour with Beaches, Forts & Shopping

Summary

St. Maarten’s colors and sounds from hilltops to white sand

You’ll feel St. Maarten’s energy as you sip local rhum by sunlit beaches, watch planes roar overhead at Maho Beach, wander Marigot’s markets with locals, and let your toes sink into Orient Bay’s soft sand—all with an easygoing guide who keeps things real. It’s not just sights—it’s little moments that stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the wind up on Cole Bay hill — not just a breeze, but that salty gust that makes you squint and laugh at your hair in photos. Our guide, Andre, pointed out the lagoon below and I tried (badly) to name all the little islands in the distance. He just grinned and handed me a cold drink from the cooler. The view from Harold Jack lookout is wild — boats scattered like confetti, water that flips between blue and green depending on which way you look.

We stopped for a quick taste of local rhum (it’s got this sweet kick that lingers) and some cheese I still can’t pronounce. There was this tiny shop owner who told us how her family’s been making it for decades — she let us try a sliver before we moved on. At Maho Beach, honestly, I thought it’d be overhyped but no — when a plane screamed overhead while I was halfway through my rum punch, everyone ducked and then cracked up together. The sand vibrates when they land. It’s loud in a way that makes you grin at strangers.

Marigot felt slower somehow — more people sitting outside bakeries or leaning into each other over coffee. We wandered through the market smelling coconut and spices (and something fried I never figured out). Some folks hiked up to Fort Louis for views; I just sat by the harbor watching kids chase pigeons. At Orient Bay Beach, the sand is almost powdery and there’s this line where one side is swimsuits and the other… well, not so much. Nobody seemed to mind either way.

Somewhere between stops Andre started telling stories about old border treaties — he joked about how easy it is to cross from French to Dutch side (“Just don’t blink or you’ll miss it”). On the drive back toward Philipsburg we passed flags waving above the monument; someone asked if we could stop for one last photo and he just shrugged — “Why not?” That sums up St. Maarten a bit: plans are loose, laughter comes easy, and you end up carrying home more than you expected (including cheese). I still think about that wind on the hill sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Complete island tour with key stops

• Photo stop at Harold Jack lookout
• Sample rum and buy ice cream
• Visit Maho Beach and Maho village
• Shop and explore Marigot capital
• Hike to the biggest fort and visit museum
• Relax and enjoy Orient Beach activities
• Stop at Paradise View lookout point
• Cross border to Dutch side and see monument
• Shop and explore Philipsburg downtown
• Sample local rum at Guava berry Emporium
• Option to return to ship or stay in town
• Sample free cheese and buy souvenirs

Top questions

How long does the St. Maarten island tour last?

The tour lasts about 5 hours with six main stops plus bonus tastings along the way.

Is hotel pickup included in this St. Maarten island tour?

Yes, round trip transfer from your hotel to the tour start point is included.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

A cooler with free ice-cold drinks—water, sodas, beer, and rum punch—is available throughout.

Which beaches are visited on this day trip?

You’ll visit both Maho Beach (famous for planes) and Orient Bay Beach during the tour.

Can I shop for souvenirs or local products?

Yes—you’ll have time in Marigot and Philipsburg for shopping duty-free goods, souvenirs, rum, cigars, spices and more.

Is lunch included in this St. Maarten island tour?

No set lunch is included but there are plenty of food options at stops like Marigot market or beach bars at Orient Bay.

Are there any physical activities involved?

You can choose to hike up 100 steps to Fort Louis in Marigot or just stroll around; moderate fitness is suggested but not required for all stops.

What languages do guides speak on this tour?

The professional guide provides narration in English; locals may speak French or Dutch as well.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup by air-conditioned vehicle, narration from a professional guide who knows both sides of St. Maarten inside out, six main sightseeing stops plus bonus tastings of local cheese and rhum along the way—all while sipping free cold drinks from a stocked cooler before returning to your hotel or downtown Philipsburg if you want extra shopping time.