St Maarten: Kayak Lagoon Tour & Mega Yacht Sights

Kayak past mega yachts on St Maarten’s wide lagoon with local stories and a salty breeze

You’ll paddle from Kim Sha Beach across St Maarten’s big saltwater lagoon with a local guide leading the way. Spot mega yachts up close, pause at the imaginary border between Dutch and French sides, learn quirky bits of island history, then cool off with a swim and complimentary drink before heading back salty and smiling.

What’s included

Your day includes use of sit-on-top kayak with paddle and life jacket, guidance from a local expert throughout your paddle across St Maarten’s lagoon, plus a complimentary beverage when you return to Kim Sha Beach—all wrapped up with time for an ocean swim if you want it.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided kayak tour on lagoon

• Receive kayaking lesson and safety orientation
• Paddle across largest saltwater lagoon
• View mega yachts and island sights
• Stop to rest and learn history
• Paddle back to Kim Sha Beach
• Enjoy ocean dip and complimentary beverage

The Experience

We slid our kayaks into the water at Kim Sha Beach, legs wobbling a bit as I tried to remember the paddle lesson our guide just gave us. The morning sun was already warm but not sharp yet, and you could smell salt and sunscreen in the air. Our group set out behind the guide, who wore this faded cap and kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed—like how some of those mega yachts docked nearby are bigger than my entire apartment building back home. Seriously, it’s wild.

Paddling across St Maarten’s lagoon felt easier than I expected—maybe because we went slow, or maybe because there was always something to look at. At one point, our guide stopped us right where he said the “invisible border” runs between the Dutch and French sides. He grinned and asked if we could feel any difference in the water (we couldn’t), but it made me laugh anyway. There was a moment where all you could hear were paddles dipping, a pelican flapping off somewhere, and someone behind me quietly cursing at their steering skills. That salty air sticks to your skin in a way that feels good after a while.

We took a break halfway through—my arms were grateful—to float for a bit while our guide talked about how the lagoon is its own little world. Something about mangroves cleaning the water and old stories from both sides of the island. I didn’t catch every detail (I was busy trying not to tip over), but I liked hearing him talk about growing up here. On the way back to Kim Sha Beach, I started racing my friend just for fun—she won—and then we jumped straight into the ocean before grabbing that free drink they promised. My hair smelled like salt for hours after. Still does, honestly.

Top questions

Where does the kayak lagoon tour in St Maarten start?

The tour starts at Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay.

Is there a guide during the kayak tour?

Yes, a local guide leads the entire kayak lagoon tour.

Are kayaks and life jackets provided?

Yes, kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are included for all participants.

Do you need kayaking experience for this tour?

No previous experience is needed; there’s a lesson before starting.

What do you see on this St Maarten kayak tour?

You’ll see mega yachts in the lagoon and cross between Dutch and French sides.

Is there a break during the tour?

Yes, there’s a brief stop to rest and hear about island history and nature.

Does this tour include drinks?

A complimentary beverage is included at the end—beer, rum punch, fruit punch, soda or water.

How fit do you need to be for this kayak tour?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness for paddling.