St. Maarten Private Tour: Planes, Reefs & Island Beaches

See planes take off from the sand, then photograph the Atlantic from a reef that faces St. Barts

A private tour of St. Maarten with a live English-speaking guide and hotel pickup, visiting Maho Beach (where planes land overhead), Oyster Pond's coral reef, the French-Dutch border at Simpson Bay, and beaches on both the Dutch and French sides of the island. The tour runs 2 to 5 hours depending on which stops you choose, and includes cold beverages throughout. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the guide adjusts the pace to suit your group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore St. Maarten beaches and landmarks

• Coral Reef photoshoot
• Visit Maho Beach Bar
• Explore Marigot shopping area
• Border Point photo shoot
• Relax at Orient Bay Beach
• Visit Kimsha Beach and local brewery
• Mr. Bells photo shoot

The Experience

The tour picks you up from your hotel and moves through stops on both sides of the island—Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin—so you see how the border divides the same landmass. Maho Beach is the centerpiece: planes descend low enough that the jet blast pushes you back, and thousands of people come specifically for that moment. If you want the photo without the crowd, the guide times it around the flight schedule.

Oyster Pond sits on the Atlantic side, where the coral reef faces St. Barts across the water. On clear days you can see the neighboring island; the reef waves run 3 to 4 feet depending on weather, and it's the main photo stop. The tour also takes you to the border point where the French and Dutch territories meet—a historical marker and a photo spot—and includes beaches on both sides: Orient Bay on the French side (the oldest beach there, with bars and water sports), and Kimsha Beach on the Dutch side, where you can watch the local beer being made if that interests you. Marigot, the French town, sits within walking distance of shops and restaurants if you want to spend time there instead.

Cold beverages come throughout the day. The guide speaks English and adjusts stops based on what you want to see and how much time you have—the tour can be 2 hours or stretch to 5, so you're not locked into a fixed itinerary. Pickup is included, so you don't need a rental car or taxi to get started.

What’s included

• Cold beverages throughout the tour.
• hotel pickup and return.
• live English-speaking guide.
• stops at Maho Beach, Oyster Pond, the French-Dutch border, and beaches on both sides of the island.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by St.Maarten / St.Martin Pelican Island Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're staying without a car—we handle pickup from your hotel and drop-off after, so you move between island sights as a group rather than driving yourself.

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Top questions

What's the deal with the planes at Maho Beach—do they really fly that close?

Maho Beach sits at the end of the airport runway, so planes descend low enough that the jet blast from takeoff pushes people back. It's the main reason thousands of tourists visit the spot, and the guide times the stop around the flight schedule so you get the experience.

Can I see both the Dutch and French sides of the island on one tour?

Yes. The tour crosses the border at Simpson Bay and visits stops on both sides—Oyster Pond and Kimsha Beach on the Dutch side, and Orient Bay and Marigot on the French side, so you see how the island is divided and experience both territories in one day.

Is there time to actually swim or just photo stops?

The tour is flexible. The guide adjusts which stops you visit and how long you spend at each one based on what you want—you can swim at the beaches if you choose, or move through photo spots faster. The whole tour runs anywhere from 2 to 5 hours depending on your preference.

What's at Oyster Pond that makes it worth a stop?

Oyster Pond is known for its coral reef and Atlantic Ocean views. On clear days you can see St. Barts island across the water, and the reef waves reach 3 to 4 feet, making it a strong photo spot and a scenic part of the island most visitors miss.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the tour, or is pickup included?

Pickup from your hotel is included, so you don't need a rental car or taxi. The guide collects you and handles the driving between stops.

Are there restaurants or bars at the beaches, or should I eat before?

Maho Beach has a bar with live entertainment, and both Orient Bay and Kimsha Beach have multiple restaurants and bars within the beach areas. Marigot also has restaurants and cafés within walking distance if you want to eat there.