St Maarten Sightseeing Tour: Both Islands, Private Minivan

Two hours, both sides of the island, birds, beaches, and low-flying jets

A two-hour private minivan tour of St Maarten covers both the French and Dutch sides with a live guide in English or French, starting from cruise port or hotel pickup. Swim at a beach of your choice and pick one add-on: meet tropical birds at Parotte Ville and relax on Orient Bay. Browse Marigot Market and hike to Fort St. Louis; or watch jets land overhead at Maho Beach. Bottled water is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

St Maarten island sightseeing tour

• Pickup at agreed location
• Visit Parotte Ville Bird Sanctuary
• Drive past Dawn Beach and Oyster Pond
• Stop at Coralita Beach View Pointe
• Feed mini dinosaurs at Iguanna Park
• Experience jet blast at Princess Julianna Airport

The experience

Two hours is tight for an island this size, so the route sticks to the highlights: Parotte Ville Bird Sanctuary where you feed tropical birds and visit the mini museum, then northeast along the coast past Dawn Beach and Oyster Pond to Coralita Beach, where you can wade in and do the Jesus Walk at the rocky point. The minivan is air-conditioned and holds your group alone, so there's no waiting for other travelers or sitting through stops that don't interest you.

The real draw is the choice at the end. Pick Parotte Ville and Orient Bay if you want to spend time with the birds and finish on one of the island's most famous beaches. Choose Marigot Market and Fort St. Louis to walk through local shops, soak up French-Caribbean culture, and climb to the fort for views. Or head to Maho Beach and stand on the sand while jets from Princess Julianna Airport descend almost directly overhead. The jet blast is the thing people talk about. If none of those three fit your mood, you can swim at any beach you choose instead.

Pickup comes straight from the cruise port if you're docking, or from your hotel if you're staying on the island. The guide speaks English and French and knows the island's history and culture, so you get context as you move through the stops. Bring sunscreen and a towel. Bottled water is provided.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned minivan for your group.
• live guide in English or French.
• pickup from cruise port or hotel.
• bottled water.
• entry and access to all stops (Parotte Ville Bird Sanctuary, Iguanna Park, Maho & Mullet Bay, and your choice of add-on site).
• beach swim time.

Options for this experience

2 options

VIP transfers to and from the airport and hotelGuide in English or French · No fixed timeEnjoy the ideal blend of luxury, comfort, and genuine Caribbean hospitality with King & Queen Taxi & Tours! 15-seater Maxus 2026 vehicle. Pickup is included.

Top Sights and Views in SXMGuide in English or French · No fixed timeIncludes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by King & Queen TAXI & TOURS

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a steady pace with short drives between stops and time to swim, so it suits anyone comfortable with a few hours of getting in and out of a van and walking around beaches and sanctuaries. If you're docking at the cruise port, the timing fits easily into a port day without cutting into the afternoon.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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.

Can I swim during the tour, or is it just a drive-by of the beaches?

You get time to swim at a beach of your choice: either one of the three add-on beaches (Orient Bay, or the beach near Marigot) or any other beach on the island. The tour is built around the stops, not around a fixed schedule that rushes you through.

What's the Jesus Walk at Coralita Beach?

Coralita Beach View Pointe is a rocky outcrop where you can wade into the ocean and walk across the rocks: locals call it the Jesus Walk because of how the water sits around them. It's a photo spot with panoramic views of the northeastern coastline.

Is the Iguanna Park stop included, or is that an extra cost?

Feeding the iguanas at Iguanna Park is part of the standard tour route, not an add-on. You'll stop there to see and interact with the animals before moving on to the next site.

How does the jet experience work at Maho Beach?

Maho Beach sits directly under the flight path of Princess Julianna Airport. When you choose Maho as your add-on, you stand on the beach and watch jets land and take off low overhead. The jet blast is strong enough that it's the main reason people pick this stop.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the pickup point?

Pickup is included from the cruise port if you're arriving by ship, or from your hotel if you're staying on the island. No separate transportation is needed to start the tour.