St. Maarten two-island tour: Dutch and French sides

Commercial jets pass overhead at Maho Beach while you stand on the sand.

A guided tour of both the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten departing from Philipsburg, covering 5 to 6 hours with stops at Orient Bay Beach, Oyster Pond, Maho & Mullet Bay for plane spotting, and the Marigot market. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, bottled water, and pickup from your hotel or the cruise port. Children are welcome from age 10.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. St. Maarten Cruise Portpassing by
2. Maho & Mullet Bay30m
3. Oyster Pond5m
4. Orient Bay Beach1h

Explore Dutch and French St. Martin

• Visit Cole Bay Hill lookout
• See Flying Dutchman zip line
• Stop at border monument
• Enjoy plane spotting at Maho Bay
• Relax at Orient Bay Beach
• Explore Marigot market and cafes
• View Oyster Pond lagoon
• Discover Grand Case village
• End tour in Philipsburg shopping area

The experience

The tour starts from Philipsburg and moves between two distinct sides of the island, each with its own character. You'll cross the world's only unguarded border between two European nations: a simple monument marking over 350 years of peaceful coexistence between French and Dutch territories. The guide navigates both sides, pointing out how the landscape, food and atmosphere shift as you move between them. This is not a museum tour. The stops are chosen for what locals actually do: the open-air market in Marigot where vendors sell spices and fresh pastries, the fishing village known as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, the lookout at Cole Bay Hill for panoramic views of the island's eastern side.

Orient Bay Beach gets a full hour. It's a long stretch of white sand on the French side, lined with restaurants and beach bars, and you can rent a chair and umbrella or simply sit in the water. The beach is quieter than Great Bay near the port, and the turquoise water and protected lagoon at Oyster Pond, shared by both sides, offer the kind of calm that photographs well. Maho & Mullet Bay is the main spectacle: commercial jets descend low enough overhead that the experience is loud and unmissable, a draw for aviation enthusiasts and anyone who wants to witness something you won't see anywhere else.

Marigot, on the French side, gets 45 minutes. The waterfront market is the sensory centerpiece (vendors, spices, local crafts), and the bakeries and cafes along the main street serve fresh croissants and coffee. You'll also pass the Flying Dutchman zip line at Rainforest Adventures and see Great Bay Beach from above before heading back. The tour ends in Philipsburg, where you can walk to the cruise port in 20 minutes or take a water taxi, or stay to explore Front Street and Back Street shops and the Boardwalk restaurants. Bottled water is included. The pace is steady but not rushed.

What’s included

• The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, bottled water, and pickup from your hotel or the cruise port in Philipsburg.
• you'll visit both the Dutch and French sides of the island with stops at Orient Bay Beach (one hour), Oyster Pond, Maho & Mullet Bay for plane spotting, Cole Bay Hill for panoramic views, Marigot's open-air market and bakeries (45 minutes), and the border monument marking the world's only unguarded frontier between two European nations.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (10 to 13 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 22

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Sunita Tours St Maarten

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see both sides of the island in a single day without arranging transportation between them. The guide handles the route, the border crossing, and the timing, so you move between Dutch and French territories without stopping to navigate or plan.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (10 to 13 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What's the plane spotting at Maho Beach actually like?

Large commercial jets come in for landing just a few feet overhead, creating a thrilling and loud experience as they pass directly above the beach. It's the main draw of the tour and something aviation enthusiasts and photographers specifically seek out.

How much time do I get at Orient Bay Beach?

You have a full hour at Orient Bay Beach on the French side, enough time to swim, rent a beach chair and umbrella, grab lunch or a drink at one of the beachfront restaurants and bars, or simply relax on the white sand.

Can I visit the French side if I'm staying on the Dutch side?

Yes, the tour covers both sides of the island and includes stops in Marigot and at Orient Bay Beach on the French side. The border crossing is unmarked. There are no customs or checkpoints, just the monument marking the boundary.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, bottled water, and pickup from your hotel or the cruise port. Meals, beach chairs, and gratuities are not included, though restaurants and bars are available at several stops.

Is this tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

Yes, pickup is included from the cruise port, and the tour is timed to get you back to Philipsburg, which is a 20-minute walk from the port. You can also return by water taxi if you prefer.