St. Maarten/St. Martin Private Tour: Orient Bay & Fort Louis

Watch planes land overhead, then photograph the border and the island's most famous beach

A private island tour of St. Maarten/St. Martin lasting three to four hours, with a fully air-conditioned vehicle and cold refreshments included. You choose which stops to visit: Iguana Park, Fort Louis, Orient Bay Beach, the airplane landing viewpoint at Maho Beach, the border monument, and Mr. Bell's photo spot on Cole Bay Hill are all options. The driver picks you up and builds the day around what you want to see.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Fort St. Louis30m
2. Orient Bay Beach1h

Explore St. Maarten highlights

• Watch airplanes land and take off
• Enjoy view over Marigot and Anguilla
• Photo shoot at Mr. Bell on Cole Bay Hill
• Relax at Orient Bay Beach
• Photo shoot at Border Monument
• Photo shoot at Iguana Park

The experience

The tour starts with pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle stocked with cold refreshments. From there, the route is yours to shape: most travelers begin at Maho Beach, where commercial aircraft descend just meters overhead on their approach to Princess Juliana International Airport. A vantage point that exists nowhere else on the island. The experience is immediate and unusual enough that it anchors the morning.

From there, you move through the island's photo stops and landmarks. Fort Louis sits on a ridge overlooking Marigot and Anguilla across the water; the border monument marks the invisible line between the Dutch and French sides; Mr. Bell's photo attraction on Cole Bay Hill frames the St. Maarten national flag against the landscape. Orient Bay Beach, the island's most visited stretch of sand, rounds out the coastal portion of the day. Iguana Park offers a chance to see the island's namesake wildlife up close. Each stop is optional. The itinerary is built around what interests you, not a fixed schedule everyone follows.

Optional paid add-ons include rum tasting at Topper's ($15 per person), the Bird Park ($15 per person), and horseback riding ($75 per person). Beach hopping and city shopping are also available if the day allows. The driver speaks English and manages the timing so you're not rushed between stops, and the vehicle's air conditioning means the heat between destinations stays outside.

What’s included

• Pickup at your hotel or location.
• a fully air-conditioned vehicle with cold refreshments.
• an English-speaking driver.
• and a customizable itinerary built around your choice of stops.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Red Rose Island Tours

Is this one for you?Pickup is included, so you don't need a rental car or local transportation knowledge to reach the island's scattered photo spots and beaches: the route adapts to what you want to see, and the timing stays flexible if you want to linger at one stop or skip another.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Maho Beach and why do planes fly so low there?

Maho Beach sits directly beneath the flight path into Princess Juliana International Airport, so commercial aircraft pass just meters overhead during landing and takeoff: a rare vantage point where you can watch the planes descend without leaving the ground.

Can I choose which stops to visit, or is the itinerary fixed?

You choose the stops. Iguana Park, Fort Louis, Orient Bay Beach, the airplane viewpoint, the border monument, and Mr. Bell's photo spot are all available options, and the driver builds the route around what you want to see.

How long does the tour last?

The tour runs three to four hours, depending on which stops you select and how long you spend at each one.

What's included in the price?

The fully air-conditioned vehicle and cold refreshments are included. Pickup is arranged at your location. Optional activities like rum tasting, the Bird Park, and horseback riding cost extra.