St. Maarten tour with beaches, Maho plane views & cold drinks

See planes take off from Maho Beach, then photograph the border where French and Dutch territory meet

A guided tour of St. Maarten and St. Martin covering six stops (coral reef views, Maho Beach's famous plane blasts, Marigot's French quarter, the border marker at Simpson Bay, Orient Bay Beach and Kimsha Beach) with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and cold drinks included. The tour runs between two and five hours depending on which stops you visit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Oyster Pond10m
2. Maho & Mullet Bay2h

Explore St.Maarten's beaches and landmarks

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

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and heads to Oyster Pond, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the coral reef with waves that can reach three to four feet high on rougher days. On clear mornings you can see St. Barts from the shore. From there the route moves to Maho Beach Bar, where the main draw is watching planes take off from the nearby airport. The jet blast is strong enough to knock people back, and thousands of visitors come each year for that exact moment. The beach bar itself runs live entertainment and serves food and drinks.

The second half crosses into French territory. Marigot sits five minutes' walk from shops, markets and restaurants, all built around French culture and local croissants. The border point at Simpson Bay is a photo stop marking where the French and Dutch territories divide the island. A historical boundary you can stand in. Orient Bay Beach, the oldest on the French side, splits into clothed and nude sections with bars, restaurants and water sports like jet skis and parasailing. The tour ends at Kimsha Beach, a newer spot with over ten restaurants and a working local beer factory where you can watch how the beer is made.

Cold beverages come throughout the entire tour at no extra cost. A live guide in English leads the group, and pickup happens from your hotel. The tour suits anyone from age one up, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or serious heart conditions.

What’s included

• Cold sodas and pop throughout the tour.
• complimentary alcoholic beverages.
• hotel pickup and guide in English.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (22 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (12 to 21 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 33

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

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

Is this one for you?The tour covers six stops across both sides of the island, so the pace moves between beaches and photo spots rather than lingering at one place. Book it if you want a broad overview of the island's main attractions in a single afternoon, not a deep dive into any single beach.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 21 years); Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

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 is Maho Beach actually like when planes take off?

Maho Beach Bar sits directly below the airport flight path, so when planes take off the jet blast is powerful enough to physically push people back. Thousands of tourists come specifically for this experience, and the beach bar runs live entertainment while you wait for departures.

Can I see other islands from the coral reef at Oyster Pond?

On clear days, yes, St. Barts is visible from the reef at Oyster Pond. The Atlantic Ocean view is the main draw for photos, and the reef waves typically run three to four feet high depending on weather conditions.

Does the tour include time to shop or eat in Marigot?

Marigot is a stop on the tour where everything (shops, markets and restaurants) sits within five minutes' walk, so you have the chance to explore the French quarter. The tour does not include meals, but the area is built for browsing and eating on your own pace.

What happens at Kimsha Beach?

Kimsha Beach is a newer tourist spot with over ten restaurants and a local beer factory on-site. You get the opportunity to see how the local beer is made, and the beach has bars and food vendors throughout.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs between two and five hours depending on which stops you choose to visit and how long you spend at each one.