St. Martin Island Tour: Beaches, Markets & Maho Beach

Drive the whole island in one morning and see why Maho Beach makes the viral photos.

This is a shared island tour of St. Martin covering the capital cities, beaches and landmarks in five hours with a live English-speaking guide. The route moves through Philipsburg's duty-free shops, the French side's Marigot waterfront, Orient Bay's water sports scene, and ends at Maho Beach where planes land at the runway's edge. Complimentary water, soda and rum punch are included. Pickup is arranged from your hotel or cruise ship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Orient Bay Beach1h
2. Maho & Mullet Bay1h

Complete island tour of St. Martin

• Visit Philipsburg capital city
• Stop at coastal village with Moses Walk
• Relax at Orient Bay Beach
• Pass by historic French fishing town
• Explore Marigot and Fort Luis
• Drive by border monument
• Enjoy sunset at Maho Beach
• View five neighboring islands
• Return to Philipsburg for shopping or drop-off

The experience

The tour leaves from Philipsburg and circles the island counterclockwise, stopping at six named spots plus a viewpoint. Your guide provides live commentary on St. Martin's history (the island was founded as a trade port in 1763 and remains one of the busiest Caribbean destinations), and points out the sights as you drive. The first real stop is the Dutch capital itself, where duty-free shopping is the main draw. From there the route heads to the French side, passing through the coastal village known for the "Moses Walk" and its shallow bays before reaching Orient Bay Beach, which has become famous for its upscale bars, water sports and clothing-optional section.

Marigot, the French capital, sits on the waterfront with local markets and more duty-free shops. The tour includes a stop at Fort Luis for a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. You'll cross the border at the monument (the smallest divided landmass in the world), and then head to Maho Beach, one of the most photographed spots in the Caribbean because of its position at the end of an international runway. Planes land just above the sand, which is why the beach has become a viral photo destination. The final stop is a lookout point where you can see five neighboring islands in the distance before heading back to Philipsburg, where you can choose to stay and shop or be dropped at your cruise ship.

Water shoes are advised for beach time. Refreshments (water, sodas, beers and rum punch) come with the tour at no extra cost. The tour runs five hours and suits all fitness levels. It's designed for cruise passengers and hotel guests of any age, though alcohol is only for passengers 18 and older.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide.
• hotel or cruise ship pickup.
• complimentary water, sodas, beers and rum punch.
• stops at Philipsburg, Marigot, Orient Bay Beach, Maho Beach and a five-island viewpoint.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full-day island tour covering all of St. Martin / St. MaartenUp to 14 people · Guide in English · 09:00Pickup is included

Private Luxury TourUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 09:00Luxury option lasting 5 hours, with homemade rum punch, premium water and soda. Fully customizable: guests can follow our suggested route or build their own itinerary. Luxury black car: 2024 luxury van with Captain leather seats.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

GroupUp to 100

Live 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 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 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Grand Tour Island

Is this one for you?Book this shared tour if you want to see the whole island in one morning without renting a car or planning stops yourself. The guide handles the route, timing and commentary, and refreshments are built in so you're not hunting for drinks between beaches.

Traveler reviews

4.75★★★★★★★★★★

209 verified traveler reviews

5 ★180

4 ★13

3 ★11

2 ★3

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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 deal with Maho Beach and why do people take photos there?

Maho Beach sits at the end of an international runway, so planes land just above the sand. It's become one of the most photographed beaches in the world because of that unusual setup, and the tour makes it the final major stop so you get time to shoot your own photos before heading back.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes, the tour is designed for cruise passengers and includes pickup from your ship. You can choose to stay in Philipsburg and shop after the tour ends or be dropped back at the port.

What's included in the refreshments?

Water, sodas, beers and rum punch are complimentary throughout the tour. Alcohol is available only to passengers 18 and older.

Does the tour stop at both the Dutch and French sides of the island?

Yes, the route covers both sides. You'll visit Philipsburg on the Dutch side and Marigot on the French side, plus the border monument between them, which marks the smallest divided landmass in the world.

How long does the tour take and what's the fitness level required?

The tour runs five hours and is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Water shoes are advised for some beach activities.