Best tours and Day Trips in Saint Martin

If you're the type of person who chooses to explore nearby destinations, then Sint Maarten offers plenty of options for discovering the Caribbean spirit of the region. On this island, which is divided north and south and co-governed by the Netherlands and France, you can take excursions to nearby beaches, major towns and even the surrounding island territories.

Some of the best things to do in Sint Maarten include visiting Marigot and Orient Bay Beach on a full-day tour, touring Simpson Bay from Philipsburg, seeing rugged Tintamarre Island and visiting picturesque Maho Beach.

A full day guided tour of the Caribbean island of St Martin is the perfect way to explore and discover all that this tropical paradise has to offer. Guided by local experts, you can immerse yourself in the rich culture, fascinating history and breathtaking scenery of every corner of this island territory.

As full-day excursions that usually start early in the morning, these experiences will take you to the highlights of Sint Maarten. On the French side you can visit the town of Marigot, where you can stroll through the colourful streets, explore the local market and enjoy the delicious Creole cuisine in the local restaurants.

On the Dutch side of the island you can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches, such as the famous Maho Beach. There you will have the opportunity to see planes take off and land at the nearby airport, an exciting and unique experience from the shore.

These excursions usually also include a visit to the island's natural highlights, such as the Pinel Island Nature Park, where you can enjoy pristine beaches, take part in some of Sint Maarten's best snorkelling excursions in the crystal clear waters and savour the delicious local cuisine in the restaurants.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 66 euros per person, including transfers and the assistance of the expert local guide.
• Duration: between 6 and 8 hours
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to see the main sites of the island in an interactive experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: you usually don't have much free time to enjoy the beaches and the highlights of the island's paradise.

A full day tour from Philipsburg to Marigot and Orient Bay Beach is a perfect way to explore the charms of the French side of the Caribbean island of St Martin. Starting in Philipsburg, you'll head to Marigot, the northern capital, where you' ll immerse yourself in its European charm and rich Caribbean culture.

In Marigot you'll explore its picturesque streets, with their colonial architecture and chic boutiques. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the local market, where you 'll find local produce, handicrafts and delicious French and Creole culinary specialities. If you're planning to visit St Martin in December, you'll also find a Christmas market there.

After enjoying the vibrant French capital, these tours offer a visit to the famous Orient Bay beach. Known as one of the best beaches in Sint Maarten, you' ll be greeted by white sand and crystal clear waters. There you can relax under the Caribbean sun, swim in the refreshing waters or take part in exciting water activities such as snorkelling or jet skiing.

During the day, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the local gastronomy in the restaurants near the beach. You can savour Creole dishes, fresh seafood and cool off with tropical cocktails while marvelling at the breathtaking ocean views.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 51 euros per person, including transfers and the assistance of the expert local guide.
• Duration: around 7 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will have time to take a swim and enjoy the beaches at your own pace.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: these excursions are not recommended if you are planning a short stay on the island, as they only include one town on the French side.

An exciting full day excursion from Philipsburg to Simpson Bay will give you the opportunity to explore and enjoy this Caribbean bay to the fullest. Starting in Philipsburg, you will head towards the Dutch side of the island to discover the wonders that Simpson Bay has to offer.

In this bay you will be impressed by the long white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters that invite you to immerse yourself in a tropical paradise atmosphere. You can enjoy the beach, swim in the refreshing waters or simply relax in the sun while enjoying the views out to sea.

In addition to the beaches, Simpson Bay is also known for its marina, where you can admire and photograph the luxurious yachts and sailboats that fill the harbour. If you love sailing, you can opt for an exciting boat ride around the bay, exploring the surroundings and enjoying the sea breeze.

Simpson Bay offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine and sip Caribbean cocktails, most of which feature rum, the local drink par excellence, as the main ingredient. If you plan to visit Sint Maarten in October, you can sample the region's fresh seafood, which at that time of year is found in the areas close to the coast, making it easy to catch.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 38 euros per person, including transfers and the assistance of the expert local guide.
• Duration: around 6 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will be able to see some of the most beautiful open views of the island, especially during sunset time.
• Disadvantages of these tours: if you plan to visit Sint Maarten during the summer months you should be aware that it is a very busy place with a high influx of tourists.

A tour to Tintamarre Island from Philipsburg is an exciting adventure that will take you to explore one of Sint Maarten's hidden treasures. Tintamarre is a small uninhabited island just a short boat ride from Philipsburg, and offers a truly paradisiacal experience.

During the tour, you will embark on a scenic boat trip that will take you through crystal clear waters to Tintamarre. As you approach the island, you will be captivated by its white sandy beaches and lush tropical vegetation. Once you arrive, you will have time to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the island.

Tintamarre is known for its coral reefs, making it a perfect place for snorkelling. Here you can dive in the waters and discover a variety of tropical fish, colourful corals and other fascinating marine life. You can also relax on the beach, soak up the sun and enjoy the calm and serene surroundings.

In addition to its underwater beauty, Tintamarre is home to a population of iguanas. During the tour, you will be able to observe and photograph these creatures as they roam the island. Please note that it is important to respect their habitat and keep a safe distance to preserve their natural environment.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 43 euros per person, including transfers to and from the island.
• Duration: about 5 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to see one of the few remaining unspoilt and unspoilt jungle sites in the Caribbean.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: you will have to carry food and drinks, as there are no services available on the island, only the basic ones offered by the excursion boats.

An exciting half-day excursion to Maho Beach in Sint Maarten will give you the opportunity to experience one of the Caribbean's most famous beaches. Located close to Princess Juliana Airport, Maho Beach is known for its unique location that allows visitors to watch aircraft take-offs and landings up close.

At this beach you will be amazed by the breathtaking views and the thrill of watching the planes pass just a few metres above your head. You'll feel the power of the engines and the thrill of witnessing this unique spectacle as you enjoy the white sand and turquoise waters.

As well as being a plane spot, Maho Beach is a great place to enjoy the Caribbean sun. You can sunbathe, swim in the warm waters or simply relax on a sun lounger while watching the air activity. You can also find the best airport transfers from Sint Maarten airport, which will take you to other parts of the island.

Maho Beach also has a wide variety of bars, restaurants and shops nearby, where you can enjoy delicious Caribbean food or buy souvenirs to take home. You can also join in exciting water activities, such as snorkelling or jet skiing, and explore the area's crystal clear waters.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 25 euros per person, including transfers to the beach.
• Duration: around 3 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know one of the most picturesque beaches in the Caribbean, due to its proximity to the airport.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: it is one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean, but the noise of the aeroplanes makes it difficult to relax in the coastal area, although you can still take a quiet swim.

You can book a tour from Sint Maarten in advance online or you can book one of these tours once you are on the island. In this case you will need to consider the date of your visit, as if you plan to travel during the high season , tour spots may sell out in advance or increase in price due to last-minute bookings, as rates are dynamic.

If you plan to visit Sint Maarten in December during Christmas or the festive season, I advise you to book tours in advance so that you can save time and money. The same applies if you plan to visit the Caribbean during the summer, which is part of the island's high season.

Sint Maarten is one of the most famous islands in the Caribbean, so on these excursions you'll be able to discover the best sights it has to offer, from the outstanding beaches that give this destination its reputation as a paradisiacal region to the cities that indicate the cultural crossroads that exist on this island territory that is divided north and south according to French and Dutch influences.

In addition, some of these excursions allow time for other activities in between, such as visiting the popular Topper's distillery, which makes one of the most consumed brands of rum in the Caribbean, touring the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit or enjoying a buggy ride or ATV adventure experience along the island's cliffs.

If you're planning to visit Sint Maarten and you're planning to stay on the island for several days, you'll want to check out the nearby sites, as this part of the Caribbean holds some of the best scenery in the area. You can also learn more about the local history by visiting places other than Philipsburg, such as Tintamarre Island and Marigot, which has a strong French influence.

I also advise that if you plan to visit Sint Maarten during the high season or during the festive season, book tours and accommodation in advance to save time and money, and also so that you can organise an itinerary for your tour of the site, which will allow you to get the most out of your trip.

This destination offers many alternatives and you could easily tour the island on your own by renting a buggy or choosing for yourself the best snorkelling excursions in St Martin, but outside the main spots you would miss out on some of the region's secrets and little explored sites, such as Tintamarre Island or the Pinel Island Natural Park. These sites are usually only widely known by local guides, who will give you a closer experience.

And since most tours in Sint Maarten include round-trip transfers and a neat pre-planned itinerary, you can relax and save time in organising the tours. You can also save money, as expert local guides will take you to the best gastronomic venues that respect an interesting price-quality ratio.

Finally, don't forget that in many of Philipsburg's out-of-the-way places only the local language is spoken, either French or Dutch, so if you opt for a guided tour you can relax in this respect too, as everything will be in the hands of the guide.