St. Maarten shore excursions, planned around your ship
One port day, two countries. See the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten / St. Martin on our $50 shared island tour, or take your own private tour from $450 for 1–4 passengers. Tell us your ship and all-aboard time and we plan the day backwards from it.
Pick your shore excursion
Three ways to spend your port day
All three cover the island from the Philipsburg cruise port. Prices are in US dollars.
Two Islands Twice the Fun
A full 360° loop of the whole island by bus with other travelers: Oyster Pond and Baie Lucas lookouts, the Iguana Man, Orient Bay, Marigot, the Border Monument, Maho Beach and Bells Lookout Point.
Starts at 9:30 AM. Meet the bus at the EDC parking lot by 9:20 AM.
Best of St. Martin Private Tour
Your own vehicle and driver-guide for 5–6 hours across both sides. Pick your stops: Maho Beach, Marigot, Grand Case, Orient Bay or Philipsburg. Each extra passenger adds $50, up to 15.
Start at 9, 10 or 11 AM, 12 PM or 1 PM. We meet you at the EDC parking lot.
Taxi to the beach
Just want sand and sea? Our taxi picks up at the cruise port and drives anywhere on the island, from Maho Beach to Orient Bay. The fare is agreed before we drive.
Call or WhatsApp +1 721-550-5213.
How much time do you have?
Match the excursion to your hours in port
- Ship in early, leaving late afternoon: the shared 360° island tour leaves at 9:30 AM and takes 5–6 hours.
- Shorter stop or a late arrival: the private tour has five start times, from 9 AM to 1 PM, and you choose the stops.
- Either way: tell us your ship and all-aboard time when you book, and we plan the day backwards from it.
No passport check between the sides. There is no border control between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin. Keep your ship card or ID with you.
At the cruise port
Getting around Philipsburg's port
Ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities. Philipsburg is about a 15-minute walk away, or take a water taxi to Captain Hodge Wharf, Walter Williams Jetty or Bobby's Marina on the waterfront. Taxis wait at the terminal. Sunita Tours guests meet us at the EDC parking lot, a 5 to 10 minute walk from the pier, depending on where your ship docks.
Meeting point map and directions
Maho Beach, where jets land just above the sand, is next to the airport, about 25 minutes from Philipsburg in normal traffic. Marigot, the capital of the French side, is a stop on the shared tour and a favorite on private tours.
Guest reviews · 4.9 / 5 from nearly 1,800 reviews
What cruise guests say
Great island tour with RAJ
“Saw essentially everything from the planes landing at Maho beach to great views of the island and some shopping. … there were 2 cruise ships in port on the day of our tour with almost 10k passengers and Raj got us around the island to see all the sights effortlessly.”
The Best Excursion for St. Maarten - Choose this One!!
“Raj was our tour guide and he was awesome. He was extremely accommodating and knowledgeable of all aspects of the island. We were a group of 7 with 1 being a toddler. Raj adjusted the itinerary to meet [our] requests and he even took us to stops he knew we would enjoy.”
Amazing Tour
“My family went on this tour as it was the first time to St Maarten. It was a wonderful experience. Our guide was informative and super personable. … Maho Beach watching the planes come into the runway was our favorite experience.”
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Shore excursion questions
Before you dock
What is the best St. Maarten shore excursion for a cruise day?
Most cruise passengers want to see both sides of the island. The shared Two Islands Twice the Fun tour is $50 per person for a full 360° loop by bus with other travelers. The Best of St. Martin Private Sightseeing Tour is $450 for 1–4 passengers, plus $50 per extra passenger, with your own vehicle and stops.
How long do I need in port for an island tour?
The shared Two Islands Twice the Fun tour leaves at 9:30 AM and takes 5 to 6 hours, so it suits ships that dock early and leave in the late afternoon. On a shorter stop, book the private tour: it has five start times, from 9 AM to 1 PM, and you choose the stops. Tell us your all-aboard time and we confirm what fits.
How far is the cruise port from Philipsburg?
About a 15-minute walk. Ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities; water taxis run to Captain Hodge Wharf, Walter Williams Jetty and Bobby's Marina on the Philipsburg waterfront, and taxis wait at the terminal.
Do I need a passport to visit the French side on a shore excursion?
No. There is no border control between the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) and the French side (Saint-Martin), so you drive straight across. Keep your ship card and photo ID with you.
What time do the island tours start?
The shared Two Islands Twice the Fun tour starts at 9:30 AM; cruise guests meet the bus at the EDC parking lot by 9:20 AM. The private tour has five start times: 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. Tell us your ship and all-aboard time when you book and we confirm everything before your day.
Where do cruise guests meet the tour?
At the EDC parking lot, a 5 to 10 minute walk from your ship depending on which pier you are docked at. Our meeting point page has a walking map you can download before you leave the ship.
Can I take a taxi from the cruise port to Maho Beach or Orient Bay?
Yes. Sunita Tours' 24/7 taxi picks up at the cruise port and drives anywhere on the island, and the fare is agreed before we drive. Maho Beach is next to the airport, about 25 minutes from Philipsburg in normal traffic.
Will we be back at the ship in time?
We plan the day backwards from your ship's all-aboard time, so tell us your ship and all-aboard time when you book.
Book in two minutes
Tell us the day. We'll handle the rest.
Pick your tour and number of passengers to see your price. Your request goes straight to our inbox and a real person on the island replies by email or WhatsApp.
- Best of St. Martin Private TourPrivate vehicle for your group only · $450 for up to 4 passengers, +$50 each extra
- Two Islands Twice the FunShared bus with other travelers · $50 per person · full 360° island loop