Round-trip transportation from your St. Maarten cruise ship terminal!
Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation!
English-speaking certified guides!
Enjoy both sides of the island - French and Dutch!
Complimentary refreshments - water and soft drinks!
Stop at Maho Beach for plane spotting!
Option to a drop-off in downtown for shopping afterward!
This St Maarten and Sint Martin Island's Best Excursion is available from both Philipsburg St Maarten and Marigot St Martin cruise ports This is the excursion where you get to see ... Read More
This St. Maarten and Sint Martin Island's Best Excursion is available from both Philipsburg (St. Maarten) and Marigot (St. Martin) cruise ports.
This is the excursion where you get to see it all - all of the island, all of the highlights, all of the views. Your guide will be providing you with educational as well as entertaining information about this unique island. The day begins with sightseeing. You will travel the tiny island from side to side and end to end for loads of great photo ops! Your route begins with a drive by the Great Salt Pond on Coralita Bay, a natural reserve overlooking the French island of St. Barth.
You will drive by the French Quarter, the first village settled by the French in 1629, and stop at Paradise View for a panoramic view of the ever-popular Orient Beach and some of the islets just off-shore.
You will then head to Marigot, the charming capital town of St. Martin on the French side of the island, and take in the atmosphere where shops line the colonial streets and an open-air bazaar surrounds the central square for arts, crafts, and souvenir lovers. Maybe grab a bite to eat (at your own expense). Fort Louis is a superbly-restored fort built at the end of the 18th century. If you wish, a climb up the steps is well worth the effort for panoramic views of Anguilla and the entire French capital. Guests will have approximately 45 minutes of free time in Marigot.
The fun continues with a stop at Maho Beach, where you can watch planes approach just meters above the beach as they land at the adjacent Princess Juliana International Airport. See why this beach is rated the most exciting beach in the world! Hold on to your hat and don't forget your camera. Guests will spend approximately 45 minutes at Maho Beach.
As the shore excursion continues back towards Philipsburg, you will pass through Simpson Bay with a photo stop on Cole Bay Hill. Guests have the option to be dropped off in Philipsburg and return to the ship at their leisure and cost (downtown is about a15 minute walk back to the pier or a 4-minute water taxi, p/p USD 7.00 not included).
Meeting Point
For the St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Excursion, you will meet right at your St. Maarten Cruise Terminal (Philipsburg) or the St. Martin Cruise Terminal (Marigot). All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.
What is included?
Round-trip transportation from your cruise ship terminal.
Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation.
Bilingual certified local excursion guides, narrated.
Refreshments (water, soft drinks, beer, and Guavaberry liqueur).
Coralita Bay (Overlooking St. Barth).
Paradise View (Overlooking Orient Beach).
Marigot (approx 30 minutes).
Maho Beach (approx 45 minutes).
Cole Bay hill (Overlooking Simpson Bay).
Return to cruise port (with optional drop-off in Philipsburg or Marigot, downtown is about a 15-minute walk back to the pier or 4-minute water taxi, p/p $7.00usd not included).
Drivers and guides are trained in first aid.
Excursion Notes
Bring along sun protection, swimsuit, change of clothes, towel, camera, and cash for souvenirs, drinks, snacks, shopping, etc.
Not available on Sundays
Excursion Restrictions
There are no motorized wheelchairs or mobility scooter-accessible vehicles available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I participate in this St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Excursion if I am traveling on a cruise ship?
Yes, absolutely, our excursions and tours are tailor-made for cruise ship passengers visiting St. Maarten, Philipsburg, and Marigot.
Will I have enough time at Grand Case for me to have lunch?
You'll have about 45 minutes to have lunch, please have in mind lunch is at the guest's expense.
Do I need to take my passport with me on the St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion to show with my Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket?
No, it is not necessary to take along your passport unless noted by your cruise line or listed in the Restrictions or Notes tab for the excursion. Your local operator has your booking noted. Please arrive with a printed copy of your eticket or digital copy if applicable.
Cancellation
For the St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion,we issue full refund for your deposit or full payment to us if:
You want to cancel at any time, for any reason, before or after your arrival. Simply contact us via email reservations@shoreexcursioneer.com within 14 days of your missed excursion date for a deposit refund.
Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location.
Your ship misses/skips the port.
Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator to run the excursion.
A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the tour operator or guest may send doctor's note).
Cancellations that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund. Guests must notify us within 14 days after their excursion date via email for requesting a refund of booking payment made to Shore Excursioneer.
Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.
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St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion Reviews
Customer Reviews
4.4/5
10 Reviews
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Enjoy the best around the island with sightseeing, shopping, and beaches on a guided excursion of St. Maarten and Saint Martin.
Decent Trip, Stops were Changed, Not as AdvertisedLynn LanierStatesboro
3/5 (Visited on February 2023)
1
Our Driver Humphrey was great. He was friendly, funny and very knowledgeable. I was not happy however that we did not get to visit Grand Case. That was specifically the reason I booked this excursion. Instead Orient Beach was substituted. That was the one place on the island I absolutely did not want to go. The stop at Cole Bay hill was omitted as well as option to get off in downtown. The last two changes were because several passengers had to get back to their ships and we were running late. That I can certainly understand that, but please don't advertise Grand Case if it's not going to be included. Had I known it was going to be changed to Orient, I never would have booked this. I was very dissappointed.
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi Lynn Lanier. Thank you for sharing your review and comments about your recent St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion. It is possible (and outlined in our terms and restrictions, that the local operator may change the itinerary without prior notice, due to operational, weather, local, environmental, etc. This is done with the safety and comfort of clients in mind. We regret that the changes affected your experience and we will follow up with the local operator to make any and all adjustments necessary. We hope to assist you again with future shore excursion needs.
This situation has been successfully resolved.
Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2023
Too Many BeachesJmannSolon, Ohio, US
3/5 (Visited on February 2020)
13
The driver Wellington was Excellent but we stopped at 3 beaches which is more then I expected. Each stop was about 45 min and we wondered around for something to do. The island is beautiful !
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi Jmann. Thank you very much for sharing your review and comments about your recent St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion. We hope that we can assist you again for future shore excursion needs.
Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2020
Excellent Island TourJose M FloresLitchfield Park
4/5 (Visited on October 2019)
15
Check-in: a little confusing when you debark. Somewhat difficult locate registration. Once located, the area is shared by three tour companies. Once there, had to ask again who would be providing our tour.
Tour/Tour Guide: excellent tour and guide. The bus is small and not filled to the max. Air conditioning and plenty of windows. David (tour guide) was knowledgeable and funny. The tour takes you all around the island, with three stops (beach resort, French shopping center and airport). All three stops are only 45 minutes long. Not enough time to sightsee, shop and eat. Free drinks throughout the tour (beer, rum punch, water and soft drinks).
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi JoseM. Thank you very much for sharing your review and comments about your recent St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion. It sounds like you had a nice time. This excursion is just to give guests a sampling of what the island is all about. We do apologize but try to make the instructions as detailed as possible including the color of the guide's uniform shirts, what the sign looks like and what is around to help orient yourself. We also provide guests with a Google map of the meeting point both on the excursion webpage (under the meeting point tab) as well as on our mobile APP. We hope that we can assist you again with future shore excursion needs.
Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2019
xBruceGahanna Ohio USA
5/5 (Visited on September 2019)
14
Fantastic tour of the Island. Really enjoyed our tour guide very funny and informative..
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi Bruce. Thank you very much for sharing your review about your recent St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion. It sounds like you had a great time in St. Maarten; our local operator has some outstanding guides. We hope that we can assist you again for future shore excursion needs.
Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2019
Great Times in St MartenNoNickname
5/5 (Visited on August 2019)
16
Our tour guide Juliet was wonder. She was lively and accommodating throughout the whole tour. She took us to many interesting places and gave us a great deal of history about island. We had a fantastic time and would highly recommend her to other travelers.
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi Karla Moore. Thank you very much for sharing your review and comments about your recent St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion. It seems like you had an amazing day in St. Maarten. This excursion offers the opportunity to see the best highlights from both sides of the island. We are so glad to know your guide exceeded your expectations and went out of her way to give you the best experience. We hope that we can assist you again for future shore excursion needs.
Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2019
THE BEST EVERmoving to St Martin St martin
5/5 (Visited on February 2019)
14
So I have doe a lot of islands and tours but this was one of my Fav’s ..... LOVED Wellington!!!! And the whole island..... In the words of Arnold !!! I will be back!!!
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hello! Thank you for your review of the St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion you booked through us. Our goal is to have our guests wanting to return for another visit, and we are proud to know we hit the mark! St. Maarten is indeed a one of a kind destination totally worth visiting over and over again, and it will be a pleasure to welcome you back. We look forward to having you join us again for future cruise shore excursions. Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2019
Incredibly comprehensiveNoNicknamePuerto Rico
5/5 (Visited on August 2017)
25
We visited the island just weeks before the devastation of the hurricane, which made the images we saw all the more horrific as it seemed we had only just been standing in so many of the locations just days before. To begin,finding the meeting place was super easy from the ship. There was a nice area to wait for the other tour members to arrive. Our tour guide was fantastic, super friendly, and knowledgeable. I feel that we saw every inch of the island worth seeing, including some things you won’t see in any guide books. There were plenty of opportunities to take pictures of the beautiful island and we also had the opportunity to grab a quick snack at a fantastic pastry shop while overlooking the marina. Our visit to Mayo Beach was long enough to take a dip and experience quite a few planes coming in for a landing. It was a full day adventure and I really felt that I left with a good feel for the island. I highly recommend this tour.
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi. Thank you very much for sharing your review and comments about your recent St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion. It’s great to hear that the local guide was able to make your experience such a positive one. We hope that we can assist you again for future shore excursion needs. Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2019
Best value to see as much as possible on shore excursionPetruSt Francis Bay South Africa
5/5 (Visited on May 2016)
127
Docked with Independence of the Seas in Phillipsburg and although it took a bit of looking around and asking to find the meeting place the tour was excellent! Only a small group of passengers by minivan and showing us all the highlights of both sides of this interesting island.
Our guide/driver Wellington was to say the very least excellent. He was witty and funny but had such a good knowledge of the places he showed us and was (while driving) giving us continuous information. We felt safe in his hands and confident in his driving skills all the way. He just went out of his way to make sure everybody was enjoying the tour.It was a pity that the stop at the Marigot market was really short but overall the excursion did not feel rushed. I will with great confidence recommend this tour to anyone visiting St Maarten. Good value for money as well.
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi Petru,
Thank you very much for your preference on Shore Excursioneer, we truly appreciate your review of our St. Maarten and St. Martin Best of Island Highlights Excursion. For us it means a lot when we get reviews like yours since our goal is to exceed our guest's expectations with every excursion we recommend. Our St. Maarten local operator is eager to provide exceptional excursion services which is why all of our guides are certified and constantly trained, they always have to be one step ahead of our guests; Wellington sure is one of our guests favorite, we will make sure he reads this review. Thank you for sharing your photo, those are a lot of iguanas.
We hope that we can assist you again for future shore excursion needs, we are sure that we have multiple excursions you might enjoy.
Your Shore Excursioneer Team 2016
Exciting beach time!Badgebunny.226Harrisburg
5/5 (Visited on March 2014)
83
This was an all around great way to spend the day and we had such a terrific time. The photos that you can bring home from this paradise is unbelievable. I do have to say that our favorite part was going to to Maho Beach. Now THAT was a thrill and a half to experience! Having the planes coming in for a landing at the airport just across the road is amazing. We all agreed that we would love to do this tour again.
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi Badgebunny,
Thank you for posting your review and comments about your recent excursion you booked through us. The planes coming in for a landing at St. Maarten Airport is an unforgettable sight! Hope you got lots of photos.
Thank you again,
Shore Excursioneer Team
Pretty beaches, nice sightsNoNickname
4/5 (Visited on January 2013)
111
It was really interesting to see the difference in the 2 sides of the island - the Dutch and the French. There is no real border it is more a suggestion. The beaches are just awesome. Don't forget your camera. The guides speak English perfectly and really enjoy what they do. I think I could really get into island living! St. Maarten is great.
Show Management Response
Management Response: Hi Thomas,
Thank you for posting your review and comments about your excursion you did with us in St. Maarten. It does sound like you had a good time.
Thank you,
Shore Excursioneer Team
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"Great easy service "Charisse S. Philadelphia, PA, US
★★★★★Just Now
"Always my go-to company when booking excursions :) Never disappoint!!!"Lisa L. North Branch, 1, US
★★★★★2 days ago
"Number 12 booking for next year’s visit to Mr. Sanchos!!"Deborah H. Bryan , 1, US
★★★★★3 days ago
"That was super easy and so much more affordable than the cruise ships shore excursions! Thank you!!"Penelope D. RICKMAN, Tennessee, US
★★★★★4 days ago