Good to know: St. Maarten island
St. Maarten island combines a Dutch southern part with a French northern part on the same Caribbean island. Philipsburg and Great Bay offer a starting point for a city and beach visit, while Marigot introduces the administrative and waterfront setting of the French side. Begin with the places you want to see, then choose between a guided drive, a coastal boat trip and a day devoted to the beach.
This is an independent visitor guide, with advice on the whole island and a focus on Sint Maarten. A cruise call, an airport arrival and a stay near a marina each create a different starting point. Keep the outward journey and return journey in your plan rather than counting only the hours spent on an excursion.
Excursions on St. Maarten
Choose a guided drive with transport or a boat trip with snorkeling equipment. The distillery visit offers a tasting on land.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Prickly Pear catamaran day
- Lunch on board
- Snorkeling gear
- Port fees
Drinks are included on board. Bring the required travel documents.
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Boat ride with snorkel
- Lockers free
- One complimentary drink
- Snorkel
Parking is available for an additional fee.
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Island outing with transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Ice cold drinks
- VIP treatment
Hotel pickup or return transport for cruise guests depends on your booking.
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Island sightseeing from the cruise port
- Transportation
- Guide
- 1 drink
A guided drive departing from the cruise port.
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Beach outing from Philipsburg port
- Pickup and drop-off at the port of Philipsburg
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Refreshments on transit
A driver accompanies the air-conditioned trip.
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Distillery visit with rum tastings
- Hands-on distillery tour experience
- Welcome Rum Punch
- Tastings of 6 Topper’s Signature Rhums
The visit also includes samples of rum-infused gelato, food and cake.
Check availability →Island drives, underwater activities and boat days
Consider a guided island overview, a port-based beach outing, the underwater adventure or a full-day sail towards Prickly Pear.
Two island parts and their differences
Sint Maarten occupies the south; Saint-Martin occupies the north. The southern part is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, rather than a province of the European Netherlands. The northern part is a French overseas collectivity. English is widely used on both sides, while French is used in administration and schools in the north. These distinctions matter for payments and arrival formalities as well as the names on a map.
Philipsburg sits between Great Bay and Great Salt Pond, with the Boardwalk following the beach. Marigot has a central ferry terminal near its market and waterfront. Simpson Bay combines beach areas with lagoon marinas; the lagoon and the sea-facing beach are different settings. Choose a base with the help of the area guide, especially if your plans involve several early boat departures.
History from Concordia to the present status
The Concordia agreement of 1648 is the historical starting point for understanding the island’s division. The present administrative arrangements developed much later: Saint-Martin became a separate French collectivity in 2007, and Sint Maarten became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 10 October 2010, when the Netherlands Antilles ended. A visit across the island therefore connects places with related geography but different public institutions.
Marigot’s Fort Louis dates to 1789 and was associated with protecting the settlement and harbour warehouses. Treat the fort as historical context when planning a visit to Marigot, and establish current access locally. A view of the town or a mention of the fort in an itinerary should not be read as an included admission or an assurance that every approach is open.
Sights and excursions that fit your visit
The six-hour highlights drive includes an air-conditioned vehicle and drinks, with hotel pickup or cruise transportation according to the booking. The half-day French and Dutch sides outing includes transport, a guide and a drink. For a beach-focused visit, the Orient and Maho route includes pickup and drop-off at Philipsburg port, a driver and refreshments. Compare the excursion overview before deciding how much of the day to commit.
The underwater adventure departs from Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg and includes a boat ride, snorkel, lockers and a complimentary drink; parking costs extra. A more modestly priced introduction is the distillery visit, with tastings and rum-infused samples, reached independently in Cole Bay. The Prickly Pear catamaran day starts in Simpson Bay and includes lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear and port fees, with hotel transfers extra. Bring the required travel documents for this cross-border trip.
Maho requires particular care: aircraft jetblast can be fatal. Never hold the airport fence or seek a place in the jetblast. The US State Department’s Water sports safety advice addresses this hazard. At sea, enjoy wildlife without expecting a particular animal encounter; sea conditions also shape the experience.
Currencies and planning your island visit
The southern currency is the Caribbean guilder, XCG; the northern currency is the euro. US dollars are widely used, but ask which currency a bill uses and what change you will receive. Dollar acceptance and an exchange rate should not be assumed at every counter. Keep ferry fees separate from excursion prices and distinguish a price per person from a private group total.
December to May is the comparatively drier season. Boat outings still depend on the weather, so use the weather guide alongside the departure details. For entry through Sint Maarten, complete the digital ED card for each traveller, including when your accommodation is on the French side. The arrival guide explains the airport, road and ferry choices.
Explore St. Maarten island
Excursions compared
Land and water activities with their individual inclusions.
Shore excursions
Port meeting points and your return to the ship.
Catamaran day sails
Departure locations, lunch and equipment.
Snorkeling
Guided Pinel visits and public sailing trips.
Island tours
French and Dutch sides by road.
Anguilla day trips
Border formalities and different boat departures.
Zipline tickets
Rockland Estate ticket combinations.
Private boat trips
Compare private boats and neighbouring islands.
Beach guide
Great Bay, Orient Bay, Pinel and Maho.
Getting there
Airport, ferry and road connections.
Where to stay
Choose an area around your activities.
Weather and seasons
Drier months and weather-dependent boat days.
Questions about visiting St. Maarten
Is this an official tourism website?
This is an independent visitor guide, separate from tourism authorities, government offices, ports and activity operators.
Is the whole island Dutch?
The south is Sint Maarten, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Saint-Martin in the north is a French collectivity.
Which currency should I plan for?
Allow for XCG in the south and EUR in the north. Ask about USD acceptance and the currency of charges before paying.
Can I plan a private boat day?
The private boat guide compares local trips and neighbouring-island options with their own starting points and inclusions.