St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient Beach, Marigot and Maho Beach

The St Maarten Shore Excursion offers a delightful blend of relaxation and adventure, showcasing the island’s stunning natural beauty and cultural charm. From the soft sands of Orient Beach to the vibrant markets and charming cafes of Marigot, this tour promises an immersive experience. But the true highlight lies in the thrill of Maho Beach, where visitors can witness the unique spectacle of aircraft landing just overhead, creating memories that will linger long after the excursion ends. With its seamless blend of French and Dutch influences, this shore excursion promises to captivate the senses and leave travelers eager to uncover more of St Maarten’s allure.

Key Points

• The shore excursion showcases the highlights of both the French and Dutch sides of St Maarten, including popular beaches and scenic viewpoints.
• Travelers will visit Maho Beach, known for the thrilling experience of aircraft landing overhead, as well as Orient Beach and the charming town of Marigot.
• The tour includes round-trip transportation from the cruise port, with air-conditioned minivans for comfortable travel.
• Participants can explore the shopping and cultural experiences in both Marigot and Philipsburg, with opportunities to purchase local crafts and souvenirs.
• The tour offers a flexible itinerary and personalized experiences, with high customer satisfaction based on positive reviews.

Tour Overview and Highlights

This shore excursion showcases the best of both the French and Dutch sides of the island of St Maarten, offering travelers scenic viewpoints, popular beaches, and opportunities for shopping.

Highlights include taking in scenic vistas from various lookout points, visiting the famed Maho Beach and Orient Beach, and exploring the charming town of Marigot for shopping.

Travelers can also opt for an additional stop in Philipsburg.

Throughout the tour, guests will enjoy round-trip transportation from the cruise port, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience.

With its diverse offerings, this shore excursion provides an excellent way for visitors to experience the unique cultural blend of this Caribbean destination.

Transportation and Logistics

The tour provides round-trip transportation from the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Terminal, with guests being picked up and dropped off at the port.

Transportation is offered via air-conditioned minivans, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout the day’s activities.

For those who wish to explore downtown Philipsburg on their own, a taxi ride back to the cruise port can be arranged.

The tour requires a minimum of 2 adults per booking and has a maximum capacity of 15 travelers, allowing for a personalized experience.

Whether you’re arriving by cruise ship or making your own way to the island, this shore excursion makes getting around St Maarten a breeze.

Included and Excluded

The shore excursion includes beverages such as rum punch, beer, soda, and water, as well as round-trip transportation from the cruise port.

However, it doesn’t cover the cost of food, activities, or gratuities during the tour.

The minimum drinking age is 18 years, and the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.

Cruise passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking the tour.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours before the experience, and a reserve now, pay later option is available.

Booking and Confirmation

Booking the shore excursion is straightforward, with confirmation received at the time of booking.

Cruise passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when making their reservation.

A convenient ‘reserve now, pay later’ option is available for added flexibility.

Customers can cancel their booking free of charge up to 24 hours before the experience starts, allowing for easy rescheduling if needed.

The tour company ensures a seamless booking process, providing all necessary information and details to ensure a smooth and enjoyable shore excursion for St. Maarten’s French and Dutch sides, from scenic viewpoints to the iconic beaches of Maho and Orient.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Travelers have left a mix of positive and negative feedback on the St Maarten shore excursion, with an overall rating of 4.5 stars from 79 reviews.

Positive experiences highlight the friendliness and knowledge of the guides, especially Jose. Customers appreciated the personalized experiences and flexibility in the itinerary.

However, some travelers reported communication issues and inconsistent service. A few mentioned the guide’s availability could be improved.

The recommendations emphasize the need for better organization and more consistent quality across the tours.

The majority of customers seemed satisfied with the opportunity to explore both the French and Dutch sides of the island and its popular attractions like Maho Beach and Orient Beach.

Exploring the French Side

While the French side of St Maarten may not be the primary destination for some visitors, it offers a unique cultural experience that shouldn’t be missed. Exploring Marigot, the capital of the French territory, allows travelers to enjoy the island’s Gallic charm and indulge in boutique shopping opportunities.

Site	Description	Highlights
Marigot Waterfront	A bustling harbor lined with cafes, bistros, and charming boutiques	Scenic views of the marina, opportunities for people watching
Marigot Market	A lively open-air market selling local produce, handicrafts, and trinkets	Haggling with vendors, sampling tropical fruits and regional delicacies
Fort Louis	A historic fort with panoramic views of the harbor and surrounding countryside	Discovering the island’s colonial past, enjoying the peaceful ambiance
Saint-Louis Cathedral	A 19th-century Catholic cathedral with striking architecture	Admiring the ornate interior and learning about the island’s religious heritage

Visiting Maho Beach

One of the must-see attractions on the Dutch side of St Maarten is the renowned Maho Beach, where travelers can witness the thrilling sight of massive aircraft landing just mere feet overhead.

Known as the ‘Jet Blast Beach,’ Maho is located right at the end of the Princess Juliana International Airport‘s runway, offering visitors an up-close and personal experience with the powerful engines of arriving and departing planes.

As the planes approach for landing, the intense jet blast creates a powerful wind that can literally sweep people off their feet.

This unique vantage point provides an adrenaline-fueled experience unlike any other, making it a must-visit stop on any St Maarten shore excursion.

Shopping in Marigot and Philipsburg

The shore excursion also provides opportunities to explore the two main shopping districts of St Maarten – Marigot on the French side and Philipsburg on the Dutch side.

Marigot features a vibrant open-air market and charming boutiques showcasing French-Caribbean influences, while Philipsburg boasts a lively boardwalk lined with duty-free shops, jewelry stores, and souvenir stalls.

Visitors can enjoy the unique shopping experiences of both these colorful towns during the tour.

In Marigot, travelers can browse local artisan crafts, apparel, and specialty foods at the bustling market.

The optional stop in Philipsburg allows them to take advantage of tax-free shopping, bringing home unique keepsakes and gifts from the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Yes, the tour allows for extended duration. Travelers can request additional time at certain locations or opt for a longer overall tour experience, subject to availability and additional fees. The tour provider offers flexibility to customize the itinerary.

Can the Tour Accommodate Dietary Restrictions or Allergies?

The tour can accommodate some dietary restrictions or allergies, but travelers should notify the operator in advance. The operator will work to provide appropriate options, though the selection may be limited. Advance notice is key to ensuring dietary needs are met.

Is There a Discount for Children or Senior Travelers?

The tour doesn’t provide any discounts for children or senior travelers. The minimum age requirement is 18 years old to participate. All travelers, regardless of age, pay the same price for the tour.

Can the Tour Be Customized to Focus on Specific Interests?

The tour can be customized to focus on specific interests. Travelers can discuss their preferences with the tour operator, who’ll aim to accommodate special requests within the tour’s structure and duration. Customization options may include time allocation, activity emphasis, and more.

Is There an Option to Visit Additional Sites Not Mentioned in the Itinerary?

Yes, the tour can likely be customized to visit additional sites beyond the standard itinerary. Customers should inquire with the tour operator about the possibility of modifying the tour to include other points of interest in St. Maarten.

Recap

The St Maarten Shore Excursion provides a fantastic opportunity to experience the island’s diverse charms.

From the serene beauty of Orient Beach to the vibrant culture of Marigot and the thrill of Maho Beach, this tour showcases the best of both the French and Dutch sides.

With its mix of relaxation and adventure, it’s a must-do for any visitor looking to truly enjoy the wonders of St Maarten.