Two Islands, Twice the Fun

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. On your way back to the port or hotel, you can choose to end your tour in Philipsburg, the shopping capital of the Caribbean. This duty-free town is the capital of Dutch St. Maarten and features Front Street and Back Street, which are lined with shops. To the south, you'll find Great Bay Beach and the Boardwalk, which is home to a variety of restaurants serving local cuisine and lively bars. Philipsburg is just 20 mins walk away from from the cruise port, and guests can easily walk or take a water taxi back.

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2. Looking down on Great Bay Beach, the view is pure postcard perfection. The arc of golden sand is a striking contrast to the deep blue of the water, which seems to shimmer with a hundred different shades of turquoise

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3. Out of the windows we'll see the flying Flying Dutchman, the world's steepest zip line, a thrilling and unforgettable attraction located at the Rainforest Adventures Rockland Estate eco-park in St. Maarten.

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4. Cole Bay Hill, is referred to as Harold Jack Hill, is a well-known lookout point in Sint Maarten that offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views on the island. Located between Cole Bay and Philipsburg, this elevated spot is a must-see for anyone wanting to capture the island's natural beauty.

   10 min

5. This beach offers a different vibe than Great Bay. It's quieter, more serene, and just peaceful. It's the kind of place where your pictures will capture a sense of calm and natural beauty, making it a perfect addition to your photo album of St. Maarten. Don't miss the shot!

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6. The border monument, is a simple but powerful symbol of our island's unique history. For over 350 years, the French and Dutch have shared this island in peace, and this monument marks the world's only unguarded border between two different European nations. There are no customs, no checkpoints—just a testament to the friendly cooperation that makes this island so special. It's truly a one-of-a-kind border, and it's what earns St. Maarten/St. Martin its nickname, "The Friendly Island."

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7. The Plane Spotting Spectacle: This is the main draw. Aviation enthusiasts, photographers, witness large commercial jets, sometimes flying just a few feet overhead, as they come in for a landing. It's a thrilling, and often loud, experience that you won't find anywhere else.

   30 min

8. With 45 minutes, you have a perfect amount of time to explore the highlights. I recommend starting with the bustling open-air market right along the waterfront. You'll find vendors selling everything from local spices and unique souvenirs to colorful crafts. The aroma of delicious food and the lively chatter make it an experience for all your senses. And of course, no visit to Marigot is complete without a taste of France! Take a moment to pop into one of the many bakeries for a fresh-baked croissant or a pastry, or grab a coffee at one of the cafes lining the streets

   45 min

9. charming and picturesque fishing village that has earned the prestigious title of the "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean." This reputation is well-deserved, as its main street is a feast for the senses, offering a remarkable blend of high-end French gastronomy and authentic local flavor.

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10. From here, you get a stunning vista of the eastern side of the island, including the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the distant barrier reefs.

    10 min

11. provides a perfect view of the beautiful, protected lagoon, which is shared by both the French and Dutch sides of the island. It's a serene sight, with boats moored in the calm waters of the marina

    5 min

12. We'll be spending a wonderful hour here, so you have plenty of time to enjoy what's known as the 'French Riviera of the Caribbean.' This vast stretch of white sand offers something for everyone. You can find a spot to rent a chair and an umbrella and simply relax by the turquoise water. For those who want to get a bite to eat, the beach is lined with a variety of restaurants and beach bars where you can grab a quick lunch or a refreshing cocktail.

    1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 599 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Too Cool is the best

  Too Cool was a great guide. He gave plenty of time at stops, gave a lot of good information and also let us enjoy the scenery.

  Barry_WOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Excellent tour worth your time and money sightseeing.

  Trip was fantastic, well worth your time and money! Tour guid was very knowledgeable and honest. If he didn't know, he said so. He was also a cautious and courteous driver. The bus was very clean and water provided. Various stops for picture taking and explanations of the area. Not a lot of time time at a beach, but enough for a quick dip to cool off or nice restaurant/bar area if you didn't want to swim. Nice stop for lunch on the French side.

  Marilyn_SOctober 2026via Viator

• 5I rate my tour 10/10

  It was nice the tour guy was friendly and knew about both sides of the island if I come back i would book with Viator

  Sharima_DOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Will definitely use again.

  We had a great time, Sunita's TooCool driver was patient, gave enough time, was quite informative and extremely personable. He took us to a place to eat and the food was excellent and I'm a fan and will use again.

  Nasmin_BOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Raj was great!...

  Raj was great! (Enough said, but need to hit 100 character limit to leave a review………………………………..…….)

  David_BSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Phyllis

  Raj is great very informative about the island and the history we enjoyed our day We had a great group to travel with

  420AnitaCSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Philipsburg

• Its from-price is 23% below the median of the 23 day trips we list in Philipsburg.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 1 of 23.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Philipsburg

Philipsburg, capital of Dutch Sint Maarten, is a narrow town between a long sandy bay and a salt pond, with a beachfront street of shops.

Philipsburg stands on a narrow strip of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond, on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin, which is shared with France. It was founded in 1763 and named after John Philips, a Scottish captain in Dutch service. Front Street runs along the bay, lined with shops, cafés and old wooden houses, and a boardwalk follows the sand. Wathey Square, with its courthouse of 1793, is the heart of the town.

Top-ranked sights in Philipsburg: Maho & Mullet Bay, Maho Beach , Simpson Bay.

See all 84 experiences in Philipsburg