After your cruise ship docks at the Philipsburg cruise port, make your way to Dock Maarten Chesterfield Wharf to start your day out at sea. Meet your knowledgeable captain and small group of eleven people or less, then step aboard the speedboat.
Leaving the harbor, head for Simpson Bay Bridge and the Dutch side of the island. Visit the largest lagoon in the Caribbean to see scores of luxe yachts on display, each more elaborate than the next.
The captain will pull up at Tintamarre, an uninhabited island favored by the local sea turtles. Jump into the warm, calm waters to commune with the turtles as they swim around you in this protected reserve.
At the Marina Royale in Marigot, European-style cafés line the water, showing the French influence on this side of the island. View the imposing Ft Louis, flying its French flag over the town. Cruise over to Friars Bay, the site of many of the island's legendarily hedonistic Full Moon parties, then stop at Happy Bay.
Continue to Pinel Island, where you'll sit down for a hot lunch at a beachside restaurant on Yellow Beach. Sit in the shallows with a refreshing beverage from the onboard bar or trek around the tiny island to explore the tide pools along the shore.
After an hour there, zip over to Creole Rock, the area's best snorkeling spot, smack in the middle of Grand Case Bay. Don a mask, flippers and snorkel to explore the undersea world, rich with marine life and vibrant coral. Then take off on a cruise around the island, viewing the mansions of Terre Basse and the red rock cliffs on the Bay Rouge. Feed the fish in Long Bay as you attempt some celebrity-spotting on the beach of the nearby La Samanna Resort.
The boat will hang out just off Maho Beach, the perfect place to place to watch as aircraft come in for a landing at nearby Princess Juliana Airport. Then it's just a short cruise back around Simpson Bay before arriving back at Dock Maarten Chesterfields Wharf, where your 6-hour adventure will end.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your excursion ends with ample time for you to return to the St Maarten port for your ship’s departure. In the extremely unlikely event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
