The St Maarten Top Ten Highlights Island Tour
If you only have one day and want to see the whole island, this is the loop to book. The St Maarten Top Ten Highlights island tour circles both the Dutch and French sides in about six hours, stringing together Maho Beach, Marigot, Topper's Rhum distillery, hilltop forts and a string of beach and food stops. It's the most complete sightseeing day on the island. Here's exactly what to expect, plus how it compares with the other Sint Maarten island tours.
About the Top Ten Highlights Island Tour
Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund
Hold your spot and pay closer to the day
A full loop of both the Dutch and French sides
Morning departures at 9am or 10am with a local guide
Watch jets land low over the famous airport beach
Sample the island's signature small-batch rums
Check Live Availability & Prices
Real-time dates and prices for the Top Ten Highlights full-island tour of both the Dutch and French sides.
Why Book the Top Ten Highlights Island Tour
This is the island in a single day. Over about six hours your guide drives a full circle — out from the Dutch side past Simpson Bay, up to Maho Beach for the planes, across the open border into French Saint-Martin for Marigot and Grand Case, and back through the hills with a rum tasting and a couple of food and photo stops along the way. It's the tour to book when you want to actually see St Maarten rather than just lie on one beach.
Because it covers the headline sights in one loop, it's especially popular with first-time visitors and cruise passengers trying to make the most of a single day. It's rated 4.3 stars across hundreds of reviews. Compare it with the rest of our island tours in St Maarten to be sure it's the right fit.
What You'll See on the Tour
The 'top ten' is a mix of beaches, viewpoints, town stops and tastings across both countries. Expect to take in:
- Maho Beach — jets landing low over the sand by the airport
- Marigot — the French-side capital, market and harbour
- Grand Case — the island's gourmet village and beach
- Topper's Rhum distillery — a tasting of signature rums
- Hilltop forts and lookout points over the bays
- Local food and souvenir stops along the route
What's Included (and What Isn't)
What's Included
- A six-hour guided tour of both island sides
- Air-conditioned transport with a local guide
- A stop and tasting at Topper's Rhum distillery
- Beach and photo stops including Maho and Marigot
- Bottled water on board
Not Included
- Lunch and extra drinks (food stops are pay-as-you-go)
- Gratuities for the guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
- Souvenirs and market purchases in Marigot
How the Day Flows
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9:00–10:00am
Pickup & depart
Meet your guide for a morning departure and set off around the Dutch side of the island.
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Morning
Maho Beach
Stop at the famous airport beach to watch jets come in low over the sand.
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Midday
Cross to the French side
Drive over the open border to Marigot for the market, harbour and a walk through town.
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Midday
Grand Case & viewpoints
Pass through the gourmet village of Grand Case and stop at hilltop lookouts for photos.
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Afternoon
Topper's Rhum tasting
Visit the distillery for a tasting of the island's signature small-batch rums.
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~3:00pm
Return
Loop back through the hills with any last food or souvenir stops before drop-off.
Important Things to Know Before You Go
A full day of sightseeing across two countries — come ready for sun, short walks and a bit of everything.
- There's no passport check at the Dutch–French border, but carry ID to be safe
- Food stops are pay-as-you-go, so bring some cash (US dollars work island-wide)
- Euros are handy on the French side, though dollars are widely accepted
- The day involves getting in and out of the van at each stop
What to pack
- Swimsuit under your clothes for the beach stops
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Cash for lunch, drinks and souvenirs
What to leave behind
- Large bags — space in the van is limited
- Valuables you don't want to carry at busy beach stops
Insider Tips for the Island Loop
A few things regular visitors and guides will tell you that the listing won't:
- Maho is best when a big jet is due — ask your guide to time the stop around the flight board at the Sunset Bar, and never stand behind the fence during a departure (the jet blast is genuinely dangerous)
- Bring small US bills for the Marigot market — vendors give better prices for cash and exact change
- Sit on the left side of the van on the way up the French coast for the best sea views
- The rum tasting is generous — go easy if you're prone to motion sickness on the hill roads
- Wear shoes you can slip off quickly for the beach stops rather than fiddly laces
- If you're on a cruise, double-check the tour ends with comfortable margin before your all-aboard time
Where It Departs — Marigot & the Island Loop
Who This Tour Is For
This is the pick if you want to see as much of the island as possible in one organised day.
- First-time visitors who want the full lay of the land
- Cruise passengers making the most of a single port day
- Travelers who'd rather be guided than drive themselves
- Anyone who wants both sides, the beaches and a rum tasting in one trip
Not ideal for
- Travelers who want a long, lazy day on a single beach
- Anyone after a boat trip or time on the water (try a catamaran day-sail instead)
- Visitors who've already toured the island and want something more niche
St Maarten Top Ten Highlights Island Tour — FAQ
What does the Top Ten Highlights island tour include?
A six-hour guided loop of both the Dutch and French sides, with stops at Maho Beach, Marigot, Grand Case, hilltop viewpoints and a tasting at Topper's Rhum distillery, plus transport and bottled water. Lunch is pay-as-you-go. Compare it with the other island tours in St Maarten.
Does the tour visit both the French and Dutch sides?
Yes — that's the point of it. The loop crosses the open border between Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin, so you see Maho and Simpson Bay on the Dutch side and Marigot and Grand Case on the French side in one trip. There's no passport check at the border.
Is this tour good for cruise passengers?
It's one of the most popular cruise-day choices because it packs the island's highlights into a single guided day. Give the operator your ship name and all-aboard time, and check live availability above for your date to be sure the timing works.
Will we see the planes at Maho Beach?
Yes, Maho Beach is a standard stop. Jets land low over the sand throughout the day, with the biggest aircraft usually arriving around midday — your guide times the stop around the flight schedule where possible.
How much is the St Maarten Top Ten Highlights island tour?
It starts at $62 per person for the full six-hour loop including transport and the rum tasting. Compare it with the rest of our Sint Maarten island tours or contact us for help choosing.
What Travelers Say About the Island Tour
The best thing we did all week. Our guide knew exactly when the big planes were landing at Maho, gave us time in Marigot, and the rum tasting was a fun surprise. We saw more of the island in one morning than we'd have managed in three days on our own.
A great overview of both sides. Comfortable van, friendly driver, and a good mix of beaches, viewpoints and town stops. Perfect for our first day so we knew where we wanted to go back to.
We were on a cruise and this was the ideal way to see St Maarten in a few hours. Plenty of photo stops and the guide got us back to the ship with time to spare.