SHORE EXCURSIONS

Enjoy the view of riding on an open-air double decker bus. Drive from Philipsburg, the Dutch capital of St. Maarten, past the Great Salt Pond and through the countryside on the way to Marigot, the French-side capital. Here, you’ll have a photo-stop with a truly European atmosphere, having the waterside, open-air markets, quaint shops, boutiques or sidewalk cafes as your backdrop.

Back on board the Double Decker, you will pass through St. Maarten’s latest infrastructure addition, the Causeway Swing Bridge, where you can spot lovely sailboats or magnificent Mega Yachts on the lagoon, depending on the time of year.

Arriving at Maho you may watch for airplanes overhead as they are landing at the Princess Juliana International airport. The journey will proceed across the south for views of Simpson Bay Lagoon where we'll stop at a local Rum Distillery for a free tasting of various flavors of rum. Your experience concludes with a tasting at the Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor store for a tasting of Old Amsterdam Gouda Cheese.

Sail aboard the original Golden Eagle Catamaran known for its 5 star service and professional crew that will attend to your every need. Sail gently down the scenic coast of St. Maarten viewing Fort William, Pelican Point, Simpson Bay and the famous St. Maarten "airport beach", with planes landing just feet over the mast. After a brief orientation you’ll be ready to snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Little Bay. Next, you’ll stop at a beautiful white sand beach, where you can swim in a quiet cove or relax on the beach for 45 minutes up to 1 hour, time permitting.

On the return, the crew sets the sails, as you listen to great music, enjoying an open bar with free champagne, rum punch, sodas, and gourmet ham and cheese sandwiches served on fresh baked French baguettes. Snorkel equipment and pool noodles are included. The vessel is fast, stable, and has plenty of shade with custom built stairs for easy access to the water.

Join us in Saint-Martin Nature hike and reward yourself by relaxing on an idyllic stretch of beach nearby. During this hike through the island's natural landscapes. As you will see firsthand, the environment offers a glimpse into Saint-Martin's rich biodiversity and natural beauty. Following your nature hike volunteer efforts, you will enjoy the setting of a pristine beach, Orient Beach, an area known as the Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean. Feel free to spend the time there however you please, which could be doing nothing more ambitious than lying in the sun without a care in the world. The waters are typically bright turquoise and calm, so be sure to take a refreshing swim in the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire where the land meets the sea as you make your way up the trail.
• Enjoy the natural setting of the island, which extends beyond the land and into the sea.
• Relax on nearby Orient Beach, a gorgeous setting on the island’s northeastern shore.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This is the ultimate way to spend your day in St. Maarten. This tour visits both the French and Dutch side of the island and you’ll get to experience St. Maarten both by land and sea. Depart on your air conditioned motor coach with your professional guide narrating the rich history of the island and pointing out sites of interest. Cross the border and visit the French side where you’ll pass Orient Beach and Grand Cas - the cuisine capital of the Caribbean. Stop in Marigot, the French capital for 1 hour of free time to explore the open air market, visit the fantastic shops, or dine at one of many cafe's or restaurants in Marina Port Royal. Next you’ll board a 65 foot double decker boat the Explorer where you’ll listen to great music, relax, and have a complimentary open bar on a 1 hour lagoon cruise while taking in the sights of the multimillion dollar villa's and yachts of the rich and famous. Your cruise will drop you back off at Simpson Bay on the Dutch side where you will re-board your motor coach and conclude the rest of your island tour while you return to your ship. If time permits, you will have the option of being dropped off at Philipsburg, the Dutch capital to continue shopping and exploring. This truly is the ultimate island tour!

OVERVIEW

Treat yourself to the ultimate cruise on a classic wooden schooner where everything is first class, including the service. You will travel on the luxurious Spirit of St. Maarten, a one-of-a-kind, 114-foot vessel designed for comfort. Features include a second-level sun deck, shaded and open areas below and bowsprit netting where you can ride above the waves. You will cruise through Great Bay, past 17th-century Fort Amsterdam and on to Little Bay, where the ship will anchor in sheltered waters that are ideal for snorkeling. If you prefer, you might just take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear bay or remain on board and luxuriate in whatever way you find most pleasurable. Feel free to take advantage of the open bar and indulge in a tropical-inspired lunch that the chefs will prepare from scratch. If conditions permit, you will pass Maho Beach, the perfect spot to watch airplanes land and take off just over your head. Spirit of St Maarten is owned by a charitable foundation, with some of its proceeds going toward a range of educational and empowerment programs for the island’s vulnerable youths.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise along the island’s southern shore on a luxurious wooden schooner.
• Luxuriate onboard as the crew sees to your every need.
• Snorkel, swim, kayak and paddle board in Little Bay if you like (snorkel, mask & fins provided).
• Enjoy a freshly grilled lunch onboard and an open bar.
• Your excursion provides a sustainable future for local youths while you enjoy the beauty of the island!

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience St. Maarten’s newest attraction, the Soualiga Sky Explorer chairlifts. Take a tranquil ride up two lifts spanning a total of 2,997 ft. as the landscape unfolds below. A spectacular panoramic view on top of one of St. Maarten’s highest mountains await you.

Board your air-conditioned transportation at the dock for a 30-minute ride to Rockland Estate.

You will be guided to the plantation house, built in the 1700s, to learn the powerful story of Trace Wilson, born into slavery on the estate in 1818. The museum will also showcase the legacy of Emilio Wilson, her descendant who later purchased the property, and his generous contributions to the island that he loved; St. Maarten “The Friendly Island”.

After a brief orientation embark the Soualiga Sky Explorer for the approximately 25-minute ride to the top of Sentry Hill; one of St. Maarten’s highest elevations at 1,115 feet. The experience encompasses two chairlifts as well as a series of platforms encircle the mountaintop showcasing 360-degree views of the island including vistas of neighboring islands Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barts and Anguilla.

When you are ready to descend simply board the Soualiga Sky Explorer for the scenic trip down the mountain. Enjoy exploring the Estate and sampling St. Maarten delicacies, snacks and beverages at Emilio’s restaurant. When you are ready to depart board air-conditioned transportation back to your ship.

Travel through the Dutch side of beautiful St. Maarten during this unforgettable day of fun and sun, and relaxation. En route, an experienced guide will provide an interesting narrative including a brief history of the island, and will also give information regarding the day, the location, the facilities, time for lunch and returning times etc. This guide will remain with you for the duration of the tour to answer questions and be of any assistance necessary to ensure your day is enjoyable and trouble-free.

Upon arrival, a welcome rum or fruit cocktail is served, and you are escorted to your complimentary lounge chair, which has been reserved in an area just for you. Umbrellas are available for a nominal fee and large enough to cover 2 persons.

A delicious lunch, with a choice of three entrees and a refreshing beverage (beer, wine, soda or mixed drink), is served at shaded tables on the beach. After lunch you will still have more than enough time to relax on the beach.

On the return journey there will a photo opportunity at a view point and you will also be given the option to be dropped off in town for shopping (guests then make their own way back to the ship).

If you are the kind of person who likes to “shop ‘til you drop” in the morning or just do not want to rush and have lunch on the ship, then you may be wondering how to spend the afternoon? Why not take a trouble-free trip to the beach with us and take advantage of what St Maarten is famous for – it’s beaches.

Unwind on one of the many Caribbean beaches at La Playa located on Orient Beach. You will be driven in air-conditioned transportation to the beach and be greeted by one of our guides who will show you with all the facilities. You will be supplied with a lounge chair in an area reserved just for you, and you will also enjoy a rum or fruit punch upon arrival!

For approximately two hours you can just relax in the sun, swim or explore the beach.

Dennis Conner's America's Cup winning Stars & Stripes or one of her contenders, Canada II and True North IV are yours for this once in a lifetime adventure. The expert crew will show you exactly what to do in your role as “crew member”. Then it's off to the racecourse to grind a winch, trim a sail, punch a stopwatch or just relax and enjoy the refreshments. For this unique adventure, a highlight of your holiday, previous sailing experience is not necessary!

After the race enjoy the complimentary victory rum punch party, while you browse through the museum souvenir boutique. Guests will be able to take a leisurely walk back to the cruise ship terminal (5 mins.) or downtown/boardwalk (10 mins.).

OVERVIEW

Spend free time exploring the French colonial capital of Marigot on your own, but not before seeing some of the most naturally beautiful areas on the French side of the island. It won’t take long to cross the border from Dutch-governed St. Maarten into the French Collectivity of St. Martin, which occupies the northern half of the island. The countryside couldn’t be more scenic, especially along the coast as you will discover at Orient Bay, a Caribbean version of the French Riviera. Small seaside towns such as Grand Case are just as photogenic and passing through them will prepare you for a more immersive experience in Marigot. During leisure time, you may shop for duty-free merchandise, much of it imported from France such as perfume, jewelry and prêt-à-porter. There are also plenty of restaurants and smart cafés where you might sample the French cuisine or a local specialty such as spicy codfish fritters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Focus on the French side of the island that occupies its northern half.
• Behold the lengthy white-sand beach at Orient Bay, the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean.”
• Pass through lovely seaside towns such as Grand Case.
• Independently explore Marigot, the fashionable French colonial capital.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend several hours relaxing as you please at Grand Case Beach, an idyllic setting that offers special beach wheelchairs to accommodate your needs. On the drive from Philipsburg, you will hear enlightening commentary about the inspiration for the Freedom Fighter statue that you will see in one of the city roundabouts and the history of the Great Salt Pond that borders the capital of the island’s Dutch side. It won’t take long to reach Grand Case Bay on the French side of the island, giving you all the more time to enjoy its wide crescent-shaped beach. To enhance your mobility there, you will ease into a comfortable wheelchair with large tires that are designed for rolling across even the softest sand with the least amount of resistance. The wheelchairs can be pushed right to the edge of the sea. In time, you will drop by a beachside restaurant for a Caribbean-style lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax however you please at Grand Case Beach on the French side of the island.
• Ease into a special beach wheelchair with large tires for easier rolling across the sand.
• Hear entertaining commentary about the sights on the way to and from Case Beach.
• Enjoy a Caribbean-style lunch at a beachside restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Watch a chef create a selection of inspired dishes at a seaside restaurant and afterwards sample the delicious concoctions. The venue for this culinary immersion will be 978 Friar’s Bay, a spectacular restaurant on the island’s northern French side. Using fresh seasonal ingredients, the chef will likely prepare accras, saltfish fritters that are popular throughout the Caribbean. They are typically made with cod that has been spiced and salted to remove unwanted moisture. The chef will also demonstrate how to make banana flambé for your dessert. The rum for the dish will be one produced on the island that will impart a unique flavor. A tasting of premium rums follows during which you will learn how the spirits are produced. If you wish to stretch your legs, just stroll the wooden boardwalk the beach, where you will have time to enjoy the serene setting and take a refreshing swim in the sea.