ATV/UTV Guided Tour to Maho Beach – Cruise Passengers
Back at the ship by about 12:10 pm, 4 h 20 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 3 h 20 min to spare.
Safety margin
- 8:00 amShip docks in St. Maarten20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
- 8:20 amLeave the pierThis tour meets at the pier
- 8:30 amEarliest tour startTour runs 3 h 30 min. Latest sensible start: 11:50 am.
- 12:00 pmTour ends10 min back to the pier
- 12:10 pmBack at the gangway4 h 20 min before all aboard
- 4:30 pmAll aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours
Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.
Our verdict
This tour fits a typical St. Maarten call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). It runs 3 h 30 min; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:30 am and be back at the gangway around 12:10 pm — 3 h 20 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.
Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 1:10 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.
The operator picks up at the cruise port (it is on their pickup list), so the trip to the start point is part of the tour. We allow 10 min to walk off and find the pickup; look for the ground-transportation area outside Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility (Port St. Maarten), Harbour Point Village.
Among the 100 St. Maarten shore excursions we track, this is about average in length (the median runs 4 h); 80% of them fit a typical call.
Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical St. Maarten call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.
About this tour
Explore St. Maarten on a guided ATV or UTV adventure to the world-famous Maho Beach. After a safety briefing and operating instructions, set off with your guide along scenic island roads as you make your way to one of St. Maarten’s most iconic attractions. Experience the excitement of watching planes fly overhead, enjoy beautiful beach views, and capture great photos along the way. Perfect for cruise passengers looking to combine sightseeing with an exciting ATV or UTV adventure.
Max 20 per group English, Spanish
What's included
- Tour guide
- In-depth tutorial on how to operate the UTV
- Beach Chairs & Umbrellas
- ATV/ UTV - FUEL - HELMET
Not included
- Food & Beverages
- Transportation (SEE PICKUP DETAILS)
- Water Activities
Itinerary
- 1St Martin / St MaartenOn this tour you will visit both sides of the island(French & Dutch). You will ride primarily on the island's major roads during this 3 1/2–4 hour adventure, with a brief detour off-road.
- 2Little BayPass through Little Bay, a scenic coastal area known for its calm turquoise waters, beautiful beaches, resorts, and views overlooking Great Bay and the Caribbean Sea.
- 3Cole Bay LookoutStop at the Cole Bay Hill Lookout, marked by the Sint Maarten flagpole, and enjoy panoramic views of Simpson Bay, Cay Hill, Princess Juliana International Airport, the French side, and even Anguilla in the distance.
- 4Cole BayPass through Cole Bay, the third-largest settlement in Sint Maarten by population. Its name is believed to originate from the Dutch word for cabbage, reflecting part of the area’s history.
- 5Border Monument (Saint Martin - Sint Maarten)Pass by the St. Maarten–Saint Martin Border Monument, marking the peaceful border between the Dutch and French sides of the island and a unique symbol of its two-nation identity.
- 6MarigotStop in Marigot, the charming capital of the French side, known for its waterfront, local markets, French-Caribbean culture, shops, cafés, and views of Fort Louis.
- 7Drive-byPass by Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), St. Maarten’s main international airport, famous worldwide for its runway located just steps from Maho Beach.
- 8Maho BeachMaho Beach is the highlight of the tour and one of the world’s most iconic attractions, famous for its low-flying planes. Stop to capture unforgettable photos as aircraft pass directly overhead and experience a truly unique St. Maarten landmark.
- 9Simpson BayPass through Simpson Bay, one of St. Maarten’s liveliest areas, known for its marina, waterfront restaurants, hotels, nightlife, and beautiful views of the lagoon.
- 10Great Bay BeachFinish your tour at Rum & Reggae Beach Bar on Great Bay Beach, where you can relax on beach chairs with views of your cruise ship in the bay. Jet skis are available for reservation, and food and drinks can be ordered from the beach bar and restaurant.
Meeting point and getting there
Start point
Check-in is 45 minutes before tour departure.
(9:00AM tour check in is at 8:15AM, 1:00PM tour check in is at 12:15PM)
We are located right besides Pollos Hermanos Philipsburg.
Check-in is 45 minutes before tour departure.
(9:00AM tour check in is at 8:15AM, 1:00PM tour check in is at 12:15PM)
We are located right besides Pollos Hermanos Philipsburg.
From the cruise pier
Meets at the pier
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point
Good to know
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you can rebook or get a full refund.
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Check-in is 30 minutes before tour departure. ( 9AM Tour check-in is 8:30AM ) ( 1PM Tour check-in is 12:30PM )
- Driver must be 18+ and carrying a VALID license to operate the vehicle.
- Minimum age is 4 years old.
- Max. joint passenger weight per double ATV (= 2 people on the same ATV) = 350 pounds
Traveler reviews
Operated by Open-Air Adventures. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.
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