What to do and see in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

January 11, 2022 Tonie Szymanski

Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch St. Maarten, a Caribbean island divided into Dutch and French (Saint Martin) sides. Bargain seekers flock to the duty-free and sales-tax-free stores of Philipsburg's mile-long commercial district. Visitors also enjoy the city's art galleries, historic forts, casinos and zoo, as well as Great Bay Beach and its boardwalk. Offshore, on the 12 Metre Challenge, guests can work as part of the crew on one of five boats used in the 1987 America's Cup competition.
Restaurants in Philipsburg

1. Private V.I.P sightseeing, Shopping and Beach Tour

Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities, 79 Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Sint Maarten St. Maarten Presidential Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Tours are now in social distancing format.Tour the island with family or friends and a personal tour guide that will give you all the history and information about the island, in a fully air-conditioned vehicle. This private tour is highly exclusive and will be tailor-made to suit your every need. Email us and we will help you create your own itinerary. You and your group will be free to eat, drink and talk with each other while the tour guide drives you around. You can choose to do sightseeing at our main attractions including the Maho beach to watch the planes land and take off while others get sand blasted from the engine blast. Experience our duty free and tax-free shopping for real Cuban cigars, best prices on alcohol and fine jewelry. Visit the bird park or the Rum distillery and then go to a local restaurant and learn how to cook local food. Do it your way, Book now and let the fun begin.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, A professional tour guide, A cooler filled with free ice cold drinks (wate, sodas, beers and rum punch), A private tour that you will forever remember

Exclusions: Food

Reviewed By WorldTraveler1287

This was such a calm and cool experience. So many beautiful views on the tour! I may not be writing it correctly but our tour guide Luscious was very sweet and informative! The island is so beautiful! The tour was relaxing especially with the free drinks!

2. St Maarten History Tour

Dock Maarten, Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten Seagrape Tours
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4.8 based on 64 reviews

Visit historical landmarks and discover beautiful viewpoints on this guided and very informative 4-hour History Tour of St. Maarten and St Martin. See the entire island and learn about the unique and fascinating history of this 37 square mile island divided between the Dutch and French. With a maximum of six guests per group, enjoy personalized attention from the guide. Learn about St. Martin's culture, as well as their geological and natural history. Along the way, a stop with iced coffee or tea and homemade banana bread is included. Great for cruise ship guests as well, starting point of the tour is a parking lot next to the cruise ship port. Free pick up from hotels located in Oyster Pond and Philipsburg. Route: - Viewpoint overlooking Great Salt Pond and Philipsburg (Dutch side) - Visit former plantation Emilio Wilson Park (Dutch side) - Visit Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House (French side) - Visit Fort Louis (French side)

Inclusions: Bottled water, Iced tea, coffee, and cake, Local guide, Port pickup and drop-off, Pickup from Philipsburg and Oyster Pond

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Naveen_Bagri

We recently visited St Martin and was looking for a good tour around the island and its highlights. Luckily, we found Seagrape Tours which was able to accommodate all our requirements. We booked 2 tours with the agency- 1) Island History and 2) Hiking Tour. Ilja was very quick and professional in responding and made sure all our queries were addressed. David is very knowledgeable about the entire island and shared so many stories about its history and culture. Also, as we were with a little child, David made sure the little one was very comfortable. By the end of the tour, you are rewarded with very tasty homemade treats (Ilja takes care of that). I would like to thank both Ilja and David for making our holiday memorable and would highly recommend Seagrape Tours to all St Martin visitors.

3. Historical Philipsburg Bike Tour in St Maarten

Saint Maarten Cruise Terminal, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten St. Maarten Bike Tours - TriSport
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4.5 based on 56 reviews

Experience St Maarten's unique and colourful past as you take a leisure bicycle ride through its historically-rich streets. Your guide will lead you into the heart of town, where you will have the chance to stop at various points of interest to learn about the island’s turbulent past and rich culture. You will get up close to the famous salt pond, visit important landmarks such as the Old Court House, Freedom Fighters Monument, and Carnival Village, enjoying several fun photo opportunities. Of course your day will not be complete without a dip in the pristine waters of Great Bay before heading back to Port.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Use of bicycle, Use of helmet, Bottled water, One cold beverage (water, soda, beer or rum punch)

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food, Hotel pick up and drop off

Reviewed By Jenny Z

We did the Guana Bay hike and it was one of the best experiences of our trip. Good shoes (at least runners, definitely not sandals) is required but otherwise for two not very active people the hike was very manageable. The views are such incredible. The only downside is that it doesn’t go all the way to the natural pool at the end of the trail. A more adventurous couple could do this alone, but we very much enjoyed the knowledgeable company of our guide Marci in what turned out to be a private hike!

4. St. Maarten 6 Pack Island Tour

Cruise Port, Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Sint Maarten St. Maarten Presidential Tours
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4.5 based on 6 reviews

Get away from a crowded bus and join this 6pack tour. This tour would have a minimum of 6 people to a maximum of 10 people for more comfort. You will get to see the entire island and all of its highlights, including the two most popular beaches on the island. Maho Beach on the dutch side to watch planes land and take off while the brave hold on to the fench and get sandblasted. On the French side you will get time to browse oreint beach where there is a clothing optional section incase you wish to see the supermodels in the nude or just stay on the clothing section and enjoy the crystal clear water and powder white sand. You will get to shop in the French capital for local art, gifts and souvenirs while you take a taste of our exquisite French bakeries. We will cross the border and scream "Goede middag" which means good day in Dutch, explore the Dutch side capital for duty free and tax free shopping in down town Philipsburg for the best prices on jewelry, alcohol and real Cuban cigars.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, A professional tour guide to narrate the tour, A cooler filled with free ice cold drinks(water, sodas, beers and rum punch), A comfortable tour with minumum 6 people and a maximum of 10 people.

Exclusions: This tour do not include food, beach chairs and umbrellas. You can purchase those at the beach bars.

Reviewed By WorldTraveler1287

This was such a calm and cool experience. So many beautiful views on the tour! I may not be writing it correctly but our tour guide Luscious was very sweet and informative! The island is so beautiful! The tour was relaxing especially with the free drinks!

5. St Maarten Shore Excursion: Island Sightseeing Tour from Philipsburg

Cruise Port, Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Sint Maarten Amigo Tours - Day Tours
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4.5 based on 310 reviews

While in port in Philipsburg, discover the enchanting towns, stunning beaches and local cuisine of the island of St Martin on this 4.5-hour shore excursion. Explore both the Dutch (St Maarten) and French (St-Martin) sides of this Caribbean island with your guide, and let the sun-drenched views mesmerize you as you learn about its interesting colonial past and European influences.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Beverages (water, soda, beer, guavaberry rum punch), Port pickup and drop-off, Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee

Exclusions: Food and drinks at the beach, Gratuities

Reviewed By Roving826779

Great to have someone waiting at the airport! Very friendly driver with a clean bus to take us to our timeshare. Very reasonable cost.

6. Economic Tour: This is a three hour Sightseeing Tour.

Saint Maarten Cruise Terminal, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten Alpha Transportation Services
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4.4 based on 5 reviews

This is one of the best ways to enjoy all that our beautiful paradise island has to offer. Touring the island and taking our guest to some of the main attractions, and stopping at some of our beautiful scenic picture stops. This tour is fully narrated with lots of info and History of the island. Our guest Satisfaction & Safety is our Main Concern. Our guest will be driven around our paradise island with a touch of class and professionalism. Our guest can rest assure that they will enjoy touring with us while exploring our friendly island of St. maarten / St. Martin.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

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Reviewed By chardel2016

Andre was beyond amazing. This was our first time and because of Andre and his hospitality we have decided to make the island an annual trip. Prompt, on time, friendly, professional, humble, funny, entertaining - are just a few words to describe Dre. We used his services our entire trip, and the recommendations of places that he took us to were beyond amazing. Thanks Dre again and can't wait until next year

7. St-Martin and St Maarten: Sightseeing Tour of the French and Dutch Sides of the Island

John Craane Cruise Terminal, Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Sint Maarten Amigo Tours - Day Tours
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4.3 based on 145 reviews

Explore both sides of the island of St Martin – Dutch (St Maarten) and French (St-Martin) – on a scenic 4.5-hour sightseeing tour! Bask in the sun on Orient Beach or Grand Case Beach; soak up the foodie atmosphere in Grand Case; explore the village of Marigot; and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Caribbean and its surroundings. Plus, learn about the cultural history of the Lesser Antilles island from your guide. With pristine tropical beaches and picturesque natural landscapes at every turn, you can't help but fall in love this piece of paradise!

Inclusions: Professional guide, Beverage (water, soda, beer, guavaberry rum punch), Hotel or port pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Beach chairs/umbrellas, Gratuities

Reviewed By Roving826779

Great to have someone waiting at the airport! Very friendly driver with a clean bus to take us to our timeshare. Very reasonable cost.

8. Shore Excursion: Philipsburg to Marigot Sightseeing Tour

Port Of St. Maarten, Great Bay,, Sint Maarten Diederick SXM Tours
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4.3 based on 11 reviews

Enjoy this wonderful 3-hour guided sightseeing tour which takes you from the Dutch side of the island to the French side. Start in Philipsburg, St Maarten and explore the local sights and then cross the border into Marigot, St Martin. Your native and local guide will lead the way.

Inclusions: Complimentary drink, Educational tour, Local experienced, professional guide, Port pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By GaynorH123

WOW!!! What a great tour and brilliant value for money! Diederick was knowledgeable and so friendly, he couldn't do enough for us, he included my 13yr old who was the only child on our bus be he wasn't excluded at all, I would highly recommend this company, there was unfortunately a woman who complained I've read her review and totally disagree with everything shes wrote, sadly you will always get one that you can't please no matter what is offered to her which was above and beyond, Diederick did not deserve to be treated with her attitude whatsoever. Me my husband and son and everyone on our bus had the loveliest day with lots of laughs and that was down to a well organised tour at amazing value! I wouldn't hesitate to book on our return, thanks for a great day Diederick and Co x

9. Super Island Tour through St Martin

Noel Tours
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3.8 based on 4 reviews

Hurricane Irma did what? Re-explore St Martin, St Maarten like you never visited before. On this 5 hours tour, you will rediscover why we are resilient and still have a smile on our faces.

Inclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, Bottled water, Soda/Pop, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By rehartman

We ended up on a tour of the whole island, half Dutch and the other French. Only about half an hour at the beach and no big planes, but numerous smaller ones. The beach has a steep slope into the water and it can really toss you around. I would suggest checking airplane schedules for timing. We were on a ship and locked into their schedule.

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