2 Hours Private Jet Ski Tour in Saint Martin with free passenger

St. Martin is made for seeing from the water, and this private jet ski tour covers a remarkable stretch of coast in two hours. From Anse Marcel, you ride past French-side beaches, cross toward the Dutch side, pass under Simpson Bay Bridge, and finish at Maho Beach, where planes come in low over the sand. I especially like the private format, since your group can stop, swim, and set the pace without strangers tagging along. I also like the chance to ride with a passenger at no extra charge, which makes the listed price easier to justify for couples or families.

The main thing to consider is the ride itself. This is a sporty outing, not a slow sightseeing cruise. Open-ocean sections can bring large swells, and the jet ski can become a serious workout. You also need to reach Anse Marcel on the French side, which may take 25 to 40 minutes by taxi from the cruise port in Phillipsburg.

Key points before you book

• Private jet ski, free passenger: Each jet ski carries up to two people, so you can share one machine rather than pay for two.
• French side to Dutch side: The route links beaches and bays on both sides of St. Martin, giving you a broad view of the island in a short time.
• Maho Beach plane watching: The tour pauses at Maho so you can watch aircraft land near the famous beach.
• Hugo and Lucas lead tours: Both guides receive strong praise for their friendly manner, island tips, photos, and fun riding style.
• Swimming stops are flexible: You may swim at places such as Happy Bay, Baie Rouge, and Baie Longue, depending on the sea and the pace of your group.
• Plan your taxi carefully: Anse Marcel is not the cruise port, and taxis can be difficult to find there after the tour.

Why this private tour covers so much of St. Martin

Many island excursions make you choose between beach time, sightseeing, and speed. This one combines all three, though the balance leans toward active riding. You follow a guide across the coast, stop at several beaches, and get a quick look at major sights that would otherwise require a car, boat, or several separate outings.

The private setup matters. You are not joining a large line of jet skis, and the guide can give your group room to enjoy a stop instead of pushing you along on a fixed group schedule. If your family wants more swimming, or your adults want more open-water riding, the format gives the guide some flexibility.

The tour price is listed at $238.68 per person, but the practical pricing detail is more important: the price shown applies to the jet ski, with one passenger included, and a maximum of two people per machine. For two people sharing, that can be a fair deal for a two-hour private trip with fuel surcharge and taxes already included. It is less attractive if you plan to ride alone and compare it with a basic shared rental.

A photo package is available for about €20 per jet ski. This can be useful because the guide can take photos and videos while you ride, swim, or pause at the beaches. Some guides, including Hugo and Lucas, are praised for taking a generous number of pictures. If you want a record of the day, ask about the photo option before setting out.

Starting at Anse Marcel Beach

The meeting point is Sxm Boat Rental at Marina St Martin in Anse Marcel, on the French side. This is a beautiful but important logistical distinction for cruise passengers. Phillipsburg, where most cruise ships dock, is on the Dutch side, and the drive across the island can take roughly 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and your starting point.

Give yourself plenty of time. You need to arrive at the marina, complete the briefing, get fitted for the activity, and allow time to return to the ship afterward. If you use a taxi from the cruise terminal, arrange for the driver to pick you up again. Taxis are not easy to find in Anse Marcel once you finish.

The tour includes a professional French State guide, fuel surcharge, and GST. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to eat before or after the ride. The activity ends back at the marina.

Grand Case and the Rocher Créole

The first major stop is Grand Case, with about ten minutes to look over Grand Case Beach, Petite Plage, and Rocher Créole. The guide also points out the restaurants along the bay, giving you a useful orientation if you plan to return by car or on foot later.

Rocher Créole sits in a nature reserve, adding a bit of coastal scenery beyond the beach itself. This is a presentation stop rather than a long beach visit, so you should not expect a full meal or extended time on shore. The value is in getting your bearings and seeing the French side from the water before the faster sections begin.

Grand Case is also a good reminder of the tour’s basic rhythm. You ride, pause for a few minutes, hear about the place, and move on. The schedule fits a lot into two hours, but it does not allow a long stay at every beach.

Quiet water at Happy Bay and Friar’s Bay

Happy Bay is presented as a more secluded beach, with time to swim if conditions allow. It is one of the places where the private format feels useful. Your group can take a short swim or stop for photos without waiting for a large party to finish.

Friar’s Bay follows, with a look at Friar’s Bay Beach Café. The stop is brief, about five minutes, and centers on the bay and its popular beach restaurant. If you are hoping for lunch, this is not built into the tour. Food and drinks are your responsibility, and the outing is too tightly timed for a proper restaurant visit.

I would treat both stops as scenic pauses rather than beach days. Bring a swimsuit if you want to get in the water, but do not count on settling into a chair or spending an hour on shore.

Marigot Bay and Fort Louis

The route continues through Marigot Bay, the capital on the French side, with views toward Fort Louis and the marina. This section gives you a different look at St. Martin. Instead of open beach, you see the island’s harbor activity, waterfront buildings, and boats gathered near the French capital.

Because this is a guided ride, you get more than a string of pretty beaches. The guide can point out places to eat and help you understand how the French and Dutch sides fit together. Guides Hugo and Lucas are especially valued for island recommendations, so take advantage of the chance to ask about beaches or restaurants you may want to visit later.

Swimming at Baie Rouge and Baie Longue

Baie Rouge, or Red Bay, is another possible swimming stop. The water and waves will determine how comfortable the break feels, but the option is there for anyone who wants to leave the jet ski for a few minutes. Photos and videos are available if you add the picture package.

Baie Longue is described as one of the most beautiful beaches on the French side. You can bathe in translucent water and look toward La Samanna hotel from the beach. This is one of the tour’s more polished coastal views, with pale sand, open water, and a quieter feel than Maho or the busier resort areas.

The stop is still short. You are likely to appreciate the view more than you explore the beach in detail. If your main goal is long, unhurried swimming, a beach day will suit you better. If you want to sample several beaches in one outing, this quick pace works well.

Mullet Bay and the run toward Simpson Bay

Mullet Bay brings you to the Dutch side, where the beach is known for white sand and relatively few rocks. During the week, it can feel fairly quiet. The contrast with the French-side bays makes the route feel varied, even though the stops are close enough to fit into one active outing.

The ride then passes under the Simpson Bay Bridge and through the lagoon, with views of large yachts. This is a change of scenery from the open coast. You move from beaches and swells into a more sheltered harbor setting, with boats and marina views around you.

Some of the trip’s appeal comes from this variety. In two hours, you are not just racing along one beach. You see nature reserves, restaurant-lined bays, a French capital, hotel frontage, white-sand beaches, a yacht harbor, and an airport beach.

The final stop at Maho Beach

Maho Beach is the grand finale. The guide stops so you can watch a plane land close to the beach, one of St. Martin’s best-known spectacles. The timing of aircraft arrivals can vary, so a landing is something to hope for rather than treat as guaranteed.

The stop lasts about five minutes in the planned schedule. That is enough to admire the beach and watch for aircraft, but not enough for a long beach session. If you want to spend more time at Maho, return another day by taxi or car.

The route to Maho is also one reason this tour is appealing for cruise passengers. You see a famous sight without giving up the French-side beaches and open-water ride. It makes the excursion feel like a broad introduction to the island rather than a single-site activity.

What the jet ski ride feels like

You should have moderate physical fitness and be comfortable around water. The activity is described as sporty, and some sections can be choppy with large swells. Even experienced riders may feel tired after two hours of holding on, steering, and absorbing the movement of the sea.

If you are new to jet skis, the guide provides instruction before departure. First-timers can enjoy the tour, but you should be honest about your comfort level. The guide may ride at a pace that feels exciting to one person and demanding to another.

Passengers also need to prepare for the movement. Sharing a jet ski is a good value, but the passenger still has to hold on and handle the rougher sections. Children must be accompanied by an adult if under 16, and the published age information says the activity is from 16 years old. Since those details can appear to conflict, confirm the age rule for your specific booking before paying, especially if you are bringing younger children.

Guides Hugo and Lucas add a personal touch. They lead the route, explain the island, take photos when that option is purchased, and may demonstrate jet ski tricks. The guide is part of the experience, not just someone showing you where to turn.

How this compares with other island excursions

A cruise-ship excursion may be simpler to arrange, but this private outing can offer better control over your time and a more personal ride. You arrange your own taxi, which takes extra effort, yet you avoid being tied to a large organized group once you reach Anse Marcel.

The tour is also a strong choice if you want to see both French and Dutch St. Martin in one short outing. A land tour can cover more town detail, while a boat cruise may offer more relaxed swimming. This jet ski trip sits between those options: active, scenic, and fast-moving.

The two-hour length is sensible. It is long enough to cover the coast and reach Maho, but short enough to fit into a cruise day or a busy island schedule. You can pay about €70 for an extra 30 minutes if available, though the listed route already packs in many stops.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this for couples, families with suitable ages, and friends who want an active way to see the island. It works especially well when two people can share one jet ski, because the free passenger makes the cost more reasonable.

You should also choose it if photos matter. The optional picture package can save you from trying to carry a phone while riding, and the guides may capture action shots, beach views, and family moments.

I would skip it if you dislike rough water, feel uneasy on a jet ski, or want a calm, slow sightseeing trip. It is also not the right choice if you need a long lunch, extended beach time, or guaranteed time at each stop. Bad weather, rain, storms, or large waves can cancel the activity. In that case, you receive another date or a full refund.

Is the St. Martin private jet ski tour worth it?

Book it if you want a fast, personal look at St. Martin and are ready for real riding rather than a gentle cruise. The strongest value comes when two people share one jet ski, when you are staying on the island long enough to manage the taxi ride, and when you want both French-side scenery and Dutch-side sights in one trip.

The best practical tip is simple: arrange your return taxi before you leave Phillipsburg or your hotel. Then bring swimwear, allow extra time for transport, and expect a workout. For the right kind of visitor, this is one of the most efficient ways to combine beaches, bays, harbor views, and the famous Maho plane stop in a single morning or afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the jet ski tour start?

The tour starts at Sxm Boat Rental, Marina St Martin, Anse Marcel 97150, St. Martin.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Anse Marcel.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours. An extra 30 minutes may be available for a supplement of €70.

Can two people share one jet ski?

Yes. The price shown is for one jet ski, and one passenger can ride free. Each jet ski carries a maximum of two people.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a professional French State guide, fuel surcharge, and GST.

Are photos included?

Souvenir photos are not included. A picture package is available for purchase for about €20 per jet ski.

Which places does the route visit?

The route includes Grand Case, Happy Bay, Friar’s Bay, Marigot Bay, Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Mullet Bay, Simpson Bay Lagoon, and Maho Beach.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The published information says the activity is from 16 years old and that children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Confirm the exact age requirement before booking if you are bringing anyone under 16.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires suitable weather. If rain, a storm, or large waves cause cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.