Activity St Maarten

IslandGo Cultural and Scenic Tour History Meets Paradise

4–5 hours Free cancellation

IslandGo Cultural and Scenic Tour History Meets Paradise, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten like never before where centuries of history collide with the Caribbean's most breathtaking scenery, all in one unforgettable day. This isn't just a beach tour; it's a journey through 300+ years of Dutch, French, and Caribbean heritage, guided by a local who brings every stop to life.

Pass historic Philipsburg, founded in 1733, and the Vineyard Building, shipped from Baltimore in 1871. Spot wild iguanas, relax on postcard-perfect Orient Bay, and explore charming Marigot, home to Fort St. Louis (1789). Stop at the Bellevue Monument, marking the 1848 Treaty of Concordia. Feel the rush at world-famous Maho Beach, sip rum at Topper's Distillery, and take in the views from Cole Bay Lookout. Finish at Fort Amsterdam (1631), site of the dramatic 1644 siege that cost Peter Stuyvesant his leg, plus free tastings at the Amsterdam Cheese & Liquor Store.

One island, two nations, centuries of history all in one perfect day.

Day Trips Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Port Pickup Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 4–5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 30 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English, French, Spanish
Operated by: islandgo

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–9 years) · Youth (10–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: A professional tour guide to narrate the tour

Not included

Not included: The tour does not include food, beach chairs or umbrellas.You can purchase and rent at the beach bar

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

Cruise Port

Our maritime place containers, imports, etc.
Stop 2

Passing by

Philipsburg

Founded in 1733 by John Philips (1688–1746), a Scottish navy commander in the Dutch navy.
Stop 3

Passing by

Vineyard Building

Imported by schooner in pieces and set up in 1871 by Johannes Van Romondt, imported from Baltimore, Maryland. A twin of this same building still stands on Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Stop 4

Passing by

Saltpond (roundabout) (pass-by, no stop)

Dutch side: 1624–1649. French side: ended in 1967 — Grand Case's was the last saltpond to close.
Oyster Pond

10 min

Oyster Bay

Views talk about St. Barths day trips to the surrounding islands.
Oyster Pond

15 min

Iguana stop

Depending on guest interest.
Orient Bay

one hour

Orient Bay

Beach stop.
Marigot

one hour

Marigot (food stop)

Fort St. Louis, built in 1789 under then-governor of St. Barths Jean-Sébastien Durat, to protect Marigot's warehouses of stored goods from neighboring pirates. Decommissioned in 1851.
Bellevue

15 min

Bellevue Monument

Signing of the Treaty of Concordia in 1848, for the movement of goods between the two countries. Renewed in 1948. Slavery was abolished on French Saint-Martin in 1848, and on Dutch Sint Maarten in 1863.
Maho Beach

one hour

Maho Beach

Planes stop.
Topper's Rhum Distillery

20 min Admission not included

Topper's Rhum Tasting
Stop 12

10 min

Cole Bay Lookout

Scenic viewpoint.
Fort Amsterdam

10 min

Fort Amsterdam, Divi Resort

Built in 1631 by the Dutch. 1633: occupied by the Spanish. 1644: Spanish driven out by the then-governor of New York (New Amsterdam at the time), who surrounded the fort with approximately 800 men until starving the Spanish into retreat via their fleet. Stuyvesant stood on the barracks as they were leaving and fired a cannon the shot that took his leg, earning him the nickname "Peg Leg."
Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store

20 min Admission not included

Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store

Shopping stop and cheese tasting.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Driver will have a sign with the company name on it, and you will receive a Whattsapp message with all the instructions for the tour date.

End point

Driver will have a sign with the company name on it, and you will receive a Whattsapp message with all the instructions for the tour date.

Pickup points

The Villas at Simpson Bay Resort
Oceans at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Villas on Great Bay
Le Flamboyant Hotel and Resort
Hevea Hotel
Princ. Juliana Airport
Hotel La Plantation
La Vista Resort
Orient Bay Hotel
The Morgan Resort Spa & Village
Royal Islander Club Resort La Terrasse
Azure Hotel & Art Studio

and 51 more pickup points

Driver will have a sign with the company name on it, and you will receive a Whattsapp message with all the instructions for the tour date.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.