Shore Excursion: Orient Beach and Maho Beach Adventure

The Shore Excursion to Orient Beach and Maho Beach promises a day of sun, sand, and aviation spectacle. Travelers can soak up the Caribbean atmosphere at the lively Orient Beach before witnessing the thrilling jumbo jet landings at the world-famous Maho Beach. With round-trip transportation and a knowledgeable guide, this 5-hour adventure offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. Whether you’re a beach lover or an aviation enthusiast, this excursion is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

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Key Points

5-hour tour including stops at Orient Beach for relaxation and Maho Beach for jumbo jet sightseeing, with round-trip transportation from the cruise port.
Pickup options available at the designated meeting point, the EDC Parking Lot in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, with meeting times coordinated for cruise ship schedules.
Inclusions cover professional driver/guide, access to both beaches, and port pickup and drop-off, while food, drinks (except cocktails), and gratuities are excluded.
Participants must not have any serious medical conditions, must be able to walk without assistance, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Overall customer feedback is positive, with knowledgeable and friendly tour guides highlighted, though some issues with communication and no-shows have been noted.

Tour Overview

The Shore Excursion: Orient Beach and Maho Beach Adventure takes travelers on a 5-hour journey to explore two iconic destinations in Philipsburg, St Maarten.

The tour begins with 2 hours at Orient Beach, where visitors can relax on lounge chairs and enjoy cocktails at their own expense.

The adventure then continues at Maho Beach, where guests can watch jumbo jets land just feet away.

Throughout the experience, round-trip transportation from the cruise port is provided.

This shore excursion offers an unforgettable blend of relaxation and thrilling aviation sightseeing.

Looking for more options in Philipsburg? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Transportation Details

Pickup options for the Shore Excursion: Orient Beach and Maho Beach Adventure include direct pickup at the designated meeting point or request for pickup.

Pickup options for the Shore Excursion: Orient Beach and Maho Beach Adventure include direct pickup at the designated meeting point or request for pickup.

The meeting point is the EDC Parking Lot in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, where a white tent will be visible.

Passengers whose ships dock before 9:00 am should meet at 9:00 am, while those whose ships dock at or after 9:00 am should meet as soon as possible.

The activity concludes back at the meeting point.

No hotel pickup or drop-off is provided.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The Shore Excursion: Orient Beach and Maho Beach Adventure includes a professional driver/guide, access to Orient Beach and Maho Beach, as well as port pickup and drop-off.

However, food, drinks (aside from cocktails available for purchase), gratuities, and activities/rentals at the beaches are excluded.

Infants must sit on laps, and there’s a maximum of 100 travelers per tour.

Cruise passengers must provide their ship details at booking.

Participant Requirements

Confirmation is received at the time of booking for the Shore Excursion: Orient Beach and Maho Beach Adventure.

Travelers must be free of any serious medical conditions and able to walk without assistance, as the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.

This tour requires participants to be free of serious medical conditions and able to walk without assistance, as it is not wheelchair accessible.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Infants are required to sit on laps.

The tour can accommodate a maximum of 100 travelers.

Cruise passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time at the time of booking.

No serious medical conditions
Not wheelchair accessible
Children accompanied by adults
Minimum drinking age of 18
Maximum of 100 travelers

Customer Feedback

Reviews for the Shore Excursion: Orient Beach and Maho Beach Adventure tour provide a mixed picture.

The tour has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 from 13 total reviews. Positive feedback praises the knowledgeable and friendly tour guides. Travelers enjoyed the experiences at both beaches.

However, some customers reported issues with no-shows and poor communication from the tour operator, Diederick SXM Tours. There were also complaints about the quality of the transportation and lack of refreshments provided.

Notable guides like Paul, Lake, Douce, Gregory, and Diederick received commendations for excellent service.

There's plenty more to explore in Philipsburg

Exploring Orient Beach

Travelers begin their Shore Excursion: Orient Beach and Maho Beach Adventure with a 2-hour visit to the renowned Orient Beach.

The wide stretch of powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters create a picturesque tropical setting. Guests can:

Rent a lounge chair and soak up the sun
Take a refreshing dip in the Caribbean Sea
Enjoy a beach cocktail from one of the beachside bars
Stroll along the promenade and browse local shops
Participate in water sports like jet skiing or parasailing (at own expense)

After taking in the laidback beauty of Orient Beach, the tour continues on to the famous Maho Beach.

Witnessing Maho Beach

Next, the tour heads to the famous Maho Beach, where participants can witness the thrilling experience of jumbo jets landing and taking off just overhead.

Visitors stand mere feet away as massive airliners roar past, creating a powerful blast of wind and noise. The adrenaline-filled activity provides a unique photo opportunity as planes skim just above the beach.

After taking in the spectacle, travelers have two hours to explore the beach, swim in the crystal-clear waters, and grab a bite to eat or refreshing cocktail at the nearby beach bars and restaurants.

What to Expect

Participants can expect a well-organized and efficient tour that provides ample time to fully experience both Orient Beach and Maho Beach.

During the 5-hour excursion, guests will:

Lounge on Orient Beach’s white sand, sipping cocktails, and soaking up the Caribbean sun.
Watch in awe as massive airliners descend over Maho Beach, just feet above their heads.
Receive round-trip transportation from the cruise port with a knowledgeable driver/guide.
Have the flexibility to explore the beaches independently or join the group activities.
Adhere to age and medical requirements to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Ask Away

Are There Any Safety Precautions to Be Aware of at the Beaches?

Travelers should exercise caution at the beaches. Maho Beach is known for its strong winds from jet planes, which can be dangerous. Visitors should also be aware of potential strong currents and rip tides at Orient Beach.

Can We Bring Our Own Food and Drinks to the Beaches?

Guests can bring their own food and drinks to the beaches, but alcohol at Maho Beach must be purchased on-site. Rentals and activities at the beaches are not included in the tour and are at your’ own expense.

Are There Any Recommended Items to Bring for the Tour?

It’s recommended to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel. While food and drinks can be purchased at the beaches, travelers may want to bring their own snacks and water to save money and ensure they have their preferred items.

What Is the Dress Code or Attire Recommended for This Excursion?

The tour’s casual dress code allows for comfortable beachwear. Swimsuits, t-shirts, shorts, and sandals are recommended. Bring sun protection like hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses to enjoy the beaches fully. Light layers may be useful for the air-conditioned transportation.

Are There Any Restrictions on Photography or Video Recording at the Beaches?

The tour does not restrict photography or video recording at the beaches. Visitors are free to capture their experiences, though they should be respectful of others and follow any local rules or regulations.

Final Words

This Shore Excursion to Orient Beach and Maho Beach offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. Spend two hours soaking up the sun at Orient Beach, then head to Maho Beach for thrilling jumbo jet sightings. With round-trip transportation and a professional guide, this 5-hour adventure is an ideal choice for travelers seeking both fun and relaxation.