The Original Eco Tour Full-Day Around the Island of Sint Maarten

Exploring the picturesque island of Sint Maarten has never been more enticing than with the Original Eco Tour. This full-day excursion promises an immersive adventure, taking guests on a journey through the island’s natural wonders and cultural highlights. From pristine beaches to vibrant coral formations, the tour offers a chance to uncover the diverse marine life and captivating landscapes that make Sint Maarten a true gem. With a bountiful buffet-style lunch and an open bar, the tour provides a delightful complement to the day’s activities, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all participants. But what makes this tour truly unique might just surprise you.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Tours In St Maarten.

Key Points

• Comprehensive full-day sailing excursion around the island of Sint Maarten, offering an immersive experience of its natural beauty and cultural highlights.
• Includes stops at Tintamarre, Creole Rock, and the town of Grand Case, allowing visitors to explore the island’s pristine beaches and diverse marine life.
• Offers a bountiful buffet-style lunch featuring local flavors, complemented by an open bar with unlimited drinks, including a signature Rhum Punch.
• Provides specialized equipment such as snorkel gear and floating devices to ensure a comfortable and safe exploration of the underwater world.
• Convenient transportation options with round-trip hotel transfers and on-site parking available, along with a French Nature Fee to be paid at check-in.

Tour Details

This full-day sailing excursion around the island of Sint Maarten offers a comprehensive exploration of the island’s natural beauty and cultural highlights.

Guests will cruise around St Maarten, stopping at the picturesque Tintamarre, the renowned snorkeling spot of Creole Rock, and the charming town of Grand Case.

With 398 reviews and a Badge of Excellence, this tour is a must-do for anyone seeking an immersive island experience.

Highlights include swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying a delicious buffet-style barbecue lunch with unlimited drinks.

The tour also includes the use of snorkel equipment, instruction, and floating devices, as well as convenient round-trip hotel transfers available for an additional fee.

Activities Abound

Passengers enjoy a variety of engaging activities throughout the excursion, allowing them to fully experience the island’s natural splendor. At Tintamarre, guests explore the island’s pristine beaches and lush vegetation. At the renowned Creole Rock, they snorkel amid vibrant coral formations and diverse marine life. Finally, they swim in the calm, turquoise waters of Long Beach and Grand Case. The activities on this tour offer something for every traveler:

Activity	Location	Highlights
Explore	Tintamarre	Natural Beauty
Snorkel	Creole Rock	Colorful Coral
Swim	Long Beach, Grand Case	Tranquil Waters

The breadth of experiences ensures guests leave with unforgettable memories of Sint Maarten’s captivating natural wonders.

Culinary Delights

Guests aboard the Original Eco Tour indulge in a bountiful buffet-style lunch that tantalizes the palate, featuring a spread of barbecue chicken, barbecue ribs, island rice, potato salad, caesar salad, and creamy Gouda cheese.

The open bar offers unlimited drinks, including a signature Rhum Punch that adds a tropical twist to the experience.

As the boat cruises around the island, passengers can savor the delicious meal while taking in the stunning scenery.

The culinary experience is a highlight of the tour, providing a satisfying and refreshing respite amidst the day’s activities. With a focus on local flavors and quality ingredients, the lunch perfectly complements the adventurous nature of the excursion.

Specialized Equipment

To ensure a comfortable and safe experience, the Original Eco Tour provides guests with specialized equipment tailored to the day’s activities. Snorkel gear, including masks, snorkels, and fins, is available for use during the snorkeling stops at Creole Rock, one of the island’s premier snorkeling locations. Plus, the tour offers floating devices to assist guests who desire extra support while swimming or snorkeling. The First Mate is on hand to provide instruction and guidance on the proper use of this specialized equipment, enhancing the overall safety and enjoyment of the excursion.

Feature	Benefit
Snorkel Gear	Allows guests to explore the vibrant underwater world at Creole Rock
Floating Devices	Provides extra support and security for guests while swimming or snorkeling
First Mate Assistance	Ensures proper use of equipment, promoting a safe and enjoyable experience
Weight Restriction	Ensures the boat can accommodate all guests comfortably and safely
Maximum Capacity	Maintains an intimate group size for a personalized tour experience

Weight and Capacity

A key consideration in ensuring the comfort and safety of all participants is the 125 kg (275 lbs) weight restriction in place for the tour. This limit helps maintain the stability and seaworthiness of the vessel, allowing for a smooth and enjoyable sailing experience.

The tour also has a maximum capacity of 28 travelers, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. This cap on the number of guests helps provide ample space for everyone to move around comfortably and enjoy the activities without feeling overcrowded.

Transportation Options

The tour offers a round-trip transfer service from hotels for $12 per person, allowing guests to conveniently reach the departure point at Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg.

Plus, on-site parking is available for $2.00 per hour, providing a hassle-free option for those who prefer to drive themselves to the meeting location.

Guests can check in at 8:30 am, ensuring a smooth start to their full-day sailing excursion around the island of Sint Maarten.

The transportation options cater to the needs of all participants, whether they choose to utilize the convenient transfer service or opt to drive themselves to the marina, making it easy for them to embark on this exceptional eco-tour adventure.

Fees and Payments

Guests can expect a French Nature Fee of $6.00 per person to be paid at check-in, which supports the preservation of the island’s natural environment.

The tour provides round-trip hotel transfers for $12 per person, and on-site parking is available for $2.00 per hour for those who prefer to drive themselves to the departure point at Bobby’s Marina.

The tour has a weight restriction of 125 kg (275 lbs) and a maximum capacity of 28 travelers, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.

With a wide range of inclusions, from snorkeling equipment to an open bar and buffet-style lunch, this eco-tour offers excellent value for money, making it a must-do activity for visitors to Sint Maarten.

Meeting Point

The departure point for this eco-tour is Bobby’s Marina, located at 22H Juancho Yrausquin Blvd in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.

Guests are advised to arrive at the check-in time of 8:30 am to ensure a prompt departure. The tour company recommends factoring in any potential traffic or parking delays to arrive on time.

Once checked-in, guests will receive a brief orientation before boarding the sailing vessel.

The meeting point is conveniently situated near restaurants and shops, allowing guests to arrive early and explore the area before the tour begins.

With a maximum of 28 travelers, this intimate eco-tour offers a personalized experience exploring the natural beauty of Sint Maarten.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Suitable for Children?

The tour is suitable for children, as it includes activities like snorkeling, swimming, and exploring natural beaches. The weight restriction and maximum traveler limit ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all participants, including families.

Can Dietary Restrictions Be Accommodated?

The tour can accommodate dietary restrictions. Travelers with special dietary needs can notify the tour operator in advance, and the buffet-style lunch will include vegetarian and gluten-free options to ensure everyone’s dietary requirements are met.

Are There Any Discounts or Packages Available?

The operator offers a few discounted packages. There’s a 10% discount for groups of 4 or more, and they also provide a 25% discount for children under 12. Guests can save on transportation with the $12 per person round-trip hotel transfer option.

Is There a Cancellation Policy in Place?

There is a cancellation policy in place. Guests can cancel or make changes to their booking up to 24 hours prior to departure without penalty. Cancellations within 24 hours of the tour may incur a fee.

Can the Tour Be Customized to Individual Preferences?

The tour can be customized to individual preferences, though the core itinerary and activities are fixed. Guests can request dietary accommodations, and the crew is happy to tailor the experience within the tour’s parameters.

Recap

The Original Eco Tour offers an immersive, nature-focused experience on the island of Sint Maarten.

Guests can explore pristine beaches, vibrant coral formations, and diverse marine life while enjoying a bountiful local lunch and open bar.

With specialized equipment and an intimate group size, this tour ensures unforgettable memories of Sint Maarten’s natural wonders.

It’s a comprehensive and adventurous way to experience the island’s beauty.