Some water, some speed, and a lot of island in two hours. This private jet ski ride around St Martin is built for big views and short stops, with a French State guide steering you past beaches, bays, and famous lookouts. You’ll start at Anse Marcel Beach and hit the French coast highlights before the ride turns toward Maho and the plane-spotting chaos.

What I love most is the way the route mixes quick “photo pause” moments with real breaks where you can jump in. The other big win is the free passenger setup: the price is listed per person, but each jet ski allows up to two people, so you can share the ride value with a friend or partner. The only real drawback to keep in mind is that the tour is sporty, and you’ll be out in open water with swells, so it’s not ideal if you’re nervous around waves or you don’t handle bumpy rides well.

Key things to know before you go

• Free passenger on the jet ski: your jet ski can carry up to two people, making it a better value for couples or friends
• French State guide leading the way: stops are planned and paced so you’re not just riding in circles
• Route packed with distinct bays: Grand Case, Happy Bay, Friar’s Bay, Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Mullet Bay, then Maho
• Swim breaks are part of the rhythm: a few stops are built for taking a dip if you want
• Photo options exist, including upgrades: you can buy souvenir photos (about €20 per jet ski) and there’s also a picture package upgrade
• Weather decides everything: if conditions aren’t optimal (rain/storm/big waves), you’ll get another date or a full refund

Entering the ride: Anse Marcel launch and the private-group feel

This tour starts at Sxm Boat Rental in the Marina St Martin area at Anse Marcel. You’ll be with only your group, which matters because jet ski tours go faster when you’re not waiting on other people. It also makes it easier for the guide to match the pace to your comfort level, whether you’re first-timers or you already know how to handle a sporty craft.

The time window is about two hours on the water (with some additional time for instruction and getting sorted before you head out). The route is designed so you don’t spend the whole day on long transit loops. Instead, you get that classic St Martin feeling: a lot of variety, seen from sea level.

Price and value: what $238.68 buys you (and when it’s a steal)

The price is listed at $238.68 per person, and it includes the fuel surcharge and GST. On jet ski tours, fuel and fees are where the “cheap-looking” prices can suddenly grow legs, so having them included makes budgeting simpler.

Here’s where the value really shows up: the tour pricing is tied to the jet ski setup, and the listing notes a free passenger with a maximum of two people per jet ski. Practically, that means if two of you want to be on the same ski, you’re not paying full price for every body. It’s one of the best ways to get the experience cost down without turning it into a cramped, crowded group situation.

There is one optional add-on to think about: you can pay for a 30-minute supplement (70€) if you want more time on the water. I’d only grab that if your group is comfortable staying out longer, because the ride can feel more like an active workout than a lazy cruise.

The guided route: Grand Case to French-side bays

From the start, the guide’s job is not just navigation. It’s picking moments where the coastline looks best and where you’ll get something more than a blur from the jet ski.

Stop 1: Grand Case and nearby coves

Your first stop is in the Grand Case area, with a short pause to take in the beach of Grand Case and Petite Plage, plus the Rocher Créole in a nature reserve. You’ll also get context from your guide about restaurants along the bay, which is surprisingly useful if you’re planning dinner later on the French side.

Time here is brief, around 10 minutes including the beach viewing moment. The payoff is that you get your bearings early, with a coastline that feels distinctly different from the more tourist-heavy areas.

Stop 2: Happy Bay Beach for the quiet factor

Next comes Happy Bay Beach, described as deserted. If you want to swim, this is one of the stops where that’s explicitly part of the plan. If you’ve got the photo option, your guide can also capture photos or video during the pause.

This is a good stop if you like your beaches with fewer people and more “we found it” energy.

Stop 3: Friar’s Bay and the beach café vibe

Then you head to Friar’s Bay, including a look at the popular Friar’s Bay Beach Café. Again, your guide uses the stop to point out what you’re seeing and to help you time your photos and any swim break.

One thing to watch: these stops are short, so don’t wait for perfect conditions. If you want to get in the water, do it quickly when you arrive.

Marigot Bay and Fort Louis: shifting from beaches to coastline views

Midway through the run, you’ll transition toward the Bay of Marigot, the capital on the French side. You’ll also see Marina Fort Louis.

This is the part of the tour that gives your brain a map. It’s easy to enjoy beaches, but seeing how the harbor and capital area sit along the waterline makes the island feel real and navigable. From the jet ski, the harbor edges and marina structure are instantly more clear than they are from land.

Baie Rouge to Baie Longue: swims, translucence, and the views you can’t fake

After Marigot, the tour keeps stacking memorable stretches of water. This is where the ride turns into a string of “wait, look at that” moments.

Stop 4: Baie Rouge and the red-bay swim option

At Baie Rouge, you’ll get a view of the big Red Bay. A swimming break is possible, and you can also capture photos/videos if you opt in.

Because you’re on a jet ski, the swim breaks feel more intentional. You’re not just hopping off whenever; the guide picks a spot that’s worth the water time.

Stop 5: Baie Longue for that translucent-water moment

Next is Baie Longue, one of the most beautiful beaches on the French part. The pitch is specific: translucent water and a chance to swim. You’ll also be able to admire the hotel La Samana from the beach area.

This stop is a visual reward for keeping your eyes up instead of staring down at the handlebars the whole time.

Mullet Bay and the rocks-free sand approach

Stop 6: Mullet Bay

Then you reach Mullet Bay, described as quieter and notably rock-light. The bay is also said to have white sand and relatively few rocks, especially during the week.

This is a great stop if your group wants calmer water vibes compared to the open-coast feeling. It’s also a nice moment to catch your breath, both physically and mentally, before you head toward the faster, more famous section of the route.

Passing under the Simpson Bay bridge and ending at Maho Beach

On the way back, you’ll return and pass under the Simpson Bay bridge, where you can admire yachts in the lagoon. It’s a simple but effective “city-to-coast” finale that makes the island feel like a living place, not just an outdoor set.

Stop 7: Maho Beach and the plane landing spectacle

Finally, you arrive at Maho Beach, where you can watch planes land. The timing isn’t described with exact flight-minute precision, but the whole point of the stop is that signature Maho spectacle.

If your group likes watching the aircraft approach while you’re still warm from riding, this last stop hits hard.

What it feels like on the jet ski: pace, instruction, and water reality

Even with a private setup, jet skiing is still jet skiing. The tour is sporty and not recommended if you’re afraid of water or if you’re very old, and it requires at least moderate physical fitness.

You should also be ready for open-water conditions. One of the smartest ways to approach this is to plan your mindset like a small adventure: expect waves and swells. If you’ve never ridden before, that’s not automatically a deal-breaker, but it does mean you should listen closely and start confident, not cocky.

A good guide makes a big difference here. Past experiences with this operation highlight guides who take time at the stops, keep things moving without rushing, and capture plenty of photos and videos so you don’t have to turn the day into a constant phone-handling job.

Photos, souvenirs, and the optional picture upgrade

You’ll likely get some photo/video support during stops if you choose the option to have the guide take shots. Beyond that, there are souvenir photos available for purchase, listed at around €20 per jet ski, and there’s also a picture package upgrade.

My practical advice: if photography matters to your group, decide ahead of time whether you want a paid package. If you only need a few keepsakes, you might not need the full upgrade.

Also, note that equipment and photo handling are part of the overall service style here, so don’t be shy about asking for a moment to reposition your group for better angles.

Cruise-ship timing: how to not lose the best part of your day

This tour meets at Anse Marcel on the French side, while most cruise ports are on the Dutch side. In practice, you should plan for a taxi ride of about 25–40 minutes each way.

One cruise-day mistake is thinking you’ll arrive, do a short activity, and be back quickly. For this tour, you should budget more time than the two hours alone. Add time for getting from the port to the marina, getting instruction, and then getting yourself back after you’re dry and the day’s photos are handled.

If your shore time is tight, this is still doable, but you need a clean schedule. When you’ve got at least a half day or more, the tour feels like a real highlight instead of a rushed chore.

Who should book this St Martin jet ski tour, and who should skip it

This is a great fit if you want:

• Private, no-wait guiding while you see multiple coasts
• A mix of beaches and viewpoints in a short time
• The chance for brief swimming breaks
• A ride that feels like adventure, not a slow boat

It’s less ideal if you:

• Are very uneasy around water or strong waves
• Want a relaxed, sit-and-snack experience
• Are looking for a purely cultural walk-through day (this is nature and coastline first)

Age-wise, it’s from 16 years old, and children must be accompanied by an adult if under 16.

Should you book this private 2-hour jet ski tour with Island Jet?

If you want the most efficient way to see St Martin by sea—French coast highlights, a harbor-and-capital view, and a dramatic finale at Maho—this tour is a strong choice. The value improves even more when you can use the free passenger setup, because you’re not paying full price to share the jet ski.

I’d book it if you can handle a sporty ride and you’re going on a day with good weather. If waves make you nervous, or if your group needs calm, predictable conditions, then you may be better off choosing a different style of water activity.

FAQ

How long is the jet ski tour?

The tour is about 2 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the professional French State guide, fuel surcharge, and GST. Souvenir photos and food/drinks are not included.

Do I get a free passenger?

The tour is priced for the jet ski with a free passenger, and the jet ski holds up to 2 people total.

Where does the tour start and end?

You meet at Sxm Boat Rental in Marina St Martin at Anse Marcel, 97150. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What if the weather is bad?

If weather conditions are not optimal (rain, storm, big waves), the activity will be canceled. You’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Is it okay for first-time riders?

The tour includes a guide and instruction. It’s sporty and involves open water, so listen carefully and be ready for waves even if you’ve never ridden before.

Are there photo and souvenir options?

Yes. There are options for souvenir photos, listed at about €20 per jet ski, and there’s also a picture package upgrade available.

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