1-Hour Jet Ski Tour: Single or Double Option

The island looks best from the water. This one-hour jet ski ride takes you from Simpson Bay through the lagoon and out around St. Maarten’s Lowlands, with stops for photos, swimming, and a breather. I like the small group limit of four jet skis and the fact that no boat license is required. I also like the single or double riding choice, since you can share one machine without paying extra for a second seat. The main drawback is the short running time: one hour goes quickly, especially with several beaches and a famous airport shoreline on the route.

You should also confirm the exact meeting spot before setting out. The listed address is 127 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay, but one recent booking complaint reported that the activity had moved to Simpson Bay Marina. That kind of location mix-up is easy to avoid with a quick check before your day begins.

Key points at a glance

• Start in Simpson Bay Lagoon: You begin in sheltered water before passing under the causeway bridges.
• Ride around six named bays: The route includes Nettle Bay, Red Bay, Plum Bay, Long Bay, and Mullet Bay, plus the Maho airport area.
• Share one jet ski or ride alone: Each machine holds one or two people, and the price is the same for a double machine.
• No boat license required: A guide explains how to operate the jet ski before the ride begins.
• Smallest practical group size: Safety rules allow four jet skis at once, or up to eight people when every machine is shared.
• Built for active visitors: You need a moderate level of physical fitness, and the tour depends on good weather.

Starting in Simpson Bay Lagoon

The ride begins at Simpson Bay, the island’s main boating area. Rather than charging straight into open Caribbean water, you first travel through the lagoon, which gives you time to get comfortable with the jet ski and the basic controls.

Your guide provides operating instructions and explains the safety rules. That matters if this is your first time on a jet ski. One rider described having no previous experience and still finding the instruction clear and useful. You do not need a boat license, but you should still expect to listen closely and follow the guide’s pace.

The machines can carry one or two riders. If you ride alone, you control the jet ski yourself. If you share, one person drives while the other rides behind, with the option to change roles if the guide allows it. The booking system charges by jet ski, not by seat, so a double machine costs the same as a single machine.

That detail makes the outing more attractive for couples, friends, and parents riding with an older child who meets the operator’s requirements. It also means you should count the number of machines you need when booking, not simply the number of people in your party.

Passing beneath the bridges toward open water

From the lagoon, you pass beneath the causeway bridges. The route then uses the French bridge at Sandy Ground to reach the sea around the Lowlands of Saint Martin and Sint Maarten.

This part gives the tour a useful sense of place. You are not simply renting a jet ski and making circles near a beach. You move from the island’s protected inner waterway to the open coast, crossing between the Dutch and French sides of the island during the ride.

The group size helps here. Only four jet skis can leave at the same time, with a maximum of eight people if every machine carries two riders. That is small enough for a guide to keep an eye on the group and give basic help when needed. It also keeps the outing from becoming a large motorized procession.

The guide-led format is especially helpful around the bridges and the transition to open water. You can focus on steering, the scenery, and the instructions instead of trying to work out the route yourself.

Nettle Bay and Red Bay from the water

The first coastal sections include Nettle Bay and Red Bay. You see these areas from a different angle than you would from a road or a beach chair. The water gives you a moving view of the shoreline and lets you cover several parts of the island during a single outing.

The pace is one of the main attractions. You are not spending an hour parked in one cove. You are riding from bay to bay, with short breaks built into the route. The guide can stop so you can relax on the jet ski, take photographs, or swim in the Caribbean water.

Those stops are useful, but they also affect how much riding you get. If you want maximum speed and constant movement, the photo and swim breaks may feel like lost time. If you want a relaxed introduction to the coast, they make the hour more varied and easier on your arms.

You should also keep your expectations realistic. This is a quick overview of the Lowlands, not a full beach tour with long stays at every stop. The names of the bays help you understand the route, but you will not have extended time at each one during a one-hour outing.

Plum Bay, Long Bay, and Mullet Bay

The route continues past Plum Bay, Long Bay, and Mullet Bay. These stops show off the western side of the island and give you repeated chances to look back toward the coast from the water.

Mullet Bay is a particularly useful part of the route because it connects the outing with one of St. Maarten’s best-known beach areas. You may recognize the bay from land, but the view changes when you approach it by jet ski. You are close enough to appreciate the curve of the shore while still moving with the group.

The tour’s appeal comes from this combination of names and motion. In one hour, you cover several bays that would take much longer to visit separately by car. You also avoid the need to plan beach parking, driving routes, or a second activity.

On the other hand, the ride is active. You need a moderate level of physical fitness, and the boat’s movement can require steady balance and attention. A double machine may be more comfortable for someone who prefers not to operate the jet ski, but both people still share the motion of the ride.

Passing the Maho airport area

The route includes the famous Maho airport area before returning to Simpson Bay. This is one of the most recognizable parts of St. Maarten, and approaching it from the water adds another angle to a familiar island sight.

The airport section is not described as a separate extended stop, so you should not book this tour expecting a long aircraft-viewing session. Instead, it is one feature within a moving coastal circuit that also includes the lagoon, bridges, beaches, and swimming breaks.

That makes the tour a good fit if you want several highlights in a short period. You get a taste of the western coastline and the airport area without giving up an entire morning or afternoon. If the airport is your main interest, though, a land-based visit may give you more time to wait and watch.

What the guide adds to the ride

The guide is more than a person leading the machines from point to point. The guide teaches you the controls, explains the rules, and keeps the group together through the lagoon, bridge crossings, and coastal sections.

The personal side of the service receives strong praise. Chris is singled out by name for making the ride fun and keeping the mood lively. Another rider described an instructor who explained the rules carefully, showed the group both the Dutch and French sides, and shared information about the island along the way.

That balance matters. A guide who focuses only on safety can make a short ride feel stiff. A guide who focuses only on speed can leave a first-time rider uneasy. The strongest part of this experience appears to be the mix of clear instruction, local orientation, and an upbeat approach.

You should still remember that the exact tone can depend on the guide working that day. Chris may not be leading every departure. The published rating is strong at 4.7 out of 5 from 26 ratings, with 92 percent recommending the activity, but a smaller operation can naturally feel personal and less standardized than a large water-sports company.

Is $180 a good value?

The price is $180 per person, which is a serious spend for one hour. The value depends heavily on how you use the double option and how much you want to see in a short period.

For one person on one jet ski, the cost is high compared with a simple beach rental. You are paying for a guided route, instruction, equipment, several coastal areas, and the chance to stop for photographs or swimming. You are also paying for the convenience of covering the Lowlands without arranging separate transport between bays.

For two people sharing one jet ski, the value looks better because the same machine price covers both riders. The booking instructions are important here: choose the number of jet skis required, not the number of people. One double machine is enough for two riders.

The small group size adds value for people who dislike crowded water activities. Four machines is a more manageable group than a large fleet, and the guide can keep the route focused. The tradeoff is that the one-hour format leaves little room for delays or long stops.

I would consider the price reasonable for a couple who wants an active highlight and plans to share one machine. I would be more hesitant for a solo rider on a tight budget, particularly if the main goal is simply swimming or sitting on a beach.

Who should book this jet ski tour?

This ride suits you best if you want movement, variety, and a guided introduction to St. Maarten’s coast. It is especially useful for:

• First-time jet ski riders who want instruction before heading into open water
• Couples or friends who want to share one machine
• Active visitors with only an hour to spare
• People interested in seeing both the Dutch and French sides from the water
• Visitors who prefer a small group instead of a large organized outing
• Anyone who wants a mix of riding, photographs, and swimming

You may want another activity if you dislike motorized water sports, have limited physical fitness, or want a slow beach day. The ride is short and active, and you cannot count on spending long periods at any one bay.

Families should confirm the operator’s age and participation rules before booking, since the supplied details explain the seating arrangement but do not provide minimum age requirements. The same applies to anyone with mobility concerns. The stated expectation is a moderate level of physical fitness.

Timing, meeting point, and weather

The tour lasts about one hour and ends back at the starting point. Since the route begins in Simpson Bay and returns there, it can fit neatly into a day built around the island’s other sights.

The listed start point is 127 Welfare Road, Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten. One booking complaint reported that the activity had moved to Simpson Bay Marina, so I would confirm the current location directly before departure. This is especially important if you are arriving by taxi, public transport, or from a cruise-related schedule.

The activity is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not promise hotel pickup. Plan to reach the meeting point on your own unless the operator confirms another arrangement.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the ride, you can receive a full refund or select another date. For your own protection, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time if your plans change. A cancellation made less than 24 hours ahead is not refundable, and late changes are not accepted.

What to bring and how to prepare

The most useful preparation is simple. Arrive ready to listen, follow the guide, and spend the hour in motion.

You will want clothing suitable for getting wet, since the ride includes the option to swim and takes place on open water. Keep personal items to a minimum, especially anything you do not want exposed to spray. For photographs, use equipment that can handle water or secure it carefully during the ride.

Decide before booking if you want to drive or share. A single rider gets full control of the machine, while a double machine lets two people split the cost and the riding duties. If one person has more experience or confidence, sharing can make the outing easier for both of you.

Also leave room in your schedule around the one-hour activity. The ride itself is approximately one hour, but you still need time to reach the meeting point, receive instructions, and get organized before launch. Do not place it so tightly beside another reservation that a small delay creates a problem.

Should you book the St. Maarten jet ski tour?

I would book this tour if you want a compact, active way to see several parts of St. Maarten’s western coast. The route is varied, the group is small, a license is not required, and the double-machine price gives couples a better deal than solo riders.

I would skip it if you are looking for a long beach stop, a slow sightseeing cruise, or the lowest-cost water activity. One hour passes quickly, and the $180 price per person is easiest to justify when two people share one jet ski and make full use of the guided route.

Before paying, confirm the current Simpson Bay meeting location and check the weather forecast. With those details settled, Roxxy Beach Watersports offers a lively, well-contained introduction to the island from the water.

FAQ

Where does the jet ski tour start?

The listed meeting point is 127 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten. One booking note reported a move to Simpson Bay Marina, so confirm the exact current location before the tour.

How long does the jet ski tour last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour and ends back at the meeting point.

Can two people share one jet ski?

Yes. Each jet ski can carry one or two riders, and the price is the same for a double machine.

Do I need a boat license?

No. A boat license is not required to drive the jet ski.

How many people can join the tour?

For safety reasons, up to four jet skis can leave at one time. If every machine carries two people, the total is eight riders.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.