REVIEW · 1-HOUR EXPERIENCES
1-Hour Jet Ski Tour: Single or Double Option
From Simpson Bay, you’ll steer through the lagoon, pass under the causeway bridges, and head out toward the open Caribbean. The route links several bays on both the Dutch and French sides, giving you far more than a short run in front of one beach. I especially like the cross-island route and the chance to stop for photos or a swim. The main caution is simple: one hour goes quickly, and the meeting-point information has caused confusion, so confirm that you are going to the current Simpson Bay marina location.
I also like the small group size. A maximum of four jet skis, or eight people if every machine is shared, means your guide can keep the ride together. Guides such as Chris have been praised for clear operating instructions and a lively approach. This is a good choice if you want an active outing, but it is not the right pick if you prefer a slow sightseeing cruise or have limited physical fitness.
Key points to know before you book

- The route crosses both sides of the island: You begin in Simpson Bay and visit the Lowlands, including Nettle Bay, Red Bay, Plum Bay, Long Bay, Mullet Bay, and the Maho airport area.
- One machine holds one or two riders: You can drive solo or share with another person, and the stated price is the same for a double jet ski.
- The tour uses a small group: Up to four jet skis leave together, which can mean as many as eight people when machines are shared.
- You do not need a boat license: The guide provides operating instructions and leads the ride.
- Stops are part of the hour: You have time to relax on the jet ski, take pictures, or swim in the Caribbean water.
- The meeting point matters: The activity begins and ends at 127 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay, but you should confirm the exact current marina location before setting out.
Starting in Simpson Bay and finding the right meeting point
The tour begins at 127 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay, a practical starting point for a ride that moves from sheltered water to the open sea. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.
One detail deserves attention before your tour day. A past booking issue involved an outdated meeting location, with the actual operation taking place at the Simpson Bay Marina. Because location information can change, I would confirm the current check-in spot directly after booking and leave extra time to find the marina.
The activity is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in the Simpson Bay area or arriving without a car. You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the details on your phone.
Plan to arrive ready for water, sun, and movement. The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. That does not mean you need special athletic skills, but you should be comfortable sitting on and controlling a jet ski for an hour, handling the motion of the boat, and getting wet during the ride or swim stops.
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Learning the controls before leaving the lagoon

You do not need a boat license to drive, which makes this a friendly introduction for first-time riders. The guide goes over the rules and explains how to operate the machine before the group sets out.
That briefing matters. A jet ski is simple to understand, but it responds quickly to the throttle and steering. Pay close attention to the guide’s instructions, especially if this is your first time on the water. One of the strongest parts of the experience is the combination of instruction and direct supervision. The guide leads the group rather than sending you off to find your own way.
The small group limit helps here. With no more than four jet skis leaving at once, the guide can keep track of the group and set a manageable pace. You still get the fun of controlling the machine yourself, but you are not left to work out the route alone.
If you share a jet ski, decide before departure who will drive first. The activity allows one or two riders per machine, and the ride is priced the same for a double jet ski according to the operating information. A shared machine works well for couples, friends, or family members who want to split the driving.
Through the lagoon and under the bridges

The route begins in the lagoon, giving you a calmer setting while you get used to the controls. From there, you pass under the causeway bridges and continue toward the French bridge at Sandy Ground.
This opening section gives the ride a pleasant change of pace. You start in protected water, then move toward the open Caribbean rather than beginning immediately in rougher sea conditions. It also adds a sense of route and place. You are not simply circling one beach. You are crossing from the Simpson Bay area toward the Lowlands and the French side of the island.
The bridges are useful landmarks, too. They help you understand how the lagoon connects with the sea and give the outing a clear beginning before the longer run around the coast. Keep your attention on the guide and your surroundings as the group moves through these narrower passages.
Once you pass Sandy Ground, the ride opens out. This is where the trip becomes more about speed, sea air, and the changing views around St. Maarten’s western bays.
Nettle Bay, Red Bay, and the first open-water views

Nettle Bay is among the first coastal areas on the route after leaving the lagoon. It helps set the tone for the Lowlands, with the jet ski carrying you past a sequence of beaches and bays rather than stopping at just one.
Red Bay follows as part of the island’s coastal sweep. From the water, you get a different view than you would from a road or beach. The shore becomes a moving line of coves, sand, and hills, while the guide keeps the group pointed along the route.
These sections are best understood as scenic riding stretches. The exact conditions can shape the experience. Calm water may make the ride smoother and easier for a first-time driver, while wind and waves can add more excitement but also more physical work. Since the activity depends on good weather, poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
I like this part of the itinerary because it gives you room to enjoy the ride itself. You are not rushing from one formal attraction to another. You are using the jet ski as your way to see the coast.
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Plum Bay and Long Bay, with time to stop

Plum Bay and Long Bay continue the route around the Lowlands. These stops and passing views break up the one-hour ride and help keep the outing from feeling like a single, nonstop speed run.
The guide may pause so you can relax on the jet ski, take pictures, or swim. That flexibility is valuable. You can use the stop to catch your breath, enjoy the water, or take a few photos without trying to snap them while moving.
Still, keep your expectations realistic. The entire experience lasts about one hour, and the route covers several areas. You will not have long beach visits at every bay. Think of the stops as short breaks built into a fast coastal tour, not as extended swimming sessions.
Bring a phone only if you can keep it secure and dry. The supplied information confirms that picture stops are part of the outing, but it does not specify waterproof storage or equipment. A waterproof case is a sensible precaution, and you should follow the guide’s instructions about when it is safe to handle your phone.
Mullet Bay and the Maho airport area

Mullet Bay is one of the key coastal sights on the route and gives you another chance to see St. Maarten from the water. The ride then continues toward the famous Maho airport area before returning to Simpson Bay.
The Maho section adds a distinctive local feature to the trip. You are not only looking at beaches and bays. You are also reaching one of the island’s best-known places, viewed from offshore as part of a larger ride.
The supplied details do not promise a scheduled aircraft landing or a specific time spent near the runway, so I would not book this as an airplane-spotting tour. Treat Maho as one part of the coastal route. If a plane happens to arrive during your visit, that is an extra moment, not the main service being sold.
After Maho, the group returns toward the starting point. The return trip completes the loop and keeps your transport simple. You finish where you started, rather than needing to find a ride from another beach.
What the guide adds to the ride

A guided jet ski tour is more useful than a rental when you want to see several areas in limited time. The guide supplies the route, gives the safety briefing, and helps the group move between the lagoon, bridges, beaches, and open water.
Guide Chris has received especially warm praise for making the ride fun while also explaining the rules clearly. The description of his style suggests an energetic outing, including playful handling of waves. That can be a major plus if you want excitement, though you should tell the guide if you are a first-time rider or prefer a gentler pace.
The guide also provides information about the island along the way. That makes the ride more than a mechanical rental. You get some context for the Dutch and French sides while moving through the area, and you can ask questions during suitable pauses.
Remember that the guide controls the group pace and route. This is useful for safety and navigation, but it means you do not have complete freedom to stop wherever you wish or set your own course.
Single or double jet ski: choosing the better setup

The choice between one and two riders depends on how you want to spend the hour. A solo machine gives you full control and lets you handle the speed and direction yourself. It is the better choice if driving is the main reason you are booking.
A double machine can be more social and may offer better value for two people who are happy to share. One person can drive while the other enjoys the ride, then you can switch if time and conditions allow. Sharing also lets a less confident rider experience the activity without taking full responsibility for the machine.
The booking instructions say to select the number of travelers based on the number of jet skis needed, not simply the number of people. One machine can carry one or two riders. The stated information also says the price is the same for a double jet ski, while the headline price is listed as $180 per person. Because those two pricing descriptions can be confusing, check the final booking total carefully before payment.
The maximum is four jet skis at one time. If every machine carries two people, the group can reach eight people. That remains a relatively contained outing, but it is not a private ride for just one couple or family.
Is $180 a fair price for one hour?
At $180, this is not a cheap one-hour activity. The value comes from the amount of route covered in a short time and from having a guide lead you through waters around both sides of the island.
You are paying for more than a machine parked near one beach. The route begins in Simpson Bay, passes through the lagoon and bridge area, reaches several Lowlands bays, includes Mullet Bay and the Maho area, and returns to the starting point. The guide, safety briefing, and built-in photo or swim pauses add to the package.
The price looks stronger for two people sharing one machine, provided the booking total works as described. If two people pay separate per-person charges, the cost becomes harder to justify for a one-hour ride. If the double-machine price applies to the machine rather than each rider, it may be a better deal. Confirm this point directly before booking.
I would compare this with the cost of a longer water excursion only if you mainly want time on the sea. If your goal is a quick, active way to see a lot of St. Maarten’s coast, the price may make sense. If you want a long swim, beach time, or a quiet boat ride, your money may go further elsewhere.
Who will enjoy this St. Maarten jet ski tour?
I would recommend this outing to:
- First-time jet ski riders who want instruction and a guide rather than an unguided rental.
- Active visitors with limited time who want a fast coastal experience lasting about one hour.
- Couples and friends who like the option of sharing one machine.
- Cruise or short-stay visitors who want to see several bays without spending a full day on the water.
- People who enjoy a lively guide and do not mind a little wave action.
I would think twice if you want a quiet sightseeing trip, dislike open-water motion, or need a very slow pace. The activity requires moderate physical fitness, and the route is built around operating a jet ski rather than sitting back while someone else drives.
It is also not ideal if your main goal is to spend a long time swimming at one beach. The swim stops are useful breaks, but the trip’s focus is movement and coastal views.
Practical booking advice before you commit
The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted. The cut-off follows local St. Maarten time.
Good weather is required. If conditions force cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a sea-based activity, but it means you should avoid scheduling the tour too tightly against your departure.
The tour is recommended by 92 percent of customers and carries a 4.7 rating from 26 reviews. The most consistent praise centers on clear instruction, friendly staff, the guide’s energy, and the route between the Dutch and French sides. The one practical complaint concerned an outdated meeting location, which is easy to guard against by confirming the marina before you go.
Should you book the Roxxy Beach Watersports tour?
Book it if you want one concentrated hour of active sightseeing rather than a full-day beach trip. The route is the main attraction: you move from Simpson Bay through the lagoon and bridges, along the Lowlands, past several bays, toward Maho, and back again. The small group and guided format make it approachable for a first ride.
I would be most comfortable booking it as a shared machine for two people who both want a taste of jet skiing, or as a solo machine for an experienced rider who values control. Before paying, confirm the current Simpson Bay meeting point and clarify how the $180 price applies to a double machine.
If those details suit you, this is a lively, compact way to see more of St. Maarten from the water. Just remember that the hour will pass quickly, so arrive ready to ride rather than expecting a long beach stop.
FAQ
Where does the jet ski tour start and finish?
The tour starts at 127 Welfare Road in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, and ends back at the same meeting point.
How long is the activity?
The jet ski tour lasts approximately one hour.
Can one jet ski carry two people?
Yes. Each jet ski can accommodate one or two riders.
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?
A maximum of four jet skis can leave at one time. If two people share each machine, the total can reach eight people.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
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