Is this possible in St Thomas & St. Maarten?

[MelanieC]

We would like to leave feeling like we've seen these islands. I was in St. Maarten back around 1994 and I did the Regata Cruise and didn't really see the island.

What I would like to do is hire a taxi to take us around the island. Stopping at the interesting places and the places that are cool for taking pictures. I would like to stop and have a quick bite for lunch somewhere fairly inexpensive and where the locals eat. Then I would like to swim for about an hour in each destination. Maybe Magens Bay in St. Thomas and I'm not sure where in St. Maarten.

Does this sound possible? Has anyone hired a taxi and gotten to see the entire island, eat and have an hour or so at the beach?

Anyone have any recommendations for having a quick inexpensive but tasty bite to eat on the islands. I'm not looking for a feast, just something to hold us until we are back on the ship.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Joelzme]

Yes, this is very possible. When I went to St. Maarten that is exactly what we did and saved some money over the regular excursion fair. Did the same in St. Thomas too. The thing is to talk to a few of the cabbies and find one that is fun and willing. We got a tour and history of the island, stopping at all the same places that the ship excursions did, but we didnt have to wait if we didn't like it, or could stay longer if we did. All told is was like 2 hours for $ 20 each person (there were 2 of us) and we tipped another $20 because the guy was REALLLY good.