Eastern Caribbean
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Price
- band 3 of 4
- Back to ship
- Cruise line guarantee
- Last taken
- May 2026
Booked through Royal Caribbean's planner once you're on the sailing.
About this tour
Royal Caribbean's Rhino Rider Adventure puts you behind the wheel of a Rhino Rider, a ten-foot inflatable mini speedboat with a steering wheel, a throttle and room for two. You don't need a boat licence, but the driver has to be 18 or over.
The group meets on the dock in Philipsburg and takes a coach across the Dutch side to the Rhino base on Simpson Bay Lagoon, about 25 minutes away. After a short briefing and a few practice laps, you set off in a line behind a guide, past a marina full of yachts and waterfront houses, then under the bridge and out into Simpson Bay.
The ride heads west to Maho Beach, where planes cross the sand on their way down to the runway, and you watch from the water. Then it's over to Kim Sha Beach, near the mouth of the lagoon, for a swim and a snorkel from loungers and sunshades set out for the group, before the coach takes everyone back to the port.
Each Rhino takes two guests, up to 450 lbs (204 kg) between them, and single riders pay for both seats. Children from four can ride with an adult. It isn't recommended for pregnant guests or anyone with limited mobility or back or neck problems.
Driving our own little boat out to Maho was brilliant. We just wished it went further.
The day
We met our group on the dock at the cruise terminal, a short walk from the ship, and the coach left from there.
The day, stop by stop
Rhino base, Simpson Bay Lagoon
A ten-minute briefing, then every pair does practice laps in the bay. With a full group, loading took about half an hour.
Simpson Bay Lagoon
In a line behind the lead guide, past the marina and waterfront houses, then under the bridge and out to sea.
Maho Beach
About 15 minutes circling slowly offshore while planes come in over the beach.
Kim Sha Beach
The Rhinos finish at a second base on the water by the beach. Then it's about an hour on the sand, with loungers, sunshades and snorkel gear, and a small reef offshore keeps the water calm.
Before you book
What we thought of the tour
What it covers, what it doesn't, and whether we'd book it again.
We really enjoyed the Rhino Riders, and the ride out to Maho was the best part. Once we left the lagoon the sea was choppy and the waves weren't small, so it was hard work, but it was a lot of fun. We only saw a few small planes come in, though. None of the big jets landed while we were there. Kim Sha was the weak spot. It isn't the prettiest beach on the island, we only had about an hour, and the food queue was so long we skipped lunch and went straight in the water. We'd hoped to see more of the island. Next time we'd book a Rhino tour that follows the French coast to Creole Rock instead.
Book it if
you want to drive your own boat and see Maho Beach from the water, with the cruise line handling the transfers.
Skip it if
you want a proper beach afternoon, or a wet, bumpy ride on open sea would put you off.
Included
- Coach between the port and the Rhino base
- A Rhino Rider for every two guests
- Guides on the water
- Life vests and snorkel gear
- Sunshades and loungers at Kim Sha Beach
- Complimentary bottled water
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Activity level
- Moderate
- What to bring
- Your SeaPass card, swimwear under your clothes, non-slip shoes, a towel from the ship, biodegradable sun cream and sunglasses with a strap.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- If the ship is late
- Booked through Royal Caribbean, so the cruise line's late ship terms cover you: the ship waits if the tour runs late, and the tour is refunded if the ship can't call.
Location
Find the meeting point
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