Ride the Sky Explorer chairlift to Sentry Hill for panoramic views stretching to Saba, St. Barts and Anguilla. Combine a short aerial ascent with the Emilio Wilson Museum and easy access to mountaintop lookout platforms.
Ride the Sky Explorer chairlift to Sentry Hill for panoramic views stretching to Saba, St. Barts and Anguilla. Combine a short aerial ascent with the Emilio Wilson Museum and easy access to mountaintop lookout platforms.
A warm sea breeze pushes through the open chair as you climb. Below, turquoise bays and red-tiled roofs shrink into a patchwork of shoreline and reef; above, the island unfurls in a full circle — green ridges, limestone outcrops, and distant specks of Saba and St. Barts.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Next Experience Travel · Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
A warm sea breeze pushes through the open chair as you climb. Below, turquoise bays and red-tiled roofs shrink into a patchwork of shoreline and reef; above, the island unfurls in a full circle — green ridges, limestone outcrops, and distant specks of Saba and St. Barts.
The ride begins at a restored 18th-century plantation house that now houses the Emilio Wilson Museum, where the story of Trace and Emilio Wilson frames Sint Maarten’s colonial and cultural past. The chairlift ascends roughly 1,125 feet to Sentry Hill, a compact summit whose bedrock is a mix of uplifted limestone and volcanic deposits that shaped the island’s jagged coastline.
At the top, a ring of platforms lets you pivot through views of neighboring islands and both windward and leeward coasts. The mountaintop smells of salt and dry shrubs; lizards dart on sun-warmed rock and shorebirds wheel below.
Practical notes: the Sky Explorer is a short, accessible aerial outing — plan 2–3 hours including the museum and mountaintop time. Mornings offer clearer air and softer light for photos; late afternoons bring stronger winds. The site is wheelchair accessible but observes height and weight limits; people with certain medical conditions should avoid the lift. Snacks and a small restaurant are available at the estate, making it easy to combine history and viewpoint time.
For photographers and families alike, the Sky Explorer is an efficient way to sample Sint Maarten’s geology, history, and sweeping maritime views without a long hike — just bring sun protection and a steady hand for the chairlift ride.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; mostly seated ascent with short walks on platforms.
Plan roughly 2–3 hours to include the ride up and down, time on the summit platforms, and a visit to the Emilio Wilson Museum.
The attraction lists wheelchair accessibility, but check with the operator for transfer assistance and to confirm conditions on the day of travel.
Yes—minimum height 52 inches, maximum 80 inches, minimum weight 80 lb (36 kg), maximum 275 lb (125 kg); follow operator guidelines for safety.
The operator may cancel for safety in high winds or storms; refunds are typically provided if the lift cannot operate due to weather.
The estate was an 18th-century plantation; the onsite Emilio Wilson Museum highlights the life of Trace Wilson and the island’s plantation-era social history.
Stay on designated paths and avoid disturbing native shrubs that stabilize hill slopes; the site balances visitor access with protection of fragile limestone soils and coastal views.
Next Experience Travel operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.




A warm sea breeze pushes through the open chair as you climb. Below, turquoise bays and red-tiled roofs shrink into a patchwork of shoreline and reef; above, the island unfurls in a full circle — green ridges, limestone outcrops, and distant specks of Saba and St. Barts.
A warm sea breeze pushes through the open chair as you climb. Below, turquoise bays and red-tiled roofs shrink into a patchwork of shoreline and reef; above, the island unfurls in a full circle — green ridges, limestone outcrops, and distant specks of Saba and St. Barts.
The ride begins at a restored 18th-century plantation house that now houses the Emilio Wilson Museum, where the story of Trace and Emilio Wilson frames Sint Maarten’s colonial and cultural past. The chairlift ascends roughly 1,125 feet to Sentry Hill, a compact summit whose bedrock is a mix of uplifted limestone and volcanic deposits that shaped the island’s jagged coastline.
At the top, a ring of platforms lets you pivot through views of neighboring islands and both windward and leeward coasts. The mountaintop smells of salt and dry shrubs; lizards dart on sun-warmed rock and shorebirds wheel below.
Practical notes: the Sky Explorer is a short, accessible aerial outing — plan 2–3 hours including the museum and mountaintop time. Mornings offer clearer air and softer light for photos; late afternoons bring stronger winds. The site is wheelchair accessible but observes height and weight limits; people with certain medical conditions should avoid the lift. Snacks and a small restaurant are available at the estate, making it easy to combine history and viewpoint time.
For photographers and families alike, the Sky Explorer is an efficient way to sample Sint Maarten’s geology, history, and sweeping maritime views without a long hike — just bring sun protection and a steady hand for the chairlift ride.