It is a part of the municipality of Tholen, and lies about 16 km northwest of Bergen op Zoom.

The village was first mentioned between 1490 and 1495 as "Ecclesia sti Philippi Apostoli, St. Philipskerc", and is named after Philip the Apostle.

The area was diked in 1487 by order of Anna van Bourgondië, the illegitimate daughter of Philip the Good.

In 1642, the land was reclaimed again and a regular patterned village with front and back street was constructed.

[4] Sint Philipsland was severely affected by the North Sea flood of 1953 and ten people were killed.