Sint Maarten/St. Martin Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know

• Watch the planes at Maho Beach. Pro tip: check the arrival times to catch the biggest planes landing.

• Go on the Steepest Zipline in the World at Rainforest Adventures

• Enjoy sunset sailing

• Explore islands and beaches with charters for private or group trips. For hands-on experience, join the 12 Meter Challenge or take lessons at the St. Maarten Yacht Club for all ages. You can contact me to book a private or group boat.

• Trek through the trails. For those willing to go off the beaten path, the island has many coastal and hiking trails offering unforgettable sights. Best trails: Pic Paradis (the island’s highest peak), Guana Bay and Sentiers de Froussards (from Anse Marcel to Eastern Point)

• Explore and shop in Philipsburg. Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten's Dutch side, is a picturesque town perfect for leisure and shopping. I suggest strolling the boardwalk with its beautiful sea views, shopping on the main street, enjoying fresh Caribbean cuisine and visiting the many jewelry boutiques.

• Horse riding along the beach. Explore the island on horseback at Seaside Nature Park, which offers trail rides along the beach or through the hills.

• Visit Parotte Ville, a bird sanctuary. St. Maarten is an ecotourist’s paradise. Animal lovers can learn about over 25 species of exotic birds, like the ring-neck parakeet.

• Sip local rum at Topper's Rhum Distillery

• In late winter to early spring, the island offers whale watching, with dolphins and sea turtles also frequenting its waters.

• Snorkel the coral reefs.

• Visitors can earn their PADI diving certification on the island. Additionally, deep-sea fishing allows for catching and enjoying fresh fish for dinner.

• Try a variety of watersports

• Explore Simpson Bay by kayak, paddleboard, flyboard or hoverboard. Enjoy buggy boarding at Mullet Bay Beach and more sports like windsurfing or parasailing at Orient Bay. For jet skiing, head to Great Bay Beach for rentals.

• Take a day trip to another country.

• Take the ferry to Pinel Island. Just 5 minutes from St. Martin, Pinel Island is a small desert island, with two restaurants where you can taste delicious lobster fresh from the grill. The island is accessible by kayak or boat. Pro tip: take the ferry from Cul-de-Sac on the French side of the island, and they depart every 30 minutes during high season.

• Visit David's Hole. Ideal for travelers looking for a more off-the-beaten-path activity. Over thousands of years, this collapsed sea cave has been eroded into two arches by the force of the ocean. When the sea is rough, it looks like a boiling cauldron, inspiring its alternative name: Devil's Hole.

• Relax (or party) at Loterie Farm. Pro tip: Last Sunday of the month, this place hosts the best party of the island..

• Bicycle to Fort Amsterdam.

• Race around the island on a quad tour.

• Visit the Yoda Guy Museum.

• Enjoy a night out at Lotus.

• Visit the Marigot Market from Monday to Saturday.

• Rent a boat to visit Tintammare.

• Spend the day at one of the multiple beach clubs.

Day Trips:

From the island, you can visit three other countries. Depending on your style of travel:

• Saint Barthélémy: If you love glam, luxury shopping and pristine beaches.

• Anguilla: If you want to see the best beaches in the world and relax.

• Saba: If you love adventure, hiking and snorkeling (fun fact: this island has no beaches)

Local Cuisine

• Da Waterhole

• Jimmy's The Original Fat Boy BBQ

• La Perle Bleu

• Sunset Bar and Grill

• Pineapple Pete

• Lolo's

Beach clubs and bars:

• Coco Beach

• Rainbow Café

• Tortuga Maho

• Java sxm

• Kalatua

• Loterie farm

• Roxxy

• Bikini Beach

Dining:

• La Cigale

• Jax Steakhouse

• Mr Chow

• La Villa

• L'Atelier

• Blue Martini

• L'Oasis

• Mama Pizza

• Le Pressoir