Top Things to Do in St. Martin/Sint Maarten

Keep in mind that St. Martin has two very distinct sides to it - the French side and the Dutch side. I’ll start with the Dutch side. The Dutch side is the more lively side of the island. If you want lots of things to do or enjoy good nightlife, then this is where you want to be.

Watch the planes land at Maho Beach

I’ll admit that this was not for me, but it was highly entertaining to watch everyone else on the beach routinely take their place as the fence and hold on for dear life as they got blasted by the powerful jet engines taking off from the island. One by one, they would lose their grip and go flying through a sandstorm all the way across the beach and into the water. However the one VERY cool thing I did love about this, was that I got to see my brother, a United Airlines 737 Captain, land his plane and I video taped the whole thing. We sat at Sunset Beach Bar, which had some great wings, had a tropical drink and anxiously awaited his arrival. You should certainly take a day to experience it.

Visit Mullet Beach

Just a short walk from the buzz of Maho beach, is Mullet Beach. If you’re looking for soft sand and a chill, beachy vibe, then is your place. Grab a drink or a meal at Da Waterhole, rent chairs and umbrellas and spend the rest of your day here. You could also plan a round of golf at the 18-hole golf course just across the street.
Moving to the French side, if you’re looking for some good R&R with still plenty to do, then this is the side of the island for you.

Make your own perfume at Tijon Perfumerie

You can choose from 60 or 90 minute classes, but what a cool souvenir to come home with - your very own signature perfume that you made! Such a unique and fun experience.

Visit Grand Case

We stayed right on Grand Case and it was amazing. Beautiful sand, a steady breeze, no crowds, what more could you ask for?

Island Hop

One of the coolest things about St. Martin is you can actually check off a couple of other islands on your bucket list while you’re here. Plan a day trip to neighboring islands Anguilla or St. Barths for a full, Caribbean vacation.

Take a Catamaran to Tintamarre to Snorkel

This uninhabited island is a great snorkeling spot with access to a beautiful white sand beach. Rife with sea turtles and stingrays, you’re sure to have a fun day exploring all that St. Martin has to offer

Go Shopping!

St. Martin is a duty-free port, so you’re sure to score some great deals on designer, luxury brand items.

Get a Massage

While many of the resorts have spa amenities, we went to TI Spa on Grand Case for a couples massage and it was one of the most relaxing I’ve ever had. The spa was serene and staff were so friendly. It was the perfect way to wind down our vacation before heading home.

Rainbow Cafe: We ate here multiple times. The vibe is beachy, casual, and fun, and the drinks and food are some of the best I’ve ever had. Definitely get the sushi, it was absolutely mind-blowing. Go at sunset for dinner, it has the most amazing views and many nights they have live music and entertainment.

L’Auberge Gourmande: An adorable little French restaurant with big flavor. The food here was outstanding and the wait staff was so kind and attentive. The sommelier selected fabulous wine pairings, and our evening here was spectacular. Definitely make reservations as it’s not a very big place.

JAX Steakhouse: While it may seem odd to go to a steakhouse on an island, JAX Steakhouse had phenomenal food and a variety of selection. This one is on the Dutch side, so you could grab dinner and then head to the casino or a nightclub for a fun night out.

Le Pressoir: Another upscale French restaurant in Grand Case, but this one also offers rum pairings and tastings. Both the food and rum are outstanding, and the staff is very friendly.

Feel free to use these hyperlinks to explore further about each restaurant and plan your dining experiences!