St. Martin is, without doubt, one of the smallest gems in the Caribbean that are cherished by sailors and vacationers alike. The fact that the island is shared by two different nations, France and Netherlands, makes it quite special. The southern Dutch side of St. Martin is well known for its vibrant nightlife, busy resort beaches, duty-free jewelry shops, and casinos.
The French side, on the other hand, is home to nude beaches, delectable French cuisines, countless boutiques as well as huge outdoor markets. With these two culture-rich sides of St. Martin, there are literally countless activities to engage in while on your yacht charter vacation on this side of the Caribbean.
But do you really know some of the main activities that can make your holiday on the island both fun and memorable?
Well, here is a list of the top 10 things to do in St. Maarten that you may need to consider:
1. Sint Maarten Scuba Diving for Certified Divers
Diving in the waters of St. Martin is as adventurous as it is rewarding. There are more than 55 dive sites that surround the island, with some being home to a stunning variety of corals and marine creatures and others playing host to age-old shipwrecks.
Sint Maarten (the Dutch side of the island) has more wreck dive sites than the French side. Some of the highlight wreck sites here include Gregory, Fuh Sheng, Porpoise, The Bridge, Carib Cargo, and Proselyte. If you would want to see a colorful variety of hard and soft corals, king-size crabs, lobsters, turtles, and lots of marine fish, then Long Bay Reef would be a perfect choice on this side.
Fish Bowl site also has a delightful variety of corals, sponges, and other marine life that’s worth exploring.
2. Philipsburg Foodie Walking Tour
Taking a walk through ST. Martin’s capital, Philipsburg, as you sample a range of Dutch, French, and Creole foods, is something you’ll definitely love if you’re a true foodie. There is also a gamut of rum cocktails, wines, and other savory delights on the streets for the taking. But the Philipsburg Foodie Walking Tour doesn’t just end with taking several delicious bites, sipping elixir cocktails, and walking around. You’ll also get to learn more about the island’s history and culture through an experienced tour guide as you go along.
3. St-Martin and St Maarten: Sightseeing Tour of the French and Dutch Sides of the Island
A sightseeing tour to St. Martin’s Dutch side (St. Maarten) and French side (St. Martin) is something that can surely never disappoint. You can enjoy the sun as you get immersed in the pleasant views of Grand Case Beach or Orient Beach or go to Grand Case, which is ideally the Caribbean’s gourmet capital, to experience first-hand the charming food ambiance and catch amazing sights of the area’s tranquil coastline.
Visiting Marigot, the French side capital with a striking European ambiance is something that can reward you handsomely. Stroll through the streets that are lined up with beautiful original colonial buildings as you soak in the town’s tropical scenery and get to learn more about the history of Lesser.
Antilles
At Philipsburg, the side Dutch capital, you can climb up Fort Amsterdam to experience the breathtaking views of the nearby bay and the surrounding areas. Cole Bay Hill is also a spot you should not miss because from there, you can enjoy panoramic views of Philipsburg town and other islands like St. Eustatius, Saba, and Anguilla.
4.St-Martin and St Maarten Island Sights, Shopping, and Maho Beach Tour.
A 5-hour or so tour with a local guide on both the Dutch and French sides can set the face for you to enjoy the amazing sights around. After getting a historical overview of Phillipsburg, you’ll immerse yourself in the magnificent views of the island and shorelines from several points like Simpson Bay as well as Cole Bay Hill.
From there, head to the iconic Maho Beach and watch with awe as airplanes fly above you, either taking off or approaching the nearby Princess Juliana International Airport. A visit to Orient Beach for a leisurely walk and sightseeing can also prove to be great.
From there, go to Coralita Bay Nature Reserve, overlooking St. Barths, and feed iguanas. Proceed to Marigot, where you can explore the restaurant and shop-lined streets to sample the most delightful eats in town and shop for various products, all duty-free.
5. Art Tour: Visit the Artists of St. Martin
A half-day art tour to the French and Dutch sides of St. Martin Island is truly a deserved experience. The tour will take you to 4 of the renowned local artists, where you’ll explore their galleries and studios as you chat with them in the process.
The eclectic artworks paint a picture of St. Martin’s people, culture, and the nature surrounding the island. You can buy one or two art pieces from the studios to keep them as souvenirs when you get back home.
Note: This tour may include tea, coffee, and banana bread on various stops as complimentary.
6. La Samana Wine Tasting and Marigot
At Belmond La Sammnana’s Le Cave, your senses will be awakened as you go on a wine-tasting adventure at the resort’s underground wine distillery. An expert sommelier will act as a guide and will usher you into one of the Caribbean’s most expensive wine collections, accompanied by a set of fruit and French cheeses.
With more than 12,000 wines to sample, the wine-tasting experience here just gets finer and better. The resort also serves locally-branded rum, which can be great to indulge in. From there, head off to Marigot and shop for top European brands, purchase luxury jewelry, and pick a few charming souvenirs.
To finish your tour in style, visit one of the restaurants on the Marigot promenade and enjoy delectable lunch or cup of coffee as you get lost in the picturesque views of ST. Maarten.
7. St. Maarten History Tour
One of the other most interesting things to do in St. Martin takes a 4-hour or so tour starting from Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten. As you go all the way around the island, you’ll get to learn important facts about the half-French, half-Dutch island’s natural history, culture, traditions, and geology, all narrated by an experienced guide.
The tour also presents a unique opportunity to visit various landmarks and stunning viewpoints such as Fort Amsterdam, Fort Louis, Great Salt Pond, a former plantation, and more. Along the way, you can stop for some iced coffee, tea as well as Caribbean cake.
8. Flavors of St. Maarten Food Tour
The culinary experience on this side of West Indies never at one point gets boring. And if you can take a 4-hour guided food tour around, you can appreciate what the local restaurants have on offer.
Stop by a couple of the hidden, locals-only spots, and you’ll get delighted with a range of French, Dutch, and Creole cuisines.
A comfortable and air-conditioned coach is definitely the best way to get around on your food tour and your guide will point out important island landmarks as your ride along.
9. Jeep Wrangler Explore ST. Maarten
Hopping onto a 4-door Jeep Wrangler and riding around the island can be a great way of exploring the beautiful sceneries around without having to deal with huge crowds and/or long lines. You’ll be provided with highlights of the best spots to visit, the directions, and a map for the same. Navigating around with the Jeep is easy as there’s only one road, with two lanes, going around the island.
10. Jet Ski Flyboard Experience
There’s nothing as exciting as floating above the surface of the shimmering waters of the Caribbean on a flyboard. You can almost feel like a superhero. Now, the ST. Martin Jet Ski Flyboard experience allows you to explore the ocean on a water-propelled fly board that is attached to the Jet Ski’s instructor. While at it, you can enjoy fantastic views from a vantage point as you enjoy an adrenaline-filled ride in the air.
Conclusion
If you charter a vessel to sail St. Martin, then visiting many spots within the island can be easier, faster, and more fun. While there, remember to try a couple or most of the above-listed activities for a fun-filled adventure on the island.
What activities have you practiced in St Maarten? You are welcome to share your experiences in the comments below.
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
