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  • beach-relax-St-Maarten - Grab a towel and hit the beautiful beaches of St. Maarten.
  • rocks-cupocoy-cove-St-Maarten - Near Cupecoy Beach, St. Maarten.
  • Tere-Moana-St-Martin - The view from Marigot on St. Maarten, one of the stops on your cruise through the Caribbean aboard Tere Moana.
  • zipline-St-Maarten - Want an adrenaline rush? Head to Loterie Farm for a zipline adventure on St. Maarten.
  • market-vendor-St-Maarten - Selling textiles in St. Maarten in the Caribbean.
  • Marigot-St-Maarten-Tere-Moana - Tere Moana takes you to Marigot on St. Maarten, famous for its colorful Creole architecture and luxury boutiques.
  • jump-rocks-St-Maarten - Visitors jumping from rocks to the sea in St. Maarten.
  • bike-St-Maarten - Rent a bike and take to the road on St. Maarten.
  • rocky-landscape-St-Maarten - A dramatic landscape on St. Maarten.
  • water-St-Maarten - The beautiful aquamarine waters of St. Maarten.
  • bays-St-Maarten - St. Maarten features many beautiful bays.
  • jetski-St-Maarten-1 - Jet skiing on St. Maarten.
  • shop-front-Street-St-Maarten - Shopping on Front Street in Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
  • courthouse-philipsburg-St-Maarten - The courthouse in Philipsburg, capital of St. Maarten.
  • divi-little-bay-St-Maarten - The view of Divi Little Bay Bay and its resort on St. Maarten.
  • excursion-boat-red-bay-St-Maarten - Shore excursions on St. Maarten can include a boat trip to Red Bay.
  • family-beach-St-Maarten - There are also family-oriented beaches on St. Maarten for a fun day at the beach.
  • family-pier-St-Maarten - St. Maarten family time may include an afternoon walk to a pier.
  • honeymoon-St-Maarten - St. Maarten is a popular honeymoon destination.
  • jetski-St-Maarten - Jet skiing on St. Maarten.
  • near-cupecoy-beach-St-Maarten - Near Cupecoy Beach on St. Maarten.
  • night-adventure-St-Maarten - Nighttime advenure on St. Maarten.
  • butterfly-farm-St-Maarten - A super-moth (OK, that's not the official name) at the Butterfly Farm in St. Maarten.
  • maho-beach-plane-landing.jpg - Tourists on Maho Beach watch a plane approach the notoriously short runway on St. Maarten.
  • maho-beach-american-surfboard.jpg - A surfboard on Maho Beach lists the scheduled landing times of flights, including this American airline.
  • orient-bay-saint-maarten-1.jpg - Parasailing, jetskiing and other water sports vie for attention at Orient Bay in St. Maarten.
  • orient-bay-sailbording-1.jpg - Orient Bay consists of a series of beaches with water activities on the French side of St. Maarten.
  • jetski-rider.jpg - A jetski rider makes some waves in the Caribbean.
  • car-St-Maarten - You can rent a car in Philipsburg to more fully explore St. Maarten.
  • beach-cocktail.jpg - Beach + tropical cocktail = the perfect way to unwind.
  • casino-St-Maarten - Try your luck at one of St. Maarten's three casinos.
  • catamaran-St-Maarten - Catamaran tour of St. Maarten.
  • hilltop-ruins-St-Maarten - Visitors explore hilltop ruins on St. Maarten.
  • rocky-beach-St-Maarten - A rocky beach on St. Maarten.
  • segway-St-Maarten - Segways are available for rental in Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
  • shop-marigot-market-St-Maarten - Shopping at the Marigot Market in St. Maarten.
  • stroll-beach-St-Maarten - Sun, sand and surf on St. Maarten.
  • sunset-rock-leap-St-Maarten - As the sun sets on St. Maarten, visitors take one last leap into the sea.
  • church-St-Maarten - The methodist church of Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
  • cigar-St-Maarten - A cigar rolling demonstration in St. Maarten.
  • cliffs-cupecoy-St-Maarten - Near Cupecoy Beach in St. Maarten.
  • couple-near-cupecoy-cove-St-Maarten - A couple near Cupecoy Beach in St. Maarten.

St. Maarten/St. Martin travel guide: What to do & see

our guide

The vibe

Divided between the Netherlands and France, St. Maarten/Saint Martin has a fascinating history. It is the smallest island in the world divided between two countries. The northern, French side of the island is known as Saint Martin. The southern, Dutch side of the island is known as Sint Maarten. Cruise ships dock in the capital, Philipsburg, in the south of the island. Although this island is controlled by two different countries, there is no real border.

Philipsburg is considered one of the Caribbean’s best shopping towns. There are also many beautiful beaches to relax in, including a famed "clothing optional" beach. And since there is no real border, visitors can easily go between the two sides of the island to experience the differences.

Top reasons to go

  • Orient Bay has an underwater marine reserve where snorkeling and other water sports are available.
  • As a European island, topless sun bathing is frequently seen; some tourists come to St. Martin because there are clothing optional beaches & resorts on the island.
  • There is a water-front open-air market in Marigot featuring souvenirs and spices.
Jet skiing on St. Maarten.
St. Maarten Tourist BureauJet skiing on St. Maarten.

Top things to do & see on St. Maarten

There are two capital cities on the island, one for the Dutch side, and one for the French. Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, is by far the largest city on the island and the No. 1 destination for cruise ship passengers. Founded in 1763 by John Phillips, the city has evolved into a major port of call.

Stroll through the town and visit Front Street, where you can shop for everything under the sun and enjoy some of the very best bargains anywhere in the Caribbean. The city is a hustling and bustling capital that is the epitome of the progress this island has made in recent years.

As you head north to the French side of the island you will come across Marigot, St. Martin. Here you'll be treated to a far more serene town that will remind you of a small French seaside village.

Shopping 

One of the main reasons that Philipsburg is such an attractive cruise port of call is because of its fabulous duty-free shopping. Here you can find terrific bargains on all sorts of items, including liquor, clothing, jewelry, Irish linen, leather goods, etc. Front Street, in downtown Philipsburg, is the center of this duty-free trade.

Yet there are other shopping hot spots in the area as well. Old Street and Plaza del Lago feature many fine boutiques and shops as well. If you are on the lookout for local hand crafted goods, pay a visit to the Gingerbread Galerie (590/87-73-21) in the St. Martin capital of Marigot. Greenwith Galleries, at 33 Front St. (599/542-3842) has a great collection of local Caribbean artwork. Greenwith Galleries is located in downtown Philipsburg.

The view from the Marigot on St. Maarten, one of the stops on your cruise through the Caribbean aboard Tere Moana.
Tim McKenna / Courtesy of Paul Gauguin CruisesThe view from the Marigot on St. Maarten, one of the stops on your cruise through the Caribbean aboard Tere Moana.

Beaches

On to the beaches. There are 37 beaches on this very small island, some beaches are easy to reach, others take some planning to get there, whether on foot or on pony.

The beach closest to the Dutch capital of Philipsburg is the Great Bay Beach. As you head west of the Great Bay Beach, you will hit Little Bay Beach. This stretch of coastline is very popular with tourists, but a main and worthwhile draw here is the hike up to Fort Amsterdam. This is a nearly 400-year-old fort that features breathtaking views of the Caribbean. A great beach for a swim is Dawn Beach, also famous for its spectacular sunrises and as a snorkeling haven.

On the French side of the island, be sure to visit Baie Longue, never crowded and always beautiful and inviting. If you would like to visit the island's only official nudist beach, head to Orient Beach. Here you will find live Caribbean music, water sports galore, and terrific restaurants.

Catamaran tour of St. Maarten.
St. Maarten Tourist BureauCatamaran tour of St. Maarten.

Fishing & scuba diving

An incredible array of sportfish can be found in the surrounding waters of St. Martin! Catch anything from yellowtail and red snapper to a giant grouper or a mammoth marlin on one of several deep-sea fishing trips offered on the island. Rudy's Fishing (14 Airport Rd., 599/545-2177) or Sailfish Caraibes (590/87-31-94) can outfit you for this adventure.

With year-round warm waters and great visibility, St. Martin is a premier scuba diving location. Visit the wrecks of the tugboat Annie, marvel at the marine life in abundance at Creole Rock, or visit the famed Proselyte Reef. Leeward Island Divers (599/544-3320) in St. Maarten's Simpson Bay can assist you in your scuba diving plans. St Martin's Octoplus in Grand Case offers certification courses as well as one and two-hour dives.

Best bets for dining

Nestled in the foothills and grazing pastures of French St. Martin is the town of Grand Case (pronounced gran cause). Known as the "Restaurant Capital of the Caribbean," it is a lovely little town that features cuisine from all over the world. In addition, directly adjacent to the town is the Grand Case Beach Club and its two beautiful beaches; a perfect spot to take an afternoon swim and work off your delicious lunch!

While in St. Maarten, be sure to sample some of their local Guava Berry treats. Guavas, grown locally on the island, are whipped up into some truly fabulous desserts and rum drinks that you will surely partake of with delight.

Bistrot Nu, at Allee de l'Ancienne Geole (590/87-97-09) in downtown Marigot, is a simple, no-frills restaurant featuring traditional French cuisine. Popular among tourists and locals alike, it is open until 2 am nightly, except for Sunday.

Shore excursions on St. Maarten can include a boat trip to Red Bay.
St. Maarten Tourist BureauShore excursions on St. Maarten can include a boat trip to Red Bay.

YOLO (You only live once!)

If time permits, then a small drive to Grand-Case is well worthwhile. Here you will find a quaint fishing village that has escaped the over-development of other parts of the island. Instead, you can soak in the beauty of the Caribbean surroundings in relative tranquility and dine on some of the best local cuisine available.

One of the best ways to explore this scenic island is by horseback. Whether it's a quick gallop on the beach or a longer guided tour through the inland hillsides, there are several outfitters that can assist you in this adventure, including Bayside Riding Club (590/87-36-64).

Best time to go

The best time to visit St. Martin and St. Maarten is May and June or between November and mid-December. The island's weather is pleasant year-round, but these are times when rain showers are less likely. Summer and early fall are not good for a vacation; this is considered the off-season and there's a chance of hurricanes. 

Fun facts

  • How did this island get split between two countries? Legend has it that in 1648, the French and Dutch decided to hold a contest as to how to split up the island. They decided to walk toward one another and wherever the two groups met is where they'd draw a line to divide the island. Stories say that the French drank wine and the Dutch drank hard liquor before the contest, which slowed them down. In the end, the French ended up with 20 square miles on the north side, and the Dutch got 16 square miles on the south end of the island.
  • On St. Martin, don't be upset if somebody calls you a doudou; it means "sweetie."
  • Maho Beach is very close to the Princess Julianna International Airport; the runway starts 20 feet from the beach.
Want an adrenaline rush? Head to Loterie Farm for a zipline adventure on St. Maarten.
St. Maarten Tourist BureauWant an adrenaline rush? Head to Loterie Farm for a zipline adventure on St. Maarten.

When you arrive 

Docking information

Cruise ships dock at the port in Philipsburg at the new cruise terminal. You can stroll directly into the town or hail a taxi to take you to French St. Martin or to any destination on the island. 

Getting around

Taxis are plentiful on the island, and they are the most popular way for tourists to get around. In both St. Maarten and St. Martin, the taxis are unmetered, so it is wise to get specific rate information before you depart for your destination. Contact the Taxi Service and Information Center (590/87-56-54) and they can assist you with any questions you might have about cab service. The island has an affordable bus system that, although crowded, is efficient in taking you nearly everywhere you want to go. Fares range from $1 to $2, and it is the best way to make a run from one capital city to another.

A water taxi operates between the cruise pier and the heart of downtown Philipsburg; tickets cost $3.00 each way (a roundtrip discount price of $5.00 is often available). Alternatively, you can hike the 20-minute route into downtown Philipsburg. There is a sidewalk all the way to the boardwalk which is also wheelchair friendly – just the views are not scenic.

Free Wi-Fi

There is wifi access in most restaurants on the boardwalk in Philipsburg. You will need to purchase something to eat or drink in order to get the password.

  • Front Street Cafe, 30 Front Street, Philipsburg
  • Pirates in Paradise, 69 Front Street, Philipsburg 
  • The Green House Restaurant, Bobby’s Marina, Philipsburg 

Need to know

Documents: A passport is required. 

Language: Dutch and French are the official languages on their respective sides of the island. Some locals speak a form of pidgin that is often difficult for visitors to understand. English is an official language of the Dutch and is widely spoken on both sides, especially in tourist areas. 

Currency: The two official currencies on St. Martin are the Euro on the French side and the Florin (Netherlands Antillean guilder or florin) on the Dutch side. US dollars are also accepted across the island.

Store hours: Shops on the Dutch side are generally open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Shops on the French side are generally open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 6 pm. Increasingly, however, shops on both sides remain open during lunch and some of the larger shops will remain open on Sunday when cruise ships are in port.

Tipping: Bargaining is allowed, in a genteel fashion. Negotiate amiably and you can save! In restaurants and hotels, service charges of between 10% and 15% may be added to bills. Especially in restaurants, be sure to ask if a tip is included.

Dress code: As a European island, topless sunbathing is allowed and frequently seen.

Safety: Crimes against visitors are very low with the exception of theft. Tourists tend to be targets, so don’t flash valuables or cash, and do not leave anything valuable in a car or on the beach. 

Your take

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Cruiseable team
The Cruiseable editorial team consists of award-winning travel writers, cruise bloggers and journalists.

Overheard

“At cafes near the water's edge, waiters deliver chilled rose under beach umbrellas. In Grand Case, I swear I'm in the south of France.  The beach here may not be prettier than the isle's 36 others, but it has the added attraction of excellent eats.”

Islands magazine

“After alighting in Philipsburg, hop in a cab and jet off to Orient Beach on the island’s French side for a less crowded experience in St. Martin.  Try Kontiki for a shaded lunch break during a dedicated day of beach lazing.”

Lonely Planet

“The southern Dutch  half of this Caribbean jewel boasts sprawling hotels and casinos on its coastal lagoons and sand spits, while the northern French side offers cozy boutique hotels and topless beaches (which could be why it's a major Caribbean tourist spot).”

Islands magazine

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