25 Unbeatable Things to Do in Saint Martin and St. Maarten
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After nearly three weeks exploring this dual-nation island (and also visiting the island three other times), it wasn’t hard to come up with our favorite things to do in Saint Martin.
We j’adore-d feeling the French vibes. Then we decided to go Dutch.
This way we got the best of both beautiful worlds, er, countries.
Even though it’s a tiny Caribbean island, there are many activities to lap up – and almost as many wonderful resorts on Saint Martin to rest your sun-kissed body.
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Contents: Unbeatable Saint Martin/St. Maarten activities
Must-do experiences? 5 top picks
14 Best things to do in Saint Martin (French side)
11 Best things to do in St. Maarten (Dutch side)
The fab 5! Our personal picks for unforgettable fun
You’ll find 25 cool things to do in St. Martin/St. Maarten below. But for the best of the best, these are our top recommendations:
- Sail to Tintamarre Island ➡️ We love this French-vibe catamaran experience from St. Martin (French side)*
- Enjoy gourmet French food in Grand Case
- Spend the day at Pinel Island
- Chill at an Orient Beach club
- Watch airplanes land at Maho Beach
➡️ Or book this thrilling 5-star-rated speedboat adventure from Philipsburg (Dutch side)!*
About the island’s two sides
St. Martin/St. Maarten (aka “The Friendly Island”) is one of the Leeward Islands. It’s about 190 miles east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea.
When planning your island vacation, you’ll want to know the different names for both countries, as all the names can get confusing.
The Saint Martin (French) side – the northern half – is also called St. Martin. The southern Dutch side is called St. Maarten, Sint Maarten and Saint Maarten. See, we told you it was confusing!
French St. Martin
The island’s French side is known for nude beaches, markets, fashion and high-end restaurants. It has a French-Caribbean vibe.
Dutch St. Maarten
The island’s international airport, Princess Juliana International Airport, is found on the Dutch side, near St. Maarten’s capital of Philipsburg.
This side of the island is more the party side. It’s known for its casinos, nightlife, rum drinks, duty-free shops and stunning beaches.
Is one side of the island better than the other?
We dish on the differences in detail in our guide on Saint Martin vs. Sint Maarten.
Visit two countries in one vacation
Unlike most borders between different countries, there’s no passport or immigration office when you cross from the French side to the Dutch (and vice versa). You can travel freely between both sides without stopping.
Because it’s like two islands in one, you can have two very different vacations by staying on both sides. Talk about getting the most out of your vacay!
St. Martin/St. Maarten after Hurricane Irma
Remember that the entire island was badly damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Many of the buildings have been repaired. But on the French side, in particular, it’s somewhat of a higgledy-piggledy mashup of renovated restaurants and hotels, along with empty boarded-up buildings.
A lot of the roads on the French side are riddled with potholes too.
So you can’t go expecting everything to be manicured and tickety-boo. But the island is charming nevertheless, and in many ways unique.
Best things to do in Saint Martin (St. Martin)
1) Chill, then party, at a Grand Case beach club
With 37 beaches, the island isn’t short of dreamy slices of sand and sea.
One of our favorites? Grand Case Beach – a one-mile crescent on the sheltered leeward side, where calm turquoise waters meet golden sand so thick your feet sink in with every step.
While some buildings still bear the scars of Hurricane Irma, new boutique hotels, restaurants and beach clubs have sprung up.
You can always shake out your towel anywhere on the beach for free, but the real fun (and shade!) is at the beach clubs.
Indeed, the French side of St. Martin is famous for its beach clubs – and Grand Case is home to some of the liveliest!
Picture topless champagne-sippers, grey-haired Rastafarians, moms toting babies on hips, kids building sandcastles and jetsetters – all mingling together. And the cigarette speed boats anchored offshore could easily feature in James Bond movies!
Two sunbeds and an umbrella usually cost $15 to $20 USD, but that might be waived if you grab lunch or it isn’t busy.
Below are the best beach clubs in Grand Case, typically open from morning till late.
Rainbow Café, St Martin
The Rainbow Café is the place to be.
It’s classy and chic, with lounge chairs, pouffy white bean bag sunbeds and umbrellas lined up on the beach.
When it’s time for lunch, gravitate to the open-air restaurant and indulge in a delicious long lunch the way the French do.
Don’t expect burgers. (Remember, this place is classy.) Think snails in garlic butter on a crusty pastry bed, a creole fishpot or roasted duck breast with foie gras sauce. Perhaps sushi.
All washed down with a fine bottle of French wine, of course!
Captain Frenchy
Cheek-to-jowl with Rainbow Café, Captain Frenchy by Fred is another great Grand Case beach club, with friendly servers and excellent food.
It has a more chill (as in slightly quieter) vibe than the Rainbow Café until 4:00 pm, when the place starts rocking (on certain days), with DJs spinning tunes for a party crowd.
Drinks pack a punch – our rum-and-passion-fruit cocktail and mojito knocked us out for a couple of hours.
With padded cushions at least four inches thick, the beach beds are also seriously comfortable.
Le Temps des Cerises
A combination of a boutique hotel, restaurant and beach club, Le Temps des Cerises is another cool place to hang out on Grand Case Beach.
Music, good food, excellent service – you can’t go wrong here.
Grand Case Beach Club
For a quieter place to relax, head to the beach club section of the Grand Case Beach Club Hotel at the north end of the beach.
It’s set on a darling little cove of beach (Petit Plage), where you can rent very comfy cushioned lounge chairs and umbrellas for $25 USD a set.
Unlike most other beach clubs in Grand Case, this spot has no music – just the soothing sounds of wavelets lapping the beach.
An inviting bar and restaurant at the water’s edge, the Sunset Café (see #13), offers drinks and food.
2) Learn how to make perfume
Ever thought about creating your own signature scent? In St. Martin, you can!
Tijon Parfumerie guides you through the process of designing your personal fragrance.
You’ll start by choosing a base scent, then layer it to create your perfect aroma. They’ll walk you through it so you’ll feel like a pro.
You’ll walk away with your custom perfume in hand, and they’ll keep your formula on file so you can reorder anytime. Plus, you can add your scent to lotions, massage oil and even linen mists.
3) Snorkel with turtles at Tintamarre Island
Fancy a sailing trip with a side of sea turtles?
We spent lots of time exploring what to do in St. Martin – and our day trip to Tintamarre Island with Scoobi was a highlight!
An uninhabited nature reserve, Tintamarre is home to sea turtles and nesting seabirds like brown boobies.
True sailing and rum punches
We boarded their custom-designed sailing catamaran at Petit Plage in Grand Case, wading knee-deep in the water to reach the ladder at the stern. (You can also board at Anse Marcel.)
The day was especially windy, so we had a true sailing adventure! One couple stood at the bow like Titanic’s stars, arms wide as the sea spray flew.
Meanwhile, the bar was open – and what the heck, we happily accepted rum punches sprinkled with fresh ground nutmeg and cinnamon (unlimited premium drinks are included).
Turtle spotting, beachcombing and lunch
At Tintamarre, we snorkeled in search of turtles. We had no luck in the water, but one surfaced near the boat to say “hello” as we returned.
We also strolled the island’s secluded White Bay, combing the shore for shells.
Then before long, it was time for lunch! Think fresh crusty bread, pasta salad, chicken salad, tuna with a cream sauce, couscous – and the best part, delicious stinky soft French cheeses and chilled Chardonnay.
On the way back, we swam ashore to Happy Bay’s nearly empty (nude) beach for a stroll.
Why we loved this tour
- Passenger numbers are kept to half capacity, so there’s plenty of space for everyone.
- The crew is super attentive, topping up drinks and offering paddleboards and snorkel gear.
- The itinerary includes Tintamarre, Pinel Island (see #9 below) and Creole Rock.
- It’s classy but also fun (attracting a loyal following of repeat guests).
- Family-friendly, there’s a treasure hunt for kids.
Bonus: Sail between February and May, and you might even spot humpback whales out in the Atlantic too!
Boat trips from Grand Case vs. Philipsburg
Scoobi’s trips are particularly convenient if you’re staying on the north side of the island (St. Martin side) because they leave from Anse Marcel at the top of the island.
Then they do a second pick-up from Petit Plage (Little Beach) right in front of the Grand Case Beach Club.
You don’t have to make your way to Philipsburg down on the Dutch side, where most day sailing excursions leave from.
Note: For sailing trips and boat tours from the Dutch side, jump to #25 on St. Maarten boat tours.
4) Visit Loterie Farm
Let us set one thing straight right up front.
This is in no way a farm. There are no cows or goats, so this isn’t a place to bring the kids to feed the animals.
However, Loterie Farm is still one of the coolest St. Martin attractions.
It sits on 100 acres of lush land in Pic Paradis and is like a beach club – but without the beach and in the middle of the tropical jungle.
There are cascading swimming pools, private huts and treehouses to lounge in with a cocktail in hand. The iguana spotting is fun too.
If all that lounging sounds boring to you, or you need to get your adrenaline rush on, there are ziplines and hiking trails to scratch that itch.
Loterie Farm has regular parties with DJs and food-and-drink specials so look out for those when you’re in town.
5) Taste rum at Canne & Melasse
In St. Martin, you can have your rum and taste it too.
Head to the sexy Canne & Melasse (connected to Le Pressoir restaurant, #8 below) and settle into the oversized leather lounge chairs.
The dimly lit room, lined with shelves of golden rum, sets the perfect mood.
Fortunately, the “rum tender” is there to walk you through your snifters. The rum tasting room has over 130 bottles of the finest rums from around the Caribbean. Pair your tasting with a Cuban cigar for the full experience.
For something extra special, attend a five-course rum tasting dinner that honors the aged spirit in every course.
As you savor creations whipped up by Le Pressoir’s chef, the rum tender shares the history and production process behind the spirit – making it an unforgettable evening.
6) Escape to Friar’s Bay Beach
A few minutes’ drive south of Grand Case leads you to one of the most beautiful beaches in St. Martin.
The narrow dirt road to the beach is a bit of a disaster though – we had to drive our plucky little Kia rental very slowly to navigate around rocks and potholes.
But the beach is absolutely worth it! Sheltered from the wind and surf, it’s the perfect swimming beach with clear calm waters.
There’s no natural shade, so you’ll want to rent beach chairs and an umbrella from one of the two beach clubs operating here.
The original and rustic Friar’s Bay Beach Café has cool individual wood cabanas under the trees, each with a wood shade roof and low wooden table, where you can eat with your feet in the sand. (It’s a cash-only joint.)
The new 978 Beach Lounge is more sophisticated and modern.
The beach chairs at both clubs are spaced more widely apart than at Grand Case (see #1), and there’s no music, so Friar’s Bay Beach is more mellow.
We spent a couple of relaxing days here – reading, swimming and watching youngsters learn to sail at the nearby sailing school.
7) Walk from Friar’s Bay Beach to Happy Bay Beach
When the heat of the day eases come mid-afternoon, hoist yourself off your beach chair on Friar’s Bay Beach (#6), and set off on a walk to Happy Bay Beach.
The 15-minute walk along the coastline takes you up and over a shrub-covered hill to Happy Bay.
The ocean views on the walk are fabulous – yachts bobbing in the turquoise sea – and then you get to Happy Bay Beach.
This drop-dead gorgeous beach is wild. It’s undeveloped, with no beach bars.
It also happens to be a nude beach, so feel free to go for a full-body tan.
Most people we saw were wearing swimsuits. But we did make out an older gray-haired couple in the distance, walking hand-in-hand along the sand, bare bums glinting white.
8) Dine in Grand Case
The French side of St. Martin is renowned for its French restaurants (unsurprisingly!), and nowhere is that more deserved than in Grand Case.
Before Hurricane Irma, a slew of legendary French bistros and other restaurants lined Grand Case Boulevard. Grand Case was known as the “culinary capital of the Caribbean.”
Today, it’s pretty well reclaimed that honor again.
More than a dozen restaurants in Grand Case have been refurbished and are now back in business. Some of our favorite French spots?
The top ones all serve an amuse bouche to start (like a glass of warm curried asparagus soup) and a shot of rum on the house to finish (maybe a banana vanilla-flavored rum).
We also loved getting our Italian on at Spiga, which serves up yummy home-made pasta.
Keep in mind: When walking down Grand Case Boulevard by day, the forlorn ruins of some buildings awaiting repair might make you wonder how Grand Case could possibly be a culinary capital.
But when the sun sets, the lights are twinkling, restaurant doors are wide open and people are out and about enjoying themselves, the whole place takes on a vibrant Caribbean charm.
9) Visit Pinel Island
Every St. Martin itinerary has to include an excursion to Pinel Island.
This tiny uninhabited key is about a 7-minute boat ride off the shores of St. Martin.
Here’s the link on Google Maps for the place where you catch the passenger ferry to Pinel Island.
There’s a large sandy parking lot to park your car. (If you’re lucky, you’ll see some wild donkeys scrounging around!)
“Ferry” is probably not the right word. We’re actually talking about little wooden water taxi boats that can hold about 20 people.
They go every half hour, and you pay cash on the boat (about $12 USD for the return ride).
Once on Pinel Island, you have your choice of two beach clubs:
- Yellow Beach, with its bright yellow beach chairs
- Le Karibuni
(The cost to rent two chairs and an umbrella is the same at both – $25 USD.)
We prefer Le Karibuni.
Their beach chairs are more comfortable and it’s further away from the water taxi dock. And while we didn’t eat at its restaurant, it’s very attractive in a rustic way, perched on stilts right by the water’s edge.
The key attraction, though, is Pinel Island’s beach – turquoise water, golden sand and a backdrop of swaying palms.
Protected from the wind, the water is almost always calm. And it’s very shallow – we had to wade out quite far before the water was chest-high.
Pro tip: There are no showers on the island. Bring a large bottle of tap water to rinse off after swimming if you don’t like the feel of dried salt water on your skin.
10) Chill at Orient Bay Beach
To truly soak up the best of St. Martin, you have to spend a day at Orient Beach.
Famous for its nude beach section, this epic beach – almost 1½ miles long – is a gorgeous expanse of powdery white sand. While Grand Case Beach has coarser gold sand, the sand at Orient Beach is as fine as talcum powder, making it hard to beat.
On the windward side of the island, it’s a hotspot for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Watching them fly over the waves is endlessly entertaining!
Orient Bay Beach clubs
Lining the beach is a string of inviting beach clubs.
On the north end, Coco Beach Club stands out as the most upscale, offering very comfortable wood platform beds with thick cushions for lounging.
It’s also the priciest. When we checked, it was $40 USD for a couple for sunbed rentals plus towels and a bottle of water each. Now we hear it’s $60 USD for two people.
Interestingly, we were told the same owner runs several of the other beach clubs on Orient Beach (where $30 USD gets you two chairs and an umbrella). The difference lies mainly in the food.
- Bikini Beach, for example, specializes in tuna tartare and seafood. It’s also more active – you can rent jet skis or hit up the volleyball court here.
- La Playa serves French and Mediterranean fare.
- Kontiki Beach has bright red umbrellas and red cushions on their loungers. Sushi and fresh salads are a hit here.
- Wai Plage has more Caribbean dishes. (And it doesn’t have any cushions on its beach chairs.)
Our Orient Bay hotel stay (at Esmeralda Resort) included free chair rentals at KKO Beach Club. So we hung out here, enjoying their friendly service and French fusion food, which lives up to the great reviews they get.
At the south end of the beach, you come across more budget beach clubs.
And then at the very far end is the nudist area. You can even rent beach chairs here too.
Sargassum seaweed
Orient Beach is afflicted with a little sargassum seaweed that has washed up on the sand.
But many beach clubs rake the seaweed and beach in the morning so the sand is mostly seaweed-free.
Orient Bay Village
As for Orient Bay Village itself (behind the beach), it’s a pretty cluster of pastel-colored holiday homes, townhouses and villas, plus some boutique hotels and a central shopping/dining area.
This dining area has several very pleasant restaurants surrounding a circular plaza, which are open at night for dinner.
Orient Beach visit for cruise ship passengers
If you’re visiting the island as a cruise ship passenger, this St. Maarten beach shore excursion visits both Orient Beach and Maho Beach (see #15).
It includes pick-up and drop-off at the cruise port. And you get to chill out on each beach for two hours.
Not a bad way to take in two of the island’s hottest beaches on a 5-hour tour!
11) Spend the day on the beach at Anse Marcel
For more water activities in St. Martin – and to get away from other people – head to Anse Marcel. Tucked away on the island’s north coast, it’s a secluded cove with calm water great for swimming.
It’s not entirely secret as a couple of luxury hotels dot the area. Still, it’s not as crowded as the main beaches on the island.
While away the day on the white sand. Or amp up the adventure by renting jet skis to zoom across the aquamarine waters.
12) Indulge in lobster at L’Astrolabe
Friday nights is lobster night (with live music) at L’Astrolabe, a great French restaurant at Esmeralda Resort in Orient Bay. We enjoyed grilled lobster dinner for 39 Euros (about $39 USD).
Make reservations because it’s a very popular evening.
Actually, anything you choose at L’Astrolable is culinary perfection! It rivals Grand Case’s restos, and the meals we had here were superb.
For a starter, go for the lobster-and-cognac bisque, served as a foamy cappuccino poured over fois gras ravioli. Also memorable – the fresh scallops with smoked pork belly and mushroom tempura.
If you dream of crepes Suzette for dessert, it’s flambéed at your table.
13) Eat at a lolo
Here’s something else you must do in St. Martin – eat at a lolo.
A lolo is a casual open-air eatery serving authentic local dishes at affordable prices. Some are fancier than others, but sitting at a picnic bench or simple table with plastic chairs is the norm.
It’s all about the food, which tends to be meats and seafood grilled fresh in front of your eyes – fresh lobster, fish, ribs and chicken, with all the fixings your little stomach desires.
There are lots of lolos in Grand Case and a few in Marigot, the capital of the French side.
They’re the best places to get a feel for the local food and they’re where locals eat when they go out.
14) Watch the sunset at the Sunset Café
Come for the best sunset views on the island and stay for the food.
Set upon a craggy bluff dividing Grand Case Beach and Petit Plage, the Sunset Café is the perfect spot to watch the golden orb drop into the sea.
With spectacular views of the beach, the Caribbean Sea and Creole Rock in the distance, you may never want to leave.
If you don’t have other dinner plans, you can happily dine here on mussels and fries (moules frites) or fresh local fish and seafood served French-Caribbean style.
Best things to do in St. Maarten
With plenty to do on the French side of the island, you might wonder if you should bother hopping on over to the Dutch side! Is St. Maarten worth visiting?
Absolutely! The Dutch half offers its own set of unique experiences – some of which can’t be done on the French half.
15) Watch the planes land at Maho Beach
For airplane spotting par excellence, hit Maho Beach.
Princess Juliana International Airport (the main airport for the island) has an extremely short runway and it cozies right up to Maho Beach.
If you’re standing on the beach when one of the large passenger jets zooms in low to land, you’ll be in for quite a blast. Literally!
Serious plane spotters come from all over the world to get a close-up view of the aircraft swooping down mere feet above their heads.
Talk about a unique experience!
Just don’t get too close to the fence separating the airport runway from the beach, as the jet blast is seriously strong (and can be dangerous).
To hang out in some comfort, you can rent a lounger for $10 USD. You probably won’t want to spend the day on the beach, though, as it’s noisy and crowded.
Another great way to get your plane spotting in is to plop yourself down at one of the rainbow-colored picnic tables at the Sunset Beach Bar.
Order a burger, get a drink. It offers a prime perch to view the planes coming in to land.
Visiting Maho Beach on a cruise
If you’re visiting St. Maarten for a day as a cruise ship passenger, you can book this inexpensive tour to take you to and from Maho Beach.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the cruise port (about $15 to $20 USD p.p.).
16) Try your luck at a casino
Gambling is something else you can only do on the Dutch side (St. Maarten).
The largest casino is Casino Royale in Maho Beach. It has 21,000 square feet of gaming for your gambling pleasure.
And if losing your money at the gambling tables isn’t for you, try saving it by going to the free shows on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights.
If you’re staying near Philipsburg, a lot of other casinos in town will be happy to welcome you and your wallet.
Check out Casino Rouge et Noir, Jump Up Casino and Coliseum Princess Casino. There are about 20 casinos strewn about the Dutch side of the island, so you’ll never be far from one.
17) Go scuba diving near Saba
Saba is a tiny volcanic island that’s an eco-paradise with crystal clear waters, incredible marine life and colorful coral.
Since 1987, the Saba Marine Park has been considered a protected area, making this one of the Caribbean’s top dive areas.
With more than 30 dive sites in the area, you’ll find a dive for you regardless of your skill level.
It’s easy enough to make a day trip from Saint Maarten as the Edge Ferry to Saba is only about 90 minutes.
Or you can take an organized scuba trip through one of the many scuba dive outfits on the island.
Another option is to stay on Saba for a couple of days and spend it discovering the underwater world and the land adventures.
18) Shop in Philipsburg
Head to St. Maarten’s capital, Philipsburg, for a shopping spree along Front Street. It’s lined with souvenir shops, restaurants and boutiques to make this an all-day shopper’s paradise.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, stroll over to the beachfront boardwalk for a refreshing drink and a delicious lunch or dinner.
If you’re arriving by cruise ship, you’re in luck – Philipsburg is just a short walk from the dock, making it easy to shop and explore the town.
19) Paddle a kayak in Simpson Bay
What’s cool about this kayaking trip is getting up-close-and-personal to the sea life and all the sleek yachts. You’ll paddle past mangroves, massive mega yachts and countless crabs scuttling about.
The kayaking is fairly easy as you only paddle for about 40 minutes.
And then you get to go for a dip and snorkel along a coral reef and near rocky caverns, before clambering back into the kayak to return home.
The whole kayaking and snorkeling adventure is less than three hours, but it’s a must-do in St. Maarten if you like getting some exercise on the water!
TriSport guides this tour a couple times a day. We recommend going early in the morning to avoid the midday sun.
20) Enjoy a St. Martin to St. Barts day trip
There are many options for St. Maarten day trips. But hopping on the Edge Ferry and spending the day on the glam island of St. Barts takes the cake.
The playground of celebs and elites the world over, it’s only a 45-minute ferry ride away, so you’ll spend most of the day feeling like a high roller on the island.
While there’s lots to see and enjoy on St. Barts, no one would blame you for spending your entire day lazing on the beach.
21) Hike in St. Maarten
Say what? Hiking in St. Maarten? Indeed!
We hiked up Hope Hill on the French side, parking off the side of the main road (going from Grand Case to Orient Bay) at Hope Hill Villas. The dirt path up through scrublands opened up to offer beautiful views of Orient Bay.
But there are other good hikes too, mainly on the island’s Dutch side. Some are coastal, others are all about the view from the peaks.
Guana Bay to Point Blanche hike
This is a wonderful journey for newbie hikers because it’s not too difficult. It’s only two hours one-way along the rugged coastline.
At the end, you can cool off in some natural pools.
You’ll likely see more goats than humans on this hike. And if you’re lucky, you’ll spot some wild horses as you climb too. On a sunny day, you can see all the way to St. Barts.
Fort Willem Hill trail
This is another moderate hike for newbie hikers (about two hours round-trip).
You’ll get panoramic views of neighboring islands, the cruise ship harbor, Fort Amsterdam and Oyster Bay. You’ll also stroll by the coastal area of Little Bay, an important birding area.
Guided hiking
Here’s a small-group guided coastal hiking tour that includes snorkeling and round-trip transportation from Philipsburg. It’s four hours long and gets great reviews!
(If you’re visiting on a cruise, it’ll take you 10 minutes to walk to the meeting spot near the cruise ship terminal.)
22) Race an America’s Cup sailboat
You read that right.
You can experience the thrill of crewing and racing an iconic America’s Cup racing sailboat!
No sailing experience is necessary. They’ll train you on the spot in your assigned crew position. Feel the ocean spray in your face as you trim the sails and grind the winches.
But if all that sounds like too much work, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride as you race with another America’s Cup vessel.
Either way, it’s one of the most exhilarating St. Maarten excursions, offering the excitement of head-to-head competition on the open sea.
23) Fly on the world’s steepest zipline
You’ve had your thrill on the water. Now it’s time to fly in the sky!
Head to Rainforest Adventures’ eco-adventure park in Rockland Estate for a turn on the Flying Dutchman – the world’s steepest zipline.
This heart-thumping St. Maarten attraction is 2,539 feet long and drops a whopping 1,050 feet in elevation. It’s enough to leave you breathless as you fly and race other zipliners.
But wait… there’s more. The thrill isn’t over after you come down off the Flying Dutchman.
The Soualiga Sky Explorer is a 4-person chairlift ascending to Sentry Hill, the highest point on the island at 1,125 feet tall.
Or take part in the Schooner Ride, where you’ll slide down the mountain in an inner tube along a curvy, specially designed track.
Maximize your thrills!
For the most fun at the Rainforest Adventures park, book a thrilling combination of all three adventures – and do the Flying Dutchman, the Sky Explorer and the Schooner Ride!
24) Swim at Mullet Bay Beach
The island is no stranger to postcard-worthy beaches, and Mullet Bay is ranked one of the best beaches in St. Maarten.
It’s a local favorite. That’s no surprise, given its gently sloping white sand, protected coves and calm waters.
A golf course backs up against the beach, protecting it from overdevelopment.
Even though there are a couple of restaurants, and you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, it’s never very crowded. Bring your snorkel gear because the water is clear, and there’s a reef nearby.
Best beach club in St. Maarten (Mullet Bay)
Since first writing this post, we recently visited St. Maarten again for a day on a Caribbean cruise.
We took a taxi to the new Kalatua Beach Restaurant on Mullet Beach. At the far end of the beach, it’s the cat’s meow!
This high-end beach club restaurant is the perfect place for a chic beach day.
The lounge chairs are spaced far enough apart on the white sand beach to give everyone a little privacy.
Hungry? Order from the menu, then make your way to the restaurant when your food is ready. Lunch here is both creative and delicious. From the ceviche on avocado to the fresh grilled shellfish, it’s all prepared just right.
We were even treated to a mini-fashion show. There’s a boutique attached to the beach club, and every hour or so, a lovely young woman saunters out and walks around the restaurant and beach area, modeling swimsuits and cover-ups.
This is a classy place, and Kalatua gives the beach clubs on the French side a run for their money. It’s a good idea to reserve in advance.
25) Enjoy a boat trip around the island
Boat trips rank among the island’s most popular activities, offering snorkeling, swimming at pristine beaches and stunning coastal views.
The following are three of St. Maarten’s top boat tours (leaving from Philipsburg or Simpson Bay):
- Thrilling speedboat adventure – Snorkel with sea turtles at Tintamarre Island, swim at Pinel Island and watch planes skim the beach at Maho. Run by Captain Bob’s Tours, this 6-hour speedboat adventure packs in a whole lot of fun – and they have thousands of 5-star rave reviews! (It’s ideal for cruise passengers too.)
- Anguilla catamaran day trip – Anguilla’s dazzling white sand beaches are just a short boat trip away on this awesome full-day catamaran cruise. Highlights? Snorkeling at the Prickly Pear Cays, paddleboarding at secluded Little Bay and beach time at Shoal Bay and Meads Bay.
- Luxury sailing cruise – Sail in style (with a maximum of just 15 guests). See turtles at Tintamarre and float and swim at some of the island’s top spots. A gourmet French-style 4-course lunch is included on this deluxe sailing experience.
Do it all in a day on a cruise ship stop!
Okay, you can’t do everything in a day. But if you’re visiting St. Maarten on a cruise, you can enjoy a few highlights on the following two recommended guided island tours:
- Best of St. Maarten Island Tour – You’ll see the whole island on this 5- to 6-hour group tour. Take in the panoramic views from Cole Bay, sample rum, watch the planes at Maho Beach, shop in Marigot, swim at Orient Bay Beach and explore Philipsburg. Sound good? It’s highly rated and excellent value!
- St. Maarten Private Sightseeing Tour – If you’re traveling with family or another couple, check out this private customizable island tour. Maybe swim in Mullet Bay, try French cuisine in Grand Case and watch the kitesurfers at Orient Beach?
Now you know what to do on St. Maarten and St. Martin!
You’ll never be bored.
This dreamy small island punches above its weight when it comes to water sports, fun beaches, lively beach bars and clubs, foodie restaurants and beautiful places to soak up the scenery.
It’s one of our favorite Caribbean islands that we can’t get enough of – we can’t wait to return!
See our other St. Martin/St. Maarten travel guides
- Planning Your Trip to St. Maarten and St. Martin
- Which is Better? St. Martin or St. Maarten?
- 7 Awesome Boat Tours From Dutch St. Maarten
- 17 Best Hotels and Resorts on St. Martin/St. Maarten
- Best Places to Stay in French Saint Martin
- 10 Top Restaurants in Grand Case for Food Lovers
- Review of Hotel L’Esplanade in Grand Case
- 7 Reasons You’ll Love Grand Case Beach Club
- Review of Esmeralda Resort in Orient Bay
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Our top travel tips and resources
General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, offering loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy! (You may prefer Expedia for booking hotels in the U.S. or Mexico.)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Flights: For the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets are often non-refundable. If you want more flexibility, it’s usually worth booking directly with the airline, even if it costs a bit more.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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