What to see in Saint Martin (Sint Maarten): 10 must-sees
Discover what to see in Saint Martin (Sint Maarten): 10 must-see destinations, from Maho Beach to Grand Case. Predominantly beach and city; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
Beach(3)
Discover Maho Beach, the beach where planes land just a few meters above your towel on their way into Princess Juliana Airport. Feel the adrenaline as the jets roar past and kick up sand toward the sea, a spectacle that draws onlookers from around the world. Between flights, swim in the clear water, stroll along the shore, or order something cold at the bars right on the sand, where arrival times are posted on boards. Wear sturdy footwear if you approach the fence: the jet blast catches even the regulars by surprise.
Stroll along Orient Bay, Saint Martin's most famous two-kilometer white-sand beach, where you can windsurf, kitesurf, jet ski, and snorkel in its clear, calm water. Beach clubs with loungers, umbrellas, and seaside restaurants line the shore, each with its own pace. At the southern end you'll find the nudist section in front of Club Orient, one of the best-known areas of its kind in the Caribbean. Rent equipment, order a cocktail with your feet in the sand, and stay until the sun sets over the bay.
Watch the waves break gently in this sheltered bay on the west side of Sint Maarten, where white sand stretches beside calm waters ideal for snorkeling near the rocks. Walk along the shore at sunset, when planes descend toward the nearby airport and golfers cross from the adjacent course onto the sand. The surrounding resorts leave room for open areas where you can rent an umbrella, order fried fish from the local stalls, and swim without the crowds on weekdays.
City(2)
Swim in the calm waters of Grand Case Bay and end the day at its lolos, the beachside restaurants that made this town the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean. Try crepes and fresh seafood on the main street, where colorful Creole houses are home to French and Caribbean cuisine. On Tuesdays from January to April, the Grand Case Mardi evening festival fills the street with music, crafts, and food stalls.
Explore Marigot, the capital of the French side of Saint Martin, where the market by the harbor offers spices, rum, and crafts under colorful awnings. Walk among Creole-style houses with wooden verandas and painted shutters, then head down to the marina to see the sailboats moored in front of French cafés and bakeries. Climb the nearby fort if you want a view of the bay and neighboring Anguilla, and end the day sampling local cuisine at one of the restaurants along the waterfront.
Monument(2)
Fort 1789 Marigot. Bay views, cannons, history museum. Take in the monument that recounts centuries of history and culture. Explore its structures, admire the architectural details, and discover the history held within its stones.
Climb up to Fort Amsterdam, built in 1631 as the first Dutch fort in the Caribbean, and explore the ruins that still watch over the entrance to Great Bay. Walk among its stone walls, look at the remains of the defensive batteries, and reconstruct in your mind the centuries of history they hold. From the top, take in Philipsburg Bay, understand why this spot was key to defending the island, and use the viewpoint to photograph the coast before heading down to the town center.
Natural(2)
Take on the climb to Pic Paradis, the island's highest point at 424 meters, where 360° views span both nations, French and Dutch. The trails cross slopes of dense vegetation where iguanas and local birds appear among the tropical trees. On clear days you can make out the bays, Philipsburg, Marigot, and even neighboring islands such as Anguilla and Saba. Bring water and sturdy footwear: some sections are steep, but the reward at the summit justifies every step.
Sail across Simpson Bay Lagoon, the largest in the Caribbean at 20 km², shared between the Dutch and French sides. Explore its marinas packed with yachts and sailboats, and wait for the drawbridges to open and let vessels through to the open sea. Watch pelicans and herons among the mangroves lining the shores, and kayak into the quiet corners where the water lies calm. At sunset, the bars and restaurants by the dock fill with boaters discussing routes through the Antilles.
Region(1)
Stop by Loterie Farm, a 54-hectare nature reserve on the slopes of Pic Paradis, where the grounds of a former sugar plantation now hold marked trails among century-old trees and ziplines that cross the forest canopy. Hike routes of varying difficulty up to lookout points overlooking the coast, and afterwards try the restaurant set among the greenery, with dishes served beside the spring-fed pool. A cool, shaded escape in the heart of the island of Saint Martin.
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