ALL ABOUT THE KIDS
YOUNG FAMILY MEMBERS ARE IN FOR A TREAT ON ST MAARTEN/ ST. MARTIN
By Alita Singh
Family time is precious. Even more so is family vacation time. It’s a time for memory making and just pure fun. If this is the kind of vacation you seek, you’ve picked the right place in St. Maarten/St. Martin. There’s plenty to do for children and grown-ups alike.
Take your cue from the locals and make family time super fun. Many families head to the beach on weekends and holidays. They also enjoy all the delights their island has to offer, from hiking and swimming to just soaking up some good vitamin D. Here are some island activities for the young and young at heart.
WATER BABIES
There’s more than just water at Float-N-Splash Waterpark off Great Bay Beach. Put your agility and speed to the test on the most fun inflatable floating obstacle course in the Caribbean Sea. Children ages six and older are welcomed with adult supervision.
BIRD’S-EYE VIEW
Brave the steepest zip line in the world: The Flying Dutchman at Rainforest Adventures St. Maarten. Enjoy the smooth ride to the top of the mountain on the chairlift and glide back down on the zip line. Before zooming down, try the peak-to-peak zips. Prefer another way down from the high heights? Jump on the Schooner, a fast tube ride to the bottom.
AHOY, MATES!
The life and times of Jack Rackham, one of the most fearsome pirates to roam the Caribbean Sea, is chronicled at The Rusty Parrot in Philipsburg. Immerse yourselves in his adventures and tall tales. It’s a swashbuckling adventure the kids will long remember.
TAKE A RIDE
Seaside Nature Park is your ticket to horseback trails through the spectacular hillside. Have a slow gallop on the beach at the end of the ride and let the Caribbean Sea waves cool you and your four-legged friend. Take a swim, enjoy the playground or pet farm, or explore the 30-acre park in Cay Bay. Make a day of it.
UNDERWATER FUN
A good place for a snorkel is off Creole Rock, an unusual rock formation with a reef teeming with aquatic life. Aqua Mania’s Sand Dollar Adventure offers snorkeling tours to this spot. To get warmed up, check out the world below from any of the island’s beaches.
PEDAL POWER
A good way to see the island is by bicycle. Be it on- or off-road, Tri-Sport has a tour to give families a challenge and a bonding experience. Why not go for a triple treat? Take the historical bike ride through Philipsburg and soak up history, admire the scenery, and get a good workout.
TREE PARTY
Loterie Farm’s Jungle Kids Adventure Park is the perfect haven for little ones. The designated play area offers challenging, fun activities, a kids’ pool, and a chill-out area for parents as they keep watch on their little angels. The bigger kids (and adults) can conquer the treetops on the Fly Zone or see who can make it first to the highest point on the island: Pic Paradis (Paradise Peak).
PARROTS APLENTY
Kids can be like little parrots, copying all you do and say. Introduce them to actual parrots and other tropical birds at Parotte Ville on Bishop Hill Road. The park is home to quite a few exotic birds, including sun parakeets, ring-necked parakeets, black-headed caiques, and more. Wander through the medicinal garden and learn about local remedies.
WADING WATERS
Le Galion Beach or “Baby Beach” is nature’s kiddie pool. The calm shallow waters are perfect for little swimmers. If it’s your first tropical vacation with your little one, head there for that first beach memory. Remember to pack a snack or a picnic, along with beach towels and sunscreen.
WALK ABOUT
Taking a walk along the beach is the perfect way to close the day. This is a favorite pastime of islanders. Two of the best spots to do this as a family are the Boardwalk in Philipsburg and the Marigot waterfront. A bonus to these strolls is seeing the island shed its sunshine personality and don its moonlight aura.
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