Top Things To Do
St. Maarten/St. Martin is packed with attractions that you will want to experience before returning home.
There’s a lot to discover on St. Maarten/St. Martin, as you might expect of a Caribbean paradise shared by two European nations. That’s why the Dutch-French island logs so many repeat visitors. Maybe you can’t take in all the sights this time around, but you must experience the island’s top attractions before you go back home. Here are some to top your list.
Rainforest Adventures at Rockland Estate boasts the world’s steepest zip line: The Flying Dutchman. Zip from hilltop to hilltop and ride a doughnut to the bottom. After your bird’s-eye view, get a glimpse into the past at the park’s Emilio Wilson Museum.
Ever thought it would be wonderful to capture precious vacation moments in a bottle? You can do that at Tijon Parfumerie, which makes handcrafted fragrances with essences and extracts from around the world. Make your own personal fragrance with the help of experts.
Topper’s Rhum is a must-have souvenir to take home. Tour the distillery and sample a variety of flavored spirits. Nurture your competitive spirit as well at the St. Maarten 12 Metre Regatta. Join the crew of an authentic sailing yacht in an America’s Cup race against waves, wind and, of course, other boats!
For a leisurely sail, opt for an outing with Aqua Mania Adventures. Visit the outer islets and dive or snorkel to see the colorful world beneath the waves. It’s teeming with a rainbow of fish and other fascinating sea creatures. Or sip Champagne and watch the sun journey to its nightly sleep aboard a sunset sail with Eagle Tours. It’s the perfect way to close the day. There are also options to sail to other islands or to just relax on board.
Water athletes will be in heaven at Sea Fun. Conquer the waves aboard a fast Jet Ski, go tubing or try a flyboard or hoverboard. Then regale the folks back home with tales of how you mingled with the sea and sky.
You can horse around, literally, at Seaside Nature Park. The park offers horseback riding along the beach and hillside for a different perspective of the island. This is a great locale for children to make friends with a host of furry and farmyard creatures.
Remember Jules Verne’s book Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea? Sea Trek St. Maarten will be your gateway into a whole new world. Don a helmet with a continuous supply of air to explore the ocean floor.
Hikers and bird-watchers are welcome at Seagrape Tours. Join an organized tour to see the island’s flora and fauna up close and personal or get your own band of nature lovers together and let the knowledgeable tour guide show you around.
TriSport Eco Tours takes athleticism and history to another level with its beach and bike tour through Philipsburg. You can also opt for a cross-border bike tour and a kayak lagoon tour. History buffs also will want to spend some time at the St. Maarten Heritage Museum. In a cozy alley off bustling Front Street, the museum brings visitors face to face with facts and artifacts. Then walk over to Captain Hodge Wharf on Great Bay Beach to the World War II Monument to read the names of those brave souls from the Dutch Caribbean who gave their lives for freedom.
If you have mobility issues, get in contact with Alpha Health Care Services. This company rents wheelchairs, including those suitable for a beach “swim,” respirators and a variety of braces. The goal is to ensure every visitor, no matter how differently abled, has the full island experience.
Want to meet the ritzy neighbor? Great Bay Express can take you over to St. Barths for a day (or overnight) trip. Explore the winding roads and shell beaches in this charming seaside retreat.
Can’t decide what to do? Get in touch with SXM Deals and let them help you with all of the selection and activity planning.
Aside from the plethora of planned and curated activities the island has to offer, there are some simpler things you must do when vacationing here. Take time to relax and soak up the sun on the beach. If you prefer no tan lines, opt for the clothing-optional Orient Bay or Cupecoy beaches.
Do not leave the shores of this island paradise without experiencing what it’s like to have a very large airplane fly over your head. Maho Bay Beach is the place for this. Jetliners come in low for landing and let off a heavy stream of “jet blast” for takeoff.
Before you leave, why not have a one-of-a-kind treasure hunt by car or scooter to find all four border points of the island? These points are marked by flags, obelisks or simple signage. Get a photo with one foot in France and another in the Netherlands. Get a scooter from Johnny’s Scooter Rental for you and your companion and zip around. Prefer a car? Thrifty Car Rental will have one to suit your adventure.