Though now especially known for its impressive resorts Divi Little Bay and Belair Beach Hotel, Boutique hotel L’Esperance and various scenic villas surrounding it, the Little Bay / Belair / Fort Willem area is one of historical importance. It was the first location where the Dutch made landfall on island and settled. In addition, various battles for Fort Amsterdam took place, during one of which later governor of New Amsterdam (New York) Peter Stuyvesant lost his leg when trying to reoccupy the fort from the Spanish.
A great place to start hiking trails, for example from Belair to Cay Bay, the Little Bay Cay Bay trail.
Find the Little Bay area on the map below!
• See our national symbol the Courthouse!
• Make an AMAsterdam bar selfie in an Amsterdam streetcar or “red light district”!
• Visit Rainforest Adventure Park
• Visit Fort Amsterdam
• Visit the Heritage Museum
• Take a brewery tour!
• Spend a day at Little Bay Beach, take a one day Divi Little Bay Resort pass and/or enjoy a meal at Gizmo’s or PureOcean!
• Take a Spirit of St Maarten dinner tour!
Take the Philipsburg Mural tour!
• Spend a beach day at Great Bay Beach, and don’t forget to take lunch at the Ocean Lounge.
• Do an active Philipsburg Trisport tour!
• Try a rum of local manufacturer guavaberry made of namesake fruits that grow on the island.
• Take a local craft beer!
• Learn the true history of pirates at the Rusty Parrot and have a drink with the experts (trust us, pirates are good people these days)!
• Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
