Besides being a much-revered tropical escape, St Maarten is also the smallest island to host two nations. While St Maarten is Dutch governed, the north side of this 37 square mile island comes under French administration. As a result of the island’s dual personality, tourists get to enjoy a distinct assortment of amazing things to do in St Maarten.
A Caribbean isle with a European charm, St Maarten is a bustling piece of land, home to over 100 nationalities. Famously known as “the friendly island,” it is an idyllic holiday destination for families and couples.
Recovering from mass devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017, St Maarten has been quick to reclaim its position as a top cruise destination in the Caribbean. Moreover, many travelers island-hopping in the region using Ferryscanner now prefer to arrive in St Maarten via the 45-minute ferry from Gustavia in St Barts.
Whether in town for a day or the entire week, you’ll discover that the many things to do in St Maarten appeal to all ages and diverse interests.
Zip Lining
Thrill-seekers looking for things to do in St Maarten will be delighted to know that it now has the steepest zip line in the world. Dropping down 1050 feet, from an elevation of 2800 feet, at a speed of 56 miles per hour, it doesn’t get any more electrifying than this.
Known as The Flying Dutchman and located inside the eco-friendly park, Rockland Estate, the views during the zip line experience are spectacular. Moreover, the park offers other stimulating rides such as land tubing and a ski chair with 360-degree panoramas. The hilltop at the park also has the Emilio Wilson Museum and a lookout point with a café and bar.
Plane Spotting
St Maarten is where you will find one of the world’s most iconic beaches. Maho Beach is a small sandy strip next to Princess Juliana International Airport. However, its location is right at the end of a runway where planes land and take off regularly.
Therefore, plane-spotting at Maho Beach is one of the essential things to do in St Maarten. Unique in every way possible, standing only a few feet below low-flying planes is an exhilarating feeling you simply have to experience on your own. The nearby Sunset Beach Bar is a great place to pick up snacks and drinks. The bar also displays the arrival and departure times of planes for your convenience.
If you want a quieter waterfront, after spending some time at Maho, head a kilometer north to Mullet Beach.
Duty-Free Shopping
St Maarten’s capital Philipsburg is a lively town full of cafes, restaurants, beaches, and archetypical Dutch island architecture. While here, you can enjoy live music and ice cream at the beach, visit the Guavaberry Liquor Emporium, or the eccentric Yoda Guy Star Wars movie exhibit. And if feeling lucky, Philipsburg also has 12 casinos with slots and card games.
However, among the best things to do in St Maarten is duty-free shopping in Philipsburg. Front Street, lined with boutiques selling designer watches and clothes, is the primary destination for shopaholics. Although the stores are high-end and duty-free, you can still politely haggle a little on the price.
Explore St. Martin
Even though it is the same island, there are stark differences between the French and Dutch sides. Thus, one of the quintessential things to do in St Maarten is to take a sailing trip to St Martin.
St Martin has the most beautiful sandy strips, including the world-famous Orient Bay Beach. Spending your time on any of the strands here is pure delight. Do remember that the French are a little more liberal in their thinking. Thus, clothing is optional in certain sections on most beaches.
But there’s undoubtedly much more to do than just lounge around on the sand in St Martin. Tijon Perfumery is a must-visit. They have an hour-long perfume-making course where you can concoct a bespoke scent. The perfumery even saves your formula so that you can order it again later.
Like Philipsburg, St Martin’s capital Marigot is a paradise for shoppers. Here, you will also find some wonderful restaurants, like Rosemary’s, Le Tropicana, and Chez Coco, that serve Creole, Jamaican, and French cuisine.
Scuba Diving
Being in the Caribbean and not participating in snorkeling or scuba diving is a grave mistake. The marine life around St Maarten is dynamic, brimming with an array of diverse fish, turtles, sharks, and corals. Moreover, with over 50 dive sites around the island, there are plenty of locations for beginners as well as professional divers.
Day-long diving excursions are available from various centers around St Maarten. You can even start taking a PADI certification course if staying for long.
The Maze in Simpson Bay is the most popular diving location near Philipsburg. Wreck divers should plan a visit to Gregory, a barge at a depth of 55ft, or La Renee, the wreck of a cargo ship.
Birding
A day packed with birding adventures at Parotte Ville Sanctuary is one of the best things to do in St Maarten with the family. A park started in 2016, over 170 birds across 25 different species from around the world live here now. After paying only $10, visitors at Parotte Ville can take photos and feed the colorful birds.
The staff at the park is forever helpful, entertaining the guests while sharing fascinating tidbits about the birds, such as the ringneck parakeet, sugarbirds, and sun conures.
A 30-minutes guided tour of the facility is part of the entry ticket for Parotte Ville. The park also has a heritage museum displaying household antiques from the region.