Part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, St Maarten is a place to escape the hustle and bustle or embrace it – whatever takes your fancy. It has an area of just 37 square miles, and there is an intriguing mix of Caribbean, French and Dutch cultures on offer. Not to mention the fact that there’s no border to the similarly-named St. Martin, meaning you can explore both destinations with ease.
This guide is all about how to spend five days discovering St Maarten and its surroundings.
Day 1, Philipsburg
The best way to start your St Maarten holiday is with a visit to Philipsburg. It’s the capital of the Dutch side of the island and is full of colour and vibrancy. Do a spot of window shopping along the boardwalk, or head up one of the hills for a panoramic view of the island. If you’re feeling lucky, visit one of the 13 casinos before dining at one of the many restaurants serving up delectable delights.
Day 2, Great Bay
The picturesque Great Bay is a place to explore after arriving at the port via the ferry you booked with Ferryscanner. There’s a fantastic beach where you can slow time down and spend hours on the soft sands before refreshing with a dip in the turquoise waters. Finish off your visit to Great Bay by wandering through Harbour Point Village with its restaurants, boutiques and duty-free shopping.
Day 3, Rockland Estate Eco-Park
It turns out that St Maarten has the steepest zipline in the world, dropping an incredible 1,000 along 2,800 feet of cable. Expect spectacular views of the island all the way down to the ground. The zipline is part of the Rockland Estate Eco-Park, which also features a restaurant, inner Schooner tube track and a canopy tour. But the primary attraction is, without doubt, the zipline, also known as “The Flying Dutchman”.
Day 4, Friar’s Bay
Also known as Anse de Peres, Friar’s Bay is a place for the entire family with its pristine waters and easily swimmable waves. It’s located on St Martin and has beach bars where you can spend a few hours soaking up the local area. Nearby Happy Bay is a 10-minute walk and offers a tiny stretch of secluded sands waiting to be explored.
Day 5, Pic du Paradis
If you’re looking for fantastic views without the zipline, head up Pic du Paradis mountain. There are 1,492 feet to climb (fortunately, you can take a taxi) and panoramic views on offer of St. Martin and St Maarten. Of course, there’s also the option to hike the mountain – just make sure you bring plenty of water, bug spray and some comfortable walking shoes.
The delights of St Maarten
There’s nothing quite like island life, and St Maarten lets you laze the days away, relax on beaches and sample world-class food all at your own pace. And yet, you can also embrace a vibrant mix of cultures and take in the buzzing atmosphere found in places like Philipsburg. There’s a little bit of everything jam-packed into St Maarten impressive 37 square miles.