The beautiful and tropical Caribbean island of St. Maarten is known for its breath-taking scenery and its wide array of activities for tourists to engage in and enjoy. Many who travel to St. Maarten decide to take day trips while visiting the island such as visiting historical sites, going hiking up lush green mountains, going to nature parks, visiting the beaches, and taking trips to neighboring islands.
There are many day trips that are available for visitors to take while they are on their vacation in St. Maarten. These can either be booked in advance or booked when on the island. Some of the best day trips that can be taken while visiting the island of St. Maarten are listed below.
- Anguilla
- Fort Amsterdam
- Tintamarre Island
- Mullet Bay
- Sugar Mill Plantation
- Pic Paradis
- Border Obelisk
- Saba
- Orient Bay Beach
- Barth
- Baie aux Prunes
- Seaside Nature Park
- Anse Marcel Beach
- Maho Beach
- Hope Estate Archeological Site
1. Anguilla
The tropical island of Anguilla is a popular destination for tourists visiting St. Maarten who want to get a taste of some of the other local islands in the Caribbean. Anguilla is a British overseas territory that is located 12 miles (19 km) north of the island of St. Maarten. Anguilla is a relatively small island that measures 16 miles (26 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide at its widest point, the total land area of the island is 35 square miles (91 km2).
Anguilla is an island with a ruggedly beautiful natural landscape. Many who visit enjoy the mesmerizing tropical views that the island has to offer such as white and powdery sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and a lush green landscape. There are many activities that tourists enjoy while visiting Anguilla such as hiking, snorkeling, taking sailing tours, trying the delicious local cuisine, horseback riding, and more.
Anguilla is known to be an island that is a great destination for families. Anguilla is known for being a safe island and the people of the island are very hospitable and helpful to tourists. Tourists can visit the island of Anguilla by ferry. There is a ferry that leaves from the town of Marigot, the ferry ride takes approximately 20 minutes. The departure times for the ferry from St. Martin to Anguilla are 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:00 pm. The price of the ferry from Marigot, Saint Martin to Anguilla is $10 (€ 9) per person for a one-way ticket.
Check atViator
2. Fort Amsterdam
Fort Amsterdam is a popular historical site on the island of St. Maarten that many tourists enjoy taking a day trip to soak in the island’s rich history. Fort Amsterdam is located near the Dutch capital of Philipsburg and is located atop the peninsula separating Little Bay and Great Bay on the southern coast of the island.
Fort Amsterdam was built in 1631 by Dutch colonists in an effort to protect Sint Maarten from competitive colonial forces such as the Spanish and British armies. Nowadays, tourists can take a guided tour and see the entire fort. The architecture of Fort Amsterdam is a unique blend of Dutch and Spanish designs that makes it a captivating historical monument for visitors. Fort Amsterdam also features rusting cannons that are from the 19th century as well as informational maps and signs that highlight the history and development of the fort over the years.
Access to Fort Amsterdam is free of charge. Fort Amsterdam is a private property of the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort that is open to the public.
Check atViator
3. Tintamarre Island
Tintamarre Island is a small island that is located in the Atlantic Ocean about 1.8 miles (3 km) off the north-eastern coast of Saint Martin. Tintamarre island is considered part of the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin. Tintamarre island is the perfect day trip for those who love adventure and want to experience a rugged and natural landscape with minimal people around.
Tintamarre island is known for being an uninhabited tropical oasis. Tintamarre island has golden sandy beaches, and beautiful glistening water and is teeming with wildlife on land and undersea. Tintamarre is a popular destination for snorkeling, hiking, and enjoying a day lounging on the warm sand.
There is no regular ferry service to Tintamarre Island. The only way to get to the island is to book a boat tour in advance. Depending on the size of the group a boat tour to Tintamarre island usually costs around $25 to $40 (€23 to €37) per person.
Check atViator
4. Mullet Bay
Mullet Bay is a popular beach on the island of St. Maarten that is located on the southwestern coast of the island near the town of Simpson Bay. Mullet Bay is an ideal day trip to take while visiting St. Maarten to be able to experience the golden sand, majestic palm trees, and crystal blue waters. Mullet Bay is located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) from Princess Juliana International Airport.
Mullet Bay is also situated near the popular Grand Casino, a famous golf course as well as many restaurants and bars on the island. This is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon at the beach and then get some delicious food, play golf or try your luck at the casinos afterward. Mullet Bay is also popular for those who enjoy water sports such as surfing and jetskiing.
Entry onto Mullet Bay Beach is free. There are many local vendors on the beach selling refreshments such as burgers, drinks, coconuts etc. There are also chair and umbrella rentals available at Mullet Bay Beach for around $15 per day.
Check atViator
5. Sugar Mill Plantation
The Sugar Mill Plantation is a historical site that is a must-see while visiting the island of St. Maarten. The Sugar Mill plantation is located near the town of Marigot, Saint Martin. Tourists who walk throughout this plantation will learn about one of the main sources of commerce for the island of St. Maarten in the 18th century.
The Sugar Hill Plantation features a large chimney made of limestone and a mill that was used to crush the sugar cane. There is also a lovely view that can be seen from the Sugar Hill Plantation which shows a panoramic view of the ocean. Many tourists come to the Sugar Hill Plantation not only to learn about the history but to see the beautiful mountainous views that can be seen from the plantation. Entry into the Sugar Mill Plantation is free.
6. Pic Paradis
Pic Paradis is the highest mountain in St. Martin and a popular tourist destination on the island. Pic Paradis is located on the French side of the island of Saint Martin and is a height of 1,391 ft (424 m) high. Many people enjoy hiking the different trails of the mountain, taking in the beautiful views, and exploring nature on the mountain.
Pic Paradis has a cooler climate than most locations in St. Martin which gives this area a nice contrast for tourists looking to add variety to their trip. Pic Paradis is free to enter, however, different expenses may be incurred depending on the different activities that tourists decide to do on and around the mountain.
At the bottom of Pic Paradis is Loterie Farm which is a must-see location for those visiting St. Maarten. Loterie Farm is a former sugar plantation that has been turned into a tropical resort that people can visit for the day. Loterie Farm is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Prices for the different activities can vary.
7. The Border Obelisk
The Border Obelisk is a monument that is located at the French/Dutch border between the Dutch town of Philipsburg and the French town of Quartier d’ Orleans. The Border Obelisk is a symbol for when the island of St. Maarten was divided between the French and Dutch territories on March 23, 1648.
Visiting the Border Obelisk is free of charge and one of the main things to visit while in St. Maarten. It defines the unique culture of Saint Martin that has Dutch and French influence. Tourists and locals alike are able to move from the Dutch side to the French side freely and vice versa. There are also many other things that tourists can do when visiting the Border Obelisk such as take photos, go shopping, and visit the local beaches.
8. Saba
Saba is an island located in the north-eastern Caribbean Sea that is located 15 miles (24 km) southwest of the island of St. Maarten. Saba is the smallest Dutch-owned territory in the Caribbean. Saba has a land area of 53 sqft (5 sqm).
The island of Saba is home to a volcano called Mount Scenery. Mount Scenery is 2,910 ft (887 meters) in height and is the highest peak on the island of Saba and the entire territory of the Netherlands. Saba is known as the “unspoiled queen of the Caribbean”. Saba is known for its gorgeous natural surroundings and delicious local cuisine. This is the perfect place for a day trip when visiting St. Maarten to get a taste of another island in the Caribbean.
Tourists can easily visit Saba via ferry or plane from St. Maarten. The flights from St. Maarten to Saba are usually around 20 minutes. There are 4 flights that are scheduled each day through the WinAir airline that leaves from Princess Juliana International Airport and land in Saba. The price of the flights from St. Maarten to Saba range from $57 to $100 (€52 to €91) one way and $100 to $200 (€91 to €183) round trip.
The ferry to Saba from St. Maarten takes around 2 hours depending on weather conditions. There are different restaurants and activities available in Saba for tourists to enjoy such as hiking Mount Scenery, going to the local beaches, engaging in water sports such as jet skiing and surfing, and more.
Check atViator
9. Orient Bay Beach
Orient Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches in St. Maarten and is located on the north-eastern coast of French Saint Martin. Orient Bay Beach is known by many as the “Saint Tropez of the Caribbean” and is famous for its gorgeous crystal blue water and white powdery sand. The length of the beach spans 1.5 miles (2.4 km) so there is usually no crowding and plenty of privacy.
Orient Bay Beach is perfect for a day trip because along with enjoying the beautiful scenery of the beach there are many beach clubs, bars and restaurants near the beach for tourists to enjoy. Those looking for some action will also enjoy the plethora of water sports available to engage in on the beach such as banana boating, parasailing, jet-skiing, and more.
Entrance onto Orient Bay is free. Depending on the time you decide to visit, the water can be a bit rough. For calmer water, the best time to visit Orient Beach is between the months of April and September. The beach is easily reachable by car, taxi, and bus.
Check atViator