The island of Saint Martin is known throughout the Caribbean for being full of fun and amazing activities for people of all kinds to participate in such as snorkeling, ziplining, sailing, surfing and so much more. Saint Martin is a relatively small island located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and is approximately 190 miles (300 km) east of Puerto Rico. Many tourists come from all around the world to experience the unique and entertaining things that St. Maarten has to offer.
With all of the amazing activities available in St. Maarten, it can be challenging to decide what exactly to do with your time during your visit. Below is a list of the most exciting and popular activities to do in Saint Martin.
- Snorkeling and Scuba diving
- Ziplining down the steepest zipline in the world
- Watching planes at Maho beach
- Relaxing at Loterie Farm
- Visiting the French town of Marigot
- Try samples of rum at Topper’s Rhum Distillery
- Making your own perfume
- Taking a sunset sail along the coast
1. Snorkeling and scuba diving
Snorkeling and scuba diving are definitely some of the most exciting and adventurous activities to participate in while visiting St. Maarten. St. Maarten is one of the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots in the entire Caribbean and is known for clear water, calm seas, and its vibrant coral reef teeming with sea life, all of which are ideal conditions for snorkeling and scuba diving. What makes this area unique is that the government protects the waters surrounding St. Maarten which are populated by schools of brilliantly colored fish, so when in Saint Martin you get the most natural snorkeling and/or scuba diving experience possible.
The tropical weather in St. Maarten is also very optimal for snorkeling and diving throughout the year because the temperature on the island ranges between 72 to 89 F (22 to 32 C). The surrounding waters are pleasantly warm, and the temperatures range from 75 to 85 F (24 to 29 C).
The cost of snorkeling in St. Martin varies depending on how you decide to acquire the gear needed. Purchasing snorkel gear normally costs between $40 to $110 (€34 to €94) per person, renting snorkel equipment for the week can cost from $18 to $42 (€15 to €36) per person, and renting snorkel gear for a half-day snorkel tour can cost $38 to $160 (€32 to €138) per person. Snorkel gear is available to rent on most hotels and beaches throughout St. Martin. The best beaches for snorkeling in Saint Martin are listed below.
- Cupecoy Beach
- Kim Sha Beach
- Mullet Bay Beach
- Little Bay Beach
- Indigo Bay Beach
- Baie Rouge
- Tintamarre Island
- Pinel Island
- Friar’s Bay Beach
- Happy Bay Beach
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In Saint Martin, scuba diving is available to people of all skill levels. It’s an exciting experience to explore underwater shipwrecks and swim through schools of fish and colorful coral reefs. There are more than 50 known dive sites throughout the island of Saint Martin. There are many diving tours available on the island that normally cost around $40 to $120 (€34 to €103) per person. The best places for scuba diving in Saint Martin are listed below.
- Gregory Wreck
- Creole Rock
- The Maze
- The Fish Bowl
- Carib Cargo
- Proselyte
- The Bridge
- La Renee Shipwreck
- Fuh Sheng
- Turtle Reef
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2. Ziplining down the steepest zipline in the world
Saint Martin is home to the steepest zipline in the entire world. Located in Rockland Estate Eco-Park in southern Dutch Sint Maarten is the Flying Dutchman Zipline. This zipline is unlike any other ziplining experience in the world. This is an experience that many travelers who are looking for an exciting and action-packed vacation journey from all around the world to St. Maarten to enjoy.
This zipline is more than 1,000 ft (304 meters) high and is more than 2,800 ft (853 meters) of cable. From this zipline, you can see spectacular and panoramic views of the island of St. Martin. The ride lasts for about 45 seconds and the price is $114 (€98) per person. This is an exhilarating experience for those who are looking for an action-packed getaway and definitely something that you have to experience while you’re in Saint Martin.
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3. Watching planes at Maho Beach
Maho Beach is the most famous beach on the island and is really unlike any location in the world. Maho Beach is located right at the end of the Princess Juliana International Airport runway near Simpson Bay. On this beach, it is possible to see airplanes flying directly overhead and landing on the runway just behind the beach. Many tourists like to take pictures of the airplanes, admire the incredible sights and feel the force of airplanes and jets taking off into the sky one after the other.
This is a must-see spot in St. Maarten. Maho Beach is fairly small and often gets quite busy and full of tourists, most usually spending 30 minutes to an hour here. Be careful to secure loose items on the beach because the wind from the airplanes and jets could blow them away. Entry onto the beach is free. There are many beachside restaurants that you can order food at and watch the planes from nearby the beach. Some even have flight arrival and departure times written so you know exactly when to take your pictures.
4. Relaxing at Loterie Farm St. Martin
Loterie Farm is a private nature reserve located on the hillside of Pic Paradis in French Saint Martin. Loterie Farms is 100 acres of lush greenery and is a serene nature sanctuary that attracts many tourists who are looking to have a relaxing day surrounded by swaying palm trees and multiple turquoise pools.
Loterie Farm is a spot for all types, whether you prefer to relax and lounge by the pool or take an exciting and vigorous hike. There is an activity here for everyone. There are many different cabanas for lounging in the sun, many different pools and jacuzzis throughout the premises, ziplining courses, hiking trails, and obstacle courses, as well as many poolside restaurants and bars. Many tourists from all ages and backgrounds come to Loterie Farm to enjoy the beautifully relaxing nature, scenery, and wildlife.
Loterie Farm is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Prices for the different activities can vary. Access to the hiking trails cost around $6 (€5) per person or $30 (€26) per person with a guide. Ziplining courses normally cost around $46 (€40) per person. There are options to rent Cabanas for couples for $98 (€85) or up to 10 people for $256 (€220). No matter what you decide to do at Loterie Farm, it will no doubt be an unforgettable experience during your trip to St. Maarten.
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5. Visiting the French town of Marigot
Visiting the French town of Marigot is definitely something you’ll want to do during your visit to St. Maarten. Marigot is the capital city of the French side of St. Martin. The French side of St. Martin is known for having a more rugged and natural beauty, having more of a European influence, and being less populated than Dutch Sint Maarten. Many tourists who visit this city feel like they are visiting France for a day.
Marigot is a very quaint, scenic, and culturally rich city with many brightly colored buildings, a picturesque harbor, charming restaurants, and fancy boutiques lined along the streets. There are so many exciting things to see in the town of Marigot such as the Marina Royale, the West Indies Shopping Mall, Fort Louis, the Marigot market, the Roland Richardson Gallery and so much more. All of the art, shopping, delicious food, historical sites, and beautiful scenery and beaches make Marigot more than worthy of exploring during your stay in St. Martin.
6. Try samples of rum at Topper’s Rhum Distillery
Rum is the most popular liquor in the Caribbean and especially in St. Maarten. Rum has a unique history in Saint Martin and has been one of the staples of the culture for decades. Topper’s Rhum is the only spirit distilled and exported from Saint Martin, it is locally manufactured at the Topper’s Rhum Distillery in Cole Bay, Dutch Sint Maarten. Visiting this distillery is a fun experience for people of all types. Many from all over the world enjoy Topper’s Rhum and visit this distillery. No trip to St. Maarten is complete without bringing a bottle of this signature rum home.
Topper’s Rhum is one of the most unique distilleries on the island of St. Maarten. A visit to this distillery is a must because there are 50 different flavors to sample such as banana vanilla cinnamon, jalapeno lime, bacon, and maple syrup, and many more. The distillery offers tours of the facility where you can learn about the history of rum and get a behind-the-scenes look at how the handcrafted rum at Topper’s Rhum distillery is made and bottled.
At Topper’s Rhum Distillery you can enjoy unlimited tastings of rum, try their famous rum cake, and learn how to properly taste rum. There is also a gift shop on-site with limited edition specialty rums that are only available to purchase at the distillery. Prices for tickets to the distillery are $25 (€21) for those 18 and up, and $12.50 (€10.79) for children over 12. Children under 12 are admitted for free. The average price for a bottle of Topper’s Rhum is $16.99 (€14.67)
7. Making your own perfume
One of the most unique experiences available to do in Saint Martin is to make your own perfume at Tijon Parfumerie, which is located in Grand Case French Saint Martin. Here you can make your own custom fragrance and have it made into a perfume, cologne, lotion, massage oil, or linen mist. This is a great way