St. Maarten is a magnificent island in the Caribbean where many people travel to make memories that they will remember for the rest of their lives. There are a vast array of activities that a traveler can experience during their trip to St. Maarten that will leave them wanting to come back to “the friendly island” for more.
St. Martin is an island where couples, families, solo travelers, and visitors of all kinds can enjoy activities like sailing, ziplining, going to famous beaches, doing distillery tours, visiting nearby islands on the ferry and so much more. The memories that a guest of St. Maarten can make during their trip will no doubt last a lifetime. The memorable things to do in St. Martin / St. Maarten are listed and explained below.
- Sailing, Yacht, and Boat Tours
- Ride the world’s steepest zip line
- Relax at Loterie Farm in St. Martin
- Watch planes fly over Maho Beach
- Sip boozy samples at Topper’s Rhum Distillery
- Soak up the sun at Mullet Bay
- Make your own perfume
- Wander around St. Maarten’s capital, Philipsburg
- Enjoy a sunset sail
- Explore the pretty French side of St. Martin
- Island hop around the Caribbean
Table of Contents
- 1. Sailing, Yacht, and Boat Tours
- 2. Ride the world’s steepest zip line
- 3. Relax at Loterie Farm
- 4. Watch planes fly over Maho Beach
- 5. Sip boozy samples at Topper’s Rhum Distillery
- 6. Soak up the sun at Mullet Bay
- 7. Make your own perfume
- 8. Wander around St. Maarten’s capital, Philipsburg
- 9. Enjoy a sunset sail
- 10. Explore the pretty French side of Saint Martin
- 11. Island hop around the Caribbean
- What are the best places to visit in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin?
- What are some fun activities to do in St. Martin / St. Maarten?
- What are the points of interest in St. Martin / St. Maarten?
- What are the memorable things to do in St. Martin / St. Maarten with the family?
- What are the approximate prices in St. Martin / St. Maarten?
- What are the most memorable beaches in St. Maarten?
- What are the most memorable islands near St. Maarten?
- Does St. Martin have waterfalls?
- Is St. Maarten expensive to visit?
- What are the things to eat in St. Maarten?
1. Sailing, Yacht, and Boat Tours
Sailing on a yacht or sailboat is definitely one of the most memorable things that can be enjoyed on the island of St. Maarten. Many people love the experience of being enveloped with the salty sea air and soaking in the gorgeous blue waters of the Caribbean sea from all sides. Tourists also love dancing the night away on an evening sunset sail as they gaze and the swirling orange and yellow sky as it slowly turns to dusk.
St. Maarten is located centrally to many other islands in the Caribbean such as Anguilla, Saba, and St. Barts. Many of the sailing companies on the island have routes to these neighboring islands. These day sails or specialty boat tours offer special things like snorkeling, scuba diving, waterskiing, parasailing, and more. Some of the sailing tours are designated for the evenings and involve guests listening to music, having delicious local dinner, and watching the sunset.
There are many tour companies in St. Maarten that allow tourists to book these sailing tours in advance. Some of the companies that offer yacht and sailboat tours include Soualiga Destinations Boat Tours and Captain Alan’s Boat Charters. Many sailing tours start in the town of Simpson Bay and the prices range from $125 to $215 (€125 to €215) per person depending on the tour you book. The times of the tours vary depending on the company that you choose to book your sailing tour with.
2. Ride the world’s steepest zip line
St. Maarten is home to the world’s steepest zipline which is called “The Flying Dutchman”. This zipline is 1,050 ft (320 meters) long and 2,800 ft (853 meters) in elevation. Tourists who have tried this zipline in the past have been known to reach speeds of 56 mph (90 km/hr). This thrilling experience is one that a visitor to St. Maarten will surely never forget.
Tourists who try the “Flying Dutchman Zipline” can rest assured that there has been extensive work into making the zipline tour safe for many to enjoy. The Flying Dutchman Zipline is also accompanied by other amazing attractions at Rockland Estates such as the Soualiga Sky Explorer which is a four-person chairlift, and the Sentry Hill zipline. From all of these vantage points, tourists can see the beautiful scenery of the entire island of St. Maarten which is sure to be a memorable and breathtaking experience for anyone visiting St. Maarten.
The base price to experience the Flying Dutchman’s Zipline is $99 (€99) per person. The other experiences at Rockland Estates such as the Soualiga Sky Explorer and the Sentry Hill zipline range in price from $52 to $139 (€52 to €139).
3. Relax at Loterie Farm
Loterie Farm is a private nature reserve located on the hillside of Pic Paradis in French Saint Martin. Loterie Farm is a serene nature sanctuary with 100 acres (404,686 sq meters) of lush greenery that attracts many tourists who are looking to have a relaxing day surrounded by swaying palm trees and multiple turquoise pools. Those who choose to spend their day here will undoubtedly create vivid and unforgettable memories.
Loterie Farm is a perfect location for all types, whether a tourist prefers to relax and lounge by the pool or take an exciting and vigorous hike. There is an activity here for every type of traveler. 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 costs 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.
4. Watch planes fly over Maho Beach
One of the most memorable experiences that any tourist can have while visiting St. Maarten is watching the planes fly over Maho Beach. Maho Beach is the most famous beach on the island and is really unlike any beach in the entire 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 magnificent sights and feel the force of airplanes and jets taking off into the sky.
Maho Beach is a must-see spot in St. Maarten. Maho Beach is quite small and often gets quite busy and full of tourists. Most who visit usually spend about 30 minutes to an hour here. Entry onto the beach is free. There are many beachside restaurants where tourists can order food and watch the planes from nearby the beach. Some even have flight arrival and departure times written so you know exactly when to take pictures.
5. Sip boozy samples at Topper’s Rhum Distillery
A visit to St. Maarten would not be complete without visiting the Topper’s Rhum Distillery. Rum has a long history in St. Maarten and has been a staple of the cuisine of the island 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. Exploring the distillery and tasting the delicious boozy rum samples at Topper’s Rhum Distillery is sure to instantly become a memorable moment for any tourists visiting St. Maarten.
The Topper’s Rhum 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 is made and bottled. The distillery has 50 different flavors to sample such as banana vanilla cinnamon, jalapeno lime, bacon, maple syrup, and more.
Tourists who visit Topper’s Rhum distillery in St. Maarten 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). Topper’s Rhum Distillery is open Every day from 8:30 am to 10 pm.
6. Soak up the sun at Mullet Bay
Mullet Bay is one of the most popular beaches on the entire island of St. Maarten and is a favorite among those who visit the island and even locals. Mullet Bay is known for its breathtaking scenery that includes crystal clear water and powdery white sand which is surrounded by lush green palm trees. Mullet Bay Beach is protected by small coves along the beach which makes it the perfect location to enjoy laying on the beach while enjoying the cool shade.
Entry onto Mullet Bay is free. There are many vendors on the beach who sell snacks and meals for those to enjoy while lounging on the beach. The beach is also surrounded by an 18-hole golf course for those who would like to enjoy an afternoon golfing. Many enjoy memorable activities such as swimming, playing beach volleyball, jet skiing, and more on Mullet Bay Beach. A day at Mullet Bay Beach will surely be a memorable time for families, couples, or even solo travelers who choose to visit.
7. Make your own perfume
One of the most memorable and unique experiences available for tourists to enjoy while in St. Martin is making their own perfume at Tijon Parfumerie. Tijon Parfumerie is located in the town of Grand Case, French Saint Martin. At Tijon Parfumerie tourists can make their own custom fragrances and have them made into a perfume, cologne, lotion, massage oil, or linen mist. This is a great way to express creativity and make memories on your trip to Saint Martin.
At Tijon Parfumerie there is a perfume-making class where the staff guides each visitor through selecting their scents from 300 different oils and then crafting them into their very own fragrance. No experience is necessary, lab coats are provided, and each guest has the ability to make 3 different fragrances. Each class is 60 to 90 minutes. The prices of the perfume-making classes range from $99 to $165 (€85 to €142) per person. Tijon Parfumerie is open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
8. Wander around St. Maarten’s capital, Philipsburg
Philipsburg is one of the top places where tourists love to explore during their trips to St. Maarten. Philipsburg is the capital city of Dutch Sint Maarten and the most populated city on the entire island. Philipsburg has many exciting and memorable activities for tourists to enjoy such as visiting the nearby Great Bay Beach, walking the boardwalk, shopping on Front Street, having a delicious meal at one of the restaurants in town, and more.
Philipsburg is home to “Great Bay Beach” which is one of the most popular beaches on the island of St. Maarten. This beach is 2 miles (3.2 km) long and has a plethora of watersports and beach activities for tourists to enjoy such as jet skiing, parasailing, surfing, sailing, and more. There are also wonderful museums and historical influences in Philipsburg such as the heritage museum, churches, Fort Amsterdam, the famous courthouse, and more. Front Street is known for its duty-free shopping where tourists have the opportunity to buy different products such as alcohol, cigars, clothing, art, perfume, jewelry, and more for a discounted rate.
Philipsburg is also home to the cruise port of St. Maarten. This port receives thousands of cruise ship passengers every day who are looking to soak in the sights of Philipsburg and get a taste of the culture of St. Maarten before reboarding their ships. Even in the short time the cruise ship passengers spend on the island, they will make memories in Philipsburg that will last a lifetime.
9. Enjoy a sunset sail
A trip to Saint Martin wouldn’t be complete without taking in the magnificent views and stunning sunsets on the island. One of the most popular ways to do this is by taking a sunset sail. There are many tours and excursions that are available so that visitors can experience this. Most of the sunset sail tour boats depart from Simpson Bay and Phillipsburg in Dutch Sint Maarten. These tours are perfect for couples, families, and anyone looking to enjoy the beautiful golden orange sunsets.
The prices of these Sunset Sail tours range from $55 to $150 (€47 to €129) per person. These sunset sail tours usually last from 2 to 6 hours and some of them even offer dinner and delicious cocktails to enjoy while soaking in the sunset on the boat or catamaran. Some tours also feature onboard dance parties which are perfect for groups to enjoy while cruising along the coastline. This is an unforgettable experience that will definitely have you planning your return trip to St. Maarten.
10. Explore the pretty French side of Saint 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. Many of the towns in St. Maarten are very quaint and scenic with many brightly colored buildings, charming restaurants, and fancy boutiques lining the streets.
Some memorable and exciting places to visit on the French side of the island of Saint Martin are Fort Louis, the Marigot market, the Roland Richardson Gallery, Tijon Parfumerie, Grand Case, Baie Rouge, Orient Bay, and Anse Marcel Beach. All of the art, shopping, delicious food, historical sites, and beautiful scenery and beaches make the French side of Saint Martin more than worthy of exploring during your stay in St. Martin.
11. Island hop around the Caribbean
There are many amazing islands surrounding the island of St. Maarten that can provide tourists with memorable experiences during their trip. St. Maarten is a popular spot in the Caribbean for those who enjoy island hopping due to its proximity to islands such as Anguilla, St. Barths, and Saba.
Many tourists take either public ferries, rent yachts, or book a tour on a sailboat to be able to reach these islands. While on these islands tourists can engage in plenty of activities such as swimming at the beach, snorkeling, shopping, jet skiing, and enjoying the fine cuisine of the local islands.
The cost to travel to different islands from St. Maarten usually ranges from $40 to $50 (€40 to €50). Some even choose to take an airplane from the local airports of St. Maarten to visit islands like Anguilla, St. Barths, and Saba. These flights can be taken from the local airport in Grand Case, Saint Martin, or the Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten.
What are the best places to visit in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin?
There are many incredible places while visiting the beautiful island of Sint Maarten / Saint Martin. Ten of the best places to see in Sint Maarten / Saint Martin are listed below.
- Fort Louis
- Loterie Farm
- Seaside Nature Park
- Friar’s Bay
- Grand Case
- Pinel Island
- Maho Beach
- Orient Bay
- Red Bay
- Cupecoy Beach
What are the best places to do sailing, yachting, and boat tours in St. Martin?
Taking a sailing, yacht, or boat tour in St. Maarten is one of the most memorable things that someone visiting the island can enjoy. Some of the best places to do sailing, yacht, or boat tours are listed below.
- St. Maarten Charters: St. Maarten Charters visits points of interest on the island such as Mullet Bay, Pirates Cove, and more. Guests can enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and enjoying time on the beach. This is an intimate catamaran that can host 16 people on board. The price for this tour is $125 (€125) plus $6 (€6) in Marine Park fees.
- Boomerang Boat Charters: This is a tour of the island of Anguilla on a private charter. The tour costs $130 (€130) per person.
- Anguilla Day Trip from St. Maarten: This tour is a full day trip from St. Maarten that stops at Prickly Pear Cay where tourists can enjoy snorkeling and viewing tropical and colorful fish. The tour includes lunch and is $145 (€145) per person.
- Tropical Catamaran Snorkeling, Sailing, and Happy Day: A wonderful tour for lovers of the outdoors where snorkeling, swimming, and sailing are available. Tourists can swim with sea turtles and tropical fish and visit Pinel Island. This tour costs $122 (€122) per person.
- Celine Charters: This tour is on a beautiful catamaran that has two trampolines in the front where tourists can lounge and enjoy the beautiful views. This catamaran has a capacity for 45 people and the price is $215 (€215) per person.
What are some fun activities to do in St. Martin / St. Maarten?
There are many fun activities to do in St. Maarten. Some of the fun things to do in St. Martin / St. Maarten are listed below.
- Snorkeling: Snorkeling is one of the most exciting and adventurous activities to participate in while visiting St. Maarten. The best beaches for snorkeling in Saint Martin are Cupecoy Beach, Kim Sha Beach, Mullet Bay Beach, Little Bay Beach, Indigo Beach, Baie Rouge, Tintamarre Island, Pinel Island, Friar’s Bay Beach, and Happy Bay Beach. Snorkel gear is available to rent on most hotels and beaches throughout St. Martin. 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.
- Scuba Diving: Maarten is one of the best scuba diving spots in the entire Caribbean. Tourists love the exciting experience of exploring underwater shipwrecks and swimming 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 St. Martin are Gregory Wreck, Creole Rock, The Maze, The Fish Bowl, Carib Cargo, Proselyte, The Bridge, La Renee Shipwreck, Fuh Sheng, and Turtle Reef.
- Ziplining: Saint Martin is home to the steepest zipline in the entire world called “The Flying Dutchman Zipline”. The Flying Dutchman Zipline is located in Rockland Estate Eco-Park in southern Dutch Sint Maarten. 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. 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.
- Watching Planes at Maho Beach: Maho Beach is a must-see spot in St. Maarten. On this beach, it is possible to see airplanes flying directly overhead and landing on the runway just behind the beach. Maho Beach is fairly small and often gets quite busy and full of tourists, most usually spending 30 minutes to an hour here. Many tourists like to take pictures of airplanes, admire the incredible sights and feel the force of airplanes and jets taking off into the sky one after the other. Entry onto Maho Beach is free.
- Visiting the French Town of Marigot: The French town of Marigot is a very lovely and memorable town in St. Martin. Marigot is the capital city of the French side of St. Martin and 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 a place where tourists can make wonderful memories.
- Visiting the 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. 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. 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).
- Making Customized Perfume at Tijon Parfumerie: 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 fragrances. This is a great way to express your creativity, remember your trip to Saint Martin and it’s a great souvenir to bring home for a loved one. Each class is 60 to 90 minutes. The prices of the perfume-making classes range from $99 to $165 (€85 to €142) per person.
What are the points of interest in St. Martin / St. Maarten?
There are many different places in Saint Martin / Sint Maarten that tourists will find interesting. Some of the major points of interest in St. Maarten are listed below.
- Maho Beach
- David’s Hole
- Happy Bay Beach
- Cupecoy Beach
- Fort Louis
- Fort Amsterdam
- The Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit
- Pic Paradis
- Front Street
- Loterie Farm
- Seaside Nature Park
- The Marigot Market
- Orient Bay Beach
- Great Bay Beach
- Grand Case Beach
What are the memorable things to do in St. Martin / St. Maarten with the family?
Families can make amazing memories when visiting St. Maarten. Some of the exciting and memorable things to do in St. Martin / St. Maarten with the family are listed below.
- Watching the Planes land at Maho Beach
- Going Ziplining
- Snorkeling
- Visiting Fort Louis
- Visiting Seaside Nature Park
- Scuba Diving
- Visiting Pinel island
- Visiting Friar’s Bay Beach
- Jet skiing
- Taking a sailing tour
What are the approximate prices in St. Martin / St. Maarten?
The cost of living in St. Maarten is relatively high when compared with other countries in the Caribbean. The average expense for one person to live on the island of Saint Martin is $1,500 (€1,473) per month, excluding rent. Additionally, the average cost of rent in St. Martin ranges from $900 to $2,200 (€883 to €2,160) per month. The average utility cost in Sint Maarten for utilities such as water, heat, gas, garbage, and electricity cost approximately $224 (€223.82) in total per month.
What are the most memorable beaches in St. Maarten?
The island of St. Maarten has 37 beaches in total. Many of the beaches in St. Maarten can provide families, couples, and solo travelers with a memorable experience. Many of the beaches on the island feature fun activities for beachgoers to engage in such as jet skiing, parasailing, banana boating, playing beach volleyball, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and more. Some of the best beaches in St. Maarten for memorable activities are listed below.
- Simpson Bay Beach
- Maho Beach
- Mullet Bay Beach
- Tintamarre Island
- Cupecoy Beach
- Orient Beach
- Dawn Beach
- Guana Bay Beach
- Baie Rouge
- Grand Case Beach
- Little Bay Beach
- Indigo Bay Beach
- Geneve Bay Beach
- Happy Bay Beach
- Pinel Island
- Kim Sha Beach
- Happy Bay Beach
- Little Bay Beach
- Grand Case Beach
- Burgeaux Beach
What are the most memorable islands near St. Maarten?
St. Maarten is located in the Caribbean sea next to many nearby islands that tourists enjoy visiting during their stay in St. Martin. Many of the nearby islands to visit near St. Martin are very easy to visit from St. Maarten and are an easy way for tourists to make amazing memories during their trip. Some of the most memorable islands that are located near St. Maarten are listed below.
- Anguilla
- Saba
- St. Barthelemy
- St. Lucia
- Pinel Island
- Tintamarre Island
Does St. Martin have waterfalls?
No, St. Maarten does not have waterfalls. St. Maarten is an island with a dry terrain that has very few natural rivers or streams. Fresh water is quite sparse on the island. However, St. Maarten is known for its beautiful beaches and lush green mountains.
Is St. Maarten expensive to visit?
No, Sint Maarten is not considered an expensive place to visit. The island is popular for being entirely duty-free. Tourists who visit have the opportunity to buy items at a lesser cost than in comparison with other countries. The average cost for a night at a hotel in St. Maarten ranges between $131 to $235. The prices of meals in St. Maarten range between $3 to $20 (€3 to €19.98) per person, on average.
What are the things to eat in St. Maarten?
There are so many delicious foods that tourists can enjoy during their trip to St. Maarten. Some of the best things to eat while in St. Maarten are listed below.
- Callaloo
- Spare Ribs
- Codfish Fritters
- Conch and Dumplings
- Crabmeat Stuffed Shells (Crab Backs)
- Guavaberry Liqueur
- Whelk Soup
- Spare Ribs
- Johnny Cakes
- Locri