St. Maarten

Background

Sint Maarten is the Dutch portion of the island St. Martin/St. Maarten in the Caribbean Sea. St. Maarten is 34 square kilometers in size, which is smaller than French St. Martin, yet the population of St. Maarten is actually larger. This might be due to the fact that St. Maarten is known for its upbeat and entertaining atmosphere as opposed to St. Martin's subdued, elegant vibe. Princess Juliana Airport in St. Maarten serves the international travelling set and also provides amusement for those on the ground; the short runway makes for some really exciting landings! Once in St. Maarten, visitors normally rent cars to get around the island though bikes are also available. If you intend to fully investigate what makes St. Maarten a real draw, then read the following descriptions of St. Maarten's top attractions.

Sunset Bar & Grill. This is a top bar on Maho Beach at the end of St. Maarten International Airport. People come here to check out the crab races, the live entertainment, and the spectacles in aviation as planes take off and land. The Ally Nightclub & Lounge. This is the spot for a dance party with lots of people. A whole range of music can be heard here, which may be why the locals enjoy this place as much as tourists.

Atlantis World Casino. This casino in Cupecoy features a 'Gourmet Village' that covers all cultures and appetites. There are 400 slot machines here as well as Baccarat, Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, and more. Atlantis is open 24 hours so you'll also have time to place sport bets in front of one of the many plasma screens.

Plenty of activities

St. Maarten's recreational activities include horseback riding, biking, hiking, tennis, or even golf at Mullet Bay's 18 hole course. The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, four days of offshore racing followed up by a land-based party with live entertainment. The race takes places in the early spring each year. And don;t forget Carnival season! St. Maarten's Carnival festivities are what you've come to expect of any substantial annual party being held in the Caribbean: parades, costumes, concerts, and all of it on or near the beach!

The St. Maarten Heritage Museum spotlights elements of life that are important to understanding St. Maarten. Exhibits showcase the Amerindians, the colonial times, and the natural environment. See Fort Amsterdam and Fort Willem for living history as well as Philipsburg, the main city and capital, that perfectly illustrates Dutch cultural influence. Get up close to nature at St. Maarten Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens which are a great stop on the grand tour. Take time to appreciate St. Maarten's terrestrial treasures before heading to the beach for aquatic adventure.

Beaches

Beaches are an attraction in themselves. St. Maarten offers a few choice locations to spread out your beach towel and enjoy the island while relaxing. First of all, Cupecoy Beach deserves mention as St. Maarten's only au natural beach. Cupecoy is the site of sandstone cliffs and cozy caves. Then there's Burgeaux Bay at the west end of Simpson Bay. It is within walking distance of Maho Village. Simpson Bay Beach is near the airport and has a crescent-shaped harbor that holds extravagant yachts. Great Bay Beach has a fun boardwalk and is quite family friendly. You can find food, drinks, and plenty of street vendors here. Last but not least, Point Blanche is a local secret you might want in on. Pick up some authentic barbecue from a roadside lolo (grill) on your way so that you fit right in.

St. Maarten provides the perfect balance to St. Martin, and together they make a wonderful, peaceful destination. St. Maarten is festive with good beaches, fine jewelry (duty free shopping!), plenty of casinos, and exotic drinks. Be sure to try the local liquor, which is rum-based and made with guavaberries. All of the action on St. Maarten can be overwhelming, but a sip of an island special cocktail ought to put you in just the spirit to make those important decisions.

Visit the local St. Maarten home page

Visit another page about St Maarten.

St Maarten yacht charter

Neighboring islands in the Leeward islands

With over 1400 charter yachts in our charter yacht database online, and many more unlisted yachts accessible to us. We are the ultimate in choice and personal attention in the yacht charter industry, the ONLY yacht charter company you need to contact to explore these islands the best way possible - by water!

Contact us to learn more about these islands and yacht charter in general.

 

Not sure what you can do on land on different islands? we can help! Click one of the following links to read more; Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Nevis & St. Kitts, St. Martin, St. Maarten, St. Barts.