Welcome to St-Martin & Sint Maarten
The world's smallest area of land divided into two nations, this half-French, half-Dutch island's fascinating cultural mix incorporates a rich African heritage and 120 different nationalities speaking 80-plus languages, giving rise to some of the finest cuisine in the Caribbean.
Top experiences in St-Martin & Sint Maarten
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St-Martin & Sint Maarten activities
St Maarten Shore Excursion: Orient, Maho Beach Half-Day Tour
When your cruise ship docks at the Philipsburg cruise port on St Maarten, meet your friendly guide for your half-day shore excursion to the island’s best beaches. Enjoy complimentary refreshments aboard your air-conditioned van or coach as you head to Orient Bay Beach. At St Maarten’s longest beach, equipped with complete tourist amenities, you’ll find a wide selection of beach bars and restaurants within easy reach.Take a dip into the clear waters of the Caribbean or consider more active water sports, such as jet skiing, sailing, paragliding or kids’ activities available (own expense). After two hours at beautiful Orient Bay Beach, your guide will transport your group to Maho Beach, known for its proximity to Princess Juliana International Airport and the planes that fly close overhead.Settle in at Maho Beach around midday, just in time to see large aircraft arriving at the nearby airport. Enjoy lunch at Sunset Beach Bar and Grill (own expense) while you listen to the live feed from the control tower. Then, watch airplanes loom overhead as they approach the runway, and feel the tremble of the jet blasts from departing flights.With approximately two hours to spend at Maho Beach, relax in the cool Caribbean breeze or stroll along the pure white sand and get lost in the rhythm of crashing waves on the rocks that rise off the coast. Your guide will transfer you back to the cruise terminal when you’ve achieved official status as a St Maarten beach bum!Worry-free Shore Excursion:We will ensure your timely return to the Philipsburg port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
St Maarten Shore Excursion: Island Tour from Philipsburg
When your cruise ship docks in Philipsburg port, meet your guide for your St Maarten shore excursion, and get ready to explore the highlights of this Caribbean treasure. You’ll experience both sides of this Dutch- and French-colonial island, which covers just 37 square miles (60 square km) in the Lesser Antilles, and stop at scenic spots along the way. First, head to the north end of the island, on the French side, to one of its most serene and remarkable beaches, Grand Case Beach, where you can stroll along the pure white shore. Swim or sunbathe, stretching out on the soft sand as you marvel at the turquoise water that sparkles in the tropical sunlight. Then, in the Caribbean’s gourmet capital, Grand Case, you’ll find a diverse selection of local cuisine. Try a traditional dish such as a scrumptious Johnny Cake – a fried cornmeal pancake – for lunch (own expense), or sample guavaberry rum punch (a tasty rum drink made from the island berries) or sip a soda or beer on the beach (one drink included). Then, head to Marigot, the charming capital of St-Martin, and take in the French atmosphere where shops line the colonial streets and an open-air bazaar surrounds the central square. Next, your guide will take you back to the Dutch side to Maho Beach, where you can watch planes approach at a close distance as they land at the adjacent Princess Juliana International Airport. Your shore excursion ends with a drive past Simpson Bay on your return to the cruise port. If you wish, you may request to be dropped off in Philipsburg to explore on your own instead of being dropped off at the port. If you do so, however, the worry-free shore excursion policy no longer applies; see Additional Information for details. Worry-free Shore Excursion: We will ensure your timely return to the Philipsburg port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
St-Martin and St. Maarten: Dutch and French Sides Tour
No matter which sightseeing option you choose, you’ll experience a blend of St Martin's colonial past with its modern present as you visit both sides of the Caribbean island, settled by the Dutch and the French in the 1600s. As you tour the island with your guide, learn how the two sides joined forces against the Spanish, dividing the 37-square-mile (60-square-km) island almost equally between them into Dutch St Maarten and French St-Martin.After pickup from your Philipsburg hotel, venture first to Grand Case Beach, one of the most tranquil and beautiful of St Martin's coastline. Here, on the north end of the French side, walk along the crystal-white sand and admire the pristine, clear blue water that mirrors the sky. Sunbathe, swim or stroll at your leisure, basking in the tropical sun.The visit the village of Grand Case, where you can try guavaberry rum punch or simply enjoy a soda or beer. If you choose, dine on a local dish, such as chicken legs or Johnny Cake – a fried cornmeal pancake – for lunch (own expense).Next, head to the quaint village of Marigot. Delight in the European ambiance of the town, where colonial streets lined with shops and the open-air bazaar offer plenty of duty-free shopping opportunities if you’re interested.Then, visit Maho Beach and hold your breath as you watch airplanes fly close above as they approach the runway at nearby Princess Juliana International Airport. Your tour ends with a drive through Simpson Bay on your return to your hotel.
Anguilla Catamaran Sail Day Trip from St Maarten with Lunch
Any trip to St Maarten would not be complete without a daytrip to the gorgeous and unspoiled island of sun and sand - "Anguilla", and her unparalleled sister - "Prickly Pear Cay". Come sail on Lambada... and spend the day relaxing, partying, swimming, snorkeling and making vacation memories. Anguilla & Prickly Pear - Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursdays and Fridays Sail to Prickly Pear for snorkeling and swimming, then head to a beach on Anguilla for lunch (Tuesdays and Thursdays is lunch at Prickly Pear and a beach for the afternoon in Anguilla). Pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters will take your breath away. Good to know: Lambada is a great choice for families with children, couples and party groups. Lunches are a choice of BBQ chicken, fish or ribs with salads and rice and peas. There is a dinghy that transports people to the beach if you do not swim or prefer to be transported with your bag. We advise you to bring extra cash along for additional drinks at the restaurant. Climbing in and out of dinghies should be possible for you if you wish to enjoy this trip. Occasionally weather or high seas may change our intended destination. We have many other beautiful places to visit on Anguilla...join us for a fun day out. Day trips are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday. Check in at 8am with passports, for a 9am departure out of the Simpson Bay Resort Marina. Lambada returns at 4:45pm. Schedule is subject to change
St Maarten Shore Excursion: Snorkeling and Speed Boat Tour
Your 6-hour shore excursion in St Maarten departs from Dock Maarten Chesterfield Wharf at 10am. Meet your friendly captain and crew aboard the speedboat and hang on for a thrilling ride! You’ll enjoy unlimited access to beer, soda and water from the open bar on board.As your boat picks up speed, glide toward the Simpson Bay Bridge on the island’s Dutch side to view yachts and villas on display in the Caribbean’s largest lagoon where you can see all the big mega yachts parked . Make a brief stop to admire the cafés lining the Marina Royale in Marigot, capital of the French Saint-Martin. View the historic Ft Louis and French flag overlooking the town from the opposite side, where you’ll find private sailing boats anchored in the bay. It’s a short ride to Friars Bay, known for its full moon parties, and the more sheltered Happy Bay. Your captain will stop at Tintamarre Island for an unforgettable opportunity to swim with sea turtles in the marine reserve. Stretch out on the incredibly white beach after you snorkel in the tranquil waters.Re-board your boat for Pinel Island, where you can sit in the shallow water with a refreshing beverage. Enjoy a hot lunch served at a restaurant on the sun-drenched Yellow Beach. If you’d like, hike around the tiny island to explore sandy shores and isolated rock pools, whose crystal-clear waters are protected from pounding surf.After approximately one hour at Pinel Island, ride to Creole Rock, located in the middle of the Bay of Grand Case. This marine reserve is the island’s best-kept secret, where sea life abounds in the shallow water. After a snorkel stop for an undersea adventure, cruise around the island, passing the red rock cliffs of Bay Rouge and the mansions of Terre Basse. You’ll have the opportunity to feed the fish in the turquoise waters of Long Bay while keeping an eye out for any celebrities on the golden sands of the exclusive La Samanna Resort.Next, be sure to have your camera ready to photograph planes directly overhead as aircraft come in for a landing at nearby Princess Juliana Airport. It’s just a short ride back around Simpson Bay to admire 150-foot (45-meter) mega yachts before arriving back at Dock Maarten Chesterfields Wharf.Worry-free Shore Excursion:We will ensure your excursion ends with ample time for you to return to the St Maarten port for your ship’s departure. In the extremely unlikely event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Shared Arrival Transfer: St Maarten Airport to Hotel
You'll be met at the airport and taken directly to your hotel in St Maarten/St Martin in either a 15-seat van or 21-seat coach (depending on the group size). An English-speaking representative will greet you when you clear airport customs and your vacation can start! When making a booking, you'll need to advise your flight details and your St Maarten/St Martin hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.Please see below or under the 'view additional info' tab for a full hotel list.