St Maarten and Saint-Martin are one island with two personalities — a Dutch south and a French north — and the best visit sees both. Below is a practical, locally grounded guide to the island’s best experiences, ordered so you can plan a day, a port stop, or a full week without wasting a minute.
Why St Maarten Rewards a Little Planning
The island is only about 37 square miles (96 km²) — you can drive from the Dutch capital of Philipsburg to the French capital of Marigot in half an hour outside rush hour. That small size is exactly why planning matters: the good stuff is spread across both sides, and the roads around Simpson Bay and the causeway get busy when a cruise ship or two is in port. Knowing what you want to see first, and in which order, is the difference between a relaxed day and a frantic one.
Saint-Martin (French) and Sint Maarten (Dutch) share the island but not the government, the currency, or the vibe. The Dutch side has Philipsburg, the cruise port, the international airport, and most of the resort and nightlife energy. The French side has Marigot, Grand Case, Orient Bay, and the island’s best food. If you only see one side, you have seen half an island.
The Classic St Maarten Experiences
1. Maho Beach plane spotting
Maho Beach on the Dutch side sits directly under the approach to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), one of the most photographed runways in the world. When large jets land on runway 10, they pass low over the sand — close enough that the beach shakes. The Sunset Bar & Grill at the end of the runway posts daily arrival times, and the biggest aircraft tend to arrive in the early afternoon. Go for the spectacle, stay for the beach bar, and keep your hat on: jet blast behind departing planes is genuinely dangerous and the airport-side fence is there for a reason.
2. A catamaran or boat day
Water is where St Maarten shines. Catamaran cruises sail to snorkel spots, calm bays, and sometimes out toward Tintamarre or Pinel island. Half-day and full-day options leave from both Simpson Bay (Dutch side) and Oyster Pond and the French-side marinas. A catamaran day is the single best way to see the island’s coastline and get in the water without a long drive.
3. Snorkeling at Tintamarre and Pinel
Tintamarre is an uninhabited island off the French coast with reef, turtles, and a stranded-shipwreck vibe; Pinel is a small, sheltered island reachable by a short ferry from Cul-de-Sac and famous for its iguanas and shallow turquoise water. Small-group snorkel trips that combine both (plus sea turtles) are among the highest-rated activities on the island.
4. French-side food and culture
Grand Case is the culinary capital of the Caribbean side of the island — a strip of restaurants on a bay, with roadside lolos (barbecue shacks) serving ribs, chicken, and johnny cakes at the northern end. Marigot, the French capital, has an open-air market, a harbour full of ferries to Anguilla and St Barths, and Fort Louis looking down over the lagoon. A cultural food or walking tour here is the fastest way to understand the island’s dual identity.
5. Island sightseeing tours
If you want to cover a lot in a few hours, a guided island tour hits the highlights — Maho Beach, Marigot, Grand Case, a rum distillery or two, and viewpoints such as Bell’s Lookout. These tours are especially good for cruise passengers with a fixed port window because the driver handles the roads and the timing.
6. ATV, UTV and jet ski adventures
Land adventure on St Maarten usually means ATV or UTV tours that loop both sides of the island, often including the airport-beach stretch at Maho. On the water, jet ski tours run along the coast to quieter coves, with a guide leading small groups.
7. The Soualiga Sky Explorer and zipline
The Sky Explorer chairlift climbs Sentry Hill (Cole Bay) for panoramic 360° views over the island, and the Flying Dutchman zipline sends you back down at speed. It is the signature thrill ride on the Dutch side and pairs well with a stop at Topper’s Rhum nearby.
8. Beaches for every mood
Orient Bay (French) for water sports and a lively day; Grand Case (French) for calm swimming and dinner; Mullet Bay and Simpson Bay (Dutch) for locals’ favourites near the airport; Baie Rouge (French) for a quieter, more dramatic cove; Dawn Beach (Dutch) for snorkeling over the reef on calm days.
How to Plan Your Day — Three Ready-Made Plans
Cruise port day (roughly 6 hours ashore)
From the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Facility in Philipsburg, take a shore excursion that combines the Dutch and French sides with Maho Beach, or choose a boat/snorkel trip if you would rather be on the water. Leave time for the Philipsburg boardwalk and Front Street shopping before the last call.
Resort day (full day)
Morning catamaran or snorkel trip; lunch on the water; afternoon in Grand Case or Orient Bay on the French side; sunset back at Maho Beach for the evening arrivals.
Two-day visit
Day one: Dutch side — Philipsburg, Maho, Sky Explorer, Topper’s Rhum. Day two: French side — Marigot market, Grand Case lunch, Orient Bay swim, or an Anguilla/St Barths day trip by ferry.
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Practical Tips
Currency
The Dutch side uses the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG); the French side uses the euro. US dollars are widely accepted everywhere, usually at a fair rate. Bring small notes for markets and lolos.
Getting around
Taxis are fixed-rate from the cruise port; rental cars give you freedom but mind the roundabouts on the Dutch side. Ferries to Anguilla leave from Marigot; to St Barths from Marigot or Oyster Pond.
Language
English is spoken almost everywhere. Dutch is common on the Dutch side, French on the French side; a friendly “bonjour” in Marigot goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one thing to do in St Maarten?
For most first-time visitors it is Maho Beach plane spotting, followed by a catamaran or boat day. Cruise passengers usually rank a combined Dutch-and-French island tour highest because it fits the port window.
Are St Maarten and Saint-Martin the same island?
Yes — one island, two countries. St Maarten (Sint Maarten) is the Dutch southern half; Saint-Martin is the French northern half. You can cross freely between them.
Can you see both sides of the island in one day?
Yes. A half-day island tour, or a self-drive loop, comfortably covers Philipsburg, Maho, Marigot and Grand Case.
Is St Maarten good for a cruise stop?
It is one of the best cruise ports in the Caribbean for shore excursions, with beaches, boat trips, and island tours all reachable within a typical port day. See our cruise port guide for timing.
Where to Book
Start with our St Maarten tours and experiences hub to compare categories at a glance. For water days, browse catamaran cruises and snorkeling and diving. For port days, see shore excursions and the best St Maarten excursions overview. Land adventures live under adventure tours, and food and culture under food & culture. Beach plans are all in beaches & day trips.
Every experience is bookable through our trusted Viator partner widget, with live availability and instant confirmation. Popular bookable picks include the small-group catamaran day sail, the Topper’s Rhum distillery tour, and the Marigot cultural food tour.
Ready to plan? Browse the full catalogue on our tours page and lock in your date before the popular afternoon slots fill up.
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