Saint-Martin and St. Maarten are two sides of the same coin on this island in the Caribbean Sea, not far from Guadeloupe. Although they share a border, they offer different experiences to travelers. St. Maarten stands out for its Dutch heritage, while St. Martin evokes a French-speaking setting. The choice between St. Martin and St. Maarten depends on your preferences and needs as a visitor. In this article, we give you an overview of the attractions of each island to help you make your choice.
Saint-Marteen, the part of the island belonging to the Netherlands, attracts travelers in search of the lively island atmosphere so typical of the West Indies. Home to the main cruise port and the busy Princess Juliana airport, this part of the island is renowned for its lively nightlife, numerous bars and casinos.
On the other hand, St. Martin, a French overseas department, is more suited to those seeking peace and quiet away from the crowds. This part of the island abounds in secluded beaches and romantic spots to explore.
By analyzing the particularities of each island, you’ll be better prepared to make the choice that best suits your aspirations for your next vacation.
What’s the difference between Saint-Martin and St Maarten?
Saint-Martin and St. Maarten embody a geographical singularity. They are in fact two states sharing a single island, delimited by a single border and a partition that has lasted since 1648.
St. Martin, to the north, belongs to the French sphere, while St. Maarten, to the south, is the Dutch side of the island. These two nations are fascinating because of their very different cultures and traditions.
On Saint-Martin, French is the predominant language, while on the Dutch side, in St. Maarten, Dutch dominates. However, English is widely understood throughout the archipelago. Many local residents speak it, and tourist areas are also frequented by English speakers. Despite their differences, these two nations are united by a common history and culture.
Sint Maarten vs Saint-Martin: which is the best part of this small island?
St. Maarten, on the Dutch side, is renowned for its elegant seaside resorts, while the French side is appreciated for the wild, natural beauty of its beaches.
Saint-Marteen is distinguished by its advanced development, home to a range of large-scale resorts and a vibrant nightlife.
In contrast, Saint-Martin is distinguished by its more relaxed atmosphere. The food is divine, as you’d expect from French cuisine. The French restaurants in Grand Case (the “culinary capital” of the Caribbean) will make you feel like you’re in a tropical version of Paris!
Where to find the best beaches for water sports and swimming on the Caribbean island? Saint-Martin or St. Maarten?
There’s no shortage of beautiful, crystal-clear beaches on either side of the island. Whichever you choose, you’ll be able to relax with a Guavaberry rum or a French rosé while admiring the sea from your deckchair.
Beaches of Saint-Martin, on the French side of the island
If you like secluded beaches, you’ll find your Caribbean paradise on the French side of Saint-Martin. The coastline is more unspoilt and the beaches more pristine. What’s more, this is where you’ll find wild beaches where nudism is welcome.
The most popular beach is Orient Bay. It boasts several bars where you can order delicious, refreshing cocktails.
Grand Case beach is an ideal spot if you like to relax. It’s home to some of the island’s hippest beach clubs, so you can stay for dinner, meet your friends and party. Don’t miss Le Rainbow Café, one of our favorites. It has a rooftop café and a beach club with a unique ambience.
Beaches in St. Maarten
Maho Beach is one of St. Maarten’s most popular beaches. It’s diametrically opposed to the calm waters and secluded beaches of Saint-Martin. An ultra-touristy destination, it’s clearly a great place to spend a day (or more). Maho beach is just across from the international airport, where you’ll see the impressive spectacle of huge planes landing just above the town, kicking up sand and sending beach towels flying!
In addition to this tourist attraction, the white sandy beaches on the Dutch side of the island are no match for those on the French side.
Mullet Bay is known for its stretches of white sand and sparkling turquoise sea, and offers plenty of water sports activities to make the most of this sublime location. Kalatua is a trendy new beach club well worth a visit.
If you love sunsets, head to Cupecoy Beach, on the east coast, to sip a cocktail on the cliffside and enjoy the sunset at the end of the day.
Saint-Martin or St. Maarten: which is the better choice for activities?
Of course, on both sides of the island of Saint-Martin, there’s a wide range of activities on offer – see for yourself:
Things to do in St. Martin (French side):
- Create your own perfume at Tijon perfumery.
- Sail to Tintamarre Island and snorkel with the turtles.
- Visit Loterie Farm, which isn’t a farm, but rather a beach club without a beach and in the middle of the jungle.
- Rum tasting at La Part des Anges.
- Spend a quiet day at Friar’s Bay beach.
- Enjoy French food in Grand Case.
- Take a trip to the uninhabited island of Pinel.
- Enjoy windsurfing or kite surfing at Orient Beach.
- Enjoy a lobster feast on Friday evenings at L’Astrolabe.
- Live like a Robinson on the secluded beach of Anse Marcel.
- Hike to the island’s highest point, Pic Paradis.
- Admire the sunset at the aptly named Sunset Café.
- Eat at a lolo (a casual open-air restaurant serving tasty local dishes).
Things to do in St. Maarten (Dutch side):
- Go scuba diving in Saba.
- Try your luck at Casino Royale.
- Duty-free shopping in the capital, Philipsburg.
- Kayak among Simpson Bay’s mega-yachts.
- Take a day trip to Saint-Barthélemy, a glamorous island.
- Hike the Fort Willem Hill trail for a bird’s-eye view of Fort Amsterdam, Oyster Bay and the harbor.
- Climb aboard a real America’s Cup sailboat and take part in a regatta.
- Get your adrenalin pumping on the world’s steepest zip line.
- Snorkel the reef at Mullet Bay beach.
- Climb aboard a sailboat or catamaran for a snorkeling cruise, lunch or dinner around the island.
