St Martin/St. Maarten, also known as “The Friendly Island”, lies around 350 km east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. The French part is called Saint-Martin and the Dutch part St. Maarten.
- The French part of the island is known for its wild beaches, markets, fashion and upscale restaurants. The island has a Franco-Caribbean ambience.
- The Dutch part of the island is more of a party zone. It’s known for its casinos, nightlife, rum drinks, duty-free shopping and beautiful beaches.
The island’s international airport, Princess Juliana International Airport, is on the Dutch side, near Philipsburg, the capital of Saint-Martin. You can travel freely between the two sides of the island without any controls.
Here are the best things to do to discover this fascinating island:
Relax, party and enjoy fine food at a beach club in Grand Case, Saint-Martin
With 37 beaches, the island of Saint-Martin is a dream jewel. One of the most popular beaches is Grand Case. Located on the leeward (sheltered) side of the island, this kilometer-long crescent is one of Saint-Martin’s best beaches for swimming.
The turquoise water is generally calm. The golden sand is so thick that your feet sink almost ankle-deep as you stroll along. You’ll find beach clubs with a great atmosphere, where you can rent a deckchair facing the sea and enjoy fresh produce.
The French part of the island is known for its sophisticated, friendly beach clubs (and Grand Case is home to some of the trendiest!) You’ll meet all sorts of interesting people here: beautiful young women sipping champagne, gray-haired Rastafarians, mothers cradling young babies, children building sandcastles and a host of regulars. It’s a very family atmosphere.
Here are the best beach clubs in Grand Case, Saint-Martin. They are generally open from morning until dawn:
- Le Rainbow Café: a chic and elegant place. It serves carefully prepared dishes such as escargots en persillade.
- Captain Frenchy by Fred: the atmosphere here is more relaxed than at Rainbow Café. At 4pm, the place comes alive with DJs and cocktails.
- Les Temps des Cerises: part boutique hotel, part restaurant, part beach club, Les Temps des Cerises is another trendy spot on Grand Case beach. Music, good food, excellent service. You can’t go wrong here.
Among the best things to do in Saint-Martin: swim with turtles on Tintamarre Island
One of St. Martin’s most fun activities doesn’t take place on the island, but on the water, aboard a sailboat. It’s a day trip to the island of Tintamarre.
Stefan, the owner of Scoobidoo, has been offering day trips to St. Martin for over 25 years. He doesn’t advertise much. And he doesn’t need to, as he has many loyal customers who return year after year. His excursions on the island of Tintamarre are among the best available.
It limits group size to a maximum of 28 people (although the boat can accommodate double that number), so there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the boat and the different areas on board. And the service is excellent.
For added fun, there’s a waterslide at the stern and two huge trampolines at the bow. From February to May, humpback whales can be seen roaming the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
A must-see in the interior of Saint-Martin: visit Loterie Farm
Let’s make one thing clear from the outset: Loterie Farm is by no means a farm. There are no cows or goats, so it’s not a place where you can bring the kids to feed the animals. Nevertheless, a visit to Loterie Farm remains one of the best things to do in Saint-Martin.
We’ll tell you why:
Loterie Farm covers 400 hectares of lush land in Pic Paradis. This place is more like a beach club without a beach, but in the middle of the tropical jungle. There are cascading pools, private huts and tree houses where you can lounge with a cocktail in hand. You may even spot iguanas!
If after all that lounging around, you need an adrenaline rush, zip lines and hiking trails are at your disposal. Loterie Farm regularly organizes parties with DJs to get the party going in this lush natural setting. It’s a must-see!
Taste the West Indies and treat yourself to a rum tasting at La Part des Anges
Make your way to La Part des Anges (an exclusive venue attached to the Le Pressoir restaurant) and settle comfortably into beautiful leather armchairs. As your eyes wander around the mysterious room, you’ll be impressed by the collection of rums on display. Fortunately, the “rhumier” is on hand to guide you through your tastings.
This legendary venue offers the finest Caribbean rums. You’ll have the chance to savor one of the 130 bottles, accompanied by a Cuban cigar.
Or, for an even more incredible experience, attend a five-course rum tasting dinner that showcases the mythical spirit in every dish. While you taste the Pressoir chef’s creations, the rum expert explains the history of the liqueur, the production process and how to pair it with dishes.
Relax on the beach paradise of Orient Bay
Orient Bay Beach is one of Saint-Martin’s most popular beaches (known for its nudist section). But, almost all of its bars, restaurants and hotels were destroyed by the 2017 hurricane. Fortunately, almost all of them have now reopened.
This fine sandy beach, almost 2.5 km long, is a real beauty. The sand at Orient Beach is so fine it’s like talcum powder! Located on the windward side of the island, this beach is extremely popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. Watching them fly over the waves is a fascinating spectacle.
The beach is lined with a series of inviting beach clubs where you’ll find everything you need to liven up your day with music, cocktails and delicious food.
At the northern end, the Coco Beach Club is the most upmarket. The gazebos available to guests are absolutely comfortable! Count €40 for the rental of a deckchair, towels and a bottle of water for each person.
Bikini Beach specializes in tuna tartare and seafood. You can rent jet skis and play volleyball with friends or family on their private court.
