About St. Maarten / St. Martin
St. Maarten / St. Martin is the smallest landmass in the world divided between two sovereign nations — the Dutch kingdom's Sint Maarten on the south, and the French Republic's Saint-Martin on the north. There's no border check. The two sides have genuinely different personalities. Dutch Sint Maarten (Philipsburg, Simpson Bay, the cruise port) is busier, more commercial, and home to Maho Beach — the one where Boeing 737s roar over your head as they land at Princess Juliana Airport. French Saint-Martin (Marigot, Grand Case, Orient Bay) is quieter, more food-focused (Grand Case calls itself the gourmet capital of the Caribbean and isn't entirely wrong), and its beaches include Orient Bay's lively stretch and the quieter Baie Rouge.
foodies (French side)shoppers (Dutch side)couplesfirst-time Caribbean visitors wanting variety in a small place
Top Things to Do in St. Maarten / St. Martin
St. Maarten
All-Inclusive Local Guided Pinel Island Tour
5.0
(84 reviews)6h
From$159.00
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St. Maarten
Luxury Catamaran Private Charter in St. Maarten/St. Martin
5.0
(52 reviews)7h 30m
From$598.75
View details →
St. Maarten
St.Martin-St.Maarten: Small Group, Birding / Bird Watching Tour
5.0
(43 reviews)4h
From$129.00
View details →Don't Miss
Maho Beach
The famous beach where jets land 50 feet overhead at Princess Juliana Airport.
Orient Bay
The French side's most famous beach, known for its lively atmosphere.
Grand Case
The self-proclaimed gourmet capital of the Caribbean — a village of restaurants.
Philipsburg
The Dutch capital, with duty-free shopping and the cruise port.
Pinel Island
Small car-free island reached by a 5-minute ferry from the French side.
All Tours & Activities
30 activities in St. Maarten / St. Martin
St. Maarten
All-Inclusive Local Guided Pinel Island Tour
5.0
(84 reviews)6h
From$159.00
View details →St. Maarten
Luxury Catamaran Private Charter in St. Maarten/St. Martin
5.0
(52 reviews)7h 30m
From$598.75
View details →St. Maarten
St.Martin-St.Maarten: Small Group, Birding / Bird Watching Tour
5.0
(43 reviews)4h
From$129.00
View details →
St. Maarten
Caribbean Sip'n'Cook Cooking Class in Sint Maarten
5.0
(41 reviews)4h
From$135.00
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St. Maarten
Cristal Half Day Friendly Island Snorkeling Tour
5.0
(24 reviews)3h 15m
From$99.00
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St. Maarten
UTV / ATV Famous Beach Ride (for Cruise Passengers)
5.0
(24 reviews)3h 30m
From$120.00
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St. Maarten
Mojito - Full Day Private Catamaran Cruise - St Maarten
5.0
(19 reviews)8h
From$1100.00
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St. Maarten
Full Day Anguilla Private Charter Tour
5.0
(17 reviews)8h
From$1732.66
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St. Maarten
Full-Day Private Luxury Yacht Tour in Anguilla
5.0
(17 reviews)7h 30m
From$1850.00
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St. Maarten
Private Charter from St Martin to St Barth
5.0
(16 reviews)8h
From$2100.00
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St. Maarten
St Maarten Family Deluxe Tour
5.0
(14 reviews)6h
From$160.00
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St. Maarten
Private kitesurfing lesson
5.0
(14 reviews)26h
From$208.35
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St. Maarten
Private Catamaran Excursion to Sint Maarten with Snorkeling
5.0
(14 reviews)8h
From$536.53
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St. Maarten
Skip the Line Caribbean Carnival History Admission Ticket
5.0
(13 reviews)45m
From$40.00
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St. Maarten
Private Catamaran Excursion in Anguilla with its Turquoise Waters
5.0
(13 reviews)8h
From$946.39
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St. Maarten
Don't Worry - Full Day Private Catamaran Cruise - St Maarten
5.0
(13 reviews)8h
From$1330.00
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St. Maarten
St Martin Gd-Case: Private day in all inclusive catamaran
5.0
(12 reviews)8h
From$2999.30
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St. Maarten
Private Boat Charter St Maarten / St Martin
5.0
(12 reviews)7h
From$705.02
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St. Maarten
Private Rum Making Workshop in Philipsburg
5.0
(12 reviews)1h
From$69.00
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St. Maarten
Half-Day Sailing Boat Adventure
5.0
(11 reviews)4h
From$131.44
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St. Maarten
Topper's Rhum Culinary and Tasting Tour Rum Food and Fun
5.0
(11 reviews)1h
From$75.00
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St. Maarten
Deep Sea Fishing - 3/4 Day
5.0
(11 reviews)7h 30m
From$1225.00
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St. Maarten
The Highlights of St Maarten Full-Day Private Vip Island Tour
5.0
(11 reviews)Varies
From$1195.00
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St. Maarten
Luxury Catamaran Private Day Sail from St. Maarten to Anguilla
5.0
(11 reviews)9h 30m
From$698.75
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St. Maarten
30-min Jet Ski Tour: Single or Double Option
5.0
(9 reviews)30m
From$100.00
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St. Maarten
Small-Group St Maarten Snorkel Cruise (3H)
5.0
(9 reviews)3h
From$109.00
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St. Maarten
Be Happy - Half Day Private Catamaran Cruise - St Maarten
5.0
(8 reviews)4h
From$770.00
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St. Maarten
Half-Day The Soul Of Pirates Private Boat Trip Adventure Caribbean Charter SXM
5.0
(8 reviews)3h 30m
From$1194.94
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St. Maarten
Private Speedboat Charter: St Maarten to Anguilla
5.0
(8 reviews)7h
From$1500.00
View details →
St. Maarten
Private Boat Charter Saint Martin & natural reserve
5.0
(7 reviews)Varies
From$1374.18
View details →Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a passport for St. Maarten?
Yes, all visitors need a valid passport. US, UK, EU, Canadian, and most other citizens don't need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days on either the Dutch or French side. Immigration is handled once on arrival — there's no border control between the French and Dutch sides of the island, and you're free to cross freely.
What's the difference between the French and Dutch sides?
Dutch Sint Maarten (south) is busier, more commercial — the cruise port, the airport, Maho Beach, the biggest casinos and duty-free shopping. French Saint-Martin (north) is quieter, more food-focused (Grand Case is famous for its restaurants), and has better beaches including Orient Bay. Currency differs (Dutch uses Netherlands Antillean Guilder/USD, French uses Euro), though USD is accepted everywhere.
Is Maho Beach really safe?
The beach itself is safe under normal circumstances — most visitors stand well away from the fence when aircraft land or take off. The danger is from jet blast during takeoff: larger aircraft can blow adults off their feet and cause serious injury. Warning signs are clearly posted. Never stand directly behind the fence when a plane is about to depart.
Which side of St. Maarten is better?
Depends on what you want. Dutch side for nightlife, casinos, shopping, Maho Beach, and cruise-port convenience. French side for dining, quieter beaches (Orient, Baie Rouge), and a more European atmosphere. Stay Dutch for a party-and-sun trip, French for a food-and-beach trip. Many hotels near the border give you easy access to both.
Is St. Maarten in the hurricane zone?
Yes. St. Maarten sits in the Caribbean hurricane belt and was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017 — the Category 5 storm destroyed much of the island's infrastructure, and recovery took years. Peak hurricane season is August through October. The island is now largely rebuilt and the main tourist areas are fully operational, but it remains exposed to seasonal storm risk.
How many days do you need in St. Maarten?
Four to seven days is ideal. The island is small enough that three days gets you a taste of both sides. Five to seven days lets you properly experience Dutch beach bars and Maho, French dining and Orient Bay, and day-trip to nearby islands like Anguilla, St. Barts, or Saba.
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