Things to do & places to visit in St Martin / St Maarten, Caribbean

Get the experience of visiting two island colonies in the same 37 square miles. Saint Maarten/Saint Martin's spicy marriage of Caribbean, French and Dutch cultures matches its physical diversity: the island is both urban and untamed, with rain forest-like landscapes, white beaches, and amazing caves and wildlife.

St Martin / St Maarten #3 destination in Caribbean 2023. Timezone: America/Lower_Princes, current date and time: Sunday, May 12, 2024, 18:50.

Top things to do (14)

Top places to visit (19 attractions)

5.0 Topper's Rhum Distillery (505 reviews)
- Damned good rhum!
Sunday: 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Distilleries

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with Topper’s famous homemade rhum punch. Throughout the tour, you’ll be treated to twenty four samples of their 100 flavored rhums. Most of which are small batch specialty rhums, that are not available anywhere else in the world. A professional and entertaining guide will walk you through the iconic building where you learn about the history of rum and Topper’s and taste all 6 of their signature rums. Then you will taste their famous rhum cake, authentic Italian gelato, waffle cones and their small-batch specialty rhums. You’ll also have a cooking demonstration using their rhum and taste the results. you’ll also t see how Topper’s unique products are made and you’ll learn about the process of fermentation and distillation. Towards the end of the tour, you will be invited to twelve more samples of their specialty rhums from their unique Rhum Tap. Finally, you’ll be able to spend time shopping for your favorite rhum and unique St. Maarten gifts. See more..
5.0 American Tennis Academy (183 reviews)
- Excellent tennis instruction
Sports Camps & Clinics

American Tennis Academy is a complete tennis facility located on the French side of St. Martin. We offer tennis training programs for Juniors and Adults of all skill levels as well as tennis vacation packages, tennis lessons, tennis clinics and court rentals. For tennis lessons with Oliver it's best to reserve in advance. We can also set up games for tennis players who are on vacation on St. Martin. 2 lighted tennis courts, open 7/7, Snack Lounge with Wifi access as well as an Outlet store where you can find the top brands at great prices. See more..
5.0 Float-N-Splash Waterpark (43 reviews)
- Family Fun on Water Rides
Spent 2-3 hours Water Parks

The Evolution of Waterplay providing fun for all ages 6 to enjoy! An open water adventure playground which will give you an experience you will never forget! Laughter and great memories will be made, not to mention the good workout you will have! Set within 1400 square meters of the cool Caribbean Sea; come beat the heat with us! Pricing: $25 per person for 2 hours of fun! Minimum age: 6 (no max) All children 6-12 years of age need to be accompanied by an adult at all times (ratio 1:2. Open 7 days a week 10am-6pm. See more..
4.5 Maho Beach (5.579 reviews)
- Holy Cow!! This beach is so fun, especially if you love airplanes. The aircraft are literally right above your head as they fly
Spent 2-3 hours Beaches

This spot is a unique beach in St. Maarten, where travelers flock to experience the thrilling rush of airplanes flying extremely close overhead. The best time to go is in the early afternoon when the larger jumbo jets land. Travelers recommend Sunset Beach Bar for the best views. The beach also has a lively coral reef perfect for snorkeling and waves that are great for snorkeling. Visit the beach on a tour of St Maarten, which often includes other spots like Cole Bay Hill and Orient Beach. The beach gets busy, so visit during the off-season if you want fewer crowds. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Orient Bay Beach (5.125 reviews)
- Beautiful, windy, large beach.
Beaches

Regarded as one St-Martin’s most famous beaches, Orient Bay Beach enjoys the reputation of being the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean.” This stunning strip of white sand with clear turquoise waters is the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun. There is no shortage of bars, restaurants, and beach clubs to choose from, and a strong breeze makes for great parasailing, kitesurfing, and hand gliding. While Plage Naturiste at the southern end is the designated nudist stretch of the beach, you will find that many visitors adopt a clothing-optional mindset all the way along Orient Bay Beach. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Boardwalk (1.754 reviews)
- A Pleasant Stroll
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Shopping, Dinning, Cultural, Romantic Walk See more..
4.5 Great Bay Beach (1.230 reviews)
- Beautiful beach on a friendly island.
Beaches

Arrived on cruise ship having read the reviews and took the $7 water taxi as advised. Asked for Miguel after reading recomendations but he wasn't around so headed off to quiet end with wider beach and Sweet Andy looked after us. 2 sun beds, umbrella and table for $30. We were there for happy hour from 1pm to 3pm and had 2 cocktails for $10 from the Nazca bar and restaurant. Daughter thought they were the best she has had this holiday. The sea was crystal clear light blue and the sand v clean and there was a lovely breeze. It did shelve quite quickly. We had a lovely day off the ship relaxing on the beach which wasn't busy at all even with 2 ships in. See more..
4.5 Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit (1.103 reviews) from $15.00
- If you are a Star Wars fan....you have to see this place
Sunday: Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

The Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit, nestled amongst Front Street's duty free jewelry stores, is possibly the most surprising enterprise in the Caribbean. Who would expect to find Darth Vader, Pinhead from HELLRAISER and Riddley Scott's ALIEN in St Maarten? But this unprecedented showcase has that and a whole lot more. There are displays that span six decades of movie making, relics from THE TERMINATOR, MEN IN BLACK and even THE MALTISE FALCAN. There's also an incredible collection of lifecasts, the actual faces of Hollywood stars, From Bogart & Brando, though Sean Connery & Jack Nicholson to Michael Jackson, Johnny Depp & Angelina Jolle. The collection is extended to include famous historical figures too… the actual faces of Abraham Lincoln, (cast 3 months before his assassination), Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, (cast in. 1778 and 1783 respectively by french sculptor Jean Antoine Houden), and death masks of both Oliver Cromwell, (1658) and Vladimir Lenin (1924). The Exhibit is the brainchild of Hollywood creature effects wizard Nick Maley, known as "that Yoda Guy" for his contribution to the creation of Yoda for the STAR WARS sagas. If you don't know who Nick is, just google his name. He made over 50 movies, including SUPERMAN, HIGHLANDER, KRULL & LIFEFORCE, worked with Hollywood legends like Sean Connery, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Harrison Ford, (you will see them all in the exhibit), was featured in CINEMAX and HBO specials, won a place in THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS and was nominated for an EMMY. Nick shares his professional perspective on the making of famous movies via DVD and, if you are lucky enough to find him there, he will dedicate purchases from the Yoda Guy Shop and do photos with customers. The Shop sells signed movie memorabilia, posters, antique STAR WARS comics, behind the scene photos and storyboards… unique autographed slices of STAR WARS history that become a legacy to pass on through the family. There's also Nick's celebrated Caribbea... See more..
4.5 Little Bay Beach (710 reviews)
- A Great Find with Beautiful Beach
Beaches

We were fortunate enough to dock in St. Maarten today and discover Little Bay Beach at the Divi Resort. The beach is absolutely beautiful! Umbrellas and beach chairs are available for rent at the cost of $5.00 for each item. The beach wasn’t crowded at all and we had plenty of room to spread out from others. You will have use of the resort’s restrooms which are very clean! There are restaurants on the beach where you can purchase drinks and food. The cab ride is approximately 10 minutes from the cruise port. The cost for a one way taxi is $5 per person. The taxi driver will ask for your return time and return for your pick up back to the cruise port. This beach isn’t great for snorkeling. You can rent gear or bring your own. I would most definitely recommend visiting Little Bay Beach at Divi Resort. See more..
4.5 Oyster Pond (497 reviews)
- Still a lot of post Irma damage
Marinas • Bodies of Water • Beaches

We stayed on the French side, just on the other side of the border. Unfortunately, there's still a lot of post Irma damage to be seen. There are sunken boats in the bay and a lot of run down buildings ad even a closed resort (which is in the process of some rebuilding). The inner bay does not smell that pleasant, I think it's rotten seaweed. Dawn Beach sees a lot of seaweed, although it's being cleaned on a regular basis. We did not see any people on the beach. Ocean tends to be rough on this side of the ocean. Two stray dogs roamed the area. See more..
4.5 Le Galion Beach (450 reviews)
- Family beach for St. Martin cruise port day
Beaches

A horseshoe shaped beach known for its kid friendly atmosphere. See more..
4.5 Grand Case Beach (365 reviews)
- Really enjoyed this one!
Spent More than 3 hours Beaches

I was a little concerned about beaches on the French side after Anse marcel and orient bay, which I found to be tad pretentious and expensive. Grand Case beach was a corrective experience: it was laid back, fun, and captain frenchy was reasonably priced restaurant to grab drinks at and some lounge chairs (with umbrella). The water is beautiful and sand is powder white. Just as an aside in terms of location, there’s 3 restaurants at the far end of the beach, on the opposite end of restaurant row. THAT is where all the chairs and umbrellas are and I highly suggest making a reservation at one of those spots if you want to relax by the water. I recommend frenchies. We parked on the street and skipped one of the pay lots. I’d go back to grand case for sure! See more..
4.5 Prickly Pear (228 reviews)
- Insanely beautiful!!
Islands

If you don't go to Prickly Pear, you're missing it! We booked a day trip on the Heinken Boat, and took the two hour catameran ride to the island. The crew is awesome, super cool and funny, they get you WASTED (the booze is free) and then drop you off at the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. The snorkeling is cool, and they serve you a delicious lunch at the island's only dining spot. This was one of the best parts of our trip--don't skip it! You can book the tour thru Cocos. See more..
4.0 Frontstreet (1.751 reviews)
- A little bit of everything...
Points of Interest & Landmarks

This crowded street is a popular tourist center for duty-free shopping. See more..
4.0 Fort Louis (831 reviews)
- Amazing view
Monuments & Statues

We took the Seagrapes History tour. I have been visiting St Martin for nearly 20 years, but I had never been up to Fort Louis. The view of Marigot and the bays is breathtaking. I can’t believe I had missed this. See more..
4.0 Old Street (324 reviews)
- Colorful small alley
Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas

This is rather an alley than a street, as it's maybe 200-300 m long and you need 3 min to walk it. It connects the Front and Back streets with several clothes stores and cafes along it. Houses are painted in vivid colors. At the corner with Back street is a stop where you can catch the local mini van for Maho beach at 2$ pp. See more..
4.0 Kim Sha Beach (281 reviews)
- Great beach on Simpson Bay
Beaches

Kim She Beach is a great beach. I don't think we would have discovered this gem if it has not been for my daughter and her husband staying at the Atrium. We planned a jet ski trip together and decided to use the jet ski business at Kim Sha Beach. After the jet ski tour we relaxed at the beach. The beach was not crowded even in the heart of the afternoon. The water was calm and the sand was soft and white. There is a restaurant at the beach where you can order from your beach chairs. Glad we were able to experience Kim Sha before our vacation ended, one of the best beaches on St Martin. See more..
4.0 Cupecoy Bay Beach (249 reviews)
- Nude beach
Beaches

If you're looking for a beach that's quiet but not totally secluded, Cupecoy is a good choice. Its white sands are backed by low sandstone cliffs that have been eroded in such a way that they provide a run of small semiprivate coves. See more..
4.0 Paradise Peak (223 reviews)
- Beautiful but with a eerie feeling
Mountains • Hiking Trails

Those who hike to the top of the island's highest mountain are rewarded with wonderful views. See more..