St. Maarten: Not Just Another Caribbean Cruise Port

Welcome to St. Maarten, a paradise destination renowned for its vibrant coral reefs, stunning beaches, and thrilling adventures. Cruisers visiting here encounter a delightful fusion of Caribbean allure and Dutch elegance. From beautiful beaches and the bustling shops of Philipsburg to the thrilling sights of Maho Beach, visitors revel in the relaxed island ambiance, making the most of their tropical getaway.

What Makes St. Maarten St. Maarten?

St. Maarten, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, to the east of Puerto Rico. It shares one of the world’s smallest landmasses, that is divided between two nations: the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten in the south and the French territory of Saint-Martin in the north.

St. Maarten is unique for several reasons:

Dual Access: St. Maarten and Saint-Martin are under the oldest open border treaty in the world, allowing residents and visitors alike to pass freely through — and enjoy — both sides of the island.

Cultural Diversity: The island itself is a true melting pot, with over 100 nationalities including African, European, Dutch, French, and indigenous descendants that influence its culture.

Unabashedly Buzzy: While Saint Martin has a more relaxed European feel, St. Maarten is more developed, with a lively Caribbean vibe.

Culinary Capital of the Caribbean: From beachside food stalls to fine dining establishments, St. Maarten is an up-and-coming Caribbean foodie hotspot with an array of cuisine to please any palate.

Beachy Airplanes: The island boasts 37 beaches, with Maho Beach in Philipsburg being the most famous. Here, planes fly low over the sand before landing at the Princess Juliana Airport, providing an exciting experience for beachgoers and aviation enthusiasts.

Overall, St. Maarten attracts a large mix of visitors, including couples seeking romance, families in search of adventure, cruise ship passengers exploring the Caribbean, and luxury travelers indulging in upscale amenities. There’s a plethora of things to do in St. Maarten, making it a popular and welcoming destination for travelers of all kinds.

Top Things to Do in St. Maarten

From snorkeling adventures to exhilarating water sports and cultural experiences, St. Maarten offers a myriad of shore excursions for every traveler.

Island Canvassing

Here’s your chance to experience the wonders of both St. Maarten and Saint Martin in a grand tour beginning with a warm welcome, complete with a floral necklace and red carpet treatment. Delve into the island’s geological history amidst breathtaking landscapes, led by our expert guide.

Journey through Philipsburg and Marigot, savoring local cuisine, admiring Dutch and French architecture, exploring historical sites, and chatting with the locals. Dig your toes in the sand at the Orient and Maho beaches, and witness thundering planes landing overhead. Indulge in French pastries, a rum tasting, and unique cheeses, then explore bustling duty-free shopping scenes.

With ten stops conveniently spaced and refreshments aboard, this five to six-hour adventure ensures an unforgettable exploration of the island’s best offerings.

Calling All Snorkelers!

Creole Rock is listed among the top ten must-do activities in St. Maarten, and is a hands-down favorite of snorkelers. This large rock with an accompanying reef offers excellent opportunities to see and possibly interact with a variety of tropical fish, including pufferfish, barracuda, and even the rare frogfish.

The calm, clear shallow waters provide great visibility and are perfect for novice snorkelers. Floatation belts and boards are also available for non-snorkelers to join in on the fun.

Learn to Scuba Dive

Always dreamt of exploring the depths of the ocean? Well, now you can! Join a beginner scuba diving experience led by certified divemasters; you’ll descend down 25-30 feet and marvel at the underwater wonders of St. Maarten’s vibrant marine life.

Your expert divemaster will go over the basics with you, then take you and your group on a one-tank scuba dive right from the beach. Please note, this activity does not provide any diving certifications, but it is a fantastic introduction to the exciting sport of scuba diving.

Craving an Adrenaline Rush?

Look no further than hopping on a jet ski and jumping along the ocean waves. Ditch the dull walking tours and feel the thrill as you explore St. Maarten’s gorgeous coastline, experiencing the island’s beauty in a different way. Be sure to look up to see airplanes coming in for a landing above you! Afterward, enjoy the salt life as you take a refreshing dip or relax on the beach, a cold drink in hand.

Island Perfume Factory Tour

Take a ride to the French side of the island and immerse yourself in tropical scents during a guided tour of an island perfume factory. You’ll learn about the art of crafting fragrances, then the fun begins as you create your own personalized scent from the oils of your choosing.

Once you’ve settled on your signature blend, it will be sealed in a bottle for you to take — along with a gift bag of Tijon products — as a treasured St. Maarten keepsake.

Fancy Something Romantic?

This private gondola tour will do nicely. Pass under charming bridges and by luxurious mega yachts on an authentic gondola boat while your gondolier serenades you under the starlit sky, offering a unique perspective of the island’s wonders.

You and your special someone will indulge in a delightful two-course meal with wine and dessert, all while gliding along the water under the shimmering stars, creating cherished memories and an unparalleled romantic ambiance.

Shopper’s Paradise

Duty-free goods, anyone? This picturesque island drive takes you to Marigot’s open air markets, as well as a few parts of the island not normally frequented by cruisers.

Start off with a photo stop at Harold Jack lookout point, offering breathtaking views of neighboring islands including Saba, St. Eustatius, and British Anguilla, weather permitting.

Next, delve into Marigot, the French capital, where a charming blend of French sophistication and Caribbean flair awaits. Enjoy some free time here to explore quaint streets lined with sidewalk cafes, gourmet restaurants, and vibrant markets nestled against the backdrop of a historic fort.

Continue your adventure at Orient Bay, a renowned two-mile stretch of powdery white sands protected by a reef. Indulge in seaside pleasures like swimming or strolling along the beach before returning to Philipsburg, with the choice of being dropped off downtown for more shopping or taken back to the pier. Please note: while most beachgoers at Bikini Beach in Orient Bay will be in swim attire, topless or nude sunbathers may be present.

Luxury Outings

If luxury getaways are your cup of tea, we’ve got you covered there, too! Step aboard a sleek 40-foot catamaran and set sail past historic sites such as Fort Amsterdam, Little Bay, Cay Bay, and Pelican Key. Lounge on the trampoline net, enjoy Caribbean music, and keep an eye out for playful dolphins along the way.

Snacks and drinks abound, and snorkeling gear will be provided for those who want to snorkel at a sunken helicopter and shipwreck site. You will also have some time at a beach to collect shells, make sandcastles, or just soak up the sun. It’s a harmonizing blend of relaxation and adventure.

Wait… You Thought We Forgot About the Food?

This IS the culinary capital of the Caribbean, after all! Sure, you could stop at one of the many lolo’s (food stands) scattered along the beach … or, you could treat yourself to a delicious plate of ribs, chicken, or fish, with a variety of scrumptious sides, at Rosemary’s Restaurant in Marigot.

This culinary adventure is also served with a side of snorkeling in Little Bay, where you can examine the cannons, submarine, curious fish, and more at Fort Amsterdam. Another accompaniment is a belly full of plane gawking as the jets fly over your head at Maho Beach. And did we mention the ice cream or pina colada you can enjoy as you stroll around the Beauty Beach boardwalk back in Philipsburg?

Wrapping it Up

As you can see, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in St. Maarten. For even more exciting offerings, click here. With so many delicious things to do, it’s hard to pick just one!

Go ahead — reserve your spot with us today and get ready to make the most of your time in this tropical paradise.