Water sports
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Water sports - Water sports -
Water sports -
Water sports - Water sports - Water sports |
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Jet
Ski
Jet Skis and Wave Runners can be
rented at several beaches. The most popular
locations are Orient Beach (French side) and
Great Bay (Philipsburg, Dutch side). Going on
a Jet Ski is usually restricted to a zone in
view of the beach. On Orient Bay check out Bikini
Beach 
0590 270-748, Kakao Beach 0590 274-994 or Kontiki Beach, Kontiki
Water sports
0590 874-689. They offer guided Jet Ski tours
to the deserted islands of Pinel and Tintamarre,
and along the Northern and northwestern shore.
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Surfing
and Body Boarding
Winter waves reach the North
and West coasts of St Maarten/St Martin
from November through March. The East coast
comes alive with the passing of tropical
systems from July through November. Some
of the most popular surf spots include Guana
Bay, Le
Galion, Mullet
Bay and Orient
Bay. Board rentals are available
at Le Galion beach and Orient Bay, e.g.
at Windy Reef
0590 870-837 or Tropical Wave
0590 873-725 |
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is becoming more and
more popular on St Martin as well. Perfect places
to start with Kitesurfing are Orient Bay and
Le Galion. Since summer 2002, St Martin
runs an own Kitesurfing School on Orient Bay
at Club
Nathalie Simon
0590 294-157 (between Kakao and Kontiki beach).
They use to take beginners to Green Cay to practice
off its deserted beach. To buy Kite Surf and
other surf stuff go to Surface, Marigot
0590 879-324.
Wakeboarding
and Water skiing
The most popular spots for wakeboarding
and water skiing are Grand Case Bay and the
Simpson Bay Lagoon on Nettle Bay. If you
are into it, check out Phat Wake Zone at
Hotel Mercure, Nettle Bay (Simpson Bay Lagoon
side)
0590 879-962, or Academie
de la Glisse at Flamboyant Hotel,
Nettle Bay
0690 641-828. Academie de la Glisse offers
wakeboarding, water skiing and barefoot skiing. |
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Parasailing
If you are up to be suspended on
a giant, inflated wing above the Atlantic ocean,
go to Orient Beach. There is the largest range
of options.The scenery with a bird´s eye
view is terrific. Check out the Orient Bay Water sports
concessions at
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Bikini
Beach
0590 270-748,
Kakao Beach
0590 274-994 or
Kontiki
Water sports
0590 874-689.
On the Dutch side check out
Aquamania
Adventures
544-2640, or
Westport Water sports
544-2557 at Kim Sha Beach. |
Windsurfing
Windsurfing with the gentle trade winds
on St Martin is a treat! Season starts in winter
with the so called "Christmas Winds".
Otherwise, Southern trade winds provide consistent
conditions averaging 15 knots until July. Intermediates
and advanced wind surfers should definitely go
to Orient
Bay, despite its frequent choppy conditions
as the bay is facing the windward Atlantic coast.
The possibilities are endless here: flat water
sailing; swell and chop sailing between Green
Cay and Pinel Island; speed runs to Pinel from
Club Orient; or wave sailing in the reef at
Green Cay. Another great place for Wind surfers,
beginners and intermediates, is Le
Galion Beach.
Watersports and Boat Rentals
Deepbleu has a unique selection of watersports and boat rentals on Simpson Bay Lagoon. Rent a Mini Hobie sailboats, Mini Powerboats, Peddle Kayaks or Electric Lounge Cats for an hour or for the day, it’s up to you! Open daily from 10am to sunset. (599) 580-3314, or Email to michele.deepbleusxm@yahoo.com. |
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Diving
and Snorkeling
The crystalline waters surrounding
St. Maarten/St. Martin allow for clear visibility
up to 100 feet, and often up to 150-200 feet.
Coral reefs are teaming with marine life, providing
more than 40 excellent dive sites off St Maarten´s
coast. Certified scuba divers can rent tanks
and equipment at water sport shops around the
island, e.g. The Scuba Shop
545-3213 in Simpson Bay or at their office in
Oyster Pond Marina
0590 874-801. Dive
courses for advanced and novice divers are available,
e.g. at
Dive Adventures, Pelican Marina (Pelican Key)
544-2640
Dive Safaris, Bobby´s Marina
542-9001.
Ocean Explorers, Simpson Bay
544-5252.
Scuba Fun Caraibes, Anse Marcel
0590 873- 613
Sea Dolphin, Nettle Bay,
0590 876-072
Aqua Mania Adventures, Pelican Marina,
544-2640. |
Diving
and Snorkeling
Beaches good
for snorkeling: Great Bay, Maho Beach, Mullet
Bay, Long Bay, Bay Rouge, Orient Bay, Dawn
Beach |
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Some
of the reefs are located close to shore making
them accessible to snorkelers as well. If you
prefer snorkeling, a mask, fins and snorkel
cost a few dollars a day, e.g. at Kontiki
Water sports (Orient Bay)
0590 874-689 or at The Scuba Shop
545-3213.
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St. Maarten Activities 4 You N.V.: Pre-plan, book and reserve activities, tours, excursions, etc. all under one umbrella, guaranteeing first class service, in order to give your holiday the extra something and make you feel like a VIP !
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 ++599 588-1555 or
++599 580-0080
 Website |
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Places to visit -
Places to visit - Places to visit - Places
to visit - Places to visit - Places to visit - Places to visit |
| Loterie
Farm
located just off the main road to Pic Paradis, is an excellent place to explore what life in the Caribbean must have been like. This unique farm once cultivated sugar cane, now, it is the ecological showcase of a Californian philantrop. You can hike for an hour through the "hidden forest" with splendid views towards the Caribbean Sea, Marigot, and the island of Anguilla. Alternatively "fly the trees" on a canopy tour, and fly from tree to tree ! The higher and more challenging tour is for adults, the lower and easier tour is for kids (> 4 ft. tall). They also have a very good restaurant and bar on site. Reservation for tree top tour recommended
0590 878-616. Website Loterie Farm:
Submersible
/ Semi-Submarine
If you are up to observe the underwater
world without getting wet, take a ride on the
Seaworld Explorer,
542-4078.
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The
craft does not submerge, but has a lower
observation deck five feet below the surface.
It is the only semi-submarine on the island,
and takes you to the reef at "Creole Rock" to admire
the best of the underwater life. It departs
from Grand Case. Great fun for kids! |
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Open daily from
9am-5pm |
Educational Park:
Plantation Mont Vernon
Although the island has a rich history, and its nature is fascinating, only very few places remind to this rich heritage. The initiative of local entrepreneurs has made a change. In July 2005 opened a park and museum at Mont Vernon, close to Orient Bay.
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Electronic audio tour sets in English, French, and Spanish are included in the entrance fee. Plan approx. 1 hour for a tour. Shops with genuine products from the Caribbean supplement the great exhibits. The park is located in the French part between Grand Case and Orient Bay. Open from 9am-5pm 0590-295-062. Email:  |
Butterfly
Farm
The Butterfly
Farm features hundreds of rare and exotic
butterflies in a tranquil atmosphere: beautifully
landscaped, in a quiet garden wit:h waterfall,
ponds, Japanese fish and mystical music.
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The best time to go is early in the morning
to watch the butterflies emerging from their
cocoons and taking their first flight. The
farm does informative guided tours, and
is great fun also for kids. Located in Le
Galion area next to Bayside Riding stables.
Open year round 9am to 4.30pm.
0590 873-121 Butterfly Farm. |
Zoo
The St. Maarten Park is top of the list
of child-friendly activities. Discover over
80 species of exotic mammals, reptiles and birds
(including the largest display of exotic parrots
in the Caribbean), featured in a tropical garden
setting. It is the largest park of its kind
in the Caribbean, and includes a large playground
for kids. Located opposite Philipsburg at the
northern edge of the Great Salt Pond. Open daily
9.30am to 6pm
543-2030.
Plantation Mont Vernon
 Welcome sign of Plantation
Located at the place of an ancient plantation, the park features tropical plants, and shows the historical, and the economical development tied to these plants, such as coffee, cotton, indigo, and sugar. The well designed area includes new, and historical buildings, embedded in a lush park. Easy to walk foothpaths make this an enjoyable excursion.
| Descriptive signs in English and French provide the historical and economical links to the plants, to sugar cane processing, coffee growing, indigo production, and dying, and many more subjects of historical impact to the island. |
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Boating, Fishing, Sailing - Boating,
Fishing, Sailing - Boating, Fishing, Sailing - Boating, Fishing, Sailing
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| Boat
trips
There are plenty of full or half
day boat trips available on the island. A day
trip to one of the neighboring islands is a
perfect get-away. Voyager
goes daily to St. Barths from Marigot
and/or Oyster Pond
542-4096, or 0590-871-068. Edge I and II are high speed ferries
going to Saba or St. Barths, as well, contact
Aquamania
Adventures
544-2640 (leaving from Pelican Marina in Simpson
Bay). Day charters, power and sail boat rentals
for professional skippers are available at Any
Way Marine in Marigot,
0590 879-141. Aquaworld is a boat rental and
charter on the Dutch side (Simpson Bay)
545-4533.
Boat
Excursions & Charters with Captain Alan
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Sailing
On St. Maarten you can find out what
it feels like to be a crew member on a 12 Metre
America's Cup Yacht. The Regatta lasts two and
a half hours and costs approx. $60 per person.
If interested, drop by Bobby´s Marina
(Great Bay, on the Dutch side), see The
St Maarten 12 Metre Challenge or call
at
542-0045. Or check out Captain Morgan, a beautiful 65ft schooner. More information on this charters on Capt Morgan web site , or call 526 2467. Rates for half day trips start at $60.
Or
sail on one of the big catamarans to St. Barths
or other surrounding islands. There are many
cats to choose from. One is The
Golden Eagle
543-0068, or
at eagle@megatropic.com. Cruise to the deserted
island of Tintamarre on a picnic-sail, and snorkel
among the live coral reefs. Aquamania
Adventures
544-2640, and Blue Beard
Charters
557-5935, offer sail cats to Anguilla and Prickly
Pear, sightseeing and fabulous snorkeling included.
For a sunset booze cruise, you can go on Celine,
a 40ft cat that takes you on a sunset tour of
Simpson Bay Lagoon
545-3961.
Deep Sea
Fishing
There are several deep sea fishing charters available on island. Your best chances for a fishing charter is at Lee Fish on Simpson Bay 544-4233. Best fishing
grounds are close by to catch marlin, tuna
or dolphin. The drop off at La Samanna Resort
is supposed to be the best spot for blackfin
tuna and wahoo, the Marlin Boulevard is
a famous spot for marlin. St. Maarten/St
Martin holds periodically big game fishing
tournaments, e.g. the Marlin Cup in Marigot
in May, or The Billfish Tournament in June. |
Deep sea fishing |
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Other Popular Activities - Other
Popular Activities - Other Popular Activities - Other Popular Activities
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Golf
There is a great 18 hole
championship golf course at the Mullet Bay
Resort on Dutch Sint Maarten, surrounded
by water and palm trees. The Golf course
is located between the Simpson Bay Lagoon
and the Caribbean sea. The Club organizes
national and international tournaments on
a regular basis. Call the Golf pro shop
at
545-2801 before 4pm for tee off times and
for more information. |
Bowling
Sint Maarten HAD a Bowling Alley with 12 bowling lanes, arcade games and pool tables. Unfortunately, no longer in operation! It was fun for groups, parties, birthday parties, families etc. NOW FOR SALE! Crown Pin Bowling Alley 543-0203. Located at A.T. Illidge Rd, Madame Estate, near the turn to St. Maarten Park (Zoo).
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Tennis
You
will find lots of tennis courts on St.
Maarten and St. Martin. Almost every hotel
has its own court, or has made arrangements
with a neighboring resort. There is a Tennis Court open at the Car Wash at the corner to Orient Bay and Anse Marcel, and
a Tennis and Fitness Center in Dutch Cul-de-Sac.
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Tri-Sport
The eco tourist specialist Tri-Sport
will guide you on hiking, biking or kayaking
tours. They have offer bicycles and kayaks for
rent only, or for sale. Tri-Sport is located
on Airport Road near the Simpson Bay bridge,
545-4384 or email to trisport@caribserve.net
Massage Therapy
Mark Guillon Certified in Los Angeles / Shanghai
15 years experience. Call 0690 552 502 or (599) 586 5410 |
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