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Activities and Attractions on St. Martin / St. Maarten - Things to do during your Vacations

In terms of activities and attractions, no other island in the Caribbean offers such a wide range of things you can do than St. Maarten/St. Martin does! For relaxing and fun filled vacations, there is almost anything you can do! From relaxing by your villa pool or on any of the wonderful white sand beaches, to the many activities, island attractions and water sports.
Browse through our attraction guide - it shows options for boating in all flavors, jet-skiing, kayaking, sailing, deep sea fishing, speed boats... Or for the most popular water sports on St. Martin/St. Maarten: snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. Hiking (e.g. to the peak of Pic Paradis), mountain biking, horseback riding along the beach, and even renting a Harley Davidson for an island ride are some of the land bound alternatives.

During the evenings, enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Sint Maarten. Have tropical cocktails at one of the hot spots or live venues with a steel band or Caribbean band. Spend a night out on gambling in casinos, in night clubs, discotheques, open air cafes or incredible fine dining. Whatever your tropical vacation desires are, you will find on Sint Maarten or Saint Martin!

For information on SHOPPING on the island, view our SHOPPING SECTION!

FLY ZONE
One of the most popular attractions is the Fly Zone at the Loterie Farm at Pic Paradis. Fun for kids and adults alike!

We dedicate a complete section on our fabulous beaches at the island portal www.Sint-Maarten.net. Photos, descriptions and more. Click to view Info on beaches.

St. Martin/St. Maarten offers a full range of water sports. The island's best serviced beach is Orient Bay Beach.

Fly Zone at Loterie Farm

BEACH VACATION!

Activities on the island

Jet Ski - Facilities on Orient Bay & Nettle Bay presently closed
Jet Skis and Wave Runners can be rented at several beaches. The most popular locations are Orient Beach (French side) and Great Bay and Little 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 0690 109-890 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.

Surfing and Body Boarding Winter waves reach the North and West coasts of St Maarten/St Martin from November - March. The East coast comes alive with the passing of tropical systems from July--November. The most popular surf spots include Guana Bay, Le Galion, Mullet Bay and Orient Bay. Board rentals available at Le Galion beach and Orient Bay, 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. 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.

Parasailing - Facilities on Orient Beach presently closed
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:

Bikini Beach 0590 270-748 Kakao Beach 0690 109-890 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 (Simpson Bay).

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.

Where to rent windsurfing equipment: Club Orient Water sports 0590 873-385 Wind Adventures 0590 294 157 Windy Reef 0590 870-837 Bikini Beach 0590 270-748 Kakao Beach 0690 109-890
Kontiki Water sports 0590 874-689 Reserve naturelle St Martin 0690 342-185 Le Galion Water sports (Tropical Wave) 0590 873-725

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.

Snorkeling Beaches good for snorkeling: Maho Beach, Mullet Bay, Long Bay, Baie Rouge, Grand Case, Dawn Beach, Happy Bay.

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.  More on the website:

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 getaway. Voyager goes daily to St. Barths from Marigot and/or Oyster Pond 0590-871-068, Simpson Bay 721-544 4096, website: www.voy12.com, email: [email protected] 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

Captain Alan at Oyster Pond

One of the powerboats of Captain Alan that takes you to snorkeling trips

Captain Alan offers a "Three Island Snorkeling Excursion" that takes you away from the crowds to the lesser visited islands of Tintamarre, Pinel and Green Key. On your three stops you'll find incredible snorkeling, beautiful beaches and very special volcanic mud.  The trip runs on high quality 30ft offshore powerboats with powerful twin 225/250hp engines. The boats can also be rented at Captain Alan's for private charters (up to 14 people per boat). Trips with Captain Alan start at the dock at Great House Marina at Oyster Pond (opposite former Mr. Busby's Beach Bar). For more info call (721) 524-1386 or (721) 580-0377, or visit Captain Alan's website or send Email. For information on SHOPPING on the island, view our SHOPPING SECTION!

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 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 email . 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.
St. Maarten Charter Deals - deals for 4every1 - Select from a fleet of power & sail vessels. St. Maarten Charter Deals offers exceptional trips at very attractive rates. Conveniently located at Palapa Marina in Simpson Bay. Go snorkeling, fishing, sightseeing, kayaking, enjoy water skiing, and all kinds of activities for private charter and groups. Visit the website for more information! (721) 522-4861 or 527-5006 or email

Deep Sea Fishing There are several deep sea fishing charters on island. Your best chances are at Lee's 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. Martin holds periodically big game fishing tournaments (Marlin Cup in May, Billfish Tournament in June). Website:

Deep sea fishing

The best time to go is early 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 Website of the Butterfly Farm:

Zoo - Notice: Closed down after hurricane Irma!
Due to damage sustained from Irma, the St. Maarten Zoo, also known as St. Maarten Park, had to close permanently. Most of the species were relocated to Curacao.