St Martin 10 Things to Do on the Islands

1) Relax on the Beaches
There are many saint martin sports too enjoy on our island.
St. Martin is famous for its beaches. They are great in number and each is distinctively attractive. Those on the French side tend to be more secluded and more conducive to quiet contemplation and privacy. Some are hugged by rugged cliffs and dramatic landscapes, while others are gently shaded by palm trees. The beach at Grand Case is alive with local culture and tends to be a favorite with families. Orient Bay is particularly enticing for its wide expanse of velvety white sand, its underwater marine reserve with a coral reef that is great for snorkeling, and the variety of water sports that are offered here. At one end there is a naturist resort, and the beach there is purely clothing-optional. In general, the attitudes toward topless bathing are fairly relaxed and sophisticated in St. Martin.

2) Deep-Sea Fishing
The offshore waters offer a wide and challenging variety of game fish including marlin, tuna, dolphin, barracuda, and kingfish. The Angers Big Fishing Tournament occurs at the end of March and the Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament takes place here every year in the month of June. Boats can be chartered at reasonable rates all year long, although some of the fish are only in season in these waters from December through March. Charters typically include bait, tackle, and some form of refreshment.

3) Diving, Snorkeling & Other Water Sports
Visibility in the waters around the island typically extends for about 100 feet and sometimes can even reach up to 200 feet. Instruction from beginning to advanced is readily available, and certified divers should remember to bring their licenses as well as their diving logs. 02Limits Dive Center is on site for diving lessons and equipment rental.

Windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, and jet-skiing are activities that are regularly offered at the more popular beaches and in the inland lagoons. Rental and instruction tend to be fairly inexpensive.

4) Sailing
Small boats, like Sunfish and Sailfish, may be rented throughout the island and larger craft can also be chartered from a number of different operators around the island for longer trips to more isolated spots like the Ilet Pinel. Sailing instruction is also included if desired. For racing enthusiasts, a number of regattas are held here every year usually at the end of March.

5) Hiking
For those who want to experience the natural beauty of the island on foot, there are 25 miles of clearly defined footpaths running through the mountains and along the shore, revealing some truly spectacular panoramas.

6) Tennis & Squash
Tennis remains one of the favorite pastimes in St. Martin, and the Grand Case has an artificial grass tennis court (lit for night play),. Squash is available at a number of sports clubs and fitness centers. It should be kept in mind that appropriate attire, although not necessarily tennis whites, is required on nearly all of the courts.

7) Golf Courses
The one 18-hole golf course on the island is located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten at Mullet Bay. The course is open to all visitors; call ahead to reserve a slot.

8) Dining & Dancing
St. Martin is perhaps most famous for the elegance and art form of its cuisine. From the most superb of French delicacies to the tangy blends of Creole cooking to more exotic tastes like Chinese and East Indian, the island provides a wide variety of restaurants, bistros, and barbecue shacks called lolos that delight even the most sophisticated of gourmets. For dinner at most of the more fashionable dining spots, reservations are definitely recommended, although usually they are not necessary at lunchtime. Many places also provide music for dancing, as do the many nightclubs around the island. Bands play a variety of zouk, calypso, reggae, jazz and pop.

9) Duty-Free Shopping
One of the great attractions of the island has been the duty-free shopping available. Luxury items from all over the world, French and Italian clothing fashions, Dutch and Japanese electronics, Indonesian batiks and Chinese embroidery, jewelry, leather, crystal, liquors and fine porcelain, free of all taxes and customs, are regularly offered at bargain prices. The French side provides a more leisurely shopping experience.

10) Casinos
There are 13 casinos in the Dutch St. Maarten, just a short ride away. St. Maarten’s casinos offer a full array of games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and Let it Ride (a form of poker). Caribbean Stud Poker is a fairly new game played in much of the Caribbean. Unlike traditional poker, where players compete against each other, players in this game play against the house. Caribbean Stud offers some of the largest jackpots — often starting at $10,000 and more. All casinos are staffed by friendly, knowledgeable professionals who will gladly explain the house rules and odds.

St. Maarten’s casino scene isn't just about gambling. Casino Royale in Maho also offers a theater, with variety shows six nights a week in peak season — everything from magic shows to circus acts. You'll also find top-notch entertainment at Coliseum Casino on Front Street and Tropical Casino in Cole Bay.

attractions