6 Great Things To Do In St. Maarten

You might say St. Maarten is one-half of an island with a dual personality.

The St. Maarten portion of the island is Dutch, while its sister region, St. Martin, is a French colony. Together, they make for a magical and unique place where visitors can enjoy an unforgettable adventure.

This is where you will find all of the essential elements you have on your tropical island wish-list. There are mystical lagoons, pristine beaches and plenty of sun everywhere you go.

Start by choosing a great place to stay that lets you experience all that this utopia can deliver. Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts offers a choice of three properties, so you can pick the one that best fits your needs.

You will surely discover many great wonders all around you simply by strolling the island, but if you want some specific ideas, here are a few suggestions:

Bask in the sun on the beach. You have a number of beaches from which to choose, but the good news is, there isn’t a bad choice in the bunch so you can’t go wrong. Cool off in the refreshing, clear waters or just lounge along the shore watching the gentle waves.

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Explore the natural environment. You are surrounded by the magical wonders of Mother Nature here, so take advantage of the opportunity to get a close-up look at the lush greenery and all of the exotic creatures who live there.

Take a dive. If you are an experienced diver or always wanted to try it, you won’t be able to resist the allure of these gorgeous turquoise waters. Those who don’t have scuba diving skills can instead opt for SNUBA, a sort of snorkeling and scuba diving hybrid that still lets you view many varieties of the ocean life that frolic near the surface of the water.

Get a history lesson—and a great view—at Fort Louis. It’s impossible to miss Fort Louis, which makes a formidable impression perched above the island. Built at the top of a hill in the late 1700s, Fort Louis is the island’s largest historical monument and also offers some of the most amazing views in the region. From this vantage point, you can see a host of nearby locations, including Anguilla and Marigot.

Make some new non-human friends. This region is home to a wide assortment of exotic creatures, and you can see many of them at St. Maarten Zoo, the largest zoological park in the Caribbean. In addition to monkeys and other mammals, the zoo is also home to a variety of colorful tropical birds such as toucans and macaws. Oh, and kids (and their parents) will also be thrilled to learn that the zoo also boasts the biggest park in St. Maarten.

Sail off on an adventure. These waters are perfect for sailing, and it’s a great place to unleash your inner pirate. You have plenty of options of destinations for your quest, but we suggest Prickly Pear Cay, a tiny island with no permanent inhabitants. If you crave solitude and total relaxation, this is sure to be your idea of paradise.