Caribbean Caribbean Guide Things To Do Essentials Where to Stay Itineraries Getaways All Caribbean 15 Best Things to Do in St. Martin and St. Maarten By Robert Curley Robert Curley LinkedIn Twitter Robert Curley is a freelance writer and guidebook author specializing in Caribbean Island and Rhode Island travel. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 10/13/21 Share Pin Email Peter Schaefer / EyeEm / Getty Images The Caribbean island that houses both St. Martin and St. Maarten is culturally different depending on what side you're visiting. The Dutch side (St. Maarten), with its distinctively Caribbean flair, has a colorful vibe that matches the bright buildings and colonial streets. On the less-developed French side (St. Martin), restaurants that seem straight out of Paris, French fashion boutiques, and croissants and pastries everywhere make it feel 100 percent like its homeland. But despite the fact that the island is actually two different countries, going back and forth between them is easy—whether to revel in the secludedness of St. Martin's Natural Reserve or engage in the hustle-bustle of Phillipsburg—and contributes to the drawn of this unique two-sided island. 01 of 15 Reach New Heights on the World's Steepest Zip Line Rainforest Adventure View Map Address LB Scott Rd #59, Cul de Sac, Sint Maarten Get directions Phone +1 721-543-1135 Web Visit website Something you maybe wouldn't have expected to find on the tiny island is the world's steepest zip line, but alas, The Flying Dutchman at the Rainforest Adventure eco-park in St. Maarten is just that. You'll have to take a chairlift up to the summit of Sentry Hill, which is the highest point on the island and offers sweeping views of both St. Martin and Sint Marteen, as well as the sea. While the Flying Dutchman definitely isn't for travelers with fears of heights, it's not meant to be a fast thrill ride either. It's just an exciting and unique way to take in the gorgeous Caribbean views. 02 of 15 Take a Boozy Excursion to a Rum Distillery Topper's Rhum View Map Address 60 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten Get directions Phone +1 721-520-0008 Web Visit website Drinking in the Caribbean is practically synonymous with rum, so you can't visit without touring at least one distillery. Thankfully, one of the biggest in the region is right on St. Marteen, the 6,000-square-foot Topper's Rhum Distillery. You'll learn all about the blending process and how each craft bottle is prepared before getting to sample some of the scrumptious concoctions. Topper's specializes in its flavored rums, ranging from standard mix-ins like coconut to more unique blends like banana vanilla cinnamon or white chocolate raspberry. 03 of 15 Create Your Own Fragrance TIjon View Map Address 1 L’Esperance Grand-Case MF 97150, Rte de l'Espérance, Grand-Case 97150, St Martin Get directions Phone +590 690 22 74 70 Web Visit website If you're a fan of luxurious French perfumes like Chanel or Dior, you can mix your very own fragrance at the Tijon lab in St. Martin. The French Caribbean lab takes practices perfected on the mainland and mixes them with locally made scents, allowing guests to mix and match their own perfume or cologne. Buying a brand-name perfume as a souvenir is one thing, but bringing back your own personal fragrance is at an entirely different level. 04 of 15 Stroll the Streets of Philipsburg Peter Phipp / Getty Images View Map Address Philipsburg, Sint Maarten Get directions Founded in 1763, the Dutch capital of St. Maarten has a rich history, great shopping, and lively activity day and night. A narrow band of streets wedged between a salt pond and the Caribbean Sea makes up the main downtown area and shopping district. On Front Street (Voorstraat), which runs parallel to a waterfront boardwalk, is where you'll find bars, restaurants, strollers, and Segway tours. Cruise visitors can easily walk from the cruise-ship pier to downtown, where highlights include the Guavaberry Emporium, the Sint Maarten Museum, a photogenic historic courthouse, and a pair of casinos. Continue to 5 of 15 below. 05 of 15 Tour the French Capital of Marigot Richie Diesterheft / CC by SA 3.0 View Map Address Marigot 97150, Guadeloupe Get directions On the west coast of St. Martin sits the center of the French side's activity in Marigot. This town, still guarded by Fort Louis, was built to order by King Louis XVI in 1789. Take a fort tour or join the local scene at the town's open-air market. But don't forget to sample French Caribbean cuisine at some of the village's world-class restaurants. Browse the latest French fashions at Marigot's duty-free shops and take a stroll through history on Rue de la Republique. 06 of 15 Visit the Museum Sint Maarten Richie Diesterheft / CC by SA 3.0 View Map Address 7 Voorstraat, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten Get directions Phone +1 721-542-4917 Web Visit website The St. Maarten Museum in downtown Philipsburg makes a great rainy-day activity or a quick stop while strolling the streets of the Dutch capital. Run by the Sint Maarten National Heritage Foundation, the museum features diverse exhibits covering everything from pre-Columbian history to the ravages of Hurricane Irma, which devastated the island in 2017. 07 of 15 Wine and Dine in Grand Case daveswallace / Getty Images View Map Address Grand Case 97150, St Martin Get directions Grand Case is the culinary capital of both St. Martin and St. Maarten and a foodie haven. Restaurants occupy many of the village's historic buildings and beach bars line the town's sandy beach. Expect to eat fish straight off the boat and fine French Caribbean cuisine at any of the restaurants on the main street. This street, which runs alongside the shoreline, is also a popular place for a pre- or post-meal stroll. 08 of 15 Indulge in Adventure at the Loterie Farm Loterie Farm View Map Address Rue du Pic Paradis, St Martin 97150, St Martin Get directions Phone +590 690 28 84 66 Web Visit website Loterie Farm, St. Martin's only private adventure reserve, offers a host of activities for active outdoor families. This historic sugar plantation, which dates back to 1773, was transformed after the 1995 hurricane left it in a state of destruction and vandalism. Take a hiking tour of the grounds to learn about the history of the farm while reveling in the local flora and fauna. Adrenaline junkies can test their nerve on the ziplines and the treetop adventure course. Or, relax by the pool's waterfall while indulging in treats from the cafe. Continue to 9 of 15 below. 09 of 15 Enjoy Serenity at the Natural Reserve of St. Martin Wikimedia Commons View Map Address Anse Marcel, 97150 Get directions Phone +33 5 90 29 09 72 Web Visit website While the island of St. Maarten and St. Martin is relatively compact and highly developed, you can still get a sense of nature's beauty. St. Martin's Natural Reserve, located on the northeastern coast of the island, includes 8,800 acres of land and sea and houses several ecosystems. It's home to sea turtles, seabirds, and land animals like mongoose and iguanas. Hike the reserve's extensive trail system or join dive groups offshore to experience underwater wonders. 10 of 15 Ferry Over to Pinel Island Alljengi / CC by SA 2.0 View Map Address Îlet de Pinel, St Martin Get directions Often overlooked by visitors to St. Maarten, Pinel Island sits at the center of Orient Bay within the St. Maarten Marine Park. Take the ferry over to this local's hot spot to spend your day kayaking, eating and drinking at the island's three beach bars, or lounging on the sand. For an adventurous day trip, take a hike to one of the deserted beaches on the undeveloped side of the island where sunbathing is clothing-optional. 11 of 15 Bare It All at Orient Bay Beach TripSavvy / Robert Curley View Map Address Rue de la Baie Orientale, 97150, St Martin Get directions Phone +590 590 87 33 85 Web Visit website For an adult-only experience, head to Orient Bay Beach, the most famous clothing-optional beach in the Caribbean. In true French fashion, you'll find nude sunbathers along this whole stretch of beach. Still, there's more to do at Orient Beach than just work on your all-over tan. Check out the beach bars and eateries lining the shore and a myriad of available water-sports activities like parasailing, jet-skiing, and kiteboarding. 12 of 15 Buy Liquor at the Guavaberry Emporium Holger Leue /LOOK-foto / Getty Images View Map St. Maarten's native guavaberry has a tart taste when eaten raw. But when used as the main ingredient in locally produced liqueur, rums, and hot sauces, it's incredibly delectable. The colorful Guavaberry Emporium carries all the island's guavaberry provisions and is a must-see attraction in downtown Phillipsburg. Don't forget to take an obligatory selfie in front of the famous signpost outside. Continue to 13 of 15 below. 13 of 15 Feel the Roar at Maho Beach alljengi / CC by SA 2.0 View Map Address Maho Beach, Sint Maarten Get directions Maho Beach sits at the end of the runway of St. Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport. And, as you can expect, it's quite the sight to see giant passenger jets fly over the sand at only a few hundred feet up. Daring beachgoers will grab ahold of the airport's fence and hang on as they are buffeted by the back blast from jet engines. Watching and partaking in this ritual is one of the more unusual experiences you'll have on this island. 14 of 15 Go Scuba Diving Alexis Rosenfeld / Getty Images With shallow waters surrounding the island, both St. Martin and St. Maarten offer beginner divers a way to get their feet wet. The area boasts 20 dive sites, including 11 shipwrecks, coral reefs, and coral-encrusted rocks. Swim among colorful fish in an astoundingly beautiful seascape while obtaining your SCUBA certification. Should you want to explore further, the surrounding islands of Saba, Statia, Anguilla, and St. Barts also offer a unique underwater experience. 15 of 15 Try Sailing with 12 Metre Regatta Onne van der Wal / Getty Images View Map Address Juancho Yrausquin Blvd, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten Get directions Phone +1 721-542-0045 Web Visit website Hop aboard one of the fastest 12-meter-class sailboats in the world and race like a pro with 12 Metre Regatta. This unique experience gives you the option of sitting back and enjoying the adrenalin-producing ride or actively participating by grinding winches and trimming sales as you race other boats on a genuine America's Cup racecourse. After the race, enjoy a victory celebration at the clubhouse and browse the boutique for race gear and souvenirs. Boat racing is open to anyone over the age of nine and no prior experience is necessary. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit