Updated February 7, 2024

St. Maarten/St. Martin is my happy place that checks off many of my happiness goals! In this post, I will be sharing some of my favorite places and things to do on this two-nation island for a family vacation. This Caribbean destination has a unique following of devout visitors who consider the island their home away from home, returning year after year.  

What to Do and Where to Go!

While renting a car may not be necessary depending on where you stay, to get the best experience especially for your first trip, plan to rent a car for at least a few days to freely explore the island.

I’m hoping this travelogue will show you the beauty of this island and why it’s my number-one getaway. I’ve visited 50 or so times, and in recent years, with my kids and grandkids. I hope you’ll get a feel of the vibe through my prose and photos and find yourself booking your next getaway.

ONE: Beaches

I can’t even begin to touch upon all the 37 beaches on the island but I can say there’s a perfect beach for everyone. From water sports enthusiasts, sun worshippers, feet-in-the-sand diners, beach strollers to those inclined for shade or seeking a quiet interlude, there are beaches that fulfill all wants and needs. All beaches are public even if you need to access through a resort.

Visit the St. Martin Tourist Office to get details on all the beaches, so when you come, plan to visit those based on specific characteristics and amenities. Or, pick your accommodation for its proximity to a particular beach for convenient access.

Orient Bay

While I’ve visited most of the island’s turquoise beaches over the years, Orient Bay will always be my favorite. The most popular beach on the island, this 1.2-mile breathtaking stretch with a calm surf and fine white sand, offers families a bit of everything. It’s a must-go beach if you’re looking for watersports (visit Bikini Watersports), beach restaurants/bars, getting in your daily steps, renting beach loungers, people watching, not to mention spectacular views of Green Cay, Tintamarre and Pinel islands.

Please note: On the southern end, past Orange Fever, there is a clothing-optional section. You’re likely to come across occasional topless sunbathers too, as it’s acceptable on many island beaches.

Meanwhile, there are many other beautiful beaches to consider for a family outing, including:

Dutch side:

Simpson Bay: Watch the planes, cruise ships and other boat activity with Saba in the background from this beautiful one-mile strand. It’s home to many popular hotels and villas. Bring chairs and find a private spot or rent them at one of the beach restaurants.

Mullet Bay: This is pretty spot and a favorite for kids because of the gentle surf and golden fine sand (see beach shot above). Chair rentals and two restaurants are on-site. Pack the kids’ snorkeling gear.

Maho Beach: The site of wildly popular Sunset Beach Bar and world-famous destination to watch the planes landing. I strongly recommend checking the cruise ship schedule in advance to avoid jam-packed crowds.

Cupecoy Beach: Worth a stop for taking in the cliffs, caves and spectacular sunsets. The waves can be rough and be aware you may spot clothing-optional sunbathers on the northwest end.

French side:

Grand Case Beach: Located in St. Martin’s culinary capital, reserve your family spot on the sand at Rainbow Café or Captain Frenchy for lunch, beach chair rentals and views of Anguilla. The beach is calm and inviting and ideal for kids. On the opposite end of the village, visit Petite Plage, home of Grand Case Beach Club and Creole Rock, a popular diving and snorkeling destination.  

Pinel Island: Take the short ferry ride to enjoy the shallow, calm waters of this tiny island’s beach that the whole family will enjoy. It’s also a destination for Caribbean lobster and iguana sightings; see more info under Number 5 below.  

TWO: Adventures and Excursions

The island offers a plethora of adventure. Here are some of my favorite adventures on the island, as well as some items on my bucket list.

Take a Sailboat Cruise

Getting out on the water for a sailboat cruise is an exceptional experience for kids and adults alike. If you’re not sure if your family is up for a full day of sailing, try a half-day or sunset cruise. That’s what we did, and we loved it. So now we’re planning to do a day sail with Random Wind on our next island visit. The tour will be relaxing for those who want to chill on the beach and boat while some of us snorkel, kayak, paddle board and try out the Tarzan swing!

Parasail and Other Watersports

To me, parasailing is a special indulgence to add to a St. Maarten/St. Martin trip. I’ve been fortunate to go twice, once with my BFF years ago and last year with granddaughter. While not everyone is up for parasailing; for me, it’s an exhilarating experience to be flying in the sky while taking in the magnificent panoramic views. Once you’re on island, get a firsthand look before you book.

In addition to parasailing, there’s a wealth of water activities on Orient Beach including jet skis, banana boats, inflatable water slide, snorkeling, flyboard and towed buoy. Visit Bikini Watersports for details.

Visit a Fort

Two nations, one island means two forts, one for each side. For a quick and free excursion for kids, put aside an hour or so to visit one first thing in the morning before it gets too hot and humid.

My grandkids visited Fort St. Louis on the French side’s capital Marigot. They came back with stories about the trek up the steep hill and seeing real cannons as well as some beautiful photos of sweeping views of the island. Built in 1789, the fort’s primary function was to defend the harbor from pirates stealing salt, coffee, sugar cane and rum that were stored in the harbor warehouses.

Fort Amsterdam, built in 1631, is located between Great Bay and Little Bay. Access it from Divi Little Bay Resort, and when you enter the resort, just mention you’re visiting the fort. The fort is also a good place to the spot the national bird, the Pelican.

THREE: Visit a Nearby Island

If you’d like to take a family excursion to experience a neighboring island while in St. Maarten/St. Martin, it’s easy to do for a day trip by ferry or book a tour.

Anguilla is about a 20-minute ferry ride from Marigot. Known for its gorgeous beaches, laid-back atmosphere and overall charm, this island is worth a visit. I recommend renting a car to do a self-guided tour of the island and then spend some time at Shoal Bay East including lunch at Gwen’s Reggae Grill.

Exclusive St. Barths is where the rich and famous go on vacation. It’s a 45- or 60-minute ferry trip depending on which ferry you book with departures from Philipsburg, Simpson Bay or Marigot. You could spend the day in Gustavia, as there’s enough to do there to keep you occupied. Some stops would be Shell Beach for the kids; the famous Le Select for a drink; plus, the many interesting restaurants and shops in town. Or, do your research, rent a car to tour the rolling hills and beaches of this quaint island.  

Add a visit to Saba, a 90-minute ferry ride from Simpson Bay, to your to-do list. It’s on mine and I’m intrigued to check out the island on foot by hiking in the rainforest or for an underwater excursion to truly connect with this island’s unspoiled natural beauty. For a family excursion, you may want to slow down the pace with a taxi tour. Drivers will greet you upon arrival and will be your guide to explore the island.

Other Island To-Dos on my to-do list include:

• Sky Explorer and Flying Dutchman – Take in the 360-degree views in the chairlift and zip lines.
• Loterie Farm – A nature reserve that offers zip lining, unique Jungle Pool, lunch at the Jungle Room and hiking trails! 
• Parrotte Ville – A fun stop with the kids to see colorful tropical birds and gardens.

FOUR: Shopping

The island offers retail therapy galore; learn where to go and what to buy. There are shopportuntites for all – from kids, adults, fashionistas to foodies. Some of my usual stops include:

• Marigot Market – A great spot for the kids to pick up inexpensive touristy trinkets, t-shirts, beach apparel, local artisan wares, spices and the daily catch. Go on Wednesday or Saturday. Learn more.
• Le Gout du Vin – If you’re looking for good French wine, look no further. Duty-free prices are reasonable and the selection extensive. Located Marigot and Hope Hill. Learn more.
• Front Street – You’ll get your fill of duty free shopping on Front Street in Phillipsburg if looking for something special to take home. On cruise ship days especially, the street is bustling with shoppers hunting for high-end jewelry, perfumes, liquor, fine china, linens, cigars, designer brands, t-shirts and touristy trinkets.
• Grand Case – You’ll find a variety of French boutiques and gift shops; stroll the narrow main drag and poke in a few. One of my favorites is Sexy Fruits, offering silver and semiprecious jewelry, clothing and home décor and gifts. It also has locations on Orient Beach and Marigot.

FIVE: Dining and Entertainment

You won’t go hungry in St. Maarten/St. Martin, a truly foodie paradise from casual to high-end gourmet. Find restaurant information. We usually have a short list of regular places we enjoy, so we can try out new venues with each trip.

• Italian and Pizza – Mezza Luna in Nettle Bay is right on the water; great pizza for the kids and Italian entrees.  
• Best Bakery – La Sucriere in Simpson Bay is our favorite; on the French side we recommend L’ Express (three locations). 
• For a beachy vibe lunch, we enjoyed Dinghy’s Beach Bar for the view, sandwiches and drinks.
• Maho Village – Don’t miss Three Amigos for Taco Tuesdays and drop by Creperie Cape Cafe for dessert.
• Best Lolo – Cynthia’s Talk of the Town serves up traditional, local fare, including grilled ribs, chicken and fish, a variety of sides and mocktails/cocktails (kids love the frozen drinks!).
• Best Gourmet – L’Auberge Gourmande is our favorite special place in Grand Case. We also enjoy Le Cottage, Bistrot Caraibes and La Villa.
• Orient Village – Stroll the courtyard and check out the many menus; great choices include Le Piment and La Trattoria.
• Caribbean Lobster: Pinel Island is worth visiting not just for the beach, but for a lobster lunch at Le Karibuni or Yellow Beach. Also recommend visiting family-friendly Chef Leandra on Orient Bay for lobster and its local creole-style food.

* For family entertainment during the day: Music can be enjoyed at many beach bars/restaurants during daylight hours, especially on Sundays, which is good for the kiddos (and adults who crash early after a beach day!). Some include Dinghy’s Beach Bar on Simpson Bay Beach and Kalatua Beach Restaurant on Mullet Beach; visit their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates. For a beach break or on a rainy day, check out Caribbean Cinemas for a movie.

* Nighttime music venues include: The Red Piano in Simpson Bay; Hole in the Wall in Maho; Wai Plage (Friday nights) on Orient Beach; and Karakter. If looking for a more upbeat scene, check out We Are SXM for bar and nightclub info. Casinos, located on the Dutch side, can be fun to spin the wheel, try slots or to join a blackjack or poker table. Sint-Martin.net lists the top-10 casinos. 

* Keep “island time” in mind, as scheduled offerings are subject to change!

SIX: Accommodations

St. Martin can be very accommodating when it comes to finding places to stay for family trip. From villas, condos, apartments, hotels, all-inclusives and timeshares, finding accommodations is abundant. Compared to a beachside rental in the U.S., you can find surprisingly affordable options. To help get you started, visit: Sint Maarten Vacation, Airbnb and VRBO.

For our family trips, we’ve stayed at a Simpson Bay beachside property, literally 10 steps from the sand, where we rented three adjacent villas. For our next trip, we’re renting condos through Airbnb and VRBO on Orient Bay that are within easy walking distance from each other and the amenities of Orient Village. If you want a private pool and spectacular view, there are villas aplenty for couples to large groups; visit Antilles Exception for more info.

SEVEN: Connect with and Create Your Island Traditions

The more familiar you get with the island, you more you’ll appreciate the beautiful snapshots in time of which you’ll be immersed. From the mountainous terrain, turquoise beaches, colorful gingerbread Creole-style homes, ocean watercrafts, neighbor island views, you’ll be a part of this. Soak it up and save it to memory. In fact, I’ve decorated my main floor powder room as a nod to the island; check out: Bring Island Color Home with Caribbean-Inspired Bathroom.

Find your connection to the island to relax and decompress and enjoy precious moments to pause. Slow down. Just be. Take in the wildlife and fauna. Read a book. Listen to the waves. Take a nap under an umbrella. Wander the beach with the kids looking for treasures.

Another part of connecting with the island is experiencing the fabric of the island community and locals. Known as the “friendly island,” you’ll soon learn locals enjoy interacting with tourists, and frequent visitors build long-lasting relationships with locals and other returning visitors.

Once you establish traditions and favorite things to do on the island, it makes every return a “coming home” experience to easily pick up where you left off last time.

Join Online Groups Before Your Trip

I encourage you to join Facebook groups and online boards to get familiar with the island before you go. You’ll learn from devoted visitors and what they love to do on the island. Here’s some I recommend:

• Travel Talk Online – St Marten/St. Martin
• Facebook Groups:
  • SXM or Bust!
  • SIMPLY SXM
  • Orient Bay Village Life SXM
  • Jeff Berger’s Everything St. Maarten / St. Martin / SXM Facebook Group

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