Activities on the island of St. Martin - St. Maarten...

Apart from the practice of winter sports, the island of St. Martin - St. Maarten offers a multitude of activities to meet the expectations of everyone...

It is a place where you feel very quickly like at home and where contact is easy.

Whether for lounging, partying, shopping or outdoor activities, St. Martin is THE destination that responds most readily to all requirements.

Click the topic that interests you for a direct access:

The beaches of St. Martin & St. Maarten	The hikings	The Nature Reserve of St. Martin
Sports and watersports	Artists and galleries	Nightlife in St. Martin & St. Maarten

The beaches of St. Martin & St. Maarten ...

St. Martin Ilsand is obviously a privileged destination when we dream of postcard's beaches with turquoise sea, white sand and coconut trees. With its 36 different beaches, you'll be spoiled for choice.

Go to our topic devoted exclusively to these little gems: BEACHES OF ST MARTIN & ST. MAARTEN

Sports and Watersports at St. Martin & St. Maarten...

St. Martin, a magical island planted like a setting between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Even if there are other sports, water activities predominate among all those available on the island.
Between diving, fishing, surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, kite surfing, water skiing, kayaking and sailing, all those who seek to discover the deep blue sea, find their happiness.
The climatic conditions of air and water are perfect all year round (between 25°C and 29°C on average) and the regular trade winds for water sports of all kinds. For water sports, including surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing, waves and wind are the sine qua non conditions.

Watersports
For surfers especially, St. Martin has several spots known and recognized by them. By swell weather, surfers are there, alert, ready for the wave.
The best spot of St. Martin:
• Petites Cayes Beach: At the north end of the island, one of the most beautiful beaches of the island, remained wild and little frequented. A walk of about 1 / 2 hours is required, on an easy path, starting from Cul de Sac. Regular "reef" waves. This is an excellent spot when the swell from the north is rolling.

Deepseafishing
If you are looking for the "Big Fish", St Martin can satisfy your desires. Many boats are available for shipment at sea for a half-day or full day. The waters around St. Martin are extremely rich and renowned as home of the largest Blue Marlin in the world.
Do not miss the renowned "Bill Fish Tournament" in June.

Scuba diving
The turquoise waters that surround the shores of the island of St. Martin - St. Maarten are full of treasures: colorful fish, shellfish, corals, algae and marine plants. Scuba diving gives pride to the wonders that lurk in the depths of the ocean, where visibility is still possible at 100 meters.
More than forty-five sites have been identified and the diving clubs offer to all divers to romp in this huge playground. Successful discoveries are guaranteed in the coral reefs.

Boating and Marinas
With its 10 marinas, the island of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten has one of the most beautiful sites in the Caribbean for cruising and boating and can accommodate some 1,400 boats. The most beautiful boats in the world are already docked there.
Small or large, luxurious and modern, the marinas of the island offer all the amenities and facilities desired by boaters and cruise lines.

Golf, Tennis, Cycling, Horseback riding and many more...
Having fun, perfecting its shape... St. Martin does not miss assets, making tourist stays the most complete.
Thus, a golf course welcomes you. This 18-hole golf course lies on the edge of the Mullet Bay beach, in a beautiful scenery, on the Dutch side.

The hikings and places to see in St. Martin & St. Maarten...

It is obviously impossible here to list all places of interest of the island of St. Martin as they are numerous.
However, if you're tired of the beach and you want to discover the island and its history, here are some places to explore...

Marigot, capital of the French side
Appeared around 1969, the town of Marigot owes its name to the existence of many wetlands, creeks, that were there before. The waterfront and downtown are very pleasant especially thanks to the market and shops...
The rue de la République, lined with its traditional houses, has been lovingly restored and is a feast for the eyes and what to say of the panoramic view that you can discover from Fort Louis...
Do not miss : a visit to the Museum of St Martin.

Pic Paradis
At the center of the island, culminating at 424 meters, Pic Paradis is the peak of the island. Its access offers a magnificent panoramic view of the whole island and its neighbors. It's the starting point of many hiking trails. By foot, nature lovers will discover a lush tropical flora. It can also be reached by road.
Don't miss : the Loterie Farm, located at the foot of Pic Paradis, with its restaurant and lounge bar and its tree climbing rack.

The village of Grand Case
The village of Grand Case has kept all its authenticity, particularly in the architecture. Known as the capital of gastronomy, many restaurants, from gourmet restaurants to “lolos”, are located in small squares and typical traditional houses.
Every year, fishermen and locals rub shoulders with thousands of tourists who walk late at night on the Boulevard de Grand Case, the main street of the town.
The climax is given with the Grand Case's Tuesdays Harmony Nights, from January until the end of April, where the discovery of crafts and local cuisine is at its peak, punctuated by jazz bands and orchestras in the Caribbean.

Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side
Capital of duty-free, the many shops that line Front Street and Back Street, the two main streets of Philipsburg, offer many duty-free products: jewelry, perfumes, hi-fi equipment, appliances, clothing...

St Martin an island of artists...

The island has lured a profusion of artists, painters, sculptors and ceramists to the island, some of whom are worldfamous.
A number of artists are from the island but others hail from abroad and decided to set their easels here... And so Caribbean influences come in contact with those of other continents and new styles emerge.
The island abounds with art galleries and exhibitions are hosted regularly throughout the year. Every month a free magazine named Soualig'Art is distributed island-wide, and advertises the current program of exhibitions and cultural events.
Also, in the lobby of the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall), tahnks to "Le Coin des Artist's" you can discover each month the work of a different artist. In a similar way, for one special evening every month the Town Hall Garden becomes "Le Jardin des Poètes" (The Poets Garden): proposing an evening of poetry and prose readings, punctuated with jazz style musical interludes and an opportunity to taste local cuisine.
Ask for the program at the Art and Culture Service of the Collectivity: 05 90 51 19 05

Art Galleries
St. Martin (french side)
• Arawaks Pottery, Quartier d'Orléans • Art Caraïbes, Anse Marcel Marina • Atelier des Tropismes, Grand Case • Camaïeu, Marigot • Caribbean pictorial, Oyster Pond • Chapon Antoine, Cul de Sac • Comptoir des Arts, Marina Port La Royale • Dona Bryhiel art gallery, Oyster Pond • Eck Francis atelier, Concordia • Exotiques, Oyster Pond • Gingerbread, Marina Port La Royale • Graffiti's, Grand Case • Lynn Studio, Grand Case • Patrick Poivre de la Freta (atelier des Tropismes), Grand Case • Latilye, Cul de Sac • Minguet La Maison des Arts, Rambaud • Popova, Orient Bay • Roland Richardson, Marigot.
St. Maarten (dutch side)
• Artcraft, Maho Plaza • Greenwith Galleries, Philipsburg • Molinero Antoine, Cole Bay • Simpson Bay Art Gallery, Cole Bay.

The Nature Reserve of Saint Martin...

The essential principle of the Nature Reserve is part of an overall policy of development of Saint Martin.

Saint-Martin's National Nature Reserve, which covers over 3,060 hectares, is located in the north part of the island. The offshore part, the largest area, covers over 2,900 hectares.

The onshore part is composed of rocky coastline, cliffs and beaches, which shelter numerous species of seabirds, (sterns, gannets, frigate birds, brown pelicans...) as well as many herons who nest in the mangroves.
Iguanas can be observed basking on rocks along the coast or feeding in the forests. Among the mammals, the raccoons and mongooses feed on crabs, eggs and small fish living in the mangroves and in the coral reefs. The main specie of mangrove is the Red Mangrove which can generally be found in the salt ponds. Ponds and mangroves are very productive biological systems and constitute nursery grounds for crustaceans and fishes. They likewise provide food and shelter for many birds (fifty different species have been registered).

Sea turtles favor the large beaches on the east coast and the small cays for laying their eggs.
From January to May, humpback whales visit the marine area, as they particularly love the deep waters during mating season.

The maritime section comprises phanerogamic seagrass beds and varieties of coral formations. These seagrass, like the coral reefs, shelter several invertebrate species and mollusks, (star fish, sea urchins, lobster, marine cicadas, conch...) as well as numerous species of fish (box fish, grouper, surgeon fish, parrot fish, tarpon, barracudas, angel fish...).
During the mating season between February and June humpback whales and big dolphins are prolific in the deeper waters.

The aims of the Nature Reserve are to preserve the biodiversity and flora and fauna potentials of the three existing ecosystems.
The Nature Reserve is pleased to welcome you to this privileged environment where nature is flourishing and hope that the wonderful natural resources encourage respectful behavior on the part of its visitors.

Nature Reserve Rules
In order to protect the environment, the Nature Reserve has established a set of strict regulations established by governmental decree.
It is forbidden to:
• disturb, bother, or harm animals or their eggs, their nests or nesting places, or their young; or remove them from the Nature Reserve
• pick, destroy, or introduce plants, or remove them from the Nature Reserve
• hunt, fish with a line, net, or trap, fish with a harpoon or gun, or remove any animals dead or alive
• abandon or jettison any product that is harmful to the quality of the air, the water, the earth, or the site, or to the overall flora and fauna
• disturb the peace with loud noise
• camp in a tent, in a vehicle, or any other form of shelter
• damage the natural environment by setting fires or making inscriptions
• use water skis or jet skis
• collect minerals, fossils, or archeological vestiges
• fly over the Nature Reserve at an altitude of less than 300 meters

Please respect the flora and fauna. Please remember to pick up your trash. Do not encourage the illegal commerce of protected natural species (shells, cactus, turtles…)

For further information please log onto : www.reservenaturelle-saint-martin.com

Nightlife in St.Martin & St Maarten...

All year round Saint Martin offers a thriving night life.

At dusk, once the last glowing rays of sunset have melted away on the horizon, the island dons its festive wear and the beach bars, clubs and discotheques gear up for yet another unforgettable evening.
The night is prolonged on the Dutch side, by the brilliant lights of the fifteen or so casinos where every one takes their chances until the early hours of the morning.
Maho, right beside the Princess Juliana international airport, is a unique spot: a real "Little Las Vegas" of the Caribbean ,where sparkles and sequins, lights and music, casinos and discotheques...

Casinos
The casinos are all located in St Maarten, on the Dutch side of the island.
• Atlantis World Casino • Beach Plaza Casino • Casino Royale • Coliseum • Diamond Casino • Dolphin Casino • Golden Casino • Hollywood Casino • Jump Up Casino • Paradise Plaza Casino & Sport • Pelican Casino • Princess Casino & Port de Plaisance Resort • Rouge & Noir Casino • Tropicana Casino

Nightclubs and theme bars
In St. Marti (french side)
• Marina Port la Royale • Bikini Beach, Baie Orientale • Bodeguita del Medio, Marigot • Boo Boo Jam, Orient Bay • Calmos Café, Grand Case • Le 13e Round, Marigot • David’s Bar & Club, Marina Royale • La Flibuste, Marina Royale • Kontiki Bar & Restaurant, Baie Orientale • Maéva Beach, Grand Case • Heaven's Club, Sandy Ground • Le Pub 49, Grand Case • Lago Heights, Marigot • Waïkiki Beach, Baie Orientale

In St. Maarten (Dutch side)
• Hang-Out, Simpson Bay • Bliss, Maho Beach • Bada Bing, Simpson Bay • Bamboo Bernie's, Maho Beach • Border Bar, Oyster Pond • Cappucino, Simpson Bay • Cheri's Café, Maho Plaza • Le Cheyenne, Maho Reef • Golden Eyes, Simpson Bay • Next Club Behind Platinum Room, Maho Village • Q Club, Maho Beach • Piano Hollywood Casino, Pelican Resort • Soggy Dollar Bar • Solid Gold Atlantis World Casino, Cupecoy • The Sopranos, Maho • Sunset Beach Bar, Maho Beach • Platinum (adult entertainement), Maho • Pineapple Pete, Cole Bay • Club Wish, Simpson Bay

Cinemas
In St. Maarten (Dutch side)
• Megaplex Cinema 7 theatres with AC. Welfare Road 69. Simpson Bay