01
Sky Explorer + Flying Dutchman
The classic: chairlift up, world’s steepest zipline down. If you only have time for one thing, this is it.
View option
St Maarten zipline guide
The island’s biggest views are not from the beach.
St Maarten has a side most visitors miss completely: Sentry Hill, Rockland Estate, Pic Paradis, and the thrill of seeing two countries from above the trees.
At Rainforest Adventures, the main attraction is the Flying Dutchman — the steepest zipline in the world — reached by chairlift with views over St Maarten, Anguilla, St Barths and Saba.
But that is not the only choice. You can book the classic Flying Dutchman package, combine several rides into a full half-day, choose a softer ridge zipline, or go local on the French side at Loterie Farm.
This guide helps you choose the right zipline experience before you book.
Rockland Estate
If you are staying on the Dutch side, Rainforest Adventures is about 10 minutes from Philipsburg — easy to reach, impossible to miss. The park sits on Rockland Estate, a historic property that goes back to the 1700s, with the Emilio Wilson Museum on site before you even get to the rides.
A 25-minute chairlift ride up to the top of Sentry Hill at 1,125 feet. The views start immediately and keep getting better.
The world’s steepest zipline: 2,800 feet long, 1,050 feet of elevation drop, and speeds up to 56 mph.
Three lines along the mountain ridge with views over Simpson Bay and Philipsburg.
The main event
I’ll be honest with you: the Flying Dutchman looks intimidating from the top.
Standing on the platform, looking down at the angle, is very different from reading about it. And then you go. Forty-five seconds later, you’re at the bottom, wondering why you hesitated.
The chair harness makes a real difference. You’re seated rather than hanging, which feels more secure and lets you actually take in the view on the way down.
In a nutshell
→ Chairlift up to Sentry Hill
→ Flying Dutchman zipline down the mountain
→ Big island views before the ride
→ Best choice if you only book one zipline experience
Quick answer
The right option depends on how much time you want to spend at Rockland Estate and how intense you want the ride to feel.
The classic: chairlift up, world’s steepest zipline down. If you only have time for one thing, this is it.
View optionThe full experience: Sky Explorer, Flying Dutchman, Schooner Ride and Sentry Hill Zipline in one package.
View optionA softer but still scenic option if the Flying Dutchman feels too intense for your group.
View optionBook the experience
These are the main Rainforest Adventures packages I would compare first, depending on whether you want the classic ride, the full half-day, or a softer zipline option.
The classic
This is the essential Rainforest Adventures experience: chairlift to the summit, 360° views from Sentry Hill, then the Flying Dutchman back down.
In a nutshell
→ Chairlift up to the top of Sentry Hill
→ World’s steepest zipline down
→ Best if you only want to book one experience
→ Morning slots are usually the best choice
This one can sell out, especially on cruise ship days. If your dates are set, do not wait too long.
Best value
This is the best value if you want to make a proper half-day of it at Rockland Estate.
In a nutshell
→ Sky Explorer chairlift
→ Flying Dutchman zipline
→ Schooner Ride
→ Sentry Hill Zipline
Allow around 3 to 4 hours and treat it as an adventure morning rather than a quick stop.
Softer option
This is the better option if you want the views and a real zipline experience without the extreme angle of the Flying Dutchman.
In a nutshell
→ Chairlift up to the summit
→ Three ziplines along the mountain ridge
→ Views over Simpson Bay and Philipsburg
→ Good for families or less extreme riders
Less intense than the Flying Dutchman, but still scenic, active, and memorable.
French side alternative
On the French side, many visitors never even hear about Loterie Farm’s Fly Zone Extreme. Which is a shame, because it is genuinely one of the best outdoor experiences on the island.
You are in the treetops of Pic Paradis, the highest point on St Martin, with multiple ziplines, obstacles, tropical forest around you, and views over both sides of the island.
In a nutshell
→ French side location at Loterie Farm
→ Treetop zipline and obstacle course
→ Smaller, more local atmosphere
→ Closed shoes required
The vibe is completely different from Rainforest Adventures: smaller, more intimate, more local. No cruise ship crowd feeling — just trees, wind, and the canopy.
Before you go
A little planning makes the zipline experience much smoother, especially if you are visiting during peak season or arriving by cruise ship.
For Rainforest Adventures, check the current operator rules before booking. The common listed range is 52–80 inches in height and 100–275 pounds in weight.
Morning slots are recommended. The park can get busier on cruise ship days and by midday.
Closed shoes are required. Wear comfortable clothes, bring sunscreen, and avoid carrying valuables.
FAQ
Yes — the Flying Dutchman at Rainforest Adventures St Maarten is known as the world’s steepest zipline. It drops 1,050 feet over 2,800 feet, with speeds up to 56 mph. The chair harness keeps you seated rather than hanging, which makes the descent feel more controlled than many visitors expect.
The Flying Dutchman ride itself lasts about 45 seconds. The full experience, including the Sky Explorer chairlift up and time at the summit, usually takes around 2 to 3 hours. The Big Three package with all four attractions takes around 3 to 4 hours.
For Rainforest Adventures, the listed requirements are usually a minimum height of 52 inches, a maximum height of 80 inches, a minimum weight of 100 pounds and a maximum weight of 275 pounds. Minimum age is 11 years old.
Children aged 11 and above who meet the height and weight requirements can participate. The Sentry Hill Zipline is usually the better starting point for younger or less adventurous participants, while the Flying Dutchman is more intense.
Rainforest Adventures is located at Rockland Estate, 59 L.B. Scott Road, Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of the island. It is close to Philipsburg and easy to reach by taxi or rental car.
For most visitors, Sky Explorer + Flying Dutchman is the essential experience. If you want a fuller half-day, The Big Three package offers the best value. If the Flying Dutchman feels too steep, Sky Explorer + Sentry Hill Zipline is a softer but still scenic alternative.
Yes, especially on cruise ship days and during busy travel periods. Morning slots are usually the best choice because the park can get busier by midday.
More guides
Keep planning your St Martin vacation with practical local guides and curated activities.
Compare boat days, island trips, beaches, private tours and local experiences before you book.