Knowing what to do, though — that’s the real challenge.
I remember the first time I came here on vacation. I had no idea where to start. Back then, it was simpler — fewer options, fewer websites, fewer choices to make.
Today, it’s the opposite.
You open Google and suddenly you’re comparing dozens of tours that all look the same. Every platform claims to have the “best experiences”. Every blog has a list. And when you only have a few days here, choosing becomes harder than it should be.
So I did what I now do for my own friends when they visit.
I put together a first selection — not everything you can do on the island, but what I would recommend for a first trip. The experiences that consistently deliver. The ones people remember. The ones that sell out first for a reason.
You might not know exactly what you want to do yet.
But if you chose St Maarten / St Martin, chances are you’re looking for a balance — a few slow beach days, and a few experiences that make the trip feel special.
This guide will help you make the most of your time in St Maarten — without overthinking it.
In this guide
St Maarten is an island — that’s probably why you chose it in the first place.
So the first thing I recommend? Get on a boat and see it from the Caribbean side.
The lagoon, the Atlantic coast, Tintamarre, Anguilla just 20 minutes away, St Barths in 45 — the sea here isn’t just a backdrop. It’s the whole point.
I’ll be honest with you — most visitors figure this out on day three. By then, half their trip is gone. Don’t make that mistake. Whatever else you plan, get on the water first.
Here’s where to start.
You’re going to thank yourself for booking this one.
A full day on the water — open bar, lunch prepared on board, music, the sun on your face. You’ll snorkel at Tintamarre with sea turtles gliding past you. You’ll stretch out on the netting at the front of the boat, drink in hand, watching the coastline drift by.
It’s simple, effortless — and exactly what most people picture when they think of the Caribbean.
I see people come back from these days all the time. Same look. Same sentence:
“We should have done this on day one.”
Most people don’t realize it until it’s too late.
If you’re considering it: Most catamaran tours sell out weeks in advance between December and April. If you see dates that work, it’s worth booking early
→ browse my top-rated catamaran tours and check availability.
A speedboat day feels completely different from a catamaran.
You move faster. You cover more ground. And instead of following a fixed route, you stop where you want — whether it’s a quiet beach, a snorkeling spot, or a place you simply feel like exploring.
It’s also one of the best ways to reach Anguilla or St Barts if you want to make the most of your time on the water without committing to a full group tour.
If you’re traveling with friends or just want a more private, flexible experience, this is where things start to feel a lot more personal.
If this sounds like you: A speedboat day gives you much more freedom than a standard tour — but not all charters offer the same experience. If you want to do it right, I’ve listed the best private speedboat options here → see what’s available.
You don’t need to be a diver to see something extraordinary here.
Creole Rock, just off the coast of Grand Case, is one of the best spots on the island — calm, clear water, a protected reef, and more marine life than you’d expect this close to shore. Sea turtles. Stingrays. Schools of fish all around you.
And then there’s Under SXM — an underwater sculpture park unlike anything else in the Caribbean. Art slowly blending into coral, shapes emerging through the water… it’s hard to explain until you’re actually there.
Good to know: Creole Rock is a protected marine reserve — no touching the coral, no feeding the fish. Most tours include all equipment.
If seeing turtles is your priority, not all tours go to the right spots:
→ see my recommended turtle tours.
Otherwise, you can explore a wider range of snorkeling options here :
→ explore the best snorkeling tours.
There’s a moment, sometime around 5pm out on the water, when everything slows down.
The wind softens. The sky turns pink over St Barths. Someone hands you a drink. And you realize this is exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Sunset cruises aren’t really an activity. They’re a feeling. The kind of evening you don’t plan for — but remember long after the trip is over. The one people talk about when they get home and someone asks, “what was your favorite part?”
Save it for your last night. Or your first. Either way, don’t skip it.
If this is the kind of activities you’re looking for: Sunset cruises are one of the most requested experiences on the island — especially for couples — and tend to book out quickly in high season. If you’re thinking about doing one, it’s worth planning ahead → explore my recommended sunset cruises and see what’s available for your dates.
Most people arrive in St Maarten and stay on the island the entire time. Which is perfectly fine — the island has more than enough to offer
But here’s what they miss: within 45 minutes by boat, you can be somewhere completely different.
Anguilla. St Barths.
Two islands. Two atmospheres. Two completely different ways to spend a day — and you’re back in time for dinner.
And then suddenly, everything feels different.
Quieter. Slower. Almost unreal.
The beaches in Anguilla are in a category of their own — Shoal Bay, Meads Bay, Rendezvous Bay. The kind of sand and water that makes you question every beach you’ve seen before.
I say this to every visitor who asks: if you have one free day, go to Anguilla. Not one has ever come back disappointed.
Good to know: Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory — you’ll need your passport. No passport, no trip. The best day trips tend to book out quickly in high season, so it’s worth planning ahead
→ explore my recommended Anguilla day trips and see what’s available for your dates.
You feel it the moment you arrive in Gustavia harbor, everything is a little more polished. More elegant. That distinct French Caribbean atmosphere — in the restaurants, the beaches, even the light.
Somehow, everything feels just a bit more special.
It’s long been a favorite escape for celebrities, yacht owners, and anyone looking for something a little more elevated. Once you’ve been, you understand why.
It’s not the easiest day trip. And it’s not the cheapest.
But it’s the one people remember for years.
If you do it, do it right — private boat, early departure, Colombier before the crowds.
Good to know: St Barths is part of France, but you’ll still need your passport to go. If you’re considering this day trip, I’ve put together a selection of the best options → explore my recommended St Barths day trips and see what’s available.
Not everything in St Maarten happens on the water. If you feel like moving a bit more, this is where things get fun.
Jet ski tours take you along the coastline, with stops in places you wouldn’t reach otherwise — fast, easy, and surprisingly scenic.
ATV tours are a different kind of ride — dirt tracks, viewpoints, and parts of the island most visitors never see. Less about comfort, more about the experience.
And then there’s the zipline — flying over the hills with views on both sides of the island. It’s quick, but it’s one of those moments you remember.
These activities are some of the easiest to book last minute — but the best time slots still go quickly in high season. For something fast and on the water → see the best jet ski tours. For an off-road experience → explore the top ATV tours. And for something a bit different → check the zipline experience.
St Maarten is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean — but what you do with those few hours makes all the difference.
Here’s what I actually recommend if you want to experience more than just the usual stops.
Good to know: Ship excursions are convenient, but they tend to be more expensive and follow a fixed schedule. → read my guide to the best ways to spend a cruise stop in St Maarten.
I've lived in St Martin for 25 years — and I'm an epicurean at heart, in love with my island. I've been giving out insider tips for almost 15 years.
Let me help you plan your perfect vacation in St Martin / St Maarten!
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