I’ve watched thousands of visitors arrive with a vague plan and leave wishing they’d had one more day. The ones who made the most of their time had something in common — they got on the water.
That’s the real secret of St Maarten/St Martin. The island is beautiful from the road.
It’s extraordinary from the sea.
A catamaran to Tintamarre, a day in Anguilla, a private boat pulling into Gustavia harbor — these are the moments people talk about for years. Not the shopping in Philipsburg. Not the casino. The water.
Beyond the boat trips, there’s more — Maho Beach where planes land close enough to feel the engines, the zipline with views over both sides of the island, ATV trails through the hills, snorkeling at Creole Rock just off the coast of Grand Case.
I’ve selected the experiences actually worth your time. Not everything on the island — the ones that consistently deliver. The ones that sell out first. The ones I’d recommend to my own friends.
St Maarten is an island. But it’s also a base — one of the best in the Caribbean for getting on the water and going somewhere.
The lagoon, the Atlantic coast, Tintamarre, Anguilla 20 minutes away, St Barths 45 minutes away — the sea here is not 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.
A full day on the water — open bar, lunch cooked fresh on board, music, the sun on your face. You’ll snorkel at Tintamarre with sea turtles swimming right past you. You’ll float on the netting at the front of the boat with a rum punch in your hand, watching the coastline drift by, wondering why you ever hesitated.
I see people come back from catamaran days all the time. Always the same look. Always the same thing : “we should have done this on day one.”
Book it on day one.
Good to Know: Most catamaran tours sell out weeks in advance between December and April. If you see dates that work, don't wait → browse my top-rated catamaran tours and check availability. Free cancellation on most bookings.
If you’re staying in Grand Case, Orient Bay, or anywhere on the French side — you don’t need to drive to Philipsburg. You don’t need to fight the traffic, find the parking, or spend half your morning getting to a marina on the other side of the island.
The boat leaves from here. From your side. Smaller groups, local operators, a completely different atmosphere. Less tourist conveyor belt, more actual Caribbean.
These are the operators I know personally. The ones I’d send my own friends to.
Good to Know: French Side departures mean smaller groups and a more local experience → browse my recommendations and check availability — free cancellation on most bookings.
No fixed itinerary. No strangers. No “okay everyone back on the boat in 20 minutes.” Just your group, your captain, and a list of places you actually want to go. Tintamarre before anyone else gets there. A quiet bay in Anguilla. St Barths for lunch.
The captain adapts. You decide. That’s the whole point.
Good to Know: If Anguilla is on your itinerary, don't forget your passport — it's a separate country. Most captains recommend departing early to reach the best spots before the day-trip boats arrive. → browse my private charter recommendations here.
Creole Rock is a marine reserve just off the coast of Grand Case — calm water, coral reef, and more fish than you’d expect from a place this close to shore. Sea turtles. Stingrays. The kind of underwater world that makes first-timers gasp through their snorkel.
And then there’s Under SXM — an underwater sculpture park unlike anything else in the Caribbean. Art, coral, and the ocean, all in one place. I still can’t quite explain it. You just have to see it.
Good to Know: Creole Rock is a protected marine reserve — no touching the coral, no feeding the fish. Most tours provide all equipment. Under SXM books up fast — it's one of the most unique experiences on the island and tends to sell out first. → browse my snorkeling recommendations here.
The wind drops. 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 are not an activity. They’re a feeling. The kind of evening you don’t plan for and never forget. The kind you tell people about when you get home and they ask “what was the best part?”
Book it for your last night. Or your first. Either way, don’t skip it.
Good to Know: Sunset cruises are the most romantic — and the most requested — experience on the island. They book out fast, especially for couples traveling in high season. Don't leave this one for the last minute. → browse my sunset cruise recommendations here.
But here’s what they miss : within 45 minutes by boat, you can be on two of the most extraordinary islands in the Caribbean. Different worlds. Different atmospheres. Different everything. And you’re back in time for dinner.
Anguilla. St Barths. Both within reach. Both unforgettable. Both worth a full day.
And then you’re somewhere that feels completely different — quieter, slower, more beautiful than you expected. 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 ever been to before.
I say this to every visitor who asks : if you have one free day, go to Anguilla. None of them have ever come back disappointed.
Good to Know: Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory — you'll need your passport. No passport, no trip. Also worth knowing : the best tours sell out 41 days in advance on average during high season. → browse my Anguilla day trip recommendations.
St Barths is different. You feel it the moment you pull into Gustavia harbor.
More polished. More elegant. That particular French Caribbean atmosphere that makes everything feel slightly more special — the restaurants, the beaches, the light. Johnny Hallyday chose to spend his winters here. Once you’ve been, you understand why.
It’s not the easiest day trip. It’s not the cheapest. But it’s the one people talk about for years.
Do it right. Private charter, Anse Marcel departure, Colombier in the morning. Trust me on this one.
Good to Know: St Barths is a foreign country — bring your passport. Departing from Anse Marcel on the French side saves you an hour of driving. And go early — Colombier beach is magical before the crowds arrive. → browse my St Barths day trip recommendations.
Good to Know: Ship excursions are convenient but overpriced — and they keep you in a group. A local catamaran or snorkeling tour booked independently costs less, feels more authentic, and gives you far more freedom. → read my full cruise stop guide.
The sea is the main event in St Maarten. But the island has more to offer than the water — and some of the best moments happen when you least expect them.
You’ve seen the island from the beach. Now see it from the water — fast.
A private jet ski tour covers both sides of the island in two hours. The French coast, the Dutch lagoon, hidden bays you’d never find by car. Wind, speed, spray, and that particular feeling of freedom that only happens when you’re going too fast on the Caribbean Sea.
It’s the most fun you’ll have in two hours on this island. I’ll stand by that.
Good to Know: Most jet ski tours are private — just your group and a guide. No license required, no experience needed. Minimum age is usually 16 to drive, younger passengers can ride as passengers. → browse my jet ski tour recommendations.
Most visitors see St Maarten from the beach or the boat. An ATV tour shows you a third angle — the one between the two.
Guided coastal routes, rugged terrain, hidden beaches, and viewpoints you’d never find in a rental car. Both sides of the island, in two to four hours, with a guide who knows every trail.
Dusty, bumpy, completely worth it.
Good to Know: ATV tours sell out fast on cruise ship days — the island gets busy and spots go quickly. Closed shoes are mandatory, wear clothes you don't mind getting dusty. Most tours last 2 to 4 hours. → browse my ATV tour recommendations.
St Maarten has a secret weapon — and it’s above the trees.
Two ziplines, two sides of the island, two completely different views. The kind of rush that makes you want to go again immediately.
Good to Know: The zipline is operated by Rainforest Adventures — the same company behind ziplines across the Caribbean. Weight and age restrictions apply, so check before you book. Morning slots have the best light and cooler temperatures. → browse my zipline recommendations.
Island tours take you through both sides — the Dutch, the French, the viewpoints, the villages, the coastline you’d never find on your own. The best way to understand this place in a single day.
Good to Know: Island tours are the best option for first-timers who want to understand the island quickly — both sides, both cultures, in one day. Most tours include pickup from your hotel or villa. → browse my island tour recommendations.
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!
→ Vacation Rentals : Start with our own curated selection of villas and rentals — some owners accept direct bookings. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, VRBO and Booking.com have a wide selection.
→ Hotels : TripAdvisor and Booking.com are our go-to for the best rates.
→ Car Rental : Renting a car is essential in St Martin. DiscoverCars searches all local companies for the lowest rates.
→ Tours & Excursions : We book through Viator and GetYourGuide — both offer free cancellation on most tours.
→ Flights : We search Expedia for the best deals to SXM Airport.
→ eSIM : Skip the roaming fees. Airalo works perfectly in St Martin.
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