Saint-Martin, the island of 37 beaches
What to do in Saint-Martin ?
Traveling to St. Martin is a real pleasure: eco-tourism, duty-free shopping, trendy or natural beaches, partying with friends at the casino or in nightclubs, this is the explosive cocktail that the island of St. Martin offers you! You will appreciate in particular :
– The 37 beaches and their diving spots
– More than 300 restaurants for all tastes
– The nightlife, bars and casinos
– Tax-free shopping on the Dutch side…
Nicknamed “the FRIENDLY ISLAND”, the island offers a very nice atmosphere, and many activities to relax or unwind. In addition, the island has the highest concentration of gourmet restaurants per square kilometer in the Caribbean.
One island, TWO NATIONS: this island located in the North East of the Antilles archipelago, is half French and half Dutch (Sint Maarten). If you have chosen a package with a vehicle, you will be able to go around the island and pass from the French side to the Dutch side in total freedom. Art and local cuisine in GRAND CASE, or discos and casino in MAHO BAY? Do both! The party places (ORIENT BAY, MAHO…) cohabit with wild corners (PIC PARADIS, FRIAR’S BAY, HAPPY BAY, ).
Going to Saint-Martin by Ferry: already a show…
The VOYAGER Ferry offers a fantastic view to its passengers, from the first minutes of the crossing. From St Barthélemy to St Martin Marigot, you will discover the Ile Fourchue and then the North of the island of St Martin: Orient Bay, the island of Tintamarre, Anse Marcel, Grand-Case, Happy Bay, Friar’s Bay and … the bay of Marigot!
If the boat leaves from St Barths and goes through the south of St Martin, you will discover the cliffs of Pointe blanche, Philipsburg Bay (and its liners), Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, and the beaches of Terres Basses (Baie Rouge, Baie aux Prunes, Baie Longue) before arriving in Marigot.
Along the way, the lucky ones will be able to see whales, turtles or flying fish, or observe the islands of St Kitts, St Eustatius, Saba or Anguilla in the distance. If you travel in the late afternoon, you may be lucky enough to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Practical informations
Languages : French, English, Creole.
Time : GMT -4
Electricity : 220v/60hz
Climate ☼ ☼ ☼
Currency : Euros (US Dollars accepted)
Population: 38,000
The must-sees: beaches, nightlife, art…
In the “Friendly Island”, the tourist areas of St Martin alternate with authentic villages that have retained their charm and values. The island of St. Martin has many cultural treasures, in addition to its paradisiacal beaches or numerous duty-free stores in Marigot and Philipsburg. Whether you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery, to recharge your batteries or to party, Saint Martin is the perfect destination.
With more than 70 km of coastline and 37 beaches, Saint-Martin is a magical island, set like a paradise between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. First of all, we must mention the beach of Maho Bay, the world famous unusual beach which is the landing of airplanes at the Princess Juliana airport whose runway is located 10 meters from the beach. How not to be impressed by the spectacle of the jumbo jets flying over your head, strong sensations guaranteed!
The large and magnificent beach of Orient Bay will seduce you with its white sand and turquoise water, and its many water sports activities. Naturism is officially authorized in its eastern part. Impossible to name all the beaches but our favorites are Baie rouge, Baie longue, Cupecoy, Mullet bay, Petite plage, Happy bay, Friar’s bay..
On the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, the island offers a multitude of nightlife activities such as casinos, nightclubs, and open-air bars, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
No matter what type of vacation you are looking for, nature and calm, or more “active”, you are bound to find what you are looking for in Saint Martin.
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Hotels and Gastronomy in St Martin : for all budgets !
The island offers more than a hundred hotels for all tastes and budgets: from simple bed and breakfasts to luxurious 5-star palaces. You can even vary the pleasures during your stay.
The gastronomy in St Martin is colorful. In GRAND CASE, a wide range of local snacks will allow you to taste the famous “Johnny Cake”, codfish accras, or Ribs very appreciated on the spot. A few meters further on, a gastronomic restaurant will take you on a tour of flavors. On the Dutch side too, for example in MAHO, there are Sushi bars, Steack houses, beach restaurants, “fusion food” restaurants… And why not grilled lobsters, with your feet in the sand, on Pinel Island?
Saint-Martin, its geography, its climate, its history
The island of Saint-Martin is located in the northern part of the Caribbean Arc, in the Northern Hemisphere. Saint-Martin is bathed, in the East by the Atlantic Ocean and in the West by the Caribbean Sea. A large lagoon is located in the heart of the island. The surface area of the island is 88km2 with a highest point: the Pic Paradis (424 meters). The island enjoys a tropical climate with an average pleasant temperature of about 27 degrees all year round. The temperature of the sea water varies between 26 and 29°C.
It was during his second voyage that Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Saint Martin, on November 11, 1493, on Saint Martin’s Day. Long before the colonization by the Europeans, the island was inhabited by Arawak Indians who called it Soualiga (salt island). The Dutch colonized the island in 1631 and it became Spanish in 1633. The Dutch put up a fierce resistance without success. As the island was not very profitable, the Spanish decided to leave it for good in 1648, leaving it deserted. In 1626, the first European settlers moved to the island. The Dutch settled in Little Bay in the south, and the French in the northern part of the island in the Bay of the Mouth. On March 23, 1648, the Dutch and the French signed the Treaty of Mont des Accords. Thus, the French and the Dutch peacefully divided the island in two: the French occupied the northern part and the Dutch the southern part. This treaty recognized both the dual nationality of the island and its unity.
Today, the island’s economy is mainly based on tourism.
