Discover the best things to do in St. Maarten — from Maho Beach to hidden French-side gems. Local insider tips, top restaurants, water sports & more. Updated 2026.
St. Maarten is unlike any other island in the Caribbean. Two countries, one island — and more to discover than most visitors ever realize. After more than ten years of living here, we can tell you: the best things to do in St. Maarten / St. Martin aren’t always in the guidebooks.
Whether you’re arriving by cruise ship, spending a week at a villa, or planning your very first Caribbean trip, this guide gives you the real picture — beaches, food, adventures, and a few local favorites that most tourists walk right past.
1. Watch Planes Land at Maho Beach
No list of things to do in St. Maarten is complete without Maho Beach. The runway of Princess Juliana International Airport ends just meters from the shoreline, meaning arriving planes pass so low overhead you can practically read the registration number. It’s loud, thrilling, and unlike anything else in the Caribbean.
Local tip: Check the flight schedule before you go — the spectacle is worth timing right. Saturday afternoon typically see the most traffic. The Flightradar24 tracker shows live arrivals.
2. Explore Grand Case — the Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean
The small French village of Grand Case is, without question, one of the finest dining destinations in the entire Caribbean. A single street lines the beach, and on it you’ll find world-class restaurants serving everything from classic French cuisine to Creole specialties.
Some of our favorite spots — all partners of the Magic of the Caribbean Card (MOTCCard):
- Ocean82 — elegant French fine dining right on the Grand Case waterfront, where the sea is practically at your table
- Le Pressoir — set in a beautifully restored historic Creole house, one of the most romantic dining settings on the island
- Bistrot Caraïbes — relaxed, unpretentious, and genuinely beloved by locals for its honest Creole-French cooking
- Java SXM — fresh seafood with a legendary sunset view, perfect for a long, leisurely evening
- Le Cottage — French bistrot chic at its finest, with wonderful wine choices and a warm, intimate atmosphere
- Le Carpaccio — French lunch bistro in a relaxed setting
- La Villa — elegant French-Mediterranean on the French side
- Lolos — local, authentic, Creole BBQ
With the MOTCCard, you get exclusive discounts at these and dozens more restaurants and businesses across the island. Learn more about the MOTCCard here.
3. Take a Catamaran or Sailing Trip
The waters around St. Maarten / St. Martin are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean — crystal clear, warm year-round, and dotted with neighboring islands just a short sail away. A day trip to Pinel Island, Tintamarre, or even St. Barths by boat is one of the best things you can do here.
Options range from private charters to group catamaran excursions with snorkeling, swimming, and open bar included. We work with trusted local operators — check our partner recomendations here.
4. Discover the French Side: Marigot & Beyond
Most cruise ship visitors stay on the Dutch side in Philipsburg. That means the French side — with its open-air market, the hilltop Fort Louis, chic boutiques, and the relaxed culture at Orient Bay — is noticeably quieter and more authentic.
Spend a morning at the Wednesday and Saturday market in Marigot waterfront, pick up local spices, Creole crafts, and fresh produce, then walk the waterfront and climb up to Fort Louis for panoramic views over the lagoon and Marigot Bay.
5. Snorkel or Dive at Creole Rock
Just offshore from Grand Case lies Creole Rock, a protected marine area teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral. It’s one of the best snorkeling spots on the island and easily accessible by water taxi from Grand Case Beach.
For certified divers, St. Maarten offers excellent reef diving, wreck diving, and dive sites suitable for all experience levels. Our partner Creole Rock Watersports offers guided snorkeling trips directly to the rock — book via our partner page.
6. Go Zip-Lining at Loterie Farm
Hidden in the lush hills of the French side, Loterie Farm is a nature reserve and adventure park set in a centuries-old plantation estate. The zip-line runs through the rainforest canopy with views out to the sea — you can take their shuttle or climb up to Pic Paradis.
After the adrenaline, the on-site restaurant and pool bar at the “Jungle Room Restaurant” offers one of the most serene settings on the island. It’s a completely different side of the island that many visitors never see.
7. Shop Duty-Free in Philipsburg
Philipsburg’s Front Street is one of the Caribbean’s premier duty-free shopping destinations. Jewelry, watches, electronics, rum, cigars — the range is impressive and the prices genuinely competitive. Even if shopping isn’t your main reason for visiting, a stroll down Front Street with its colonial architecture and the Great Salt Pond behind it is worth the trip.
Our tip: Skip the cruise ship rush (mornings when ships are in port get crowded fast) and go in the early afternoon for a much more relaxed experience — finish with dinner on the boardwalk.
8. Eat Your Way Through the Island
St. Martin is called the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean” for a reason — over 400 restaurants for a population of roughly 100,000 people. The diversity is extraordinary: French, Creole, Indonesian, Italian, Indian, and everything in between.
Beyond Grand Case, don’t miss:
- Coco Beach — creative Caribbean fusion at Orient Bay Beach
- Aloha Beach — young French beach club at Orient Bay Beach with disco vibes on Sunday
- Au Passage Gourmand — a local favorite for breakfast and lunch in Marigot
- Ti-Palm — a romantic dinner spot in Orient Bay that earns its reputation night after night, ideal for a special evening out
- Le Ptit Bistro — classic French cooking done with care and consistency, a true neighborhood bistro in the heart of Orient Bay Village.
- L’Astrolabe — tucked away in a magical setting at the heart of Orient Bay, with dinner served poolside in a lush tropical garden; a place that delivers on every level.
- and many more…
All of the above are MOTCCard partners.
Browse the full list of partner restaurants and get your card here.
9. Island-Hop to Anguilla, St. Barths, St. Eustatius or Saba
One of St. Maarten’s greatest advantages is its location as a regional hub. From Marigot harbour, a 20-minute ferry takes you to the pristine white beaches of Anguilla. St. Barths — the ultra-chic French island — is a 45-minute ferry or short flight away. Saba and Statia offer world-class diving and virtually no crowds.
St. Maarten is the ideal base for exploring the northeastern Caribbean. If you have more than a few days, at least one day trip to a neighboring island is highly recommended.
10. Catch a Sunset at the Simpson Bay Bridge
Every day, the Simpson Bay bridge opens to let boats pass through at certain times — and the spectacle draws a crowd of locals and visitors alike. Mega-yachts, sailing boats, and fishing vessels glide through as the sun sets behind them. It sounds simple, but it’s genuinely one of those St. Maarten moments you don’t forget. Grab a drink at one of the nearby beach bars, watch the bridge open, and let the Caribbean do its thing.
Plan Your Trip with the MOTCCard
The Magic of the Caribbean Card (MOTCCard) is the insider’s pass to St. Maarten / St. Martin — discounts at over 200 restaurants, shops, watersports operators, and services across both sides of the island. It’s included free with select villa rentals and available to purchase for visitors who want to experience the island like a local.
Practical Information
- Getting around: Renting a car is the best way to explore both sides. We recommend our reliable, local, and competitively priced partners. Find them on the MOTCC APP or on our website.
- Both sides: Remember your passport if you plan to cross to the French side from the Dutch side (or vice versa) — there’s no border control, but ID may be checked at ferry terminals.
- Best time to visit: December through April is peak season with dry weather. May and June offer excellent value with fewer crowds and equally beautiful conditions.
- Currency: US dollars are accepted everywhere on both sides. The Dutch side uses the Caribbean Guilder officially; the French side uses the euro but dollars are universally accepted.
We are Angie & Thommy — expats who call St. Maarten home since 2015. Magic of the Caribbean is our local guide to the best this island has to offer. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for weekly updates, restaurant reviews, and island news.
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