St. Maarten travel guide
Two nations on one island: beaches, food, duty-free shopping and the gateway to the smaller islands.
St. Maarten is the Dutch half of an island shared with French Saint-Martin, and you can cross between the two sides freely. It is the busiest island in this guide, with a major international airport, a large cruise port, plenty of hotels and a strong food scene. For anyone travelling on to Saba, Statia or Anguilla, it is also the natural starting point.
Open St. Maarten on the map- Capital
- Philipsburg
- Status
- Constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Currency
- Caribbean guilder; US dollars widely accepted
- Languages
- English, Dutch; French on the northern side
- Airport
- Princess Juliana International (SXM)
Top things to do
- Watch planes at Maho Beach, where aircraft pass low overhead on approach. Stay well behind the fence and never stand in the jet blast zone.
- Stroll Front Street and the Great Bay boardwalk in Philipsburg for shopping, cafés and beach bars.
- Cross to the French side for Orient Bay's long beach and Grand Case, known for its restaurants.
- Take a day trip by boat or ferry to neighbouring islands.
- Hike or drive up to viewpoints over Simpson Bay Lagoon.
Diving and snorkelling
Dive sites include reefs and wrecks off the south coast, such as Proselyte Reef, named after a British frigate that sank there in the 18th century. Snorkelling is easy from several calm beaches. Conditions vary with the wind, so ask a local dive shop where to go on the day.
Gateway to the smaller islands
Short flights from Princess Juliana Airport connect to Saba and Statia, and ferries run to Saba, Anguilla and St. Barths. If you are combining islands, leave a buffer in your plans: small-island flights and ferries can be affected by weather.
Good to know
- Traffic can be heavy around Philipsburg and Simpson Bay, especially on cruise days.
- The French side uses the euro, although US dollars are often accepted.
- Hurricane season runs from June to November; check forecasts and travel insurance.
Schedules, prices and opening hours change often. Always confirm details with operators before you travel.