Beaches are the main attraction on the island. There are 37 of them in total. Most of them are lined with hotels, beach bars and cafes, many of which offer unexpectedly good European and Caribbean cuisine, as well as popular frozen cocktails.
The beaches of the French part of the island are characterized by tranquility and seclusion, and the more difficult it is to get to the beach, the more worthy of a visit it is. Some of them will appear in front of you in the arms of rocky cliffs, others will give you dramatic landscapes or cover you from the sun with the shade of wide palm trees. Orient Bay tempts with an expanse of velvety white sand and an underwater marine reserve with a coral reef, which is perfect for diving and a variety of water sports. Grand Case harmoniously weaves local culture into beach life and is ideal for families. The same goes for Friar’s Bay beach with its gentle waves, safe for small children. We recommend visiting the Full Moon Party at the local bar Kali’s. Reggae dancing around a campfire on the beach will give you a lot of vivid impressions.
The beaches on the Dutch side are more crowded, but no less interesting. Cupecoy unites three beaches located in the southwest of the island. They attract with limestone cliffs, beautiful sunsets and views of the island of Saba. Cupecoy beaches are popular among representatives of non-traditional orientation and gender minorities, so families with children should be careful about this place. Maho Bay is the most unusual and spectacular beach on the island. It is located at the end of the airport runway, which attracts photographers, aviation fans and thrill seekers. Those who are tired of the hum of airplanes on Maho Bay and the crowds of tourists on Orient Bay run to the quiet and beautiful Mullet Bay. The 1995 hurricane completely destroyed the adjacent resort, but the beauty of the beach remained unchanged, as did the waves of the bay, which novice windsurfers love to conquer. Dawn Beach is located near the French border. The beach got its name thanks to the wonderful sunrises. In the morning, there are not too many people here, which makes this action even more romantic. There is a large spa resort along the beach, where you can use the sun loungers for free. Dawn Beach is also famous for its clear water, so there are always a lot of divers and snorkelers here.
Diving
St. Maarten is a real paradise for diving enthusiasts. By diving off the coast of the island, you can enjoy all the beauty of the Caribbean Sea. Off the coast of St. Maarten you will find a variety of marine plants, colorful corals, amazing fish, leisurely huge turtles and stingrays. Diving centers of St. Maarten are open to everyone, including children from 10 years old, with whom specially trained experienced instructors work.
Leisure
Vacationing on St. Maarten will be remembered by travelers not only for its unusual beaches and interesting sights, but also for its wonderful fun.
Two weeks after Easter, a merry carnival begins on the island, which lasts for three long weeks. The holiday is accompanied by all the attributes: an effigy burning ceremony, incendiary dances, a masquerade and a lot of exotic street food.
Numerous races and regattas are held almost every month, attracting many spectators from locals and travelers.
You can have a cheap and tasty dinner in any coastal cafe on the island. The unusual cuisine of St. Maarten is based on a mixture of European and Caribbean traditions. The most popular dishes here are a variety of seafood, fish soups, stewed lamb with vegetables and meat pates. Traditional dishes can be accompanied by a bottle of Guavaberry, a local alcoholic drink.
The cozy hotels in St. Maarten are represented by both youth hostels and fashionable hotels. In any hotel you can rent a room for a few days, the cost of which will be lower if you book it in advance. Modern hotel complexes have swimming pools with warm water, gyms and spa rooms, luxurious restaurants, bars and night discos.