St Maarten is located on the southern half of the island of Saint Martin island, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the northern half of the island belonging to France. The island has its own currency, the Netherlands Antilles Guilde, although US dollars are widely accepted, and most of the 30,000 residents speak both Dutch and English. The country's airport is one of the busiest in the Eastern Caribbean, with flights from the US and continental Europe arriving regularly.
On this friendly and safe island beaches are one of the major attractions, and there are several very different types to choose from, depending on whether you are looking for family amenities, nightlife, or peace and quiet. Simpson Bay Beach is one of the quieter stretches of sand on St Maarten. Half of the beach actually runs parallel to the airport runway, which doesn't exactly make for a peaceful day on the beach, but will keep the kids fascinated!
Kimsha beach is where you will find most of the island's bars and nightclubs, with live music in the summer months until dawn, while Great Bay beach is the main stretch of sand in the island's capital, Philipsburg. There are plenty of amenities here, though it does get very busy on weekends. However, the Beach at Little Bay just over the headland is often quieter, and has a sheltered swimming area which is ideal for families. If you interested in baring all, St Maarten has one of the Caribbean's few nudist areas at Orient Beach.
There are several water sports centres on the island, whether you want to try diving, riding a jet ski or sailing. You can also take a boat trip around the island and enjoy diving into the Caribbean Sea far out to shore, well away from the crowds. The best way to see all the sights on this small island is to pick up a taxi either in Philipsburg itself, or at the cruise ship harbour. Make sure you negotiate a price in advance, then sit back and enjoy the ride. Most drivers will be happy to share their local knowledge and stories as you make your way round the island. Make sure they take you to Loterie Farm, a private nature reserve which is home to some of the most stunning scenery on St Maarten.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in St. Maarten/St. Martin? Then below is a selection of apartments in St. Maarten/St. Martin and villas in St. Maarten/St. Martin that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
