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Visitor Activities and Attractions
 Shopping
St. Maarten enjoys an unusual status as a commercial
center: it is among the world's few duty-free
ports. This means that no duty is paid on any
item coming in or going out. Luxury items cost
up to 50 percent less than in other countries,
and it is a small wonder that shoppers and cruise
ships from around the world head here to buy jewelry,
electronics, perfume, crystal, and other expensive
goods.
Most of Dutch St. Maarten's shopping is concentrated
along Front Street in Philipsburg. Boutiques stretch
along the entire length of the street, and stylish
arcades lead off in either direction. A truly
international center, Front Street offers top-of-the-line
products from around the world. Prices are quoted
in US dollars, saving shoppers the confusion of
sorting out exchange rates.
Dining
 St.
Maarten's identity as a cultural crossroads is
reflected in the many different types of excellent
restaurants.
The island offers a choice of over 300 restaurants
such as Italian, French, Indian, American, Argentine,
Chinese, Middle Eastern, Creole and or Caribbean.
In the local island dishes, the ingredients are
all thrown together in the same pot. Creole food
blends local ingredients with French style, and
is the most widely available fare on the island.
Other West Indian stock dishes are based around
cooking with salt-cod, okra, callaloo, coconut
and Caribbean alcohol (rums or guavaberry).
Nightlife
St. Maarten has lots of evening and late-night
action. To find out what's doing on the island,
pick up St. Maarten Nights, St. Maarten Quick
Pick Guide, or St. Maarten Events, all of which
are distributed free in the tourist office and
hotels.
Golf
The Mullet Bay Golf Course is the only course
on the island and is open from 6am till 5pm everyday.
With 18 holes of pure enjoyment, a putting range,
driving range and exclusive pro shop.
Tennis
Many of St. Maarten's resorts have tennis courts
available for both day and night games. All are
open to the public who make reservations in advance
and pay an hourly fee. You can play on your own,
or enjoy a game with the resort tennis pro. Lessons
are also provided at many resorts so you can get
started.
Hiking
The best way to really appreciate the island is
by exploring on foot. You'll meet the local people,
learn the customs and above all see the scenery,
flora and fauna that you will never see from the
main road.
The deceptively small Dutch St. Maarten presents
some interesting contrasts for the explorer. Wide
beaches along the coast, full of sunbathers and
watersurfers, seem a far cry from the quiet country
roads and small towns of the hillsides.
Horseback
Riding
Island stables offer riding packages -- from novice
to expert -- for $25 to $40 per hour for a beach
ride. Ask about full-moon and sunset rides. You
can arrange rides directly or through most hotels.
Carnival
Two carnivals are held on the island each year
- the one on the French side (St. Martin) takes
place during Lent, keeping the tradition of the
French Creole Mas, while the other, the largest
of the two, is celebrated on the Dutch side (St.
Maarten) over a period of 17 days and nights with
its main parade scheduled to coincide with the
birthday of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands,
Beatrix.
A large open area is converted to a center piece
for sights, sounds, shows, and local culinary
treats, called 'The Carnival Village'. This is
where all the fun takes place during these 17
days. In the 'village' more than 100 booths are
erected and patrons keep themselves busy preparing
mouthwatering dishes like conch and dumplings,
Johnny cakes, barbequed chicken, and a host of
spicy soups which are said to all have aphrodisiac
qualities.
In the village, there are shows and performances
by local, regional and international performers.
Calypsonians from all over the Caribbean compete
for the title of King and Queen. After the crowning
of the Calypso King and Queen, the revelers hit
the streets for the Jouvert Jam - this is a parade
of music and dancing through the streets which
starts at 4AM and goes  until
sunrise.- but it doesn't end there, more parades,
parties and pulsating tropical rhythms fill the
day.
Beaches
There are many excellent beaches to be found.
The most popular, Orient Beach features a clothing-optional
area on one end. You can find beaches that are
crowded, quiet with few other people, or totally
deserted.
Boating
St. Maarten is a mecca for sailor plying caribbean
waters and offerer plenty of excellent anchorages.
Fully equipped marinas welcome visiting boats
and rent everything from speedboats to canoes.
Day trips can also be arranged for deep-sea fishing
or for visits to secluded nearby islands. Every
March, hundreds of participants from Europe, the
United States, and the Caribbean visit St. Maarten
to compete in one of the world's biggest sailing
events --- the St.
Maarten Heineken Regatta.
The event has come to  symbolize
the island's prominence as a sailing venue, and
St. Maarten is one of the few places in the world
where the average person can sail on a world-class
racing boat.
You can also enjoy the thrill of sailboat racing
with the daily St. Maarten 12-Metre Challenge
(Bobby's Marina, Philipsburg. PHONE: 599/542-0045
or 800/786-2278). Participants compete on 68-foot
racing yachts, including Dennis Connor's Stars
and Stripes, the actual boat that won the America
Cup in 1987, and the Canada II. The cost to participate
in the two-plus hour race is $65, but the thrill
of it makes it worth every penny.
Boat
Trips
Sail on one of the big catamarans, or power on
over, to the surrounding islands. Swaliga sails
daily to St. Barths. Voyager and The Edge go daily
either to Saba or St. Barths. Cruise to a deserted
island on a picnic sail and snorkel among the
coral reefs aboard Lambada, Blue Beard, Random
Wind or Scoobidoo.
Many charter companies offer day trips from Philipsburg
to Saba and St. Eustatius (the other two islands
that make up the Dutch Windwards group), Anguilla
and St. Barth's.
Fishing
Deep-sea fishing is a popular St. Maarten activity,
with full-day and half-day charters available
year-round. The best fishing grounds are conveniently
near the island, meaning less time spent traveling
and more time fishing. Charters usually include
tackle, bait, food, and refreshments. Bareboat
charters are also available. The day's catch can
include yellowtail, snapper, grouper, and marlin.
Tarpon, barracuda, snook, bonefish and jacks can
be caught year round.
Windsurfing
Orient Beach and Coconut grove, two beaches on
the windward North East coast of the island, situated
side by side but divided by a peninsula. The best
months for windsurfing are in the winter months.
Brisk southerly trade winds offer consistent conditions
averaging 15 knots all the way up to July. The
best place for beginners and intermediates is
undoubtedly Coconut grove with its flat water
and easy launching.
Scuba
Diving
The water temperature here is rarely below 70°F
(21°C), and visibility is usually excellent,
averaging about 100 feet. Beginners and night
divers will appreciate the tugboat Annie, which
lies in 25 feet to 30 feet of water in Simpson
Bay. Off the north coast, in the protected and
mostly current-free Grand Case Bay, is Creole
Rock. The water here ranges in depth from 10 feet
to 25 feet, and visibility is excellent. Other
sites off the north coast include Ilet Pinel,
for its good shallow diving; Green Key, with its
vibrant barrier reef; and Tintamarre (Flat Island),
for its sheltered coves and geologic faults. One
of the most popular sites is Proselyte Reef, named
for the British frigate HMS Proselyte. The ship,
initially a Dutch frigate, was captured by the
British in 1796 and sank about 1 mi (1½
km) south of Great Bay in 1801. Today the hulk
lies 15 feet to 45 feet below the surface and
is almost completely  covered
with coral.
Snorkeling
Some of the best snorkeling on the Dutch side
can be found around the rocks below Fort Amsterdam
off Little Bay Beach, in the west end of Maho
Bay, off Pelican Key, and around the reefs off
Dawn Beach and Oyster Pond. On the French side,
the area around Orient Bay, Caye Verte (Green
Key), Ilet Pinel, and Flat Island is especially
lovely and is officially classified, and protected,
as a regional underwater nature reserve.
Parasailing
Orient Beach is the place for parasailing. This
two mile long beach offers water sports locations
next to the many restaurants right on the beach.
Strap yourself into the parasailing rig and soar
30-50 ft above the ground - taking in the spectacular
view.... and don't worry about the landing - the
professional parasailing team-members bring you
down nice and dry, onto the launch pad where you
first lifted off.
Attractions
Around the Island
(Both Dutch and French sides)
Orient Beach, Grand Case
The island's most popular beach features a clothing-optional
area on one end.
Loterie Farm, St. Maarten/St. Martin
Hiking trail; Farm; Nature reserve
The Butterfly Farm (La Ferme des Papillons), Philipsburg
Farm; Nature center. This popular attraction is
home to numerous species of rare butterflies.
12 Metre Challenge, Philipsburg
Visitors can participate in a mini-America's Cup
boat race in actual boats from the 1987 competition,
including Dennis Conner's famous Stars & Stripes.
Oyster Pond, Marigot
This pristine mile-long beach offers great swimming
and scuba diving and is less known than some of
the island's more popular beaches.
Maho Bay, St. Maarten/St. Martin
Maho Bay, on the southwestern shore, is Sint Maarten's
main resort area. It feels a bit like the Las
Vegas Strip: while little more than a block long,
it's dense with multistory buildings housing exclusive
jewellers, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants
and a huge resort and casino. Maho Bay has a nice
enough beach except that it's at the very end
of the airport runway. The area is even marked
with a sign warning beach goers that 'low flying
and departing aircraft blast can cause physical
injury!'
St. Maarten Museum, Philipsburg
This small museum, in a converted 1800s house,
covers the culture and history of the island.
Cupecoy Bay / Beach, St. Maarten/St. Martin
If you're looking for a beach that's quiet but
not totally secluded, Cupecoy is a good choice.
Its white sands are backed by low sandstone cliffs
that have been eroded in such a way that they
provide a run of small semiprivate coves.
Frontstreet, Philipsburg
This crowded street is a popular tourist center
for duty-free shopping.
Orient Bay, St. Maarten/St. Martin
Very nice beach.
Red Bay (Baie Rouge), Marigot
This large beach has very gentle waters.
Museum of Saint Martin: On the Trail of the Arawaks
(Musee de Saint-Martin: Sur la Trace des Arawaks),
Marigot
This museum explores the history and culture of
the island, beginning with the Arawak natives
who inhabited the island before European contact.
Dawn Beach, Philipsburg
A popular tourist beach on the island's east coast.
St. Maarten Zoo, St. Maarten/St. Martin
Concordia Hill, Marigot
The site where the Treaty of Concordia was signed
in 1648, establishing joint control over the island
by the French and Dutch.
Prickly Pear, Marigot
This small pristine tropical island is perfect
for a relaxing afternoon of snorkeling.
Paradise Peak, Marigot
Those who hike to the top of the island's highest
mountain are rewarded with wonderful views.
 Fort
Amsterdam, St. Maarten/St. Martin
Historic site
Wathey Square, Philipsburg
The unofficial town center, featuring an 18th-century
courthouse and a tourist information booth.
Proselyte Reef, St. Maarten/St. Martin
This reef is perhaps the best known dive site
on the island and was the site where the H.M.S.
Proselyte, the remains of which are still buried
within the reef, once crashed.
Colombier, Marigot
This small village, located between Grand Case
and Marigot, is famous for its beautiful serene
setting.
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