Maho Beach and the Low-Flying Planes
The most famous plane-spotting beach in the Caribbean: jets on final approach pass just over the sand into Princess Juliana airport. Free to visit, easy by taxi or bus, and a natural fit for a cruise day.
Sint Maarten
St. Maarten / St. Martin
St. Maarten and St. Martin is one small Caribbean island with two flags, Dutch in the south and French in the north, and an open border that you cross without noticing.
It packs a lot into roughly thirty-four square miles: planes thundering over Maho Beach, the duty-free boardwalk and cruise port of Philipsburg, the French waterfront market at Marigot, the beach clubs of Orient Bay, the restaurant strip of Grand Case and the protected shores of Pinel Island, plus easy boat days to Anguilla and St. Barths. This guide is built for both week-long stays and the many travelers on a cruise-port day stop, with ten attractions, five hotels on both sides of the island and two planning guides.
Don't miss
Philipsburg and the Great Bay Boardwalk
The Dutch-side capital on a narrow strip between Great Bay and Salt Pond: a beachfront boardwalk, Front Street duty-free shopping and the island's cruise port. Free to wander and just ten minutes from the ships.
Maho Beach and the Low-Flying Planes
The most famous plane-spotting beach in the Caribbean: jets on final approach pass just over the sand into Princess Juliana airport. Free to visit, easy by taxi or bus, and a natural fit for a cruise day.
Anguilla Day Trip by Boat
A boat day to quiet, powder-sand Anguilla, a short sail north of St. Martin. The Anguilla Getaway Cruise is one of the best-reviewed trips on Viator for the island, with nearly 800 reviews.
Pinel Island and Three-Island Snorkel Cruise
A four-hour boat trip that mixes snorkeling with turtles and beach time on little Pinel Island, a protected nature reserve off the French side. Highly rated, and good value among the island's boat trips.
Things to do in St. Maarten / St. Martin
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
FreePhilipsburg and the Great Bay Boardwalk
The Dutch-side capital on a narrow strip between Great Bay and Salt Pond: a beachfront boardwalk, Front Street duty-free shopping and the island's cruise port. Free to wander and just ten minutes from the ships.
2 to 4 hoursDetails →
Rainforest Adventures: Sky Explorer and Flying Dutchman
St. Maarten's best-known adventure park: a scenic chairlift ride with 360 degree views, the Flying Dutchman zipline and add-on rides. A popular half-day for families and cruise guests, with mixed but generally fair reviews.
Anguilla Day Trip by Boat
A boat day to quiet, powder-sand Anguilla, a short sail north of St. Martin. The Anguilla Getaway Cruise is one of the best-reviewed trips on Viator for the island, with nearly 800 reviews.
St. Barths Sailing and Snorkeling Day Trip
A long, polished day sail from Philipsburg to French St. Barths with snorkeling, an open bar and a buffet lunch. A splurge outing for travelers who want a glimpse of the chic island next door.
Pinel Island and Three-Island Snorkel Cruise
A four-hour boat trip that mixes snorkeling with turtles and beach time on little Pinel Island, a protected nature reserve off the French side. Highly rated, and good value among the island's boat trips.
Marigot Market and Fort Louis
The French capital's waterfront market and the hilltop fort above it: spices, tropical fruit, fresh fish and crafts, then a short climb for views over Marigot Bay. Free to visit, with a French cafe lunch on the side.
1.5 to 3 hoursDetails →
Orient Bay Beach
The French side's big, lively beach, nicknamed the Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean: a mile of sand, beach clubs, watersports and a village of cafes. The Island Discovery Tour pairs it with Maho Beach.
Grand Case: The Food Capital of the Caribbean
A former fishing village on the French side with around thirty restaurants along one strip, from casual beachfront lolos to Gault and Millau rated French-Creole dining. Free to stroll and unmissable for dinner.
Topper Rhum Distillery Tour
A short, inexpensive tour and tasting at a local rum maker: a fun rainy-day or cruise-day stop with an exceptional review record, over a thousand reviews at a 4.9 average.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel
Baie Longue, Terres Basses
The island's classic luxury address on Baie Longue: a hillside-and-beach resort with suites, cottages and private-pool villas, reopened in late 2023 after a villa renovation. The splurge for couples and families who want space and service.
Check rates →Grand Case Beach Club
Grand Case
A four-star all-suite resort in Grand Case with a private cove, kitchens in the suites and a short walk to the village restaurants. A comfortable mid-range base on the French side.
Check rates →Sonesta Maho Beach All Inclusive Resort Casino and Spa
Maho
A large all-inclusive resort on Maho Beach under the landing planes, with a swim-up pool bar, water slides, a casino across the street and a new sky deck. The practical pick for families and groups on the Dutch side.
Check rates →La Playa Orient Bay
Orient Bay
A 4-star boutique hotel with 56 junior suites, a pool, spa and beachside restaurant on Orient Bay. The best base for beach clubs and watersports on the French side.
Check rates →Seaview Beach Hotel
Philipsburg
A small, long-running Philipsburg hotel on the Great Bay boardwalk, with sea-view rooms, artist-designed rooms and the only beachfront infinity pool on the boardwalk. The budget-friendly base for cruise pre- and post-stays.
Check rates →St. Maarten / St. Martin guides
First-Timer's Guide to St. Maarten and St. Martin: What to Book, Cruise Days and Getting Around
What to book ahead on St. Maarten and St. Martin, how to plan a cruise day, how to get around, how many days you need and where Maho, Orient Bay and Grand Case fit.
Where to Stay on St. Maarten and St. Martin: Maho, Philipsburg, Grand Case, Orient Bay and Baie Longue
A guide to the island's main areas, Maho, Philipsburg, Grand Case, Orient Bay and Baie Longue, with five hotels matched to different budgets and travel styles.
