Destinations
St. Maarten & St. Martin(Dutch & French) Complete Travel Guide
Discover the enchanting island where two cultures converge in the heart of the Caribbean: St. Maarten and St. Martin. This…
St. Maarten / St. Martin Travel Guides
Two nations, one island — beaches, markets, and Caribbean fusion
St. Maarten and St. Martin share one island but feel like two different worlds — Dutch Philipsburg’s boardwalk energy on one side, French Grand Case’s beachfront bistros on the other. I’ve explored both sides thoroughly, from watching planes skim Maho Beach to kayaking out to Pinel Island and discovering Orient Beach’s quieter stretches. These guides help you experience the best of both halves.
More about St. Maarten / St. Martin
One island, two sides
St. Maarten and St. Martin share an island but not a country — the Dutch and French sides differ in food, beaches and atmosphere, and most trips use both. The complete guide covers how that works in practice.
Beaches and days out
- The best beaches across both sides.
- Orient Beach and the boat trip to Pinel Island.
- Maho Beach — where the planes land low over the sand.
- Private catamaran tours, with prices and what to expect.
Where to stay
Accommodation is covered by area: the French side overall, Orient Bay and Grand Case. For timing, where to go in the Caribbean in December covers the winter season.