Short stay in Sint Maarten: 1-day travel itinerary
St. Martin is a unique combination of two cultures spiced with some beautiful nature and amazing views. Get a taste of both countries, learn about the differences between the two sides and explore the breathtaking views this island has to offer with our 1-day itinerary.
Maho Beach
Start the day with the mandatory plane landing selfie on Maho Beach. If you’ve only seen one picture of St. Martin, it was one of Maho Beach. The sight of planes landing only a couple of meters above the head of tourists suntanning on the beach is famous all around the world. The airport is located right by the ocean, which makes it the only airport in the world where you can spot planes from a couple of meters away when landing. However, it’s also a dangerous sight because the jet blast can blow people standing on the beach into the water, which makes for a thrilling experience! (and great holiday photos)
Fort Louis
As you continue your journey and cross over to the French side, you can experience the dramatic difference between the two sides of St. Martin. The Dutch side is always full of life, while the French side is known for its tranquility. Make a stop at Fort Louis, a French military fort, that offers panoramic views of St. Maarten and the neighbouring islands. It dates back to the 17 hundreds and was meant to defend the island from attacks. It is also the largest historical monument of the island.
Loterie Farm
Should you want to spend the afternoon just chilling and enjoying nature or go on a real adventure, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Loterie Farm. This tropical eco-oase offers something for all nature lovers. Try the treetop adventure tour with ziplining and unwind in an exquisite restaurant with international and French cuisine. Take a stroll in the lunch tropical forest and then chill out in their amazing lounges, sipping on some cocktails. The farm is a real tropical gem with its diverse flora and fauna.
Pic Paradis
Pic Paradis or Paradise Peak is the highest point of the island at 424 meters. Loterie Farm lies right at the foot of the hill from where you can access the sight easily either on foot or by car. From up there, you can get the best views of St. Maarten and the neighbouring islands. The summit is also the starting point of various trails.
For a trip around the island, you can rent your own off-road vehicle to get to. If you’d rather go for an organized day trip to make sure not to miss out on the most important sights and would like to check out the best snorkeling spot of the island, this is the perfect tour for you:
Orient Beach
It used to be one of the busiest and most famous beaches in the Caribbean before Hurricane Irma hammered it. It is slowly but surely coming back as one of the hot spots on the island for water activities, beach bars and parties. At the end of the beach, you will find its famous clothing optional section. If you have a car, make sure to drive around its cute little gingerbread houses and see how the community lives here.
Philipsburg
If you came on a cruise ship for a day, this is the perfect day to finish the day. Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side lies just 15 minutes walk away from the cruise ship terminal. Enjoy duty free shopping on the Front street, a beautiful beach with tons of beach bars and restaurants, live music on the boardwalk or snorkel at the Reef-It Snorkel Park before returning to your ship.