🛬 St. Maarten Itinerary: 1-Week Travel Guide to See All Secrets #2023
Planning a trip to St. Maarten? If you are coming on a cruise ship and only have 1 day to spare, check out our 1-day travel itinerary for SXM to cover the top sights. However, if you’re so lucky that you get to spend a whole week on St. Maarten, you’ll have plenty of time to explore both the laid-back French and the vibrant Dutch side of the island and visit all the main attractions.
Depending on how much time you’ll have, there are several islands where you can travel to from to St. Maarten. Trips to the neighboring islands are a must as each of the offers a completely different experience. Visiting Anguilla, St. Barts and Saba should be on every true viator's list because the diversity in these islands and the ease to access them is what makes a holiday to St. Maarten a perfect choice.
What is the best way to get around St. Maarten?
If you're traveling to St. Maarten, the best way to get around the island is by renting a car or taking a taxi. Public transport is also available in certain areas of the island.
Renting a car in Sint Maarten
Renting a car in SXM is definitely the best choice if you want to have a custom-made road trip in St. Maarten. Most car rentals in Sint Maarten are situated within walking distance from the airport. It is highly recommended to book your rental car in advance in the high season as everything will be sold out. Renting a car will give you the freedom to explore the island at your own pace and take in all the sights. Just be aware that driving on the island can be a bit hectic, with narrow roads and lots of traffic. Also make sure to never leave anything valuable in the car when going to the beach.
We often get the question that how long does it take to drive around St. Maarten. Well, it depends very much on the traffic. Without any traffic, around 50-60 minutes, but roads can get very busy during peak hours in Simpson Bay, Cole Bay and Marigot.
Taxis in Sint Maarten
If you're not comfortable driving, taking a taxi is a great alternative. While it's easy to get a taxi at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) or other popular areas, you won't be able to just hail one along the road especially in the evening. Best to ask for a business card every time you get into a cab in SXM so you will have someone to call.
Public transportation in Sint Maarten
Buses are cheap and quite frequent but only in certain areas of St. Maarten. You need to pay the driver in cash so make sure you have singles on you. There is no bus stop on St. Maarten, you just need to hail them by the road. They usually run between these two routes (look for the sign behind the windshield to see where they are heading):
1. Mullet Bay - Maho - Simpson Bay (PJIA airport) - Cole Bay - Little Bay - Philipsburg - Point Blanche (Cruise ship terminal)
2. Mullet Bay - Maho - Simpson Bay (PJIA airport) - Cole Bay - Marigot (Ferry terminal to Anguilla and St. Barts)
These buses run every 5 minutes or so until late in the evening. There are sometimes buses that go all the way to Grand Case on the French side but that is unpredictable.
Overall, it's best to use public transport in the first 1-2 days of your vacation while you move around the Dutch side of St. Maarten and then rent a car or take a taxi to get around St. Maarten and visit the remote places of the island.
Day 1: Take a tour around the island from Maho to Philipsburg
Great Bay and Philipsburg: explore the capital of the Dutch Side
No better way to spend your first day than to hit all major sights and historic landmarks of the island. Start your journey in Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side. This colorful town has a lot of charm and fun to offer. The Dutch side is always full of life. Take in the festive mood by window-shopping or taking a scenic walk along the boardwalk. Continue your tour up the hill for a panoramic view.
Insider's tip: If you like jet ski tours or rentals, Great Bay is the best place to do it as the waters here are usually calm.
Maho Beach: a must visit spot for aviation enthusiasts
Make sure to stop at the world famous Maho Beach and watch planes land only a couple of meters above your head. Don’t leave your camera at home because this will be a jaw-dropping sight. If you keep on driving and cross to the French side, you’ll get to experience how different the two sides are.
Marigot and Fort Louis: visit the capital of the French side
The best way to reach Marigot from Maho Beach is through the Lowlands of the French side where you might experience lower traffic and a more scenic view than on the airport road.
The French side is famous for its tranquility. Visit Marigot, the capital of the French side and explore its artisan market and little stores by the marina. Walk up to the old Fort Louis, from where you’ll have amazing views to St. Martin and the neighboring islands.
Feeling hungry? Stop at Ma Ti Beach Restaurant along the way which is a popular place among locals and tourists alike.
Grand Case: Have a feast at the restaurant capital of the Caribbean
Continue on the main road through smaller French communities until you arrive to Grand Case for an authentic dining experience. It is a quaint little fishing village, that is home to one of the most pristine beaches of the island and dozens of exquisite French restaurants. During carnival season, visit Grand Case on a Tuesday evening for an amazing street party and try the island cuisine from the local vendors.
Orient Beach: the famous clothing optional nudist 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 Orient Bay 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.
Day 2: Get ready for a breathtaking snorkeling experience in SXM
When we are asked about the best snorkeling spots around the island, we simply cannot and will not choose. So here are the three best spots, all of which you can visit in a day. One is just off the coast of the island at Creole Rock. Another one is on a tiny island only a short ferry ride away. Both are well worth a visit, but for different reasons. The third is Tintamarre Island, another island close to St. Martin where you can swim and snorkel with turtles.
Creole Rock: St. Martin's prime snorkeling spot
Locals say this rock formation resembles an Amerindian male laying face up in the water. This iconic location can be found in the heart of the French Natural Reserve and has become the most popular snorkeling spot of the island, featuring colorful corals and vibrant marine life. You need to take an organized tour for snorkeling at Creole Rock as it is off-shore.
Tintamarre Island: swim with turtles
This uninhabited island 4 kms off the northern coast of Saint Martin is home to many turtles. The only way to access Tintamarre island is by an organized day trip or chartering your own speedboat. Enjoy a hike around the island and go swimming with turtles.
Pinel Island: a family friendly little gem with shallow waters
The best snorkeling spots of St. Maarten can be found, ironically, not on St. Maarten, but on Pinel Island, just a short ferry ride away. It’s located in the the French Marine Reserve, featuring amazing marine life. It’s also a popular spot for paddle boarders and kayakers. You can either take an organized tour to Pinel Island or drive there on your own (plenty of parking space) and take a small boat over. Tickets can be purchased on spot from the captain.
Day 3: Try the world’s steepest zip line in St. Maarten
For a day of on-land fun outdoor adventure, there’s no better place than The Rockland Estate Eco-Park on the island. The establishment is well known for its ‘Flying Dutchman’, the World’s steepest zipline with a grade of 42%. Try the most famous ride and several other ones for a truly thrilling experience! They offer routes for all levels, for kids and adults as well.
The rides start at the highest point of the island where you can enjoy a jaw-dropping 360° vista of the amazing landscape of St. Martin. You can either take a lift up to the summit from the Emilio Wilson Museum, a restored plantation house, which is al so a great fine-dining restaurant in Sint Maarten. In case you are more adventurous, hiking is also an option. Expect to spend around an hour walking all the way up to the top with several photo opportunities along the way.
Day 4: Perfume making workshop at Tijon in Grand Case
Get to know the French Caribbean lifestyle while creating your own fragrance. The Tijon boutique perfumery offers a very unique experience for visitors: you can take part in workshops led by expert perfumologists, learn all about the ingredients and how a perfume is made and create your very own formula. You’ll have the opportunity to create several versions and pick and name the one you like the most. Other than the workshops, they also handcraft and market their own signature fragrances that combine French sophistication with the freshness of the tropics. Their mission is to reflect the enjoyment of the little pleasures of the Caribbean life. Book now to experience the Joie de Vivre the French Caribbean way! The program is also ideal for groups as a team building or fun activity.
Visit Loterie Farm and Pic Paradis on the way
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 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 neighboring islands. The summit is also the starting point of various trails.
Day 5: Take part in a real sailing race with America's Cup
Have you ever sailed with a racing boat? If you enjoy trimming a sail, grinding a winch and competing, you’ll love this sailing activity where you can race on a multi-million dollar America’s Cup racing boat against another team. If you don’t have all the necessary experience, there’s no reason to worry, either. A skipper will give you instructions on each specific crew position and let you know what to expect during the race. After the race, you can celebrate your victory and newly acquired skills at a complimentary rum punch party.
Day 6: Take a day trip to Anguilla
One of the greatest things about St. Martin is island hopping. It’s the only place where you can have three meals in three different countries in just one day. Have some delicious bakery products on the Dutch side in the morning, hop over to the British Anguilla for a day trip and enjoy your lunch there and get dinner on the French side of the island in the evening.
Why you shouldn’t miss out on Anguilla
Anguilla is one of the most envied islands in the Caribbean for the quality and quantity of its picturesque beaches. It’s capital city, The Valley has a charming little town vibe. Not to mention the natural beauty of the island: endless stretches of powdery white sand, lucid blue waters and cooling breezes. You have several options to get there from taking the ferry, taking part in an organized day trip or chartering your own speedboat.
There are several tours to Anguilla from Sint Maarten that you can choose from. You may either take the ferry from Marigot, or join an organized tour either by speedboat or catamaran. The boat ride to Anguilla is quite fast, you can reach the island in 15-20 minutes. The Atlantic side of Anguilla can get choppy so best to take a catamaran day sail to the island so your ride will be a smooth experience.
Day 7: Take a day trip to St. Barts
St. Barts is one of those places that you can’t visit without bumping into celebrities, models or spotting the world's richest people who also need to take some time off. The island, an overseas collectivity of France, blends the sophistication of St. Tropez with the laissez-fare Caribbean lifestyle. St. Barts' riviera style boutiques, gorgeous beaches, gourmet restaurants and stunning snorkeling will give you a taste of that elegant French ease.
Upon visiting St. Barts, treat yourself to an unforgettable holiday and emerge in true luxury. The island offers a wide range of high-end accommodations from private villas, through all-inclusive resorts to the famous Eden Rock Hotel. After a day at one of the picture-perfect turquoise beaches such as Nikki Beach, savor every bite of a fine dining meal at one of the island’s best restaurants.
Have an extra day to spare? Visit the undiscovered island of Saba
Saba is called the best kept secret of the Caribbean for a reason. It’s not easy to get to the island - you can either take a 1.5-hour ferry or a bouncy flight landing on the shortest commercial runway in the world - but it’s well worth a visit. The untouched nature of the island is unparalleled to the other highly touristic islands.
Fun fact: The rugged coasts and lush green peaks have been used to represent Skull Island in the opening scene of the original King Kong movie.
Your St. Maarten vacation cannot be complete without visiting the nearby islands. If you are interested in island hopping from St. Maarten, read our full article on the different islands and excursions.