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St. Maarten Travel Guide: Beaches, Restaurants & Island Must Haves
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items A curated St. Maarten/St.Martin travel guide featuring the best beaches, waterfront restaurants, island excursions, and travel essentials for a sun-soaked Caribbean getaway.
Sections
4
Best Beaches in St. Maarten
Where to Eat on island
Where to Stay
What to Do
Best Beaches in St. Maarten
Pinel is a must if you are traveling to St. Martin. It's a quick ferry ride from the French Side of the island. Shallow waters and great beachside restaurants.
Pinel Island, Saint Martin nature reserve and beach resort
Mullet Bay, located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, is the perfect Sunday beach day on island. Grab some hurricane shrimp from Da Waterhole and enjoy the turquoise waters.
Mullet Bay, awarded Sint Maarten / Saint Martin’s beach
Simpson Bay, located on the Dutch Side of St. Maarten is hands down one of my favorite beaches in SXM. A super beach to walk, and soak in the sun at. Love love love!
Explore Simpson Bay Beach in St Maarten: one of the island’s longest, quietest stretches of sand, just steps from lively bars, restaurants, marinas and the airport.
Grand Case is located on the French Side of St. Maarten and has so many wonderful restaurants. Great for kids with the shallow waters and no waves.
Grand Case Beach, Sint Maarten / Saint Martin
You have to visit Maho Beach AKA Airplane beach one time in your life. It's located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, and is absolutely unreal! Grab a seat at Sunset Beach bar and take in the views all day long.
MAHO - The 'Airplane Beach' - Sint Maarten Airport | St. Maarten / St. Martin
Orient Beach is located on the French side of St. Martin, and is studded with great restaurants and shops. Watersports for the whole family are available, or you can just rent beach chairs, and soak up the sun with great food and drinks.
Orient Bay Beach, watersports & and clothing optional beach
Anse Marcel, located on the French Side of St. Martin is a little slice of heaven. Some the best food I've ever had beach side.
Hotels & Things to do at Anse Marcel Beach, Saint Martin
Where to Eat on island
Absolutely one of my favorite beach clubs on the French side of St. Martin. You can't go wrong with ordering a bottle or rosé on the beach, and their cocktails are fantastic. The seafood is impeccably fresh, and WOW the desserts are insane!
Rainbow Café | Iconic Beachfront Restaurant in Grand Case
An absolute dreamy beach side destination. Babacool is located on the Dutch side in Simpson Bay Beach. Great food, fun atmosphere, and all around amazing vibes!
Babacool: St. Maarten
An absolute gem on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Located at Mullet Bay beach, Kalatua is a must visit. The perfect spot to enjoy beach side dining, especially during an iconic Caribbean sunset.
Kalatua - Mullet Bay Beach
THE spot for breakfast on the island. Located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, and with views on yachts coming through the legendary bridge. You need their eggs benedict and iconic bloody mary in your life!
Sint Maarten Yacht Club Bar & Restaurant
A great spot for breakfast and lunch! I love their freshly baked croissants so much. There is also a location on airport road, that we grab sandwiches from all of the time when we visit. They are cash only at that location, so come prepared.
Family Restaurant | Zee Best Restaurant
Head on over to Marigot, and visit this bakery. The glass cases are lined with fresh croissants, eclairs, plump fruit tarts, and even pizzas. There is a pretty extensive menu too. I suggest grabbing a coffee and a pastry to eat inside, and then grabb...
CHEZ FERNAND LA FRENCH BAKERY, Marigot St. Martin
Absolutely delicious! Located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, this spot is a great spot for both lunch and dinner. Our meal there is one I will remember for a long time.
Pardon My French – Best French Restaurant in Sint Maarten
One of the best burgers on island! Super affordable, and a great spot for families too. Catch a game, or dance the night away under the giant disco ball. Absolutely a must visit on the Dutch side of St. Maarten.
The Tap & Still Burgers Booze Beer Restaurant Pub & Brewery in Sint Maarten
If you love Thai food, you will love Avantika. We have been visiting this spot on the Dutch side of St. Maarten for years. Choose your spice level, and get lost in some yellow curry, fragrant jasmine rice, and drunken noodles.
AVANTIKA
A wonderful bakery on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Hot tip: Get there early in the morning for the best picks, and low risk of selling out. They open at 6am. My go to's are the almond croissant, baguette to go, and any of the fruit tarts.
LA SUCRIERE, Simpson Bay St. Maarten
Located on the French side of St. Martin, this is one of my all time favorite lolos to stop at for island style barbecue. The lobster tails, char grilled ribs, and airy johnny cakes are a must! Pair that with an ice cold Ting, and you are living the ...
SKY'S THE LIMIT, Grand Case Lolos
This is the first place we head to straight off of the plane. Located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, you will find the juciest ribs, fluffy johnny cakes, beans and rice, mac and cheese, my mouth is watering just typing this. You need to pay them a...
The Captain's. Rib Shack, St, Maarten
Bamboo House is one of my favorite spots for a date night. Nestled up on the hillside, watching the sunset while enjoying super fresh and honestly some of the best sushi on island is unforgettable. You must visit Bamboo House when you visit St. Maart...
Bamboo House | St Martin | Dining & Live Music |SXM
This is definitely worth a stop for their conch soup alone. Located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, Nowhere Special has a great live music, and night time events.
NOWHERE SPECIAL RUM BAR & GRILL, Simpson Bay
Top Carrot is an amazing stop for fresh juices, healthy options when you need a break from butter laden pastries( which there is nothing wrong with.) Their smoothies and salads are delicious.
TOP CARROT
Where to Stay
This is a must stay in Simpson Bay on the Dutch Side of St. Maarten. Great location, and super family friendly. The hosts are incredible too. Book your island stay here, you will not regret it.
The Beach House SXM
An absolutely stunning hotel on the French side of St. Martin. Have a honeymood coming up? This is a must stay. The views of the turquoise waters span as far as the eye can see. This hotel is beautiful from the coral colored beach umbrellas, to the a...
Belmond La Samanna St. Martin
Located in the heart of Simpson Bay, on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, this hotel is perfect for couples and families alike. The property offers pools, private beaches, tennis courts, restaurants, a casino, The Red Piano Bar, and more! It's a great l...
Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa
A wonderful smaller spot to stay on Simpson Bay Beach in St. Maarten. This is located on the Dutch side of the island. Hang out on the beach, or grab a drink and meal at the hotel's restaurant and bar. It's quaint, and perfect for a couple's island s...
Mary's Boon Hotel - Beach Resort, Restaurant & Bar
What to Do
Looking for an adrenaline rush?? The Flying Dutchman is sure to bring out the adventure experience in you! The views are absolutely mind blowing. If you are a thrill seeker this is a must!
St Maarten Rainforest Adventures
Looking to rent kayaks, jetski, or even hop on a rum punch catamaran cruise? This is your spot to book those fun St. Maarten adventures! I highly recommend island hopping to St. Barths and Anguilla if you have the time to do so.
Aqua Mania Adventures
Located on the French Side of St. Martin, Loterie Farm is fun for the whole family. Pools and slides for the adults and kids, wonderful food, this is definitely a must see!
Loterie Farm - Experience Nature's Playground in St. Martin
Such a fun spot to visit with the whole family! If you have a passion for birds, plants, and history this is a must visit on your next trip to the island.
Parrote Ville Bird Sanctuary & Museum
The cheese lover in you needs to make a stop at the Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor store. You will find a large selection of Dutch Cheeses and Liquors on St Maarten. Absolutely delicious!
Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store
Phillipsburg, the island's capital is where you will see the cruise ships dock for the day. Cruise the boardwalk, grab an ice cold beverage, hit the duty free jewelry shops, and don't forget the fun souvenir spots to bring home with you.
Philipsburg Market Place