St. Maarten Excursions: Top Things to Do

✔ Stunning white-sand beaches

✔ Duty-free shopping

✔ Mouth-watering cuisine

✔ Award-winning rum

✔ Two countries on one island

The “Friendly Island” has it all and you can experience it firsthand when in port for a St. Maarten excursion. Known for its laidback Caribbean vibe and stylish European appeal, this primo travel destination holds the Guinness World Record for “smallest inhabited island shared between two nations.” With French-owned Saint Martin on the north end and Dutch-owned Sint Maarten on the south side, there is plenty to see and do on shore when you cruise to St. Maarten.

To help you properly plan before a Caribbean vacation at sea, here are the top St. Maarten excursions that make visitors fall in love with this half-Dutch, half-French paradise time and again.

St. Maarten Excursions for Adventurers

• 12 Metre Challenge — Race like a sailing pro aboard the 12 Metre Regatta, a one-of-a-kind offshore experience that lets you feel the thrill of an America’s Cup racecourse aboard a real America’s Cup yacht. No sailing experience required!
• Rainforest Adventures — Head to Rainforest Adventures for the ultimate adrenaline rush, where you’ll take the Sky Explorer chair lift to one of St. Maarten’s highest mountains. Whiz back down on the world’s steepest zip line (The Flying Dutchman), and surf the slopes on the first waterless tube ride in the Caribbean.
• Tri-Sport Bike Tours —Tri-Sport provides historical bike tours that guide visitors through the rich history of the island. Explore the capital town of Philipsburg, cross the island’s French/Dutch border, and peruse the Marigot Market.

St. Maarten Excursions for Beach Bums

• Maho Beach — The airplane flyovers at Maho Beach are one of the most famous attractions on all of St Martin. With the pristine beach located just past the Princess Juliana International Airport, visitors can soak up the island sun while feeling the roar of jet engines passing right over their heads. It’s an experience not to be missed and a prime location for that Insta-worthy post!
• Orient Bay — The shores of Orient Bay are lined with restaurants, water sports rental facilities, and bewitching island beach bars. Chase your troubles away while sipping on a rum-soaked cocktail or ice-cold Carib beer. Heads up, though: Orient Bay Beach is the most famous clothing-optional beach in the Caribbean.

St. Maarten Excursions for Aquaholics

• Sea Trek — Walk underwater by way of Sea Trek’s helmet diving tours, which allow anyone over the age of eight years old to go beneath the surface while breathing normally (and keeping their hair dry!). You don’t even need to know how to swim to enjoy this unique activity.
• Snorkeling Tour — Enjoy a scenic powerboat ride to off-the-beaten-path beaches and the best snorkeling spots in St. Maarten, including Creole Rock, Happy Bay, Pinel Island, and Tintamarre. Kick up your fins and feast your eyes on underwater wonderlands, teeming with unspoiled reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles.
• Catamaran Sail — Set sail aboard a private catamaran for a scenic passage to places only accessible by boat. Or, wait until the evening and embark on a champagne sunset catamaran cruise.
• Aqua Mania Adventures — This local water sports company supports an array of activities that allow visitors to truly make a splash! Choose from jet ski tours, scuba diving, and half-day excursions to neighboring islands. You can even snorkel through Little Bay’s Underwater Sculpture Park, a breathtaking eco-attraction with a trail of over 300 artificial reef sculptures.

St. Maarten Excursions for Foodies

• Grande Case — Come see why the bustling harbor of Grande Case is nicknamed the “Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean.” Bring your appetite and tempt your taste buds with the island’s local flavors and authentic French, Caribbean, and Creole dishes.
• Emilio’s — Located within the historical heritage site of Rockland Estate, Emilio’s is the island’s newest and finest dining establishment. The award-winning restaurant takes its tag line, “Dine with History,” seriously, which is obvious from the moment you arrive. The four-course tasting menu features French-Caribbean fusion dishes made from local ingredients and an extensive wine list to create the ultimate culinary experience.
• Topper’s Rhum Tasting — Discover how handcrafted rums are fermented, distilled, and filtered while touring the 6,000-square-foot distillery. Then, embrace your inner Jack Sparrow with unlimited samplings of six signature rums and St. Maarten’s world-famous rum cake. You can even learn how to cook with rum at Topper’s award-winning restaurant.

St. Maarten Excursions for Shopaholics

• Philipsburg — Stroll the streets of Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten, to enjoy some duty-free shopping. Be sure to pay a visit to the Guavaberry Emporium for colorful photo ops and to purchase some locally produced rum for your thirsty friends back home.
• Barts — Step aboard a high-speed ferry for some fine dining and upscale retail therapy along the lavish streets of St. Barts, which has become a popular vacation destination among celebrities and A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé, Michael Jordan, Jerry Seinfeld, Paris Hilton, Paul McCartney, and Mariah Carey.

St. Maarten Excursions for Nature Lovers

• Horseback Riding — Novice and expert riders alike can enjoy trotting along St. Maarten’s nature trails that lead to hidden coves and magnificent waterfalls.
• Parotte Ville Bird Sanctuary — Home to over 180 vibrant bird species from all around the world, Parotte Ville encourages sanctuary visitors to feed the feathered friends and take pictures with them.
• Nature Reserve — An idyllic retreat for flora and fauna enthusiasts, St. Maarten’s Nature Reserve boasts a diverse ecosystem that includes mangroves and wetlands. Set off on a guided tour or, for a more hands-on experience, join the protective efforts by participating in activities such as counting birds, planting mangroves, and regulating invasive species.

There is so much to see and do when you cruise to St. Maarten and something to satisfy everyone in your party. Whether you choose to spend your days unwinding under the Caribbean sun, searching for new adventures, soaking up the local culture, or enjoying your own perfect mix of all three, incredible St. Maarten memories are just waiting to be made by you and your crew.

To capture your own unforgettable memories on a cruise to St. Maarten, visit Cruises.com — we can help you book the smart way! We give you our exclusive bonus offers and all qualifying cruise line offers, plus all of the cruise line loyalty program benefits. Book online at Cruises.com for the largest selection of cruise line deals or call 800-288-6006 today.

Related: Best Caribbean Beaches to Visit on a Caribbean Cruise

Author: Kaitlyn Nakagoshi