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St. Martin Information
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St. Martin (St. Maarten), is one 37-square mile Caribbean island which is shared by two countries...St. Martin is ruled by the French and St. Maarten is under Dutch control. The international airport, on the Dutch side, serves them both and has made St. Martin a major Caribbean destination as well as a hopping-off point for many other islands. The French side is home to luxury hotels and villas, excellent restaurants, long, white sand beaches and excellent shopping all presented with a French flair. The Dutch side is more developed and has an active nightlife, including casinos.
Island Inns specializes in luxury hotels and villas throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
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INFORMATION ABOUT ST. MARTIN
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BEACHES: This island boasts 37 beaches and all are public although there may be a fee for changing facilities at some of the resorts. Some lovely ones on the French side are Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Grand Case and Orient Bay. There are long stretches of white sand, as is the French way, many of the women on the beach go topless.
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SNORKELING AND DIVING: The snorkeling is especially good at Orient Bay where there is an underwater Marine Reserve. Prickly Pear Island, Tintamarre, Pinel Islet, Green Key and Petit Clef are also part of this nature reserve and these offshore reefs can be reached by boat. Diving is also good in these temperate waters and you can experience night dives, reef dives and cave dives as well as exploring an English battleship from 1801.. There are PADI-certified dive centers on both the French and Dutch sides.
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WATERSPORTS: Just about every watersport can be found here. Orient Bay seems to be center for these activities with great windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing and jet-skiing offered.
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BOATING AND SAILING: Half day and full day yacht excursions can be booked to visit nearby islands, St. Barths, Anguilla, and Saba to name a few, for snorkeling and exploration. There are also cruises around the island in the evening with music. A traditional clipper sailing boat offers cruises around the island for Sunday breakfast or lunch and also Wednesday dinner. You can also charter catamarans and motor boats, crewed or uncrewed.
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FITNESS: Spas, gyms and saunas can be found on both the French and Dutch sides.
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TENNIS: Reservations can be made at many of the resorts. Some courts are lit for nighttime play. There are also squash courts and racketball courts. Proper dress is required.
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FISHING: Half or full day deep sea fishing excursions pursue gamefish such as marlin, tuna, baraccuda, wahoo and kingfish during their seasonal appearances in the waters around St. Martin.
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HORSEBACK RIDING: Beach rides can be found at all levels of experience.
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GOLF: There is one 18-hole championship course on the island located on the Dutch side. Reservations required.
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EXPLORING: The small town of Marigot, capital of St. Martin, has the look and feel of a French town and it is fun to explore the boutiques, cafes and bistros. Here you will find Fort St. Louis, a ruined fort built in 1767 to protect the island. There is a magnificent view from the top. Other great views can be found at Paradise Peak, the highest point on the island and at Eden Park where hiking along the nature paths will show you stunning vistas of the sea and neighboring islands. The St. Martin Museum in Marigot will provide you a glimpse into the history of the island including pre-Colombian items made by the Arawak indians. Other interesting and picturesque villages to visit are Grand Case, Colombier and Orleans which was the first French settlement on the island and some of 17th century structures still remain.
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SHOPPING: The duty-free shopping is a huge attraction of St. Martin and can be found on both the French and Dutch sides. Crystal, perfumes, linen, liquor, cameras, watches, designer clothing, and cigars are just a few of the items to be found. On the Dutch side, Philipsburg, is really the place to go to find the largest selection of goods. Marigot, on the French side also has duty-free shops.
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NIGHTLIFE: Dance clubs, discos, extravaganzas with fire dancers, calypso, steel bands and limbo, live bands and casinos make up the extensive variety of nightlife to be found on St. Martin.
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All contents of this web site are copyright (c)2002 by Island Inns LLC. All rights reserved.
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