Planning a trip to Saint Martin and wondering what are the best places to visit in Saint Martin?

Saint Martin is an island in the northeast Caribbean Sea. The island is known for its postcard-perfect beaches, festive nightlife, rum-based drinks and delicious French and Indian Caribbean cuisine. The island of Saint Martin is dual-governed. So make sure you visit both sides — the Dutch and French sides!

Sounds like an interesting place to visit? 

So, check out our list of the best things to do in Saint Martin for some travel inspiration!

7 best places to visit in Saint Martin

Maho Beach

Maho Beach is a famous beach on the Dutch side of Saint Martin.

Situated unusually close to the end of a runway and directly under the flight path, it’s a wonderful (and at the same time terrifying!) plane watching spot. With planes flying over the beach at altitudes of less than 30 m above ground, it’s probably the world’s most famous plane watching spot.

Get your camera ready for unforgettable moments!

Mullet Bay Beach and Cupecoy Beach

Mullet Bay Beach and Cupecoy Beach are among the best places to visit in Saint Martin.

The two beaches are among the most beautiful beaches on the Dutch side of Saint Martin. Both are located next to Maho beach.

Mullet Bay is much calmer compared to the noisy Maho Beach with its sandblasts (caused by planes taking off). However, it can get crowded during the high season.

Located 1.6 km from Mullet Bay Beach, Cupecoy Beach is a set of three tranquil, secluded beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs. This set of beaches is quieter than Mullet Bay Beach and is famous for its sunset views. Cupecoy Beach is also the last beach on the Dutch side. 

Pic Paradis

Pic Paradis (or Pic du Paradis) is a mountain in the heart of Saint Martin.

Hiking to Pic Paradis, the island’s highest point, is one of the best things to do in Saint Martin. Located on the French side, the mountain is 424 m-high and has forested western slopes. The mountain’s slopes and the surrounding area has been recognised as an Important Bird Area.

The views from the top of the mountain are wonderful! If you are lucky, you can spot monkeys and iguanas on the way to the peak.

Also do not miss Loterie Farm, a reserve located at the foot of Pic Paradis. It can be explored via various walking trails. The reserve offers a forest canopy tour that has classic zip lines, elevated bridges and platforms that offer a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area.

Orient Bay 

Orient Bay is a very popular beach on the French side of St. Martin.

With soft white sand and clear water, Orient Bay beach is one of the best beaches on the island. Orient Bay was often called “the island’s signature beach”. Destroyed by the hurricane, once a bustling and busy tourist destination, Orient Bay now is still recovering from the damage. 

Now not all restaurants and resorts have reopened, and you can even see remnants of resorts on the beach. But it’s still a beautiful place for those wanting to enjoy the sun and sea. 

One part of the beach is a nude section. Swimming in Orient Bay may be dangerous due to strong waves.

Philipsburg & Fort Amsterdam

Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side of the island.

It’s the best place to start your journey in Saint Martin. Philipsburg is a colourful and charming town with a lot to offer to its visitors.

What to see in Philipsburg? Definitely do not miss St Maarten Zoo — one of the largest zoos in the Caribbean. Visit a rum distillery. Joining a local food and rum tour is one of the best things to do in Saint Martin. Visit the remains of the historical Fort Amsterdam which dates back to the 17th century.

Walk up Cole Bay Hill to get panoramic views of the town and see Anguilla and other nearby islands in the distance.

Rainforest Adventures

Rainforest Adventures is an eco-adventure park set in the hills.

The adventure park offers two zip lines, tubing, chair lift rides with amazing views over the island, plus a museum (former sugar plantation which used slave labour).

Rainforest Adventures park features the world’s steepest zip-line —the Flying Dutchman. With a grade of 42% and 325 m vertical drop, the zip line is 774 m long and features 4 side by side cables.

Located just a few kilometres from Philipsburg, Rainforest Adventures is a very famous tourist destination and is often busy.

Marigot

Marigot is the main town and capital of the French side of the island.

With pretty, brightly coloured “gingerbread” houses and picturesque harbour, Marigot is a lovely town to visit. Explore Fort St. Louis — the most important building in Marigot. Do not miss Marigot Market. It’s a great place for shopping. You’ll find all kinds of stuff there — fish, fruits, spices, souvenirs, crafts.

Local tour operators offer many different excursions and tours from Marigot to various destinations on the island. Check them out on GetYourGuide.

Saint Martin travel tips

1. Saint Martin is an island that consists of two parts — Dutch (Sint Maarten) and French (Saint-Martin). Most travellers explore both parts, as the island is tiny, and it doesn’t take much time to travel between both parts of the island.
2. Nationals of the EU and other nations do not need a visa to visit Saint Martin — both Dutch and French sides.
3. There is no physical border between Sint Maarten (Dutch side) and Saint-Martin (French side). You can move freely between the two parts
4. The best time to visit Saint Martin is during the dry season — between December and May.
5. The best way to get around the island is in a rental car.
6. By far the cheapest method of transportation is the local bus.