Itineraries for Your Trip to St Maarten
3 Days in St. Maarten for First Timers
The first time I visited St. Maarten was on a shore excursion that gave me the smallest glimpse of what this lovely island offers. Every time I've been back, I've enjoyed exploring the Dutch and French sides, spending the day on new beaches, and trying new foods like conch and johnnycakes.
With three days in St. Maarten, you can devote one day to exploring the history and culture, one to the beach, and one to the water. Try new foods and explore top spots like Marigot Market and Philipsburg. And don't miss a stop at Maho Beach for epic plane spotting.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a sunset cruise.
St. Maarten has warm, humid weather year-round.
Start your visit to St. Maarten with a tour of the island to see the best beaches, historical sites, and shopping destinations. A tour is a great way to orient yourself to the island and learn about places where you might want to spend more time.
Rum is an integral part of St. Maarten's history and traditions. To go deeper into the history, tour a rum distillery to learn how rum is fermented, distilled, and processed. Naturally, it ends with samples at the tasting bar.
Get out on the water for your second day in St. Maarten. Among your options, ride a speedboat to see the French and Dutch sides of the island. Snorkel with sea turtles and sunbathe on some of the island's top beaches.
Now that you've worked up an appetite with a day of swimming, you'll want to explore St. Maarten's food and drink scene. Take a tour that shows you the best of St. Maarten, such as one that stops at SXM Brewery, where you'll learn about the favorite island lager. The Marigot Market on the waterfront is another popular stop.
Ready for a beach day? Go it alone, or book private beach chairs on Great Bay Beach for relaxation under the sun. Show up when you want; the chairs are yours for the day, with two cocktails included and food available for purchase.
Have a relaxing final evening in St. Maarten with a sail on a sunset cruise. These cruises often include an open bar and Creole cuisine for an onboard taste of the island. By now, you know how gorgeous the views will be, and a cruise vibe is just the thing to end your St. Maarten vacation.
