St. Maarten / St. Martin Travel Guide 2026: Dutch vs French Side, Best Beaches, Maho Planes + Pinel Island
St. Maarten / St. Martin is one island split between two countries — and that’s what makes it so fun to visit.
- Dutch Side (St. Maarten) → nightlife, casinos, beach bars, and the famous planes at Maho Beach
- French Side (St. Martin) → food, quieter beaches, and a European café vibe
It’s one of the easiest Caribbean islands to explore because you can drive across the entire island in under an hour (traffic depending), beach-hop all day, then finish with a food crawl at night.
St. Maarten is best for couples, groups, food lovers, and beach hoppers who want variety without complicated planning.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, it helps support DontTalkJustTravel at no extra cost to you.
Plan St. Maarten fast:
🏨 Hotels in St. Maarten / St. Martin 🏡 Villas & entire homes (groups & couples) 🚗 Car rentals (best way to explore) ⛵ Tours (Pinel, catamarans, snorkeling, Anguilla)
Quick Take
- Vibe: Two-islands-in-one: party + calm, beach bars + French dining.
- Best for: Beach hopping, food, couples, groups.
- Iconic moment: Planes landing low over Maho Beach.
- Best “easy day” trip: Pinel Island.
- Big tip: Rent a car and explore both sides (no border checks).
How to Get There
- Main airport: SXM (Princess Juliana International Airport) — famous for low plane landings over Maho Beach
- French-side regional airport: SFG (Grand Case)
There are easy flights from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and other Caribbean islands.
Getting Around
Renting a car is the best option. The island is small, roads are generally good, and it’s the fastest way to beach-hop and eat across both sides.
🚗 Compare rentals: Search car rentals (SXM)
Where to Stay (Dutch vs French Side)
Where you stay decides your trip style. Dutch side = nightlife and convenience. French side = calm beauty and food.
| Area | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch Side: Simpson Bay / Maho | Restaurants, nightlife, casinos | First-timers, groups |
| French Side: Grand Case | Best food on the island | Couples, food lovers |
| French Side: Orient Bay | Beach clubs + European feel | Relaxed beach stays |
| Dawn Beach / Oyster Pond | Quiet luxury | Honeymoons |
Budget Tiers
- $ Guesthouses + apartments in Simpson Bay / Orient Village
- $$ Boutique hotels on the French side
- $$$ Luxury resorts + ocean villas
Booking tip: For nightlife + convenience, choose Simpson Bay / Maho. For calm + beauty, choose Grand Case or Orient Bay.
🏨 Browse hotels 🏡 Browse villas & entire homes
Best Beaches (Dutch + French Side)
St. Maarten’s beaches are diverse — from iconic plane-spotting to French Riviera-style beach clubs and calm turquoise coves locals love.
| Beach | Why Go | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maho Beach | Plane landings overhead | Crowded but iconic |
| Orient Bay | Long soft sand + beach clubs | French Riviera vibe |
| Mullet Bay | Turquoise cove + great swimming | Local favorite |
| Grand Case Beach | Calm water + near restaurants | Snorkel-friendly |
| Kim Sha Beach | Watersports + bars | Simpson Bay area |
| Pinel Island | Calm lagoon water + beach restaurant | Small ferry from Cul-de-Sac |
Top Things to Do
1) Watch Planes at Maho Beach
This is the most iconic “only in St. Maarten” moment: aircraft landing a few meters overhead at Princess Juliana Airport. It’s loud, wild, and unforgettable.
- Best time: when multiple flights land close together
- Tip: Big jets draw crowds — arrive earlier for parking
2) Pinel Island Ferry (Easy Half-Day)
Pinel Island is a quick 5-minute boat ride from Cul-de-Sac and feels like a calm lagoon escape. Great for families, couples, and anyone who wants a low-effort beach day with clear water.
3) Grand Case Food Crawl
Grand Case is often called the “gourmet capital” of the Caribbean. You can eat in simple local BBQ huts (Lolos) or go upscale — either way, the food is a highlight of the island.
4) Orient Bay Beach Clubs
If you want the European beach club vibe — loungers, music, cocktails, and people-watching — this is the spot.
5) Catamaran Day Trip (High SEO + High Fun)
St. Maarten is a perfect base for catamaran day trips. Popular options include:
- Anguilla (beautiful beaches)
- Tintamarre (turtles + calm water)
- Creole Rock (snorkeling)
- St. Barts (luxury day trip—strong search demand)
Book the best St. Maarten tours:
Pinel Island, catamarans to Anguilla/Tintamarre, snorkeling at Creole Rock, and island tours. ⛵ Browse St. Maarten tours & day trips
Food & Local Culture
Food is one of the biggest reasons to visit this island — the French side brings bakery culture and restaurants, while the Dutch side brings nightlife and bar energy.
Best Food Areas
- Grand Case: French side food heaven
- Simpson Bay: bars, sushi, seafood
- Orient Village: cafés & beach eats
Try:
- BBQ ribs + fish at the Lolos
- Fresh croissants in French bakeries
- Guavaberry rum (classic)
- Cod fritters (accras)
Transportation Tips
- Rent a car for the best experience (you can beach-hop and eat across both sides easily).
- No border checks between sides.
- Traffic in Simpson Bay can get busy during peak hours.
- Parking at Maho gets tight around big jet arrivals.
St. Maarten essentials (beach-hopping + boat days):As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Snorkel mask set (Tintamarre/Creole Rock days)
- Water shoes
- Small dry bag
- Phone lanyard (hands-free beach days)
- RFID money belt
3–7 Day Itineraries
3 Days (Highlights)
Day 1: Maho Beach planes + Simpson Bay dinner
Day 2: Orient Bay beach clubs → Grand Case dinner
Day 3: Pinel Island beach day
5 Days (Balanced)
Day 1: Orient Bay
Day 2: Pinel Island
Day 3: Catamaran trip to Tintamarre (turtles)
Day 4: Mullet Bay + sunset
Day 5: Grand Case food day (Lolos + bakeries + dinner)
7 Days (Full Island Tour)
Add: Dawn Beach, Anse Marcel, and a day trip to Anguilla or St. Barts for the “big week” version.
Safety & Practical Notes
- Very safe island overall.
- Reef-safe sunscreen recommended.
- Beaches can get busy on cruise days.
- Parking at Maho gets tight around big jet arrivals — plan ahead.
FAQ: St. Maarten / St. Martin Travel Questions (Real Answers)
Should I stay on the Dutch side or the French side?
Choose the Dutch side (Simpson Bay/Maho) for nightlife, casinos, and convenience. Choose the French side (Grand Case/Orient Bay) for calmer beaches and the best food on the island.
Is Maho Beach worth it?
Yes — it’s one of the most iconic Caribbean experiences. Go for the “plane landing” moment, then balance it with calmer beaches like Mullet Bay or Pinel Island.
Do I need a car?
It’s not required, but it’s the best way to experience the island. You can drive to multiple beaches, viewpoints, markets, and food spots in one day.
What’s the best day trip from St. Maarten?
Pinel Island is the easiest quick win. For a “big” boat day, catamaran trips to Anguilla or Tintamarre are top choices.
How many days do you need?
3 days covers highlights. 5 days is ideal with a catamaran trip. 7 days is perfect if you add Anguilla or St. Barts and explore quieter beaches.
Ready to book St. Maarten?
🏨 Hotels 🏡 Villas & entire homes ⛵ Tours & boat trips 🚗 Car rentals
Internal Links
- Barbados Guide
- St. Lucia Guide
- Aruba / Curaçao / Bonaire Guides (Caribbean coast comparison)
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen Guide
Spanish Summary — Resumen en Español
St. Maarten/St. Martin es una isla dividida entre dos países.
El lado holandés tiene Maho Beach y vida nocturna.
El lado francés tiene playas tranquilas y la mejor comida.
Las actividades principales son Pinel Island, Orient Bay, y catamarán a Tintamarre.
Leave a Reply