Things to Do While Vacationing in St. Martin
A Guide to Activities at This Caribbean Destination
Jan 28, 2009
With more beaches than days in the month on this island shared by the Dutch and French, the small island of St. Martin offers an exciting vacation destination full of diverse activities.
Beaches
With 37 beaches, every visitor can find the ideal spot for swimming in the Caribbean’s warm waters and soaking up some rays. Options range from secluded, private beaches to nude beaches on Orient Beach on the French side of the island.
One beach not to miss is Maho Bay Beach, which is adjacent to the end of the airport’s runway. There, large aircraft fly mere feet over sunbathers’ heads moments before landing, providing a spectacular view (and some splash from the surging waves).
Carnival
The island boasts two Carnivals. On the French side, the festival begins before Lent. On the Dutch side, Carnival takes place during the last two weeks of April.
Though both feature parades, music competitions, and large feasts, the Dutch Carnival is the larger of the two. During that celebration, locals erect the Carnival Village, which consists of more than 100 booths offering local delicacies including conch dumplings, Johnny cakes, and barbequed chicken. In addition, local as well as international calypso performers take the stage.
Sailing
Since St. Martin is surrounded by water, tourists have ample opportunities to travel around the island and to neighboring islands, including Antigua and Saba, by boat.
In March, the Dutch side hosts the annual Heineken Regatta. This race draws more than 300 competitive sailboats from around the world.
Novice and experienced sailors alike can also step off the sidelines and take part in the exhilarating St. Maarten 12-Metre Challenge. This two-hour tour allows participants – even those without prior sailing experience – to sail with a crew on Dennis Conner’s America’s-cup winning Stars & Stripes, Canada II, or True North.
Other Water Sports
The island is full of outlets offering traditional water activities including deep sea fishing, jet skiing, kite surfing, and windsurfing. Due to its rapid increase in popularity, several companies now offer kayaking excursions.
St. Martin is also popular with scuba divers since the water temperature rarely dips below 70°F and, on a good day, water visibility can be clear to a depth of 120 feet. Check out more than 40 good dive sites that range from wrecks once explored by Jacques Cousteau to sheltered barrier reefs and coves.
Despite its small size, St. Martin offers travelers a wealth of amenities unparalleled on many of the larger Caribbean islands, making it an ideal destination for a relaxing beach vacation.
For more information about St. Martin, check out this article about the island’s history, culture, and tourism.
 |
