Active Island Pursuits

By Terry Ward

The quintessential Caribbean postcard scene might involve a setting sun and a swaying hammock strung between two palm trees, but a vacation in St. Maarten/St. Martin can be as active or inactive as you like. Looking for a serious jolt of adrenaline? With windswept beaches and lush inland hills waiting to be conquered by bike, board or foot, there’s a recipe for that here. Or perhaps you’re more of the dabbling adventurer, keen to relax with a book on the beach but happy to incorporate a few thrills into your itinerary, too. The Caribbean may be all about tropical experiences, with an emphasis on lounging around, soaking up the views and the sun; but few destinations bring together the diversity of offerings available in St. Maarten/St. Martin.

The quintessential Caribbean postcard scene might involve a setting sun and a swaying hammock strung between two palm trees, but a vacation in St. Maarten/St. Martin can be as active or inactive as you like. Looking for a serious jolt of adrenaline? With windswept beaches and lush inland hills waiting to be conquered by bike, board or foot, there’s a recipe for that here. Or perhaps you’re more of the dabbling adventurer, keen to relax with a book on the beach but happy to incorporate a few thrills into your itinerary, too. The Caribbean may be all about tropical experiences, with an emphasis on lounging around, soaking up the views and the sun; but few destinations bring together the diversity of offerings available in St. Maarten/St. Martin.

A trip out on the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island can be as high-octane or soul-soothing as you wish. You can opt for a kayak to patrol the reefs or partake in a thrill ride aboard an inflatable speedboat instead. For something mellow, make it a tour aboard the Seaworld Explorer (721-542-4078), a semi-submarine that allows passengers to peak beneath the surface through panoramic windows that sit a few steps below water level. For something more intense, rent a Rhino Rider (721-542-4078) and pilot a 10-foot-long inflatable speedboat over the reefs, perhaps encountering sea turtles and frolicking dolphins along the way.

If you're more of a landlubber, there’s a hiking trail on St. Maarten/St. Martin with your name all over it, whether it’s a gentle coastal walkway or an uphill workout session through the tropical foliage. Or, take on a round of tennis and golf either with friends or a local pro. Most of the resorts on the island allow non-guests to play on their tennis courts for a fee, and you can find public courts at the Alberic Richards Stadium in Marigot. To get out on the greens, book a tee time at the 18-hole course at Mullet Bay (721-545-2850, ext. 1850).

Sailing is another favorite island pastime. And you can choose to be a passive passenger on a catamaran ride or opt to get some sailing lessons instead, during which you’ll learn how to pilot the ship. Certified diving fanatics can’t resist the urge to don their scuba gear and explore the reefs offshore, where tropical fish abound. If you’re not yet certified, spend a few days learning the basics from PADI and you can walk away with your certification card and a brand-new hobby at the end of your holiday.

The next best thing is to snorkel your way around the coral in the shallows, admiring all the colorful denizens of the not-so-deep. Snorkeling is one of the most relaxing, and most accessible, activities available. Head to Dawn Beach or Little Bay on Dutch St. Maarten or hit Baie Rouge and Plum Bay on the French side of the island to frolic with fishy friends. Alternatively, you can opt to visit the island’s offshore reefs to see a thicker density of coral and marine life. Creole Rock is a large rock formation jutting from the water a short distance off Grand Case in French St. Martin. The area’s protected status has kept fish life here particularly healthy and the coral teeming with an array of wrasses and snapper.

Even anglers can determine just how hardcore they want their St. Maarten/St. Martin fishing experience to be. They can stick close to shore and toss out a line for snapper, or head out on an all-day charter trip in search of sailfish or marlin. Lee’s Deep Sea Fishing (721-544-4233) is among the best in the business for the latter, with a crew of experienced captains, skippers and anglers led by Simpson Bay–born Captain Lee Halley. Head out of St. Maarten/St. Martin and nearby islands, opting for half-, three-quarter and full-day fishing charters.

For surfers, winter waves crash against the north and west coasts of the island from November to March and the east coast gets its share of tropical storm swells from July to November. Then again, if you prefer to paddle around the waves rather than ride them, renting a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) might be more your speed. With 35 beaches across the island and lots of flat water protected by mangroves to explore, St. Maarten/
St. Martin is a dream for the SUP generation.

So what are you waiting for? To choose your own St. Maarten/St. Martin adventure, simply decide which level of sporting activity you’d prefer. Then follow our lead for a lineup of fun activities across the island that can keep you as adrenaline-fueled or as laid-back as you like.

For the Mellow Visitor
If you prefer to simply hang out on a beautiful beach, but occasionally seek a little activity to your day, St. Maarten/St. Martin has very mellow methods of experiencing the riches of the island.

For a window into a stunning underwater world, visit Dawn Beach’s or Little Bay’s gin-clear waters. Little Bay is a crescent-shaped stretch of fine white sand, set in a bay that keeps the water here particularly clear and beautiful. Many consider Baie Rouge, on the French side, to be the best for snorkeling. There’s even a cave to explore here.

A serene sailing trip is a good way to get high-seas action without increasing your heart rate. Catamarans offer a smooth sailing experience, and the trampoline-like areas are perfect for sightseeing and sunbathing. Bluebeard Charters (721-587-5935) operates the 60-foot Bluebeard catamaran, with regular trips to Anguilla and the uninhabited island of Prickly Pear.

For Moderately Sporty Types
If you like to interject beach towel time with spurts of activity and sporty excitement, St. Maarten/St. Martin has just what it takes for you to get your fix.

Stand-up paddleboard is one of the newest watersport activities, and it’s guaranteed to give your core a great workout. Visit the marine park on the northeast side of French St. Martin or Galion Bay to perfect your stand-up stroke. Caribbean Paddling (caribbeanpaddling.com) in Cul de Sac rents paddleboards by the hour, half day, full day or week and offers kayak tours of the area.

Pedal a bike in two countries in the same day! The most popular biking route on the island is the 15-mile, two-country trip that starts in Simpson Bay Lagoon and visits Mullet Bay Beach, Plum Bay Beach and Marigot. Rent a bike from TriSport in Simpson Bay (trisportsxm.com) and you can arrange for a personalized, guided tour across the border.

For a great snorkeling experience, Aqua Mania Adventures (721-544-2640) runs snorkeling trips to sites like Creole Rock. If you want to explore farther afield, consider setting sail for nearby Anguilla aboard Aqua Mania’s sailing vessel, the Lambada. Anguilla, a British isle, is surrounded by diverse snorkeling spots and is home to 33 beaches, including Shoal Beach, one of the finest beaches in all of the Caribbean. Blackbeard Charters is another fine option for snorkeling excursions to Anguilla.

For True Sporty Types
If you’re the kind whose blood isn’t pumping unless you’re jumping off something or scaling the nearest peak, fear not! St. Maarten/St. Martin is full of thrills both in the water and on land.

At Size Matters (stmaartenparasailing.com)in Bobby’s Marina, you can choose to soar high above the waters at 400, 600 or 800 feet. The trip lasts about an hour, with about 10 minutes actually spent in the air.

Set a course for the 1,500-foot Pic Paradis and mountain biking turns into a serious adrenaline rush. You can even get an extra workout along the way by biking the steep road that goes between Philipsburg and Cole Bay, where Cole Bay Hill affords spectacular views of the neighboring islands.

For the ultimate rush, launch yourself on a surfboard with a sail. Kitesurfing fever is in full swing in St. Martin, particularly from December to March when the trade winds blow. Since 1998, French kitesurfing school Wind Adventures (wind-adventures.com) has been teaching people how to fly a kite and ride a board behind it. The shop is situated on Orient Bay, a protected lagoon away from most other watersport activities, which makes it an ideal place to learn.

Day Trips and Shore Excursions for Cruise Ship Passengers
Whether you are visiting by cruise ship for just one day, or are with the family on a week's vacation, here are four St. Maarten/St. Martin tours that are sure to create great photo opps and fun.

Our Activity Guide will get you acquainted with all the tours, attractions, sports and activities in St. Maarten/St. Martin -- for you and your kids. Contact our activities providers and get full details before you go!

Find out more; driving tours, top 10 things to do, maps and beaches.