Zee Best Breakfast! Voted best breakfast on the island. Authentic, fresh-baked French pastries, light-as-air crepes and scrumptious lunches. Open daily in two locations; Simpson Bay and Marina Port-de-Plaisance with a lovely view of the marina.
Billfish Tournament
They are powerful, aggressive fighters: They run hard and long, make deep sounds and leap high into the air in a seemingly inexhaustible display of strength. They're one of the most sought-after game fish in the world. And every year in June, a gathering of Caribbean and European professional fishermen descend on St. Maarten/St. Martin in search of the magnificent billfish.
The Billfish Tournament takes place every year here, but the exact date falls differently each year during the month of June. This prestigious fishing tournament is organized in Marigot and lasts four days: three days of fishing and one day of rest. About 30 fishing boats carry between 150 and 200 top anglers as they compete in what's becoming one of the most recognized fishing tournaments in the Caribbean and throughout the world.
This is undoubtedly the best billfishing the French West Indies has to offer. The full moons of May, June and July almost guarantee a strike, and boats can expect several good hookups a day and perhaps even multiple catches. Billfish are known to feed on squid and pelagic fish, including blackfin tuna and frigate mackerel, but fishing at the tourney is done with lures. Most billfish will run between 200 and 500 pounds, and the island record is a respectable 825 pounds. All giant billfish are females, with male billfish rarely exceeding 300 pounds.
Last year, 18 boats recorded 59 billfish caught during the four-day event. Minimum keeper limits were set at 300 pounds, and 24 fish were weighed and 35 released to fight again.
There are several other festivities associated with this tournament, which has proven to be popular with spectators as well as fishermen. In addition to the Billfish Tournament, there are two more annual fishing events on the island. The St. Maarten Deep Sea Fishing Challenge in November just before or after St. Martin's Day and the Mahi Mahi Tournament in March. These two tournaments are organized in Philipsburg at Chesterfield's.
For more information on the Billfish Tournament, call 590-590-87-57-21 or visit www.st-martin.org.
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!
Race aboard Dennis Conner's famous Stars & Stripes, Canada II or True North. Special programs can be designed for regattas and incentive groups. No sailing experience necessary - just bring the urge to have fun!
Over 40 dive sites!
Scuba divers will find a wealth of dive sites to explore around the island with unique underwater landscapes including rocky mazes that shelter spadefish, octopi,
parrotfish, barracuda and turtles. There are also several shipwrecks that provide interesting reefs where all manner of sea life congregate. Certified divers can take advanced courses with dive masters from Dive Adventures/Aqua Mania, while novice divers can get certified with a few hours of instruction.
For
more great vacation ideas look for our books in
your hotel room.
Upload your photos and comments about St. Maarten/St. Martin. Click here.