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.
A Beach Of Your Own Is Waiting In St. Maarten/St. Martin
By Alita Singh
Deliciously warm sunshine, invigoratingly cool azure waters with a hint of sparkling turquoise and powdery, crystal white sand… This is the picture- perfect definition of the 37 inviting beaches on St. Maarten/St. Martin.
Each beach embodies the fascinating split personality of the Dutch and French sides with combinations of adrenaline-pumping water sports, relaxing beach chairs to soak up the sun and rustic and gourmet palate pleasers.
Some of these strips of pure paradise border picturesque villages and bustling towns, while others are in tantalizingly secluded bays awaiting discovery and exploration.
SUN WORSHIPPERS WELCOME…
A golden tan is the perfect vacation souvenir, and getting one on St. Maarten/St. Martin is as easy as a stroll along the shore. For the right shade of honey or gold, grab a beach chair or fluffy towel and make tracks for Orient Bay.
If perfecting your tan works up an appetite, Orient Bay is lined with some of the best restaurants on the island that serve up yummy salads for the health-conscious, French cuisine for the sophisticated palate and sushi for the daring diners.
Don't want to be bothered with the restaurant scene? Head for Cupecoy Beach, but don't forget your cooler loaded with drinks since there are no watering holes close by. For an added treat, stay for the sunset. The last rays of sunlight reflect off of a spectacular white cliff creating a scene for magical photographs.
SURF'S UP
Catch a wave and the right wind while surfing or kite surfing at Le Galion Beach, a short distance from the French Quarter. This beach, like the island, has a dual personality: One section is perfect for children who can wade in its cool, shallow waters, while the other side caters to water sports enthusiasts. However, no motorized crafts are allowed here because the beach is part of the French side nature reserve.
Craving adrenaline-pumping speed? Seek out Great Bay Beach, a mile-long strip that lines Philipsburg. Gliding along the blue capped waves on a Jet Ski, you can absorb the bustling activities of the capital from a distance and be amazed by the cruise ships docked along the A.C. Wathey Pier that seem to grow bigger every year.
If exploring below the horizon is more your calling, then snorkeling or diving is a treat almost anywhere off shore. The most breathtaking coral reef, the Proselyte Reef, is found a short distance off of Great Bay. On the reef sits a sunken 17th century man-of-war to delight the most seasoned divers.
If you prefer to stay closer to the surface, then Coral Rock, just off of Grand Case Beach, is inhabited by fish and underwater life of all shapes, forms and colors.
More water fun can be found at Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay, Orient Bay, and Little Bay Beach. For the same fun without the sand, Simpson Bay Lagoon offers a plethora of possibilities.
HIGH-FLYING BEACH FUN
An exfoliating full-body scrub can be a simple and relaxing experience enjoyed at a number of spas across the island. The more daring can stand a short distance from Princess Juliana International Airport runway to get a sand blast from arriving jumbo jetliners as they pass over Maho Beach.
Standing in the direct path of the jetliner is dangerous and not advised, but the outskirts of the flight paths provide the blast of a lifetime. Make sure to hold on to your hat and bikini tops! Aside from being a thrill seeker's beach, it is one of the few places in the world to get a photo in swim gear with jetliners as a backdrop.
LIL' SWIMMERS The beach for children is the crescent-shaped Le Galion. Nicknamed "Baby Beach," it is protected by a coral reef, making the crystal-clear waters shallow and calm. You can walk almost 30 yards out and still only have water lapping at your knees, making Le Galion nature's most perfect kiddie pool.
Turn a day at the beach into more than sun and sand at Kim Sha Beach in Simpson Bay. This pretty piece of heaven has a treasure to keep the young ones entertained: a converted catamaran with a platform rigged with swings and slides.
PICNIC BASKETS
Grandes Caye, near the French Cul de Sac, is the traditional family picnicking beach. Lined with sea grape trees, the beach provides adequate shade for those picky family members who want all the beach has to offer without too much sun.
Simply follow the mouth-watering scent of Caribbean spices traveling from the barbeque grills on Mullet Bay Beach. Ideal for family gatherings, this sandy stretch is the most popular beach on the Dutch side. Its sea grape grove gives excellent cover to overflowing picnic baskets, coolers filled to the brim and blankets speckled with plates of mouth-watering barbeque ribs.
HAND-IN-HAND AT THE SAND'S EDGE
Romance blooms on St. Maarten/St. Martin. Folklore contends that love found or rekindled here lasts forever. The perfect setting to keep Cupid busy involves any of the 37 sun-drenched or silvery, moonlit beaches.
Baie Longue, as the name suggests, is the longest beach on the island. Stretching from the five-star La Samanna Hotel to Pointe du Canonnier, it was created for hand-in-hand strolls, long lingering kisses and indulging…
Simpson Bay Beach is perfect for the alone time couples may crave to frolic in the water and enjoy each other's company.
Grand Case Beach is the prescription for a romantic beach outing complete with gourmet food, a glass of aromatic French wine or a titillating frozen cocktail.
SNOOZE SPOTS
Forget the children, let go of the stress, and curl up under a huge parasol with your favorite book. Quietude is one of the many facets of the island's beaches whether you are looking to catch up on some sleep or delve into a different world without wearing more than your bikini or swim trunks.
Gather up your essentials and escape to Guana Bay beach; off the beaten path, this beach offers a splendid view of the French territory of St. Barths with soothing surf kissing the shore and hardly another soul to disrupt your balance
Seeing Green
Green is fast becoming St. Maarten/St. Martin's favorite color as residents and visitors band together to preserve the natural treasures that inspire love at first sight — the rolling hills, the precious and nurturing mangroves, the sandy beaches and the spectacular underwater life.
As a bustling tourist destination, the demand for more hotels, villas and condos is insatiable — and oftentimes they are built at the expense of the island's natural environment.
Fighting back are several conservation and nature groups, such as Nature Foundation St. Maarten, St. Maarten Pride, Ocean Care, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean and Reserve Naturelle on the French side.
Focusing their efforts on educating residents and visitors, these groups take on developers, polluters and the government in their quest to ensure that the island remains a tropical paradise for years to come.
The filling in of Philipsburg's Great Salt Pond has been an ongoing battle between environmentalists and the government for many years. The pond, once the site of the island's main economic activity (salt harvesting), is now a symbol of times past. Great Salt Pond collects the runoff from the hills in times of heavy rains and hurricanes. As the population increases, the need for more infrastructure has led to land reclamation, raising fear that the holding capacity of this natural water basin has diminished.
Another historical site under threat is Emilio Wilson Estate, a former sugar plantation, in Cul de Sac. Strong opposition from the community to a proposed luxury residential development on the estate has led to the government taking steps to make it a monument. Aside from the historical ruins, which include a slave village, the estate is also ecologically valuable. A team from the New York Botanical Garden discovered a primitive leafy cactus on the estate and never-before-recorded moss and lichens.
Mullet Pond, a section of Simpson Bay Lagoon, is surrounded by red, white and black mangroves. It is a nursery for shrimp, fish and a variety of other underwater life. Despite its ecological importance, this natural water filter's future is hanging in the balance as plans to redevelop the hurricane-ravaged Mullet Bay Resort gain momentum. Environmental groups that have closed ranks to form the Mullet Pond Coalition are engaged in fierce lobbying to zone the pond as a protected area.
Beaches around the island are also under threat of being closed off to the public. While all beaches are currently public, some property owners have tried to limit access.
Sea turtles are also affected by the overcrowding of beaches that are flooded by too much light. Sea turtles return annually to beaches where they've hatched with their clutch of eggs. However, the numbers coming ashore are dwindling because of too much human activity and harsh outdoor lighting that disorients them.
These battles being waged by environmentalists and conservationists are only the upper leaves of the mangrove forests. To preserve the island's natural beauty, its beaches and wetlands, visitors and residents alike are urged by the groups to help save the green!
Local St. Maarten/St. Martin Secrets
Every destination has its hidden gems and St. Maarten/Martin is no exception. Some of our best lie offshore, but don't fret: You won't have to swim or wade to these. Most are only a short boat ride away from the eastern coast. Come along as we explore the uninhabited French islands of Pinel, Green Cay and Tintamarre.
Pinel. This protected nature reserve boasts a calm and sheltered beach, perfect for families. Lunch, beach chairs and umbrellas are available, and there's also great hiking. Pinel is only a five-minute ferry ride from French Cul de Sac, with two boats ferrying island lovers back and forth between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (be sure and check with your boat captain for his last pick-up time). Don't leave without trying the homemade banana rum at the Caribuni Restaurant.
Green Cay. Spectacular. Romantic. Paradisiacal. You may not find the right words to describe Green Cay, the smallest of the three islands. This deserted and uninhabited isle is perfect for suntanning and romantic interludes. There are no services, so visitors must bring necessities, like water, food and sun block.
Tintamarre. The sheltered bay here attracts lots of boaters, and the island is renowned for the rumored healing powers of its mud baths. You'll find the rather uninviting mud just beyond the tree line. Lather it on, let it dry and then rinse. Your skin will feel silky smooth afterwards. Visitors are occasionally treated to the sight of whales and dolphins cavorting around this magical island.
St. Maarten is home to almost 200 species of birds. Some species are year-round residents; others come here in the winter to escape the harsh weather in North America.
Their time here is crucial, since they need to rest and gather strength for the busy summer breeding season. Environmental Protection In the Caribbean (EPIC) is an environmental organization that has partnered with the Nature Foundation of St. Martin and Royal Caribbean International to protect birds on the island, involving both residents and guests. In fact, the partners have set up bird-watching facilities at Fresh Pond and Little Bay Pond. Here are some of their tips to protect our feathered friends, who are good indicators of ecological health.
Protect and restore important bird habitats, such as ponds, mangroves, and forests.
Create a bird habitat in your own backyard by planting native trees and flowers.
Don't feed birds human food; it's unhealthy and can artificially increase the population, which changes the natural balance.
Pick up trash, especially plastics such as grocery bags and fishing line; birds may consume or get tangled in this refuse and die.
Support conservation activities by donating time, money or materials.
Shiva's Gold and Gems and Trident Jewelers are St. Maarten's only jewelry boutiques that have qualified for membership in the "Leading Jewelers of the world," an elite group of no more than 100 very prestigious and exclusive jewelry retail stores worldwide. The company's extensive network allows it to buy in large volumes — directly from sources in Israel and Amsterdam — thus eliminating middleman commissions and passing on extra savings to you!
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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. 
Deliciously warm sunshine, invigoratingly cool azure waters with a hint of sparkling turquoise and powdery, crystal white sand… This is the picture- perfect definition of the 37 inviting beaches on St. Maarten/St. Martin. 
If perfecting your tan works up an appetite, Orient Bay is lined with some of the best restaurants on the island that serve up yummy salads for the health-conscious, French cuisine for the sophisticated palate and sushi for the daring diners.
If exploring below the horizon is more your calling, then snorkeling or diving is a treat almost anywhere off shore. The most breathtaking coral reef, the Proselyte Reef, is found a short distance off of Great Bay. On the reef sits a sunken 17th century man-of-war to delight the most seasoned divers. 
The beach for children is the crescent-shaped Le Galion. Nicknamed "Baby Beach," it is protected by a coral reef, making the crystal-clear waters shallow and calm. You can walk almost 30 yards out and still only have water lapping at your knees, making Le Galion nature's most perfect kiddie pool. 
Baie Longue, as the name suggests, is the longest beach on the island. Stretching from the five-star La Samanna Hotel to Pointe du Canonnier, it was created for hand-in-hand strolls, long lingering kisses and indulging…
As a bustling tourist destination, the demand for more hotels, villas and condos is insatiable — and oftentimes they are built at the expense of the island's natural environment.
Every destination has its hidden gems and St. Maarten/Martin is no exception. Some of our best lie offshore, but don't fret: You won't have to swim or wade to these. Most are only a short boat ride away from the eastern coast. Come along as we explore the uninhabited French islands of Pinel, Green Cay and Tintamarre. 
Green Cay. Spectacular. Romantic. Paradisiacal. You may not find the right words to describe Green Cay, the smallest of the three islands. This deserted and uninhabited isle is perfect for suntanning and romantic interludes. There are no services, so visitors must bring necessities, like water, food and sun block.
Shiva's Gold and Gems and Trident Jewelers are St. Maarten's only jewelry boutiques that have qualified for membership in the "Leading Jewelers of the world," an elite group of no more than 100 very prestigious and exclusive jewelry retail stores worldwide. The company's extensive network allows it to buy in large volumes — directly from sources in Israel and Amsterdam — thus eliminating middleman commissions and passing on extra savings to you! 
