Saint Martin / Sint Maarten

[jmorovich]

I know we have a ton of travelers on this board so just looking for some tips and recommendations. Family and I are heading to Sint Maarten (staying on the Dutch side but I don’t think that matters much) early June. Looking for any recommendations or suggestions. Trying to squeeze this in after kids are done school and right before hurricane season so I think we’ll be in good shape.

Thanks in advance!

 

[JWB389]

Was there quite a while ago so I’m sure things have changed a lot. Was 2000 during the “dangling chad” election and one of many controversial losses at Michigan. We liked it. Dutch side had more nightlife as I recall. Decent food too. Island was small enough that it didn’t seem to matter which side you were on. We rented a car and drove the whole island. Was very much like most of the Caribbean islands.

Not sure how old your kids are but be prepared for A LOT of nudity on the beaches and hotel pool. Some beaches are completely nude (male and female), so there’s that.

Again 25 years is a long time, so may be very different.

 

[lion4ever76]

my wife is there now, will send suggestions when she gets back

 

[liquid0623]

I know we have a ton of travelers on this board so just looking for some tips and recommendations. Family and I are heading to Sint Maarten (staying on the Dutch side but I don’t think that matters much) early June. Looking for any recommendations or suggestions. Trying to squeeze this in after kids are done school and right before hurricane season so I think we’ll be in good shape.

Thanks in advance!

I have been there 40 times. What do you want to know? Last time was over new years for 2 weeks

 

[jmorovich]

I have been there 40 times. What do you want to know? Last time was over new years for 2 week's

Thanks! Really appreciate any highlights to do or to avoid. Kids are 18 & 17 so we’re not locked in to little kid stuff. Should we rent a car? Looking for good restaurant recommendations, activities for the family (we do like snorkeling and being active on vacation), and shopping trips. Really anything you tell someone they can’t miss would be appreciated.

 

[liquid0623]

I know we have a ton of travelers on this board so just looking for some tips and recommendations. Family and I are heading to Sint Maarten (staying on the Dutch side but I don’t think that matters much) early June. Looking for any recommendations or suggestions. Trying to squeeze this in after kids are done school and right before hurricane season so I think we’ll be in good shape.

Thanks in advance!

I have been there 40 times. What do you want to know?

Thanks! Really appreciate any highlights to do or to avoid. Kids are 18 & 17 so we’re not locked in to little kid stuff. Should we rent a car? Looking for good restaurant recommendations, activities for the family (we do like snorkeling and being active on vacation), and shopping trips. Really anything you tell someone they can’t miss would be appreciated.

Definitely rent a car. Go to Oriente Beach one day and then to dinner there after. Really nice restaurants. Also go to Anse Marcel beach one day. There are also nice places at Grand Case. Like little beach clubs with good food and music. I am partial to the French side during the day.

Shopping is better in Phillipsburg on the Dutch side.

Best places for restaurants are in Grand Case and Oriente Beach. Oriente has like 8 really good restaurants all in a little plaza area. Very nice relaxing atmosphere.

I also like bei Rouge and Bei Long in the lowlands on the french side. Nice Beaches.

A nice day trip to Anguilla would be nice. One of the nicest beaches in the world is there. You can take a ferry from Marigot to Anguilla.

If you go to Mullet Bay Beach don't leave anything in the car.

 

[The Song Remains the Same]

I know we have a ton of travelers on this board so just looking for some tips and recommendations. Family and I are heading to Sint Maarten (staying on the Dutch side but I don’t think that matters much) early June. Looking for any recommendations or suggestions. Trying to squeeze this in after kids are done school and right before hurricane season so I think we’ll be in good shape.

Thanks in advance!

Meads Bay Anguilla is superb

 

[PSU4U]

I know we have a ton of travelers on this board so just looking for some tips and recommendations. Family and I are heading to Sint Maarten (staying on the Dutch side but I don’t think that matters much) early June. Looking for any recommendations or suggestions. Trying to squeeze this in after kids are done school and right before hurricane season so I think we’ll be in good shape.

Thanks in advance!

Well, the last time I was there, and I've only been there twice before all the hurricane damage years ago. We shopped on the Dutch side took a little tour shuttle over the mountain then swam and ate on the French side. Nude beach on the French side, aside from that that bay and beach is absolutely beautiful. For shopping the Dutch side you should get the best prices on jewelry because they know they only get one shot at the tourists from the cruise ships before they head to Saint Thomas. Back then they would bargain with you on price.

 

[heckmans]

I have been there 40 times. What do you want to know?
Definitely rent a car. Go to Oriente Beach one day and then to dinner there after. Really nice restaurants. Also go to Anse Marcel beach one day. There are also nice places at Grand Case. Like little beach clubs with good food and music. I am partial to the French side during the day.

Shopping is better in Phillipsburg on the Dutch side.

Best places for restaurants are in Grand Case and Oriente Beach. Oriente has like 8 really good restaurants all in a little plaza area. Very nice relaxing atmosphere.

I also like bei Rouge and Bei Long in the lowlands on the french side. Nice Beaches.

A nice day trip to Anguilla would be nice. One of the nicest beaches in the world is there. You can take a ferry from Marigot to Anguilla.

If you go to Mullet Bay Beach don't leave anything in the car.

Anguilla is my second favorite island (behind Saint John.) Amazing beaches, great restaurants, zero crime.

 

[scbob]

The Maho area is great for the airport watching planes land and take off. Nice beach as well if the sand is there. You can youtube it easily. There are several really good restaurants and one of the best casinos on the island -Casino Royale. La Rosa, Roma, Moulin Fou, and Jax for steaks. All within a block of each other. The Driftwood Bar is right on the beach for casual dining and airplane watching. I agree that Philipsburg is great for shopping especially the jewelry stores. It's also where the cruise ships come in and it hasseveral very good eating choices as well.

 

[Obliviax]

I can't be of much help but connected on a flight home from St. Kitts there just over a year ago. That airport is famous and could be some fun. The runway backs up to a public beach where you can lounge and observe some very unique take offs and landings. Here is a video below. When my flight took off, there were a couple of dozen people hanging on the cyclone fence. I was in a 737 but there are much larger planes that use this runway (777s). Could be fun for the kids.

 

[SR108]

Shoal Bay East, Anguilla!

 

[liquid0623]

Shoal Bay East, Anguilla!

Yes. I have been there twice. Top 5 beach that I have been to in my life. I have been to 6 continents and 5 already this year!

FYI... Airlie Beach, Australia is a must visit. OMG... amazing.

 

[harbest]

I know we have a ton of travelers on this board so just looking for some tips and recommendations. Family and I are heading to Sint Maarten (staying on the Dutch side but I don’t think that matters much) early June. Looking for any recommendations or suggestions. Trying to squeeze this in after kids are done school and right before hurricane season so I think we’ll be in good shape.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jmorovich]

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That is just insane! I heard there is a bar close to this beach that tells you when the planes are landing so it isn’t a guessing game. Might have to check that out.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Yes. I have been there twice. Top 5 beach that I have been to in my life. I have been to 6 continents and 5 already this year!

FYI... Airlie Beach, Australia is a must visit. OMG... amazing.

I trust you were “croc-wise” up in Queensland.

A long trip to Australia is a retirement dream. Rent a camper van or something, get a sat phone, and go all over

 

[liquid0623]

I trust you were “croc-wise” up in Queensland.

A long trip to Australia is a retirement dream. Rent a camper van or something, get a sat phone, and go all over

I just got back 5 days ago. 2nd time there. Was also in Bali. Total trip was 3 weeks.

 

[harbest]

That is just insane! I heard there is a bar close to this beach that tells you when the planes are landing so it isn’t a guessing game. Might have to check that out.

I trust you were “croc-wise” up in Queensland.

A long trip to Australia is a retirement dream. Rent a camper van or something, get a sat phone, and go all over