A trip to St Martin/St Maarten can make a Caribbean Vacation twice as nice. At only 37 square miles this is the smallest land mass in the world shared by two sovereign nations- Holland and France.

The co-shared island retains its individual European heritage and governments but the islanders have melted into a peaceful and happy Caribbean co-existence for over 300 years.

The island is an important travel crossroads for the Caribbean. Philipsburg the capital of Dutch St. Maarten is the main point of entry as the international airport is the second busiest airport in the Caribbean with constant arrivals from Europe and North America and serves as a main port of call for major Caribbean Cruise Lines that regularly cruise into St Maarten.

Caribbean Sailing marinas are found on both sides of the island with St Martin (French side) being the primary departure for the island of Anguilla and St Maarten is the departure for Caribbean Sailboats, catamarans, and luxury yachts heading to St. Barts, Saba or St. Eustatius.

Legend has it that the boundaries were established in a walking contest along the shores. A Dutch man and a Frenchman were to pace their way around the coast, but the Frenchman must have been the faster walker as he got the lion’s share of the island on the north side. The Dutchman may have had the last laugh, for his side of the island contained the large salt pond- & centuries ago- Salt was worth more than Gold! The island was fought over and changed hands many times over the centuries but today the two sides of the island live in harmony & share many gorgeous beaches, an array of hidden coves and sparkling bays, hilly terrain, many things to do and hotels, resorts and villas in every price range.

But the flavor, rhythm, pace and personalities of the two island sides are delightfully different!

To sum up the differences between the two sides is that for hot Casino action, sizzling nightlife, shopping and the feel of constant island hopping via planes, ferries, sailboats or luxury yacht- that would be Dutch St. Maarten. For Caribbean-French-Creole cuisine, a slower pace, more interaction with nature along with secluded beaches then you want to be in French St. Martin. But the beauty of the place is that you can stay in your hotel or villa and visit two countries with ease!

St. Maarten- The Dutch Side

Philipsburg is built on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the remains of the salt pond. It is easy to remember the two main streets- Front Street and Back Street!

The main draws of Philipsburg is shopping due to its status as a totally duty free port. Front Street is the place for most shops as well as the next draw to the island- Casinos. Most of the hotels and restaurants are located along Front Street & the beach stretches out for about a mile from the Pier.

There are many Caribbean Hotel and Resort hotels to choose from on the Dutch side. For Resorts with Casinos- Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino and the Maho Bay Beach Resort & Casino. For upper end Caribbean luxury beach hotels - The Wyndham Sapphire Beach Club & Resort and the Royal Palms Beach Resorts. Other great hotels would be Oyster Bay Resort, Cupecoy Beach Resort, The Divi Little Bay and Flamingo Bay. Select Caribbean Villas such as The Beach Side Villas, The Coral Shores Villas and The Villas at Great Bay. For charming and enjoyable Caribbean Inns and Guesthouses check out Carl’s Unique Inn, Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House, The Horny Toad Guesthouse and the Calypso Guest House.

Smile! There is a beach per mile!

There are 37 beaches- one for each of the square miles that make up this Caribbean paradise! On the Dutch side the most famous beaches include mile-long Mullet Bay, Dawn Beach and Little Bay Beach- a favorite of snorkelers due to its calm, clear waters. Maho Bay is one of the most dramatic beaches with its craggy shore line and jets that scream in just over your head! Cupecoy Beach is

A portrait of white sand beauty, sandstone cliffs and ocean side caves for exploring, it is one of the most photographed beaches on St. Maarten. And Simpson Bay is long half crescent shaped beach located between the sea and a picturesque village.

Active St. Maarten-

St. Maarten has the only golf course on the island at the Championship, par 72 golf course at the Mullet Bay Resort. There are many places to hike including a strenuous but rewarding hike up the 1,400 foot Pic Paradis- the highest point on the island. Mountain Biking tracks have been laid out and there are plenty of places to rent kayaks and windsurfing boards.

Caribbean diving enthusiasts will find plenty of places to dive but over a third of divers go to the eastern shore where most of the area is a protected marine park. Caribbean yachtsmen launch out of St. Maarten for day sails or regattas to nearby St. Barts, Saba or St. Eustatius.

And though the cuisine on St. Martin is more famous- restaurant lovers will have plenty of selections and great international culinary delights to choose from on the Dutch side.

St. Martin- A slice of France on the Caribbean

St. Martin for many years was the more “sleepy” part of the shared island. But in recent years the lack of overbuilding has become one of the main attractions to St. Martin.

People swear the beaches are just a little more whiter and the ocean breezes just a little more cooler!

The beaches on the French side tend to be more secluded and conducive to rest and tranquility as you enjoy tanning. Many of the beaches are shaded by palm trees and other beaches are set among rugged sea cliffs that create dramatic landscapes worth exploring. Topless beaches are common and a naturalist area is set aside in a part of Orient Beach. The hotels and resorts generally have long stretches of beaches. The most popular beaches for local families and tourist are at the Grand Case Beach, Anse Marcel Beach and Orient Bay. Orient Bay is not only noted for its white sands but snorkelers and divers are drawn to its underwater marine park and coral reef that makes the water calm and the visibility up to 200 feet.

Welcome to the Creole Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean

There are fabulous restaurants in St Martin and the little seaside village of Grand Case is known as the restaurant row of the Caribbean. There are over 20 French-Creole restaurants in this area, many with pastel colored buildings and views of the sea. Taste fresh lobster, Accra fritters, bbq calamari, snapper in a Dijon sauce, spicy shrimp and rolled sea scallops mixed with fresh made sauces and vegetables as well as papaya, mangos and melons or banana flambé.

And for gourmet at value prices check out the local “Lo-Lo’s”. These are seaside shacks clustered near the shoreline where you get some of the best dishes on the island including jerk chicken and grilled lobster- for under $10 a meal!

Take a Caribbean Sailing trip to Anguilla-

St. Martin and St. Maarten are springboards for great sailing adventures to many nearby islands. You can experience several day sails on French St. Martin such as a sail to Ile Pinel or Isle Tintamarre where you can snorkel in crystal clear waters in a protected marine park. For island hopping take a trip to the nearby British Crown Colony of Anguilla and visit some of the most spectacular beaches found in the Caribbean and snorkel at the marine park and take a walk through Road Town and enjoy a restaurant in town. It is also easy to arrange Caribbean sailing or luxury yacht trips from the Dutch side of the island to St. Barts, Saba or St. Eustatius. Windsurfing, jet skiing and kayaking are centered around Orient Beach.

Spectacular Caribbean Resorts and Caribbean Villas- with a French Flavor!

The luxurious French Caribbean resorts offered on St. Martin include the world famous and jet set favorite- La Samanna, the all-suite Grand Case Beach Resort, Le Meridian, the Esmeralda and Cap Caraibes Beach Resort. Luxurious Caribbean villa offerings include Emerald Cove Villas, Green Cay Villas, Villa Laguna and Villa Le Belvedere.

Sightseeing, horseback riding and dining in a Rain Forest-

Any activity in St. Martin should involve you and your camera walking the streets of Marigot and taking in the colorful action of the marketplace or the fishing boats and sailboats at the marina.

For fantastic shots of Marigot climb the stairs that lead up to the historic Fort St. Louis that once guarded the area.

Shopping is an adventure in itself because Marigot is a 100% duty free zone and the best buys can be made on French products such as perfumes, champagne, brandy, fashions and jewelry. You can also visit the Butterfly Farm and Caribbean History Museum of the island. Not far from Marigot is the hamlet of Orleans- sometimes referred to as “The French Quarter”. It is the oldest French settlement on the island with “Cases” or little houses dating back to the 1700s with the yards and streets lined with Flamboyant Trees, bougainvillea, wisteria and hibiscus. For active adventure visit the trails at Eden Park that offer the photographer dramatic views overlooking Marigot, Grand Case Beach and neighboring islands. For a great adventure visit the Loterie Farm, a private nature preserve on St. Martin. The 150 acre reserve makes its money from Eco-tourism activities and serves as the gateway to hiking up Pic du Paradis the highest point on the island at 1,400 feet. Horseback riding can be done in the rain forest and the Great House Mansion, that was once a plantation 300 years ago, is the scene for yoga, meditation and yoga. For a unique lunch or after your hike come back to the Great House and visit the Hidden Forest Café and eat in the forest.

St Martin or St Maarten- you can’t go wrong for Caribbean sailing, golfing, diving, dining, casino action, hiking, shopping or just laying on the beach at your villa- its just twice as nice!