Things to do in St. Maarten: two capitals, Maho and the beaches

St. Maarten packs a lot into a small, two-nation island. The draw is the coast, some thirty-odd beaches, and the easy crossing between the Dutch south and the French north, each with its own capital and character.

What to do

Maho Beach is the one everyone knows, sat right under the approach to Princess Juliana airport, where jets come in low over the sand. Philipsburg, the Dutch capital, has Great Bay and its boardwalk; Marigot, the French capital, has a market and Fort Louis above it. Inland, Pic Paradis is the high point and Loterie Farm a green retreat. The rest is choosing beaches by mood, lively or quiet, and hopping between the two sides.

Where to start

Before you go

Boat trips and the popular beaches are busiest when cruise ships are in, so time it. The number on each page is the operator’s own.