Destination overview

St Maarten (Sint Maarten) is a constituent country of the kingdom of the Netherlands, which is why it is also called the Netherlands Antilles. St Maarten encompasses the southern half of the island, while the northern half is a French territory. The sum of the two parts make for an amazing island as a whole, with St Maarten having a great blend of Dutch and indigenous influences. The first European to set foot on the island was Christopher Columbus back in 1493. He named the island Isla de San Martin after Saint Martin of Tours, because he landed on the island on 11 November, which is Saint Martin’s day.

While Spain claimed the island as a territory, they never colonised. The French and the Dutch, however, both saw the beauty and allure of the island, which has only added to the unique flavour of it. Perhaps the most stunning features of St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles are the pristine beaches and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. The island is a paradise for sun worshippers and swimmers alike. Regardless of where you are in St Maarten you are never that far from a warm dip in the sea.

And there is a beach for every taste, whether you enjoy a crowd or prefer some quiet time. There is also Maho Bay which sits right at the end of the Queen Juliana Airport landing strip and is a great place to catch some rays while watching the planes come in.

The beautiful sea is also a great magnet for scuba divers and fishermen. There is no shortage of boat tours if you want to catch a tropical fish for dinner, or if you just want to take spectacular underwater photos of the fish swimming around the coral reefs. St Maarten is also a great port for yachts, and many are available for a tour around the island, or even for rent, if basking in the tropical sun on your own yacht sounds like your perfect day.

Back on land, St Maarten has plenty for you to do from duty free shopping to twelve casinos offering gambling and nightlife. The island, with its European and Caribbean influences, is also home to some of the best gourmet food. In fact, the island is known as the Caribbean Gourmet Island and has been acknowledged to be a holiday spot or even home to some of the top chefs in the world. All the great chefs whether from Europe, America or Asia vie to compete in this gourmet capital of the Caribbean, creating cuisines equal to the best you will find in Paris or New York.

St Maarten provides holiday-makers the opportunity to enjoy three distinct cultures on one 37 square mile island. There is the delight and pensiveness of the Dutch on one side, the savoir-faire of the French on the other, and the blending of both with exotic native heritage.

Add dozens of beaches and lagoons and over 300 restaurants and you may understand why St Maarten is the most visited of all the Leewards, a group of islands in the West Indies. Shopping on the island is duty free and casinos, discos and nightclubs stay open until dawn. Jumbo jets from world centres land here and charters allow visits to the smaller Leewards.

The French side is neither an independent state, nor a colony - it is just like France. This is a fully privileged European Union territory and follows the big country's rules and laws more or less strictly, and depending on the administrators sent from Paris. The fact that the capital, Marigot, is not a cruise ship port has preserved the small-town feel of a charming French-Caribbean settlement.

The French side is also home to many of the must-see spots on the island including Pic Paradis, the tallest mountain, as well as Loterie Farm, a private nature reserve with the last remaining rainforest on the island. Orient Beach is without a doubt the number one beach and the gourmet village of Grand Case is unique in the world with its vast number of top-class dining spots.

Independent since 10 October 2010 (10/10/10), but still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Dutch Side occupies about one-third of the island's landmass. This part always has been led by politicians with a strong pro-business philosophy, turning St Maarten into the Caribbean's most open economy.

With a booming economy and relatively tolerant immigration policies, arrived both the blessings and the problems of development. It was the Dutch side which put the island on the map as a major player in the Caribbean tourism landscape.

You will find St Maarten somewhat Americanised, with fast food places and other conveniences of civilisation. Yet it is the combination of the Dutch and French sides which turn this island into a fantastically exciting holiday spot.

So if you want to enjoy a tropical paradise with a more sophisticated flair, St Maarten is the place to take it all in. You will find something to satisfy every taste here. It really is a classy tourist destination, but retains the warmth and friendliness of its people and the beauty of its surroundings.