20 Best Things to Do on St. Martin, From Sailing Excursions to the World's Steepest Zip Line

Local experts weigh in on how to explore the Caribbean island.

Split into Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north, this Caribbean island offers a unique mix of cultural and historical influences in one effusively hospitable destination. St. Martin is one of the region’s most accessible islands for travelers coming from the U.S., and numerous, daily inter-island flights and ferries make it a popular stopover for people headed to Anguilla and hidden gems like Saba and Sint Eustatius.

Visitors will find stunning stretches of sandy coast, international flavors, and thrilling adventures from zip lining to shark diving, among other things to do. We tapped local experts for the experiences not to be missed on a visit to "the friendly island."

Top 5 Can't Miss

• Brightly colored colonial-style architecture gives Philipsburg, St. Maarten's capital, unique character.

• Pic Paradis is the island's highest peak, offering expansive views to those willing to hike to the top.

• St. Martin is a foodie paradise with lots of opportunities for tasting Caribbean favorites like Johnny cakes and guavaberry liqueur.

• The waters surrounding the island contain shipwrecks, a sunken helicopter, cannons, and more to explore by scuba diving or snorkeling.

• Maho Beach is famous for the low-flying planes going to and coming from Princess Juliana International Airport.

Explore Philipsburg.

Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten, is a charming town worthy of exploration. You can spend a day strolling the boardwalk, admiring how the buildings on Old Street blend colorful and colonial styles, and shopping on Front Street. Stop to take a picture of the cupola-topped courthouse, built in 1793, before following your nose to some Caribbean food.

Hike to the top of Pic Paradis.

At nearly 1,400 feet in elevation, Pic Paradis is the highest point on the island, and as such it offers expansive vistas. The 3.1-mile, out-and-back hike to the summit is surprisingly challenging, especially in the heat of a Caribbean afternoon, so plan to conquer it early in the morning.

Sample traditional Caribbean fare.

St. Martin is a melting pot of culinary traditions, but "visitors have to try the truly local dishes from food trucks or roadside rib shacks that exemplify the island," says Marla Chemont of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. "Stop at a roadside spot for delicious barbecue, like barbecued chicken, lobster, or ribs with a fried Johnny cake." Lee also recommends trying guavaberry liqueur, the national drink of St. Martin. The small red berries it's made from are native to the island.

Explore the underwater world.

There are a number of shipwrecks that make for impressive dive sites around the island, though the Carib Cargo wreck is perhaps the island’s best known. Steeped in local lore and alternatively known as the Carib Ghost, this wreck site is home to stingrays, green turtles, and lobsters. Even closer to shore, at Little Bay Beach, is a dive site with a sunken helicopter, cannons, and a submarine. You can see the underwater sights just by snorkeling.

Watch planes fly overhead at Maho Beach.

Maho Beach has been called "the most extreme beach in the world" because of the jets that fly right over the sand as they come and go from Princess Juliana International Airport. It's loud and often crowded, but Jamie Lee, vice president of resort operations at Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts, calls it a must-do. The resort's family-oriented Maho Beach and adults-only Ocean Point properties are perfect for staying close to this exciting stretch of sand (and the airport).

Related: 18 of the Best Beaches in the Caribbean and the Bahamas

Find your perfect stretch of sand.

If plane spotting on Maho Beach isn't quite your speed, take your pick of the island's other 36 beaches for a more tranquil day by the waves. Cupecoy Beach is a great place to snorkel and relax on the golden sand, but Chemont recommends Happy Bay Beach for a slightly less crowded experience. To find true solitude, you can always opt for a patch of sand that's accessible only by hiking trail or boat.

Sip rum at Topper's Rhum Distillery.

What would a trip to the Caribbean be without tasting local rum? Sample unique flavors and learn all about the blending process at Topper's Rhum Distillery near Simpson Bay Beach. You can tour the distillery and mixing labs, or drop by the showroom to pick up a bottle to take home.

Hop over to neighboring islands.

"If you come to St. Martin, don't miss out on going to Anguilla, St. Barts, and Saba," says Sylvie Baron of Dream Yacht Worldwide, an outfit that offers half- and full-day charters and cabin cruises from the island's French side. You can spend a few hours on the white sand of Anguilla or take a little extra time to hike through the rain forest on Saba.

Race sailboats on an America’s Cup course.

For a thrilling experience in St. Martin, Chemont recommends hopping aboard a vintage yacht for one of 12 Metre Racing's daily regattas. The races are held on an America's Cup course, and some of the boats are even America's Cup champions. You can get as involved as you want in the sailing part — feel free to join the action or sit back and enjoy the show.

Dance to live music at 978 Sanctorum.

Located in Rambaud on St. Martin's French side, 978 Sanctorum is where you go to party poolside on Jazzy Fridays and Caribbean Saturdays. Besides its weekly after-dark traditions, it also hosts a tasty Sunday Creole Brunch that provides a little hair of the dog.

Dive with sharks at Big Mama's Reef.

Caribbean reef sharks naturally congregate around Big Mama's Reef, off the coast of the island's Dutch side. This is a prime destination for adventure-minded travelers looking for a thrilling wildlife encounter. Shark diving is serious business that typically requires scuba certification. If you're qualified and have the time, consider a multiday trip to the reef on a liveaboard ship.

Enjoy water sports on Orient Bay.

Baron recommends Orient Bay on the island's French side as the perfect beach destination for those looking to enjoy almost any water sport imaginable. Expect Jet Ski rentals, as well as parasailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, and kitesurfing opportunities. Located right on the beach, Bikini Watersport offers all kinds of rentals, plus fishing charters and flyboard excursions.

Take the ferry to Pinel Island.

Just a five-minute jaunt from French St. Martin, "Pinel Island is a small desert island, with two restaurants where you can taste delicious lobster fresh from the grill," says Baron. The island is a popular stop with private sailing charters and group excursions, but it's also accessible by ferry from the town of Cul-de-Sac, departing every 30 minutes during high season.

Swim with turtles off of Tintamarre Island.

Baron also suggests sailing to the deserted island of Tintamarre, where you can snorkel and scuba dive right off the beach. Also called "Flat Island," the destination is a little farther than Pinel Island. The waters surrounding it are known for their abundance of sea turtles, many so socialized they'll allow you to swim alongside them (though please keep some distance). The Tintamarre Express will take you there for a half or full day.

Eat authentic French cuisine.

St. Martin's French influence makes the island a great spot to sample la cuisine Française. Restaurants like Le Cottage, L'Atelier Bar à Viande et Poisson, and L'Astrolabe serve traditional dishes, but for a Caribbean take on French favorites, go to Mario Bistrot in Cupecoy Bay. You'll even sense a slight Asian twist with menu items like Thai crab croquettes and hoisin duck tacos.

Visit David's Hole.

David's Hole is ideal for travelers looking for a more off-the-beaten-path destination. It's a swimmable 80-foot-wide sinkhole surrounded by rock and fed by seawater that flows in from a pair of arches. You probably shouldn't take a dip when rough conditions create roiling water and the site lives up to its alternative name, Devil's Hole.

Zip line through the rain forest at Loterie Farm.

Loterie Farm is one of the best places to enjoy the island's rich, forested interior. The nature-filled sanctuary has its own zip line that sails through a lush canopy of mango and mahogany trees. It also contains the starting point for the trek to the summit of Pic Paradis. For a more relaxing experience, opt for drinks at the location’s "jungle pool" or a snack at the on-site restaurant.

Take a cultural heritage tour.

Chemont recommends exploring St. Martin with the experts at Seagrape Tours. The operator's cultural heritage tours cut across the international border to showcase the entire island's historical sites. There are also specialized food tours, street art tours, and more, if you're looking to experience the destination's culinary and cultural riches. 

Visit Parotte Ville.

With around 25 species of tropical birds in residence, Parotte Ville is a family-friendly destination on the island's Dutch side. The founder, George Parotte, is himself a colorful character, passionate about introducing visitors to the over 100 birds found at the sanctuary.

Ride a chairlift to Sentry Hill.

Known as the Soualiga Sky Explorer, this chairlift carries passengers up to one of the island's highest peaks. Unbeatable ocean views await — and without any strenuous trekking involved. Select packages include a ride on the Flying Dutchman, a 2,800-foot-long zip line that descends 1,050 feet and is said to be the steepest in the world.

Related: St. Martin Travel Guide

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