Sint Maarten Things to Do

Philipsburg is four parallel streets squeezed between Great Bay, where the cruise ships dock, and Salt Pond, where salt was made many years ago. The entire area has been improved greatly over the last few years. The harbor was dredged so that cruise ships could tie up at a new terminal. The sand from the dredging was used to replenish Great Bay beach and a boardwalk was built running the length of the beach. In addition, Front Street was beautified with paving stones, benches, new sidewalks, palm trees, and cast iron streetlights. Parking was eliminated, making the street a mile long shopping mall. New parking was added along Pondfill and at Bobby's Marina at the same time.

Philipsburg may be only four streets deep and one mile long, but it contains everything that anyone, and especially a tourist, needs. All St Maarten is duty-free, but Philipsburg has shop after shop each trying to outdo the others offering electronics, alcohol, jewelry, linens, perfume, and more. The prices and selection are second to none!

3 more images

Don't pass up the chance to ride a quad through the middle of town. You can book it at the port and for around $40 you get to zip through town (yes on the main streets) to the beach and back. A must for those who love to play while on vacations. Ended up at a semi to nude beach. Sorry fellas it was all the people i didn't want to see naked. But once again you have to check everything out at least once.

4 more images

We went back to the island in 2005.

Some of the tourists go riding, some shop, some do the watersports ---but how about being driven in an amphibious vehicle! We climbed aboard the Duck (as they spell it!) and were driven up into the hills to another coast. As we approached the sea our driver warned us that we'd be turning left soon....and we did! Straight into the harbour! We were chugging across the sea, amongst the various yachts. Then the free rum punch appeared to add to the experience.

Oh, photo 4 is interesting! Just as we have 'wear'em out' in the UK the population of St.Maartens have one ----but it is an anchored platform out in the bay!

A great adventure! Try it!

This is one of the best beaches I have been to, and I have been to a lot of beaches being that I live in Florida and have traveled the Caribbean! For about $7 a person you can rent a padded comfy beach chair under an umbrella in front of the numerous beach bars that line the entire length of the beach and it's yours for the duration of the day. Most of the beach bars will include a frosty drink with the chair rental. I recommend The Pirate beach bar..it's centrally located and the service is great! Make sure you try a Guavaberry colada! The Guavaberry only grows on St. Maarten..not to be confused with a plain Guava.

There are numerous water activities on the beach...jet skiing, parasailing, water trampolines, etc. It's not the best place to snorkel because it's pretty busy and the fish will stay away from all the activity in the water.

But beware...Orient Beach is clothing optional..you will see nudity. The closer you get to the far end of the beach, referred to as Club Orient, the more nudity there is. I am not a nudist and this did not bother me at all.

Enjoy!

Along this quaint little side street, that's located on Front Street (the main road cutting through downtown) there's this place, Old Street. It's not much different from the other shops along Front Street. Except here is where you can find color changing t-shirts for good prices. What are they you ask? They're these shirts that change colors in the sun. I didn't get one but they looked pretty cool. During my course in the Caribbean, I didn't see any others like them, so maybe they're exclusive to St. Maarten.

Phillisburg's lcoated on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Although English is spoken here majorly. I never heard anyone uttering Dutch. It gets hot here, wear plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself from that Caribbean sun! O_O

St. Maarten boasts lovely beaches, even the famous nude ones, which are on the French side of St. Maarten. However, along this stretch located in Phillipsburg, you must wear some form of bathing suit lol. This one's located right next to the shopping area in Phillisburg.

St. Maarten's the place, although some stores are more expensive then others. They offer all the typical tourist crap (i.e. shotglasses, keychains magnets etc) as well as boast name brand stores, such as the Tommy Hilfiger store (yay!) located along Front Street, the main street of St. Maarten's shopping area. There's a beach nearby that also gives you an added incentive of relaxing if you want. Be warned, the weather's hot here! Very hot at times.