2024’s Fresh Update: Activities | BEST 25 THINGS TO DO IN SXM
The island strives to make your stay an unforgettable one! No matter how you like to spend your days on Sint Maarten | Saint Martin, we have the Top 5, Top 10 and Top 20 best things to do.
Here it does matter who you are or what you like to do – you name it, we got it!
Which Activities our island has to offer:
Bird park | Perfume Creations | Ziplining | Hiking | Sports | Yoga | Island tours | Pub Crawl | Museum | Beer Brewery Tour | Tastings
Best Activities in SXM – Top 25 things to do in St. Maarten | St. Martin (2024)
Our personal selection based on Quality & Service and their care for Sustainable Tourism. Support these places with your visit, mention (We Are SXM) for a complimentary incentive and help SXM become a sustainable tourism destination.
Book all tours and charters directly on (We Are SXM) and enjoy an exclusive rate! Our rates are always guaranteed to be the lowest, so you don’t have to worry about overpaying. Plus, by booking with us, you’ll be contributing to the local economy. Don’t rely on big travel companies like TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, or Viator – book with the locals at We Are SXM and keep your funds on the island. See all activities below and choose your favorite, or scroll down for our TOP 25!
Create your memories in paradise!
You only have one vacation. Ready. Set. Go!
All activities and best things to do on Sint Maarten | Saint Martin:
Zip, Slide, Fly, and Learn. Do the steepest zipline in the world (42%), “The Flying Dutchman” No way you can miss this experience!
A hidden gem amongst the sand and waves. This SXM bird paradise is full of beauty, wonder and history! Super Kids & budget activity.
Hike through the nature of St. Martin or walk the treetops with the zip line. Admire monkeys, iguanas, mango trees & tropical scenery.
True a hand-picked selection of unique, high-quality Goat, Sheep & Cow cheeses from small farms in this one-of-its-kind Cheese tasting!
Home of the “Topper’s Rhum” which won over 25 international awards: handmade, bottled & packaged with precision right here in St. Maarten!
Admire colorful Carnival Costumes, and learn everything about the history of Carnaval at this Museum. Take a guided tour by Gerald!
Handcraft your own scent inspired by the Caribbean. This unique experience is the #1 Tripadvisor land activity. Just Scentsational!
Explore SXM by Bike, Hike, or Kayak, Tri-Sport offers Rentals & Tours by trained guides. Check out the store for Sports equipment & bike repairs.
This immersive walk-through special effects attraction in Philipsburg will make you feel like a true Pirate! Fun for young and old, Arrrrr…..
Visit the aging room in French Cul de Sac, learn how it’s made and get a free taste from this high-quality local rum before taking home a bottle.
This atelier in Hope Estate offers Hand-painted, functional ceramics made by Celine & Classes in which you paint your own. Fun for all ages!
Everyone wants to be a social media star. Bring your photography to the next level, Inspired Selfie in Cole Bay can make anyone an influencer.
The best Dutch Cheeses & tasty wines from France. With the Wine & Cheese tasting events you get to enjoy the best of both sides!
La Villa Hibiscus in Mont Vernon is one of islands’ finest dining experience, here Chef Bastian offers cooking classes teaching you his skills.
A very charming free museum highlighting the nature and heritage of St. Martin. Learn what makes this island so special and unique!
La Villa Hibiscus in Mont Vernon is one of islands’ finest dining experience, here Mixologist Thomas offers cocktail classes teaching you his skills.
Niki provides professional Yoga, Pilates, Fitness and Dance Classes. Don’t leave your fitness routine behind, stay fit and in shape!
Experience first hand how to make 100% natural, eco-friendly, and pure plant-based products with zero preservatives. Fun for all ages!
Nick Maley’s unique movie creations and memorabilia for Star Wars, Alien, Superman, Highlander, Terminator, Men in Black, etc!
Ludovica Telese (28) | Italian born professional Bartender & Consultant living in St. Martin will teach & inspire you to make your very own cocktails!
SXM Road Runners Club | Weekly training on the Running track & the roads. Events: SXM Marathon, Around the island relay race, and more…
Padel Tennis in Little Bay | With two courts, a snack bar, seating area, shower, changing room and professional trainers on the premises.
Join a Beach Volleyball session or improve your skills every Wednesday on Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg or Saturday on Mullet Bay Beach.
Best Tours to experience the Island of Sint Maarten | Saint Martin
Join this Island Tour to experience the streets of SXM, with sightseeing, many murals & street art, a variety of local food, drinks and fun!
Join the Pub Crawl to explore SXM’s best bars and restaurants (Cole Bay, Simpson Bay & Maho) with a great group of people. Party-time!!!
Home of the “Topper’s Rhum” which won over 25 international awards: handmade, bottled & packaged with precision right here in St. Maarten!
A walking tour through Philipsburg, the Capital of Dutch Sint Maarten for a fun tour with Murals, Art, Culture, History, Drinks, Snacks & FUN!
Explore SXM by Bike, e-bike, Hike, or Kayak, Tri-Sport offers tours by trained guides. Check out their store for Sports equipment & bike repairs.
Chooses quality over quantity, learn everything about SXM: History, Art, Cultural Heritage, Birding, Foodie, Hike & Snorkeling Tour.
A great way to explore the island on and off-road but yet more secure. You can stop almost anywhere and visit the more remote places.
The best way to explore SXM, pass traffic, stop almost anywhere & visit more remote places by off-road trails. Philipsburg, Maho or Simpson Bay.
On and off-road adventure in which you visit the best sightseeing spots, mesmerizing viewpoints and explore the Caribbean Island SXM.
The best way to explore the famous Boardwalk & Front Street in Philipsburg, the Capital of SXM. Fun, Safe and fun for all ages!
Adventure Island Tour in Saint Martin offers an exhilarating adventure through breathtaking landscapes and cultural discoveries.
See the Island from a whole new “higher” perspective with a Helicopter Aerial Sightseeing tour. Explore the Caribbean beauty!
Taste paradise with San Martin’s Island beer, brewed and bottled on SXM! Join the Brewery Tour to learn about this local beer!
Island Tours & Taxi: For the best island view you hire the best local tour company with only experienced local drivers & tour guides!!
Watersports and Boats | Fun on (or in) the water!
Choose between a variety of Water Sports to explore the island’s Waterworld: Rhino Rider Rental | Jet Ski Rental | Surfing | Paddle Boat | Wind-surfing | Kite-surfing | Hoverboard | Jet Pack | Flyboard | Tubing | Waterski | Paddleboard | Glass-Bottom Kayak | Catamaran Tour | Powerboat Tours | Yacht Charters
Another option is to explore the underwater life with Snorkeling or Scuba Diving Trips.
As a top 10 is not enough, see here our TOP 25 BEST THINGS TO DO in St. Martin & St Maarten.
These are the 25 things you MUST DO when visiting our island. They are not in order, as everyone has their own personal interest, but these are certainly the nicest, most unique things to do. More details about each below.
1. Learn everything about the Culture of Caribbean Carnival at We Culture in Maho
2. A visit to Philipsburg, the Capital of Dutch Sint Maarten
3. Admire Street Art with over 60 murals all over the island
4. Visit Marigot, the Capital of the French Saint Martin
5. A dinner night in Grand Case, the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean
6. Zip down the steepest zipline (42%) in the world at Rainforest Adventures
7. A visit to Orient Bay, the longest stretch of beach in St. Martin
8. A visit to Maho Beach to see the planes come right over your head
9. Experience the history and culture of the island at the underwater sculpture park
10. A visit to Loterie Farm for amazing zip lines and their spring-fed swimming pool
11. Visit all or a selection of the best 10 beaches in SXM (more info below)
12. A visit to the Birdpark or Parotte Ville to admire tropical bird species
13. Make your perfume at Tijon Perfumerie in Grand Case
14. A Dutch or French cheese tasting paired with wine in Philipsburg or Marigot
15. Taste locally made aged rum at Rhum Gouverneur or Toppers
16. A day on a boat exploring SXM from the water or over to Anguilla
17. Hand paint your very own ceramic souvenir at Pinky Chich’s Atelier
18. Explore SXM by Bike, Hike, or Kayak with Tri-Sport in Simpson Bay
19. Experience the magical Sunsets in SXM from these magical locations
20. A night out in Simpson Bay & Maho area, the party center of the island
21. A day visit to Pinel Island
22. Visit one of our local breweries in SXM
23. Watch the Super Yachts come through the Simpson Bay Bridge
24. Feel like a pirate for one day at the Rusty Parrot in Philipsburg
25. Visit our neighboring islands, Anguilla, Saint Barths, Statia or Saba
Below we explain each one of these 20 things to do, enjoy exploring our magical island!
1. Learn everything about the Caribbean Carnival at We Culture in Maho
At this 8000-square-foot experience, you get to see some of the most impressive Carnival costumes ever made. Gerald will guide you through the museum, explaining all about the costumes and how his costumes were used by famous people such as Beyoncé and Jay Z. Admire the impressive costumes, enjoy the open bar, and learn all about the Caribbean’s number one party! READ MORE…
2. A visit to Philipsburg, the Capital of Dutch Sint Maarten
The Capital has many historical buildings to admire, is excellent for TAX-FREE shopping, and has endless Beach Bars to choose from. Visit on a day with cruise ships to see the Capital in full swing, or come on a non-cruise day to enjoy a calm Caribbean visit. Don’t forget a drink or food at the impressive Ocean Lounge at the Holland House Beach Hotel.
Combine this with a visit to Fort Amsterdam to learn about the history and admire the impressive views over Great Bay. READ MORE…
3. Admire Street Art all over the island
Since the hurricane in 2017, many street artists have folded their hands and created murals to beautify areas in despair. Now, the island has approximately 60 murals to explore. If visiting with a group of 10 or more, the Island Street Art Tour is a great way to experience these murals with Caribbean food and culture. READ MORE…
4. Visit Marigot, the Capital of the French Saint Martin
Start your day with an authentic French croissant before shopping for European clothing, perfumes, and souvenirs in the city center or the West Indies Shopping Mall. Walk up to Fort Louis and admire the mesmerizing hilltop views. Don’t forget to indulge in French cuisine at the many great restaurants. READ MORE…
5. A dinner night in Grand Case, the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean:
Choose between various cuisines, from local BBQ, Creole, and International to some of the finest restaurants in the world. Grand Case Boulevard has endless fantastic dining options. READ MORE…
6. Zip down the steepest zipline (42%) in the world at Rainforest Adventures:
Go up with the chairlift and admire 360° views before conquering “The Flying Dutchman” with a length of 2538 feet and a vertical drop of 1066 feet, making this the steepest zipline worldwide. The park also offers a tubing ride down and 4 Ziplines at the top, specially designed for family fun. For the Best Buy book “The Big Three,” you can try everything in one day. READ MORE…
7. A visit to Orient Bay & Orient Beach:
The longest stretch of white sandy beach on the island is filled with amazing Beach Bars, Watersports, a charming Dining place, and many colorful Caribbean houses. Walking through Orient Bay feels like a fairytale. READ MORE…
8. A visit to Maho Beach for plane spotting:
This famous Beach in SXM enjoys over 1 million visitors annually due to its unique location right behind the landing strip of Princess Juliana International Airport. Making Maho Beach the best place in the world to make that unique vacation picture of a plane rushing above your head while you enjoy a Pina Colada on the beach. Something unique that you won’t find anywhere else in the world! READ MORE…
9. Experience the underwater sculpture part at Under SXM:
Underwater sculpture park highlighting the history and culture of the island, snorkel or dive into the culture of Sint Maarten & Saint Martin. READ MORE…
10. A visit to Loterie Farm:
Start with the Flyzone or Flyzone Extreme and traverse through this tree-top adventure park with several ziplines crossing over the valley. Admire the nature, wildlife, and gorgeous peak top views. After the adventure course, relax at the spring-fed swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery, all while enjoying full service with splendid food and drink options. READ MORE…
11. Visit all or a selection of the best beaches in SXM:
Don’t forget all the other 37 amazing beaches! Sint Maarten and Saint Martin count over 37 beaches; we made a list of the nicest ones to visit. French side: Orient Bay, Happy Bay, Friars Bay, Anse Marcel, Grand Case Beach, or Grande Cayes. Dutch side: Great Bay, Mullet Bay, Simpson Bay, Indigo Bay, and Cupecoy Beach.
All are as beautiful; some have soft and some coarser sand, some have bars, others none, some are more public, and others completely secluded, so each beach has its charm. READ MORE…
12. A visit to the Birdpark or Parotte Ville:
George houses 140 tropical birds in this feathered paradise. You walk around the park with a feeding basket, and the birds surround you. It is an enjoyable experience where you discover the many different species up close—also the best budget activity with only a $10 entry fee. READ MORE…
13. Make your perfume at Tijon Perfumerie:
At Tijon in Grand Case, you can handcraft your scent inspired by the Caribbean. This unique experience is the #1 Tripadvisor land activity and is genuinely scentsational. READ MORE…
14. A Dutch or French cheese tasting:
As both the Dutch and French are known worldwide for their cheese, there is no better island to experience these golden works of art. You can either enjoy a tasting at Le Comptoir de Fromages in Marigot or indulge in the best cheeses from mainly France. Or you can visit the Amsterdam Cheese & Liquor store in Philipsburg to dive into the world of Dutch cheese and its many varieties.
FRENCH CHEESE TASTING… OR DUTCH CHEESE TASTING…
15. Taste locally made aged rum at Rhum Gouverneur:
Located in Mont Vernon, you find their aging room where the rum soaks up the distinctive flavors from the various barrels (Port, Wine & Whiskey barrels), creating an exceptional rum unique to SXM, the Rhum Gouvernor XO or their Single Cask Special Cuvée. READ MORE…
Another great local rhum created in SXM is Toppers Rhum in Cole Bay. READ MORE…
16. A day on a boat exploring SXM from the water or over to Anguilla:
Sint Maarten and Saint Martin offer an endless variety of boat options, both shared and private charters. Each charter is different; some take you on a sporty experience, others a culinary adventure, and a third offers a relaxing family getaway. Furthermore, the island offers the choice between a powerboat, power cat, catamaran, or yacht.
We collected some of the best options on our webpage and are happy to help you choose and arrange the best private or shared charter for your party. READ MORE…
17. Hand paint your very own ceramic souvenir at Pinky Chich’s Atelier:
Located in Hope Estate, Celine provides you with all the tools and teaches you how to paint your ceramic. First, you pick from the selection, you pay for the ceramic, and afterward, you get to give it a personal touch. A fun and relaxing activity for all ages! READ MORE…
18. Explore SXM by Bike, Hike, or Kayak with Tri-Sport in Simpson Bay:
Book a tour and allow a trained guide to show you the hidden gems off the beaten path. No previous experience is required as all tours are offered at different levels. READ MORE…
19. Experience the magical Sunsets in SXM from these magical locations:
As the sun sets in the West, several areas facing that direction are ideally located to enjoy a beautiful sunset in Sint Maarten & Saint Martin. See here a selection of locations where you can appreciate the best sunsets. Make sure to be there 30 minutes before until 30 minutes later to enjoy the sky coloring from yellow to red, pink, and purple before turning black with a sky full of stars.
We collected the best Sunset spots and their times as this changes throughout the year. READ MORE…
20. A night out in Simpson Bay & Maho area:
Known as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, this area has every kind of nightlife you can imagine. From raunchy sailor hideaways and karaoke bars to high-end rooftop cocktail bars, nightclubs, casinos, and adult entertainment, you can party 24/7. READ MORE…
21. A day visit to Pinel Island
A trip to St. Maarten / St. Martin is not complete without visiting lovely Pinel Island. From the parking for $12 both ways, you can take the Ferry leaving every 30 min.
When on Pinel, you can enjoy hiking this small charming island, snorkeling around, and chilling on the beach. There are beach chairs available for rent at Yellow Beach or Karibuni, where you can also enjoy refreshing drinks and a great lunch! READ MORE…
22. Visit one of our local breweries in SXM
Caribbean Brewing Company, SXM Beer, or Pelikaan Brewery. For more tasting activities CLICK HERE…
23. Watch the Super Yachts come through the Simpson Bay Bridge
The Sint Maarten Yacht Club is the perfect spot to see these big giants pass up very close (4 meters). Admire how the captains get through the bridge with 1 foot left on either side. READ MORE…
24. Feel like a pirate for one day at the Rusty Parrot
The Rusty Parrot offers an immersive walk-through special effects attraction that will make you feel like a true Pirate! Fun for young and old, Arrrrr….. READ MORE…
25. Visit one or more of our neighboring islands
Anguilla for endless white sandy beaches, Saint Barths for ultimate luxury, and Statia or Saba for hiking, diving, and perfectly preserved historical sights.
Book a tour to experience SXM either during the day or at night:
Explore the Island all around with a guided tour early during your visit. That way, you know where to enjoy your days the most as everyone has their preferences.
Join some of our own tours, the Island Art Tour, Philipsburg Sunset Tour or Pub Crawl nightlife tour with the most experienced local drivers/tour guides. Another great option is an ATV or Buggy Rental
Relax, rejuvenate and be reborn:
What’s better before going home than to enjoy a relaxing massage with only 100% natural essential oils. Combine this with your own made perfume and a fresh hairstyle. A reset and a fresh start before entering “normal life,”
Our island experiences and personal reviews:
We write everything based on experiences. Read more about some of our adventures in Sint Maarten – Saint Martin and see which activities fit you most!
Mountainbike tour around the Island
This was me having a beach break after underestimating cycling around Sint Maarten | Saint Martin.
Had a nice cycle via the Boardwalk and visited some murals alongside Frontstreet. Afterwards we cycled via the old river around the salt pond towards Sucker Garden and onwards to Oyster Bay. Here we took a nice extra loop….
Read the full experience and see more pictures by clicking the button below. You will figure out why it’s worth renting a bicycle on Sint Maarten and combining vacation fun with some healthy exercise. And don;t worry if you’re not such a fanatic cycler, there’s also e-bikes available!
Flyzone (Zipline) at Loterie Farm
At Loterie Farm you escape into the forest wilderniss of SXM. In their valley you find a unique Sub-tropical climate, wildlife and lots of flora & fauna.
When you do the Flyzone Extreme you literally walk through the tree-tops and inbetween the monkeys, birds and iguanes inhabiting our island. Inbetween the tree-tops their are challenging high-ropes, bridges, ladders and of-course ziplines.
You’re doing about 8 thrilling ziplines with amazing views before being down again at their spring-fed swimmingpool. This 2/3 hour adventure is one of our favorites!
We Are SXM Application
Our Application will show you every place on the map and provides GPS service to each location. It works super simple, just follow the steps below.
Step 1: Choose Category
Step 2: Check Map
Step 3: Choose location
Hamburger selection
Step 4: Read more
Step 5: Route
Step 6: Enjoy
Have a wonderful day going around the island, doing a zipline, feeding the birds or with yoga on the beach.
Download the We Are SXM Application for Android or Iphone with the buttons below