St. Martin and St. Maarten are great for playing in the waves and lounging in the sand, like most Caribbean vacation spots. The eastern Caribbean Island of St. Maarten has a variety of alternative nicknames outside its official title, "The Friendly Island." Perhaps "The International Island," given that France oversees the island's northern portion, which it calls St. Martin, while the Netherlands owns St. Maarten. Its vast expanses of golden and white sand beaches could give it the nickname "The Sun-Soaked Island." There are dozens of various cuisines to pick from due to the more than 140 different nationalities that have registered there, making it a foodie's paradise. Enjoy the World's Best Zipline The St. Maarten zip line, which descends more than 1,000 feet in elevation along 2,800 feet of cable and offers breathtaking views of the island the entire time, is the steepest in the world. Yes, you read that correctly. Visitors ascend Sentry Hill using the Sky Explorer chairlift to reach the zip line, where they will find a network of wooden walkways leading to some of the island's best vistas. Then, up to four riders at once are fastened into harnesses attached to the line, and all of a sudden, they are hurtling back down the hill at high speeds! St. Maarten Festival Celebration The very mention of Carnival is enough to make everyone's eyes shine and make them want to dance to the upbeat music. The two carnivals' rhythm is felt on the island of St. Martin every year. On the French side, the first takes place in February, while on the Dutch side, the second unfolds in April. The celebrations last for weeks and take place on both the beachfront and the market areas. The Caribbean Carnival is St. Martin/St. Maarten's biggest cultural event, and it features loud calypso and drum rhythms, sparkling and colorful costumes, delectable cuisine, plenty of beverages, and thousands of cheerful people. Marigot St. Maarten The monuments and famous architecture in Marigot are well-known. Take a stroll down Rue de la République, a street renowned for its pristine homes and architecture since the 19th century. Marigot, the capital and main city of French St. Martin, is a charming place with brilliantly colored homes, a few restaurants, and bustling food and crafts markets. It's an excellent starting point for visiting both St. Martin's more isolated and livelier, family-friendly beaches. A Treat for the Foodies The opportunity to experience the many dishes and regional cuisines of the numerous islands and ports of call is one of the most exciting aspects of any Caribbean cruise. Take a look a delectable delicacy to eat in St. Maarten, which include the national cuisine conch and dumplings and callaloo soup. Conch and Dumplings This delectable dish offers a genuine sense of the Caribbean and is garlicky. The meal includes conch, a big sea snail that is native to the area and is seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices. Johnny Cake Johnnycakes, which are frequently mistaken for pancakes, are remarkably similar to American pancakes except that cornmeal is used in their preparation. Residents of St. Maarten love johnnycakes so much that they eat them for breakfast, lunch, and as a side dish for dinner. St. Maarten Spare Ribs You can possibly get the greatest spare ribs you have ever tasted at many of the barbecue shacks spread out around the island. The ribs are perfectly grilled until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender, and then they're covered with a mouthwatering barbecue sauce that is both sweet, sour, and peppery. Locri Locri, a basic but tasty dish made of rice, chicken, a variety of veggies, and a ton of flavors, is another well-known and traditional cuisine from St. Maarten. The ingredients are all cooked together in one pot to let the tastes to blend completely, creating a delicious and unique experience of authentic St. Maarten cuisine. Beaches in St. Maarten The island of St. Maarten is prepared to spoil you with warm weather, fascinating marine life, and enjoyable water activities. Allow yourself to completely recharge on some of St. Maarten's top beaches, where you can take advantage of the breathtaking views of this idyllic haven and revitalizing swims in the water. Maho Beach On the Dutch side of St. Maarten, unwind while taking in the aerial views from the renowned Maho Beach. One of the few spots in the world where people may enjoy the thrill of watching an airplane up close just before it is about to take off or land is this gorgeous stretch of coastline, which is situated next to the airport on the southwest coast. There are numerous things to do at this well-liked beachfront location for every kind of beachgoer. Grand Case Beach You can enjoy peace and quiet on St. Martin, which is St. Maarten's French side. With its crystal-clear blue waters and long, open shoreline, Grand Case Beach, one of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean, will entice you. Mullet Bay This beach, which is on the Dutch side of the island, is a lovely place to relax. Choose between cooling off in the shade provided by the local palm palms or soaking in the warm sun. Enjoy regional specialties and refreshing, excellent drinks in a restaurant with a view of the seaside. Orient Bay The Orient Bay Beach, a popular length of sand on the island, is located on the northeastern coast of St. Maarten. This beach, which is the biggest in St. Maarten, is also known as the "St. Tropez" of the Caribbean. Sign up for one of the numerous water activities or decide to go on an adventure while enjoying pure sandy bliss. Great Bay Beach Great Bay Beach, a large expanse of golden sand with lots of services and room for sunbathing, is found in the port city of Philipsburg. Explore the vast beach and take in the bustling scene by strolling down the mile-long boardwalk. Baie Beach Red Beach, also known as Baie Rouge, is located close to the community of Marigot on the western tip of St. Maarten. The beach's pink or red-hued sand, which provides a stunning and distinctive island scene, gives it its name. Simpsons Bay Beach For everyone seeking for a memorable holiday, Simpson Bay is the ideal tourist location. On the lovely island of St. Maarten, the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort is directly on the beach and offers great hospitality, unlimited recreation activities, and all the comforts of home. Many of the resorts in Simpson Bay are close to fantastic beaches, spas, restaurants, and nightclubs. It's time for you to take advantage of the bay, whether it is for a day of relaxation and tanning or a dance when the stars at night. Sit back and relax at Loterie Farm in St. Martin With more than 100 acres of lush vegetation, the reserve in Pic Paradis on the French side of the island can be explored on foot or even by zip line through the canopy of mango and mahogany trees. The upscale beach club is perfect for those who would rather relax than experience high-octane activity. Luxurious loungers, daybeds, and cabanas wind around sparkling plunge pools that are surrounded by trickling streams and groves of tropical flowers. St. Maarten Pinel Island Off the northeastern shore of the island of Sint Maarten sits the little tropical island of Pinel Island. There are 4 beaches and 4 rocky coasts on this little island. It is encircled by stunningly beautiful, deep blue seas that are perfect for kayaking, paddle-boarding, and snorkeling. You can enjoy a variety of amazing cuisine with French and Caribbean influences at the island's two restaurants. You are free to explore once you are on the island. There's a lot more to Pinel than what meets the eye. Enjoy Rum at St. Maarten The Topper's Rhum Factory is one attraction on the Dutch side of St. Martins. The only way to see how the best rhum in the world is manufactured is to take a tour of this distillery. Visitors are welcome to try any of the 50 unique flavors produced at the 6,000-square-foot distillery, including bizarre concoctions like Bacon and Maple Syrup, Banana Vanilla Cinnamon, and Jalapeno Lime. Sail Around St. Maarten Philipsburg, the Dutch capital of the island, is a terrific place to go sailing at dusk with a significant other. One of the best St. Maarten excursions to round off a beautiful day in the sun is this one. It doesn't get much better than this with your loved one and a martini in hand! Boats are leaving the docks in Simpson Bay and Philipsburg in large numbers. Enjoy happy hour while exploring the coastline and dancing the night away to the wild dance parties hosted by the crew of the ship. Fort Amsterdam at St. Maarten On the Saint Martin Island, close to the Philipsburg municipality of Sint Maarten, there lies a medieval fort called Fort Amsterdam. One of the greatest spots to see the pelican, the national bird of St. Maarten, is Fort Amsterdam. These Brown Pelicans are active in large groups on the western side of the fort, hunting the same fish that make the water below the surface so ideal for snorkeling. The fort provides a fantastic sight of Philipsburg's cruise port, Divi Little Bay Resort, and both Great Bay and Little Bay. A Gamblers Paradise You can only find more than 20 casinos on the Dutch side of St. Maarten where you may play some blackjack or roulette. For gamblers who are both tourists and locals, casinos like Casino Royale, Jump-Up Casino, and Tropicana offer an incredible experience. When to Visit St. Maarten? Visit St. Martin and St. Maarten between November and mid-December or in May and June for the greatest weather. Hotels promote their best rates during these specific weeks. Despite the wonderful year-round weather on the island, these are the times when rain showers are least likely to occur. A vacation is not recommended in the summer or the early fall because many hotels close during this time of year and there is a danger of hurricanes.