Saint Martin

Welcome to Voyage Owl’s audio tour of St. Maarten, the vibrant, dual-nation island in the Caribbean that is split between French Saint-Martin in the north and Dutch Sint Maarten in the south. With stunning beaches, lush mountains, historical landmarks, and a rich cultural tapestry woven from African, European, and Caribbean influences, St. Maarten is a tropical paradise with something for everyone.

Our walking tour will focus on the Dutch side of the island, Sint Maarten, but we’ll also take some detours to explore the fascinating blend of cultures and history that make this island unique. From Philipsburg, the bustling capital of Sint Maarten, to historic forts and pristine beaches, you’ll experience the essence of the island, both past and present.

This tour will combine historical context with suggestions for modern activities, allowing you to experience St. Maarten’s rich heritage and vibrant contemporary culture. Whether you’re here for the beaches, history, food, or shopping, St. Maarten offers it all.

We begin our journey in Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten. Philipsburg is a bustling town, nestled between the Great Salt Pond and the beautiful Great Bay, known for its long stretch of sandy beach and the vibrant Boardwalk that runs parallel to it. Philipsburg is the commercial hub of the island and a major port of call for cruise ships, so it’s always brimming with activity.

As you walk along the Boardwalk, take in the views of the turquoise Caribbean waters, the anchored yachts, and the colorful buildings that line the shore. Philipsburg’s history as a port town dates back to the 17th century, when it was founded by the Dutch to protect the lucrative salt trade. The salt pans just behind the town were once the main source of wealth for the island, and Philipsburg grew into an important trading hub in the Caribbean.

The Boardwalk is the perfect place to begin your tour, offering a glimpse of both the old and new St. Maarten. On one side, you have the calm waters of Great Bay and the golden beach, while on the other side, you’ll find restaurants, bars, and shops selling everything from local crafts to luxury goods. Philipsburg is also a duty-free shopping haven, making it a popular spot for tourists looking for deals on jewelry, electronics, and fashion.

Take a moment to stop by one of the many beachside cafés to enjoy a Guavaberry Colada, a local drink made from guavaberry—a wild fruit native to the island—and rum. Guavaberry has a long history on St. Maarten and is often used in sauces, jams, and of course, cocktails.

If you’re visiting on a cruise ship, the Boardwalk is an easy stroll from the cruise terminal, making it a convenient starting point. If you’re looking for some local souvenirs, head over to the Philipsburg Market, where you’ll find hand-crafted jewelry, clothing, spices, and Caribbean art.

From the Boardwalk, we’ll take a short walk to Fort Amsterdam, located on a small peninsula just west of Philipsburg. This historical site offers stunning views of Great Bay and the surrounding coastline, but it’s also one of the island’s most important historical landmarks.

Built by the Dutch in 1631, Fort Amsterdam was the first Dutch military outpost in the Caribbean. Its strategic position allowed the Dutch to control the valuable trade routes between Europe and the Americas. The fort also played a key role in defending the island’s salt trade, which was vital to the Dutch economy at the time. However, the fort changed hands several times throughout history, as the island was contested by various European powers, including the Spanish, French, and British.

Walking through the ruins of Fort Amsterdam, you’ll find remnants of old cannons, stone walls, and a small museum that explains the fort’s role in the island’s colonial history. The site also offers panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea, Philipsburg, and Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Fort Amsterdam is significant not only for its military history but also for its symbolic importance. It represents the complex colonial history of St. Maarten, an island that was fought over by several European nations but eventually became a peaceful and prosperous place where Dutch and French cultures coexist side by side.

Fort Amsterdam is a great spot for history buffs and photographers alike. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as the walk to the fort involves some uphill terrain. After visiting the fort, you can head back to the beach for a swim in the calm waters of Great Bay Beach.

After exploring the fort, we’ll make our way back into the heart of Philipsburg to visit another important historical site: The Courthouse. Located on Front Street, one of the main shopping streets in Philipsburg, the Courthouse is a striking white wooden building topped with a small clock tower. It was originally built in 1793 and has been a central part of the island’s administrative and judicial history ever since.

The Courthouse is one of the best-preserved examples of colonial architecture on the island and serves as a reminder of Philipsburg’s importance as a center of trade and governance in the Caribbean. Over the years, it has functioned as a court, a fire station, a jail, and even a post office. Today, it remains an active part of the island’s legal system and a symbol of St. Maarten’s rich colonial past.

As you walk along Front Street, take some time to admire the mix of historic buildings and modern shops. This street is one of the busiest in Philipsburg, lined with duty-free stores offering everything from diamonds to electronics. Despite its commercial nature, Front Street retains much of its old-world charm, with colonial-era architecture blending seamlessly with contemporary businesses.

While you’re on Front Street, this is a perfect opportunity to do some shopping. Look for local art, handcrafted jewelry, and Caribbean spices to take home as souvenirs. If you’re interested in high-end shopping, this is also the place to find designer brands at duty-free prices.

A short walk from the Courthouse brings us to the Sint Maarten Museum, a small but fascinating museum that offers insights into the island’s history, culture, and natural environment. The museum covers everything from the indigenous Arawak people who first inhabited the island to the colonial period and the island’s transformation into a popular tourist destination.

One of the highlights of the museum is its collection of artifacts from the island’s Arawak and Carib peoples, who were the original inhabitants of St. Maarten long before European colonization. The museum also houses exhibits on the island’s salt industry, which played a crucial role in its early economy, as well as artifacts from shipwrecks and the colonial era.

Visiting the museum offers a deeper understanding of the island’s cultural heritage, including its African roots. Many of the island’s inhabitants are descendants of African slaves who were brought to the Caribbean to work on plantations. The museum also highlights the resilience of the island’s people, who have faced natural disasters such as hurricanes, including the devastating Hurricane Irma in 2017.

The Sint Maarten Museum is an important stop for anyone interested in learning more about the island’s history beyond its beaches and tourist attractions. It provides a thoughtful look at the people, cultures, and industries that have shaped St. Maarten over the centuries.

The museum is small but packed with interesting exhibits, so it’s worth spending an hour or two exploring. It’s also located near some great local cafés, so after your visit, stop by a nearby spot for a coffee or a Johnny Cake, a local fried bread that’s often served with cheese or saltfish.

Next on our tour is Fort Willem I, another important historical fort located just west of Philipsburg. This fort, also known simply as Fort Willem, was built in 1801 by the British during their brief occupation of the island. The fort was strategically placed on Fort Willem Hill, offering commanding views of Great Bay, Philipsburg, and the surrounding area.

The British built Fort Willem to defend the island against attacks by other European powers, particularly the French, who were based in Saint-Martin to the north. The fort changed hands several times during the Napoleonic Wars, as the island was contested by the Dutch, French, and British.

Although Fort Willem is now largely in ruins, the site offers some of the best panoramic views on the island. From the top of Fort Willem Hill, you can see the entire town of Philipsburg, the Great Salt Pond, and even parts of the neighboring French side of the island. It’s a perfect spot for taking photos and getting a sense of the island’s strategic importance during its colonial past.

The hike up to Fort Willem is relatively steep, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The views from the top are well worth the effort, especially at sunset when the golden light makes the town and surrounding waters glow.

After exploring the historical landmarks of Philipsburg, let’s switch gears and head to one of St. Maarten’s most famous modern attractions: Maho Beach. Located near Princess Juliana International Airport, this beach is world-famous for its unique location directly under the flight path of planes landing at the airport.

At Maho Beach, planes fly so low over the sand that you can practically reach up and touch them. Watching planes land and take off from this beach has become a major attraction for thrill-seekers and aviation enthusiasts alike. It’s a surreal experience to stand on the beach as a jumbo jet roars overhead, just meters above the water. There’s even a board at the nearby Sunset Bar & Grill that lists the arrival times of incoming flights, so you can plan your visit around the most impressive landings.

Princess Juliana International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean and serves as a major gateway to the island. The airport’s short runway, combined with its location right next to the beach, makes for some of the most dramatic plane landings in the world.

Maho Beach is also a great spot for swimming and sunbathing, although it’s best known for its proximity to the airport. The clear waters and soft sands make it a beautiful place to relax when there aren’t planes landing. After watching the planes, you can grab a drink or some food at Sunset Bar & Grill, which offers great views of the action on the runway.

Be careful when standing directly in the flight path, as the jet blast from planes taking off can be quite strong. Many visitors come to Maho Beach specifically to feel the force of a jet blast, but it’s important to stay safe and avoid standing too close when planes are landing or taking off. If you’re looking for a quieter beach experience, head to the nearby Mullet Bay Beach, which is just a short walk away.

Just around the corner from Maho Beach is the lively neighborhood of Simpson Bay, known for its beautiful lagoon, beach bars, and vibrant nightlife. Simpson Bay Lagoon is one of the largest inland lagoons in the Caribbean, and it’s a hub for yachts and boats from all over the world. The lagoon is connected to the Caribbean Sea by a narrow channel, and the area around it is lined with marinas, restaurants, and shops.

Simpson Bay offers a mix of modern and traditional Caribbean charm. It’s home to some of the island’s best beach bars and restaurants, where you can enjoy fresh seafood and tropical cocktails with your toes in the sand. At night, Simpson Bay comes alive with music, dancing, and entertainment, making it one of the best places to experience the island’s nightlife.

Simpson Bay also has a rich history tied to the island’s fishing industry. In the past, the bay was home to a large number of fishermen who relied on the lagoon for their livelihood. Today, while much of the area has been developed for tourism, you can still find traces of the island’s traditional way of life.

If you’re in Simpson Bay around sunset, head to The Palms Restaurant or Buccaneer Beach Bar for dinner and drinks with a view. Both spots offer casual dining with a relaxed atmosphere and are known for their delicious Caribbean cuisine.

If you have time and want to explore the French side of the island, consider taking a quick drive or taxi ride to Marigot, the capital of Saint-Martin. The French side of the island has a distinctly different feel from the Dutch side, with its chic cafés, patisseries, and a more laid-back atmosphere.

In Marigot, you can visit the Marigot Market, where local vendors sell fresh produce, spices, and handmade goods. The market is a great place to pick up some souvenirs and sample some local French-Caribbean cuisine, such as accra, fried codfish fritters, or a pâté.

While in Marigot, be sure to visit Fort Louis, a hilltop fort that offers panoramic views of the town, the lagoon, and the neighboring islands of Anguilla and Saba. The fort was built in the late 18th century to protect Marigot from foreign invasions and remains an important historical landmark.

If you’re in the mood for a truly French experience, stop by La Croissanterie in Marigot for freshly baked croissants, pastries, and a café au lait. It’s a little taste of France in the Caribbean and a great way to end your tour of St. Maarten.

Our walking tour of St. Maarten has taken us through the island’s rich history, from its colonial past to its vibrant present as a top tourist destination. From the historic forts and landmarks of Philipsburg to the modern excitement of Maho Beach and the lively nightlife of Simpson Bay, St. Maarten offers a unique blend of cultures, history, and natural beauty.

Whether you’re here to soak up the sun on the island’s pristine beaches, explore its colonial past, or dive into its lively culture and cuisine, St. Maarten has something for every traveler. As you continue your journey, take your time to explore the island’s hidden gems, relax on its beautiful beaches, and savor the flavors of this Caribbean paradise.

Bon voyage and safe travels on your adventures in St. Maarten!

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