Exploring St. Martin & St. Maarten: Top Things to Do, & Exploring The Island On Your Own

We recently visited St. Martin during our Princess Cruise and discovered why this island is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant shopping scene. The island is unique because it's divided into two parts: the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) and the French side (Saint Martin). We docked at Philipsburg, which is on the Dutch side, and rented a Jeep to explore both halves of this stunning island.

In this video, we’ll show you the best things to do in St. Martin and St. Maarten, from the pristine beaches to the best shopping spots. We’ll also share some of our top recommendations, the overall vibe of the island, and give you a glimpse of the friendly local residents. Whether you're cruising to St. Martin or planning a getaway, this video will help you make the most of your visit.

Key Highlights:

Exploring both the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) and the French side (Saint Martin)
Jeep tour of the island and the top attractions
Best beaches, shopping areas, and local spots
Recommendations for things you don’t want to miss on your visit to St. Martin/St. Maarten
If you’re planning a trip to St. Martin or Sint Maarten, this video will help you plan an unforgettable experience!

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00:00 Introduction
00:25 Excursion Tour Location
00:54 Water Taxi
01:48 Great Bay Beach
03:24 Touring On Your Own
03:37 Maho Beach
04:36 Navigating The Island
05:31 Orient Beach
06:30 Tour Stops
06:49 Difference Between St. Martin & St. Maarten
07:16 Shopping
07:51 Port Area
08:33 Subscribe

[jasonrodriguez]

Stayed in St Maarten for a week in June 2023, download map of island before you go. Google maps will take you everywhere with no signal required. Also with the exception of the obvious fame of Maho beach which speaks for itself....baie rouge beach is close and by far the nicest beach on the island. Go. Be there. Or go to Anguilla because well it's Anguilla you'll figure it out

[OscarRojasAguilar]

😂 France AND the Netherlands, both countries, drive just like in the USA. I don't know if this is not common knowledge, but in Europe, only the UK drives on the left side.

[JosephTerrini]

I remember a A.C. flight gave a hair cut, on Maho beach

[rebeccawinebrenner]

Where did you rent the jeep at and how much? Did you have to refuel when returning it?

[Haresh-jg]

❤🎉yes super great lucky
Sxm ❤🎉🌷🌹🌻🥰🦋💐🥂💕👍🎊🥳🍻

[lythai]

Do you have to buy insurance for rent or a car there how much they charge for insurance there? What a good company to rent thank you.

[stevemarshall]

The French side was a dump before any hurricane. Insurance has nothing to do with it. Stay on the Dutch side. Orient Beach was ok but unless you are buying at a bar or restaurant you had to pay for public toilets.
We went to a restaurant at orient . Ordered burgers and asked for well done and were delivered rare. We specifically asked for well done and the waitress was telling us they eat rare burgers all the time. Well we dont . My wife ate only the edges. $20 Us in 2014. Each .