Activities
St.Maarten / St.Martin has a
lot to offer for those who love water (sports).
Activities like scuba diving, parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, jet-skiing,
sailing and kayaking can be practiced at several beaches around the Island.
If you prefer to stay on the shores there are lots of possibilities as well;
golf, tennis, horseback riding and hiking are popular.
The waters around
St.Maarten/St.Martin are absolutely worth it to take a look from ' the other
side'. Scuba diving continues to gain popularity and several diving operations
can be found at Pelican Marina (Aqua Marina), La Palapa Marina ( Dive Safaris )
at Simpson Bay (Ocean Explorers) at Great Bay Marina ( Scubafun ) and at Bobby's
Marina and Oyster Pond (Dive Safaris).
Several dive centers are also located on the French side like Blue Ocean in
Nettle Bay and Scuba Fun in Anse Marcel.
A very good scuba diving supplier The Scuba Shop is located in Oyster Pond and
La Palapa Simpson Bay.
The sea temperature is about
80 degrees year round and visibility averages some 60 feet. Occasionally you
will spot nurse sharks, turtles, lobster, dolphin and many other creatures.
While visiting St.Maarten /
St.Martin don't miss:
- Fort Amsterdam
- Pic Paradis
- Baie Rouge beach
- Fort Saint Louis
- Orient Bay Beach
- The local market in
Marigot
- The boardwalk and Front
Street
Airports
The Island has two airports.
Princess Juliana International Airport can be found on the Dutch side and
airport L'Esperance at Grand Case on the French side.
L'Esperance Airport operates
several flights by commercial light aircraft to other French Islands in the
Leeward and Windward Islands.
Princess Juliana airport is under re-construction until June 2006.
A whole new departure and arrival hall is build. Yet, the airport is still
operating and planes arrive and depart every day from and towards other Islands
in the Caribbean and major cities in the U.S.A., South America and Europe. For
example you can fly with KLM, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Air France,
WinAir and Corse Air from New York, Amsterdam, Paris, Miami and many more major
cities around the world.
Public Transportation
Small busses: For $1 or $1,5 they can bring you almost everywhere. There are no
bus stops on the Island, so you have to raise your hand on the side of the road
to make them stop for you. Sometimes you have to wait 15 minutes before a bus
passes by, but mostly it will go quite fast. It is an easy way of transportation
and a nice opportunity to get in contact with the locals.
Island hopping
From St.Maarten/St.Martin
you can easily visit other small(er) Islands in the Caribbean.
The easiest way to travel is by plane. It will take you just minutes before you
will experience a complete other culture and history. WinAir provides services
to St.Barths, Saba, St.Kitts, Anguilla and some other beautiful Caribbean
Islands.
Anguilla is just six miles
from the shores of St.Martin, but it seems like a different world. The 33
beaches are Anguilla's biggest attraction.
St.Barth's is only 15 miles
from St.Maarten/St.Martin and is a small piece of paradise.
The rich and famous from all over the globe have made St.Barth's a fashionable
and exciting Island. Officially known as St.Barthelemy, St.Barth's can offer you
a beautiful day-trip to this international hot spot.
The Islands most popular beach is St.Jean Bay. But if you prefer more quiet
beaches you can choose from 22 others!
28 Miles south of
St.Maarten/St.Martin you can find Saba, "the Unspoiled Queen". This Island is
just five square miles and very popular for Scuba divers, nature lovers and
hiking excursions. The diving in the waters around Saba is world famous. One of
the most beautiful dive sites is the Eye of the Needle.
St.Eustatius was once the
commercial hub of the Caribbean. A daytrip to this Island will give you a look
in the past. Statia's captial, Oranjestad, is a great example of a typical 18th
century Caribbean colonial town. Statia is like a historical museum and for this
reason an interesting destination for your daytrip.
Nevis provides something for
every visitor: natural beauty, friendly people and all sorts of activities. The
Island is 36 square miles and has 11.200 habitants. On this Island you drive on
the left side of the road. A people's pride is their cultural heritage and
Nevisians are well known for cultural preservations. This Island is popular
amongst nature lovers. Nevis is a perfect Island for a longer visit.
Several Islands like
St.Barth’s, Saba, Anguilla can be reached by day charter boats and ferries or
by helicopter.
( See www.IslandHelicopters.net
and www.LeewardIslandsHelicopters.com
)
Hotels
St.Maarten / St.Martin
offers a lot of opportunities to stay during your visit. Because of the growth
in tourist visits St.Maarten is building more and more hotels all over the
Island. Recommended hotels are Holland House Beach Hotel, La Samanna, Captain Oliver's,
Maho Beach Resort, Le Domaine and many more.
Holland House is located on
the Front Street in Philipsburg; the shopping center of St.Maarten. This hotel
is almost built on Great Bay Beach. For more info call 0599 542 25 72 or check
the website www.hhbh.com
La Samanna is a four star,
luxurious hotel located in Terres Basses (the Lowlands).
This hotel features 83 rooms and can be contacted on 0590 876400.
Captain Oliver's gives you a
great view over Marina Captain Oliver's. This hotel has 50 rooms available and
is located in Oyster pond, on the boundary between the Dutch and the French
side.
Crew Houses
There are a few crew houses around the lagoon in Simpson bay.
Enjoy your stay!
|
The St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta January 18 - 19 - 20 - 21, 2006 |
The St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta is organized by West Indies Events and the St.Maarten-St.Martin Classic Yacht Regatta Foundation
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