EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Join the effort to keep Saint-Martin Nature Reserve ecologically sound and reward yourself by relaxing on an idyllic stretch of beach nearby. During this hands-on experience at the reserve, you can participate in a variety of activities that may include regulating invasive species, planting mangroves and counting birds. As you will see firsthand, the reserve is well worth keeping in its natural state. Although protected, the abundant marine and terrestrial species still face environmental challenges that you will help neutralize. It is a never-ending process to which Saint-Martin is wholly committed. Following your volunteer efforts, you will enjoy the setting of a pristine beach, Orient Beach, an area known as the Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean. Feel free to spend the time there however you please, which could be doing nothing more ambitious than lying in the sun without a care in the world. The waters are typically bright turquoise and calm, so be sure to take a refreshing swim in the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Participate in a volunteer activity to help keep Saint-Martin Nature Reserve pristine.
• Enjoy the natural setting of the reserve, which extends beyond the land and into the sea.
• Relax on nearby Orient Beach, a gorgeous setting on the island’s northeastern shore.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy the view of riding on an open-air double decker bus. Drive from Philipsburg, the Dutch capital of St. Maarten, past the Great Salt Pond and through the countryside on the way to Marigot, the French-side capital. Here, you’ll have a photo-stop with a truly European atmosphere, having the waterside, open-air markets, quaint shops, boutiques or sidewalk cafes as your backdrop.

Back on board the Double Decker, you will pass through St. Maarten’s latest infrastructure addition, the Causeway Swing Bridge, where you can spot lovely sailboats or magnificent Mega Yachts on the lagoon, depending on the time of year.

Arriving at Maho you may watch for airplanes overhead as they are landing at the Princess Juliana International airport. The journey will proceed across the south for views of Simpson Bay Lagoon where we'll stop at a local Rum Distillery for a free tasting of various flavors of rum. Your experience concludes with a tasting at the Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor store for a tasting of Old Amsterdam Gouda Cheese.

Sail aboard the original Golden Eagle Catamaran known for its 5 star service and professional crew that will attend to your every need. Sail gently down the scenic coast of St. Maarten viewing Fort William, Pelican Point, Simpson Bay and the famous St. Maarten "airport beach", with planes landing just feet over the mast. After a brief orientation you’ll be ready to snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Little Bay. Next, you’ll stop at a beautiful white sand beach, where you can swim in a quiet cove or relax on the beach for 45 minutes up to 1 hour, time permitting.

On the return, the crew sets the sails, as you listen to great music, enjoying an open bar with free champagne, rum punch, sodas, and gourmet ham and cheese sandwiches served on fresh baked French baguettes. Snorkel equipment and pool noodles are included. The vessel is fast, stable, and has plenty of shade with custom built stairs for easy access to the water.

OVERVIEW

View a collection of tropical birds that mostly includes brightly colored parrots at a serene sanctuary and relax at one of the most popular beaches on the island’s northeastern shore. How fitting that the name of the bird park is Parotte Ville, a reference to the founder and passionate bird lover George Parotte. You can expect to see parrots of every imaginable type, including bright-green Quaker Parrots and long-tailed, red-beaked Alexandrine Parrots, which are known for their piercing screeches. Yellow-orange sun conures are also plentiful. After crossing over to the French side of the island, you will soon arrive at Orient Beach, a lengthy stretch of sand that rims Orient Bay. It is a gorgeous setting that invites relaxation. Feel free to swim in the sea, bask in the sun and stroll up and down the beach. The island that lies directly off shore is the nature reserve Caye Verte.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Meander through a bird sanctuary that houses a collection of exotic parrots.
• See brightly colored indigenous birds and non-native species.
• Relax however you please on Orient Beach on the island’s French side.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sun screen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend free time exploring the French colonial capital of Marigot on your own, but not before seeing some of the most naturally beautiful areas on the French side of the island. It won’t take long to cross the border from Dutch-governed St. Maarten into the French Collectivity of St. Martin, which occupies the northern half of the island. The countryside couldn’t be more scenic, especially along the coast as you will discover at Orient Bay, a Caribbean version of the French Riviera. Small seaside towns such as Grand Case are just as photogenic and passing through them will prepare you for a more immersive experience in Marigot. During leisure time, you may shop for duty-free merchandise, much of it imported from France such as perfume, jewelry and prêt-à-porter. There are also plenty of restaurants and smart cafés where you might sample the French cuisine or a local specialty such as spicy codfish fritters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Focus on the French side of the island that occupies its northern half.
• Behold the lengthy white-sand beach at Orient Bay, the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean.”
• Pass through lovely seaside towns such as Grand Case.
• Independently explore Marigot, the fashionable French colonial capital.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Snorkel above an unusual underwater sculpture park that features hundreds of symbolic figures resting on the ocean floor. The Spirit of Soualiga Sculpture Park in Little Bay celebrates the local culture and history in a most provocative way. As you snorkel along the underwater trail, the island’s story will come to life through the sculptures in the different galleries. These detailed objects of art – all cast from members of the community using environmentally friendly materials – include representations of the indigenous Taino people, dancers celebrating the emancipation from slavery and islanders enjoying the annual Carnival. The sculptures also serve as sanctuaries for marine life, so you can expect to see an abundance of brightly colored fish and perhaps even sea turtles. More spectacular tropical vistas await you while cruising from the park in Little Bay to the Simpson Bay Lagoon. They include Fort Amsterdam and some of the island’s most affluent waterfront neighborhoods.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Snorkel through an underwater sculpture park that depicts the island’s culture and history.
• See hundreds of highly symbolic sculptural figures displayed on the ocean floor.
• Admire the gorgeous tropical scenery while cruising from the sculpture park to a lagoon.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing at an exclusive beach club on one of the most spectacular stretches of sand on the northeast coast. While traveling from the Dutch side of the island to the French side, you will get a genuine feel for the natural beauty as you will pass several salt ponds that attract wildlife, particularly birds. Although Orient Beach is extraordinarily popular, it will be easy to find your own piece of paradise as it more than a mile and a half long. Once you settle in, you might stroll along the gently curving shore, take a refreshing swim and enjoy the included lunch. You will also be free to do nothing more industrious than lie back in a beach chair and bask in the sun or enjoy the shade under a beach umbrella. Orient Beach is open to the trade winds, so it is an excellent spot to watch kite surfers zipping across the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax at an exclusive beach club on Orient Beach on the island’s French side.
• Enjoy the freedom of doing whatever you please with no schedule to follow.
• Savor a tropical-inspired lunch with plenty of options.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the natural beauty of St. Maarten from several perspectives, perhaps the most remarkable being from a Sky Explorer chairlift as it glides up and down towering Sentry Hill. The chairlift is just one of attractions on the restored 17th-century Rockland Estate, which includes a small museum that details its history. From the hill’s summit, you will enjoy spectacular 360° panoramic views of the island and neighboring Saba, St. Barts, St. Eustatius and Anguilla. Few sights will be quite so memorable. Across the border in St. Martin – the French side of the island – you will enjoy free time in the capital of Marigot. Rows of brightly colored houses, sophisticated shopping and a laid-back ambiance are but a few of its charms. You will also stop at Maho Beach, a lengthy stretch of sand at the end of the airport’s runaway. There is no better spot to watch planes landing and taking off.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the Sky Explorer up and down Sentry Hill, one of the island’s highest points.
• Take in the spectacular tropical views from the summit.
• Independently explore Marigot, the fashionable French colonial capital.
• Watch airplanes land and take off right over your head from Maho Beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See both the Dutch and French sides of the island on a spectacularly scenic drive to an idyllic beach where you can relax however you please. Before leaving Dutch-governed St. Maarten, you will pass the Great Salt Pond, which for centuries was a source of salt for export. Upon crossing the border into French-governed St. Martin, you will notice that the landscape is less developed until you reach Marigot, the fashionable French capital that is tucked along the island’s western shore. Colorful colonial buildings dot much of the vibrant downtown, which is known for extraordinary shopping. It will be quite the contrast to your beach experience as a secluded stretch of sand will be chosen so you can completely relax and enjoy the serenity. Exactly what you do there will be totally up to you. Feel free to bask in the sun, stroll along the shore and take a refreshing swim in the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through both the Dutch and French sides of the island.
• Pass through the somewhat undeveloped countryside and the French-governed capital of Marigot.
• Relax on a gorgeous stretch of sand along the turquoise sea.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

All Aboard the Tschu-Tschu Train! Immerse yourself in Philipsburg’s natural, cultural, and historic landmarks on this scenic ride through town in a custom Trolley Train.

When the first Dutch settlers arrived on St Maarten in 1631, they chose the sandy strip separating Great Bay from Great Salt Pond to build their capital, Philipsburg, where your ship is moored today. This excursion combines the exhilarating experience of a classical Tschu-Tschu Train ride with the natural, cultural, and historic landmarks on this scenic ride through Philipsburg, starting at the official Old Amsterdam Venue to taste the famous Dutch Gouda Cheese. Then you have 30min to enjoy your favorite spot in Philipsburg before we pass by to pick you up to finish the tour or you can enjoy more free time to discover Philipsburg and get back to ship at your own leisure.

OVERVIEW

Pause at popular spots known mostly to locals for tastings that best reflect the traditional cuisines of both the Dutch and French sides of the island. While the exact dishes will vary depending on the season and what’s freshest, you can expect to sample a hearty Caribbean barbecue at an open-air grill known as a lolo. You will also get a taste of local life as these types of dining venues are immensely popular. Callaloo is another favorite; in fact, it is one of the national dishes of St. Maarten. This thick soup is typically prepared with crabmeat, spices and greens such as curly kale, fresh spinach and callaloo – the leaves from taro or amaranth. Many chefs have their own closely guarded recipes, so there is no telling which variation of callaloo you will be served. You will also sample fried Johnny Cakes, a doughy staple throughout the island.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit several popular dining venues and sample the island’s signature dishes.
• Enjoy favorites such as callaloo soup and fried Johnny Cakes.
• Get a glimpse of local life by dining on barbecue at an open-air grill known as a lolo.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This is the ultimate way to spend your day in St. Maarten. This tour visits both the French and Dutch side of the island and you’ll get to experience St. Maarten both by land and sea. Depart on your air conditioned motor coach with your professional guide narrating the rich history of the island and pointing out sites of interest. Cross the border and visit the French side where you’ll pass Orient Beach and Grand Cas - the cuisine capital of the Caribbean. Stop in Marigot, the French capital for 1 hour of free time to explore the open air market, visit the fantastic shops, or dine at one of many cafe's or restaurants in Marina Port Royal. Next you’ll board a 65 foot double decker boat the Explorer where you’ll listen to great music, relax, and have a complimentary open bar on a 1 hour lagoon cruise while taking in the sights of the multimillion dollar villa's and yachts of the rich and famous. Your cruise will drop you back off at Simpson Bay on the Dutch side where you will re-board your motor coach and conclude the rest of your island tour while you return to your ship. If time permits, you will have the option of being dropped off at Philipsburg, the Dutch capital to continue shopping and exploring. This truly is the ultimate island tour!