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St Maarten (pronounced Sint Maa-hr-ten) is an island where you can have adventure, as well as excitement and relaxation. There is a mix of sporting activities, nightlife, natural beauty and secluded comfort with all the necessities of home right at your fingertips if you so happen to need them.

While on the island you can windsurf, snorkel, go hiking, horseback riding, enjoy great cuisine, shop to your heart's delight, or head to one of the many world-class casinos. St Maarten offers an experience for every visitor, but what truly makes the island unique is its dual Dutch/French heritage.

Once named Soualiga, or "Salt Island", by the Carib Indians, St Maarten was a main exporter of salt in its day. At its peak, the island produced over 4,000 tons of Salt. The island has changed hands between the Spanish, Dutch and French powers many times. Eventually the Dutch and French repelled the Spanish, and both took possession of the island; it remains divided to this day.

Activities

Other than the lure of clear blue waters, warmed by tropical sunshine, St Maarten has countless recreational activities and sports to partake. Here is just a sample pf some of your options on the island.

• Parasailing - Orient Beach is where you should go for parasailing, it is a two mile long beach that offers water sports locations next to the many restaurants right on the beach. On the Dutch side you have the same fun at Pelican Water sports.
• Laser Sailing - St Maarten has the most active LASER Sailing Club in the Caribbean area. You can rent a LASER sailing craft from the club if you are interested in competing in one of their mini regattas. Additionally, many hotels rent laser sailing crafts.
• Jet Skis - At any major resort or beach, you can rent a jet ski. You can cruise the crystal clear waters on jet skis, wet bikes or water scooters while soaking up that warm Caribbean sun. The most popular areas for watercraft rentals are Greatbay, Divi, Pelican, Kimsha, Inside the Simpsobay Lagoon, Mullet Beach and Orient.
• Kayaking - Fast becoming a popular sport on the island. There are many places to rent kayaks for the ocean or for exploring Simpson Bay Lagoon, a large enclosed salt water lagoon.
• Windsurfing - Both Orient Beach and Coconut grove, two beaches on the windward North East coast of the island, situated side by side but divided by a peninsula, are the best places for windsurfing. The best months for windsurfing are in the winter months, beginning with so-called 'Christmas winds'. The best spot for beginners and intermediates is undoubtedly Coconut grove with its flat water and easy launching.
• Fishing - Marlin, Dolphin, Wahoo are the most common fish in these waters. If you have your own rod and tackle however you can try salt water fly fishing from the beaches. Deep-sea fishing is a popular St Maarten activity, with full-day and half-day charters available year-round. The day's catch can include yellowtail, snapper, grouper, and marlin. Tarpon, barracuda, snook, bonefish and jacks can also be caught year round.
• Boat Trips - Sail on one of the big catamarans, or power on over, to the surrounding islands. There are daily sails to Saba or St. Barths, or you can cruise to a deserted island on a picnic sail and snorkel among the coral reefs aboard Lambada, Blue Beard, Random Wind or Scoobidoo. All can be booked through The Activities Center.
• Snorkeling - Snorkeling the warm coastal waters of the island has always been one of its greatest attractions. With reefs located all around the island, snorkeling about in St Maarten will never cease to amaze.
• Diving - Under the sea of St.Maarten you will find many beautiful things. Yet what better way to see it, than with a scuba trip which can be provided by some of the best in the Caribbean. The Caribbean has long been recognized as one of the world's best diving venues.
• Hobie-cat Sailing - Visitors don't have to arrive on their own yachts to experience a sail off the island. Motorboats, sailboats, and canoes as well as fun craft like hobie cats are available for rent at most beach resorts.

• Skydiving - Caribbean Sky Dream based at Grand Case airport on the French side offers tandem jumps with an instructor. Freefall at 150 mph for about 50 seconds before slowly floating down to terra firma. Take in the incredible views of Orient Bay, Grand Case and Anse Marcel as you descend.
• Horseback Riding - There are several facilities for horseback riding across the countryside of the interior and along the coast. Some rides end on the beach, with both horses and riders wading out into the cool sea.
• Hiking - The best way to appreciate the islands beauty is to explore it on foot. You can meet the local people, learn the customs and above all see the scenery that you will never see from the main road.
• Tennis - Many of St Maarten's resorts have tennis courts available for both day and night games. All are open to the public who make reservations in advance; there is usually an hourly fee.
• Golf - The Mullet Bay Golf Course is open from 6am till 5pm everyday. With 18 holes, a putting range, driving range and exclusive pro shop.
• Boating - St Maarten is one of the Caribbean's leading sailing venues, hosting the Heineken Regatta each year. Fully-equipped marinas welcome visiting boats and rent everything from speedboats to canoes.

Interesting Island Facts

• Location/Size - The island is in the Caribbean Sea, 150 miles southeast of Puerto Rico, covering 37 square miles, with Dutch St Maarten on the South spanning 16 square miles and French Saint Martin on the North covering 21. The island is the smallest land mass to be shared by two separate governments.
• Capitals - Philipsburg on Great Bay is the capital of St Maarten. Marigot is the capital of Saint Martin.
• Nationalities - As a part of the Netherlands Antilles and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, St Maarten has 77 different nationalities. Saint Martin is a commune of Guadeloupe, an overseas territory of France.
• Language - English is spoken everywhere, however Dutch is the official language of St Maarten, and French the official language of Saint Martin. On the Dutch side, you can also hear Spanish, Papiamentu, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, and other languages, and on the French side, Creole Patois is also spoken.
• Population - 41,000 people live on St.Maarten and 36,000 on Saint Martin.
• Climate - Sunny and warm all year-round, with some cool from the trade winds. Average temperature during the winter season is 80F (27C) and only a few degrees warmer in the summer. There are occasional showers in late summer and early fall.
• Accommodations - Range from large, comprehensive resort facilities and condominiums to small guest houses, timeshares and apartments. There is over 2,000 rooms on the island, which is sure to suit every taste.
• Dining - Diners can select from more than 300 restaurants offering French, Dutch, Caribbean, Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Creole and more.
• Casinos - The island's 12 casinos are all on the Dutch side.
• Carnival - Two carnivals are held on the island each year - the one on the French side takes place during Lent, which keeps the tradition of the French Creole Mas, while the other, the largest of the two, is celebrated on the Dutch side over a period of 17 days and nights with its main parade coinciding with the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, Beatrix.