11 Unique Things to Do in St. Maarten / St. Martin Other Than Beaches

What do you do in St. Maarten/St. Martin when the beach is calling but you don’t want to answer? As alluring as the beach can be, sometimes you want to do something different after three days in a row of saltwater, sand, and guavaberry coladas.

Learning about the culture and the history of the place, wandering the streets in search of amazing street art, or exploring the scenery beyond a beachfront crowded with lounge chairs are unique things you can do while visiting the island.

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These are 11 unusual things to do in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin other than beaches 

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See Traditional Caribbean Architecture in Marigot (and Some in Philipsburg)

There are good examples of traditional French Caribbean architecture in Marigot, with arch-filled porches framed by lovely wooden lattices and with colourful houses painted in every colour under the sun.

As long as you don’t expect to see everything in pristine condition you’ll find joy in strolling around a major waterfront Caribbean town -Marigot is the capital of Saint Martin- that hasn’t been overrun by jewelry stores and chains selling frozen drinks.  Hooray for preserving what makes you unique!

You’ll also see several rough diamonds that, even though they’re in serious need of some TLC (which I hope they get), have beautiful and intricate details.

Signs of the devastation caused by hurricane Irma are still around. Even after several years, Marigot hasn’t fully recovered and there’s work to be done to bring it back to the jewel it was (and the pandemic didn’t help, of course).

But things are getting better with ongoing renovation works that go along with the traditional architectural style.  

For Dutch Caribbean architecture, check out the few examples still standing in Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten. You’ll have to look a little bit harder here, but you can still find some gems among the sea of duty free stores that have sucked the originality of many port towns.

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Visit Fort Louis in Marigot  

The British are coming! The British are coming! said time and again the French colonizers when they saw the ships that would again burn their cotton and tobacco crops and wreck whatever was rebuilt after the last invasion.

In 1764 commander Descoudrelles said Enough! Do you see that hill over there? That’s where we have to put the cannons. Duh! The government completed the fort in 1789 and named it Fort Louis, in honor of Louis XVI, who was the King of France.

By 1820 the fort had seen better days and even the cistern and the doors were gone.

Today, there’s little remaining of Fort Louis, where a couple of cannons lay on the floor or sit on crumbling wood bases.

However, the latest restoration efforts still manage to convey that you’re inside a historic military fort where the main attraction is the unobstructed and unbeatable view of Marigot Bay and the Marigot Marina, the Simpson Bay Lagoon, and Baie de la Potence.

To visit Fort Louis we climbed up the wide concrete stairs that you’ll find at the intersection of  Rue de la République and Boulevard de France roads. The hike up the hill is around 20 minutes. Along the way you can see tons of plants resembling the aloe vera, you may spot iguanas, and catch great views as you approach the fort.

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Browse the Work of Local Artists (and More) at the Marigot Market  

Go to Marigot’s waterfront (between Boulevard de France and Place du Marché roads) to browse the stalls of this open air market selling art and crafts from local artists, and many other goods.

You’ll see tons of mass-produced trinkets, but if you take some time to look around, you’ll find unique handmade things and you’ll have the chance to meet the artists.

You can also find clothing, spices, spiced rums, produce, and fish. 

The market is open Monday to Saturday, in the morning (fish is available only on Wednesday and Saturday morning) . You may see more stalls when cruise ships are around.

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Check out the Amazing Murals in Marigot and Philipsburg

When Marigot was looking quite sad following the devastation of hurricane Irma artists came to the rescue by using the walls as a canvas for their artwork. 

Walk across town to find awesome murals and mosaics inspired by the natural beauty of the island, its history, the Caribbean culture, and the hope for a brighter future.

If you’re thirsty for more, drive to Sandy Ground (a few minutes west of Marigot on Baie Nettlé) to find the Wall of Art, a massive project showcasing the work of more than a dozen local and international artists and spanning across one kilometre.

On the Dutch side, the street art in Philipsburg colours the walls along Front Street, Back Street, and some of the side streets connecting both and leading to the waterfront.

The Philipsburg Art Walk features more than 20 murals completed by local artists, with themes similar to the ones you find in Marigot (nature, culture, and history).  There are signs next to the murals with the name of the artist and the message they want to share with you.

The mural walk changed the face of the capital and it’s one of the best free things to do in Philipsburg St Maarten.

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Go on a Sunset Cruise from Simpson Bay

To watch a beach sunset minus the sand, board a 1.5-hour catamaran cruise that sails along the coast of Sint Maarten. Toast to the yellow and orange hues with drinks and snacks (included) while you enjoy the music.
Book this sunset cruise, with a rating of 4.7/5 based on more than 95 reviews.

Or, stay on board after sunset and have a Creole buffet-style dinner on a 63-foot catamaran. This 3-hour cruise features an open bar, music, and dancing.
Book this sunset cruise with dinner, with a rating of 4.7/8 based on nearly 60 reviews.

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Indulge in Delicious French Pastries and Baked Goods in Marigot

Oh là là! To sweeten the views of the blue sea stop by the fabulous French cafés on Marigot’s waterfront.

I loved the amazing croissants, artisanal breads, and quiches at L’Express Bakery (with several locations around Saint Martin), and the desserts at  Chez Fernand la French Bakery. C’est magnifique!

There are also many restaurants around where you can try Creole and French cuisine.

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Interact with Birds at Parotte Ville Bird Park

Parotte Ville is one of the best things to do in Philipsburg St Maarten near the cruise port.

It’s the baby of owner George Parotte, a bird expert and animal lover who built a humongous mesh enclosure with soaring heights where more than 150 birds from more than 20 species circle the air above a variety of tall plants and branches.

At the entrance we received a cup with seeds to attract the friendly birds and a few steps later we had colourful parrots landing on our heads (bring a hat!), our shoulders, our hands, and of course, the feeding cups.

The parrots were the only birds that interacted with us (they loved to inspect our ears), but we also saw around bananaquits (aka. Yellow breasts or sugarbird), zebra finches, Java sparrows, Owl finches, and the spectacular golden pheasant and Lady Amherst’s pheasant.

The birds look healthy and under good care, and fly around as they please. They’re not forced to do any performance. 

The staff is knowledgeable and happy to reply to any questions about the birds. You’ll find pictures of the birds with information regarding their origin, habitat, and feeding.

Other than birds you can see medicinal plants and learn about their healing properties and see heirlooms belonging to George’s family in the small Heritage Museum attached to Parotte Ville. It’s a window into life in Sint Maarten decades and decades ago.

Parotte Ville is on Bishop Hill Road in Belvedere (a 10-minute ride from the cruise port in Philipsburg-depending on traffic-). Open daily: 9:30AM-4PM; General admission: US$10

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Enjoy the View from Fort Amsterdam

In 1631 the Dutch built Fort Amsterdam to protect the colony of Sint Maarten. However, it was of little use since two years later it didn’t stop the Spaniards from conquering Sint Maarten and staying there for the next 15 years. They worked on the fort expansion until negotiations between Spain, France, and the Netherlands left Spain out of the island.

Today, there is little left of what was the first Dutch colonial fort in the Caribbean. What remains is a few walls, some cannons and the fabulous views of Great Bay in Philipsburg and Little Bay, both featuring some of the best beaches in Sint Maarten.

You’ll also find some super short trails down the slopes where you’ll see cacti (including endangered species), iguanas, and great views of a seemingly never-ending sea. On the slope facing Little Bay you’ll find a large breeding colony of brown pelicans, a symbol of Sint Maarten.

Fort Amsterdam is located inside the property of the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Ask the guards at the gate to let you visit the fort and they’ll point where to go. Free admission.

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Hit the Island’s Hiking Trails

St. Maarten/St.Martin is a hilly island with hiking trails that offer spectacular views of the sea, the towns below, the surrounding islands, and the sunset.

Don’t want to deal with much elevation gain? Step into the scenic coastal trails to see the waves crash against dramatic rocky cliffs with the silhouette of the hills in the background.

Some sections even run along the beach, just in case you need a refreshing dip along the way.

Want to learn more about the trails? Check out my blog post about hiking in St. Maarten/St. Martin.

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Walk Across the Simpson Bay Causeway

This is perfect for when you’re looking for a scenic walk but you don’t want to do any hike or step into rocky or sandy paths. Just smooth concrete.

The Simpson Bay Causeway is a long bridge over the Simpson Bay Lagoon with a separate pedestrian lane so you can walk with ease and relax with the gorgeous views of Sint Peter’s Hill and the boats on the lagoon. It’s a popular walk in Sint Maarten so you’ll see tons of people.

If you’re using public transit you can hop on the bus that goes from Philipsburg to Marigot through Cole Bay and hop off at the roundabout connecting Union Road with the bridge. If you’re renting a car in Sint Maarten you can park at the roundabout exit leading to the mountain (where you can also find a popular hiking trail) and walk towards the causeway.

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Have a Front Row to One of the Most Exhilarating Landings

Grab a seat in the shade at one of the bars next to Maho Beach and raise your glass to the views of one of the most exciting runways in the world: the Princess Juliana International Airport.

These are not your usual landings. The short strip forces the airplanes to get so low that you’ll hardly find any other place in the world where you can see a landing so close.

The wow moment everybody looks forward to is the landing of the KLM big bird coming from Amsterdam (if possible, time your visit around its arrival). I felt as if people on the beach, stretching their hands below the plane, could grab the wheels and get carried away.

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What would you do in St. Maarten/St. Martin other than going to the beach? Save this blog post to plan your visit to this beautiful island or share it with friends who would like to mix their beach days with other activities.

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