St. Maarten is blessed with 37 beaches--one for each of the island's 37 square miles. This island is one of the most popular destinations for American and European tourists visiting the Caribbean and therefore offers virtually every conceivable activity. There are numerous boat trips to various locations, including both sailing and motor vessels.
There are scuba diving and snorkeling trips, as well as parasailing, water-skiing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, horse-riding, tennis, golf and a hundred and one other choices. You can even go in a semi-submersible, take a day trip to one of several neighboring islands, or visit the only butterfly farm in the northern Caribbean!
For the less energetic, the numerous beaches offer the ultimate in swimming and sun-soaking relaxation. Both sides of the island have ancient forts, ruined plantation houses, delightful old gingerbread houses and museums. There are also a number of archaeological sites, the most famous being the 3,500-year-old Hope Estate site on the French side where many of the thousands of artifacts that have been uncovered are now on display in the museum in Marigot.
