Picturesque St. Maarten resides in the Caribbean but is a part of the Netherlands. The island is half Dutch (Sint Maarten) and half French (St. Martin), and this unique combination makes it arguably the most culturally unique island in the Caribbean.

A tropical paradise combining pristine beaches with mountains, the island offers snowbirds a unique and welcoming environment for their winter stays. 

St. Maarten offers a surprising number of things to do and see for an island of just 34 sq miles. Snowbirds will have no trouble filling their days here - and you can always hop over to “France” on the other half of the island for a meal or to explore!

For a truly iconic experience, check out the thrilling Maho Beach and see planes soar over beachgoers on their final approach to the airport.

Keep moving

Whether it's watersports, diving, snorkelling, hiking or spas and yoga, there’s lots to do in St. Maarten.

The island has multiple beaches and coves with protected waters that are perfect for all sorts of watersports, as well as swimming and snorkelling. Sailing and fishing are also available.

For snowbirds who want to stay active, you’ll find yoga, Pilates and spinning classes - and you can go hiking or cycling around the island. 

There are also several tennis courts, Padel clubs and gym facilities. 

Get involved

For those who enjoy getting involved in the local community during their winter sojourns, Nature Foundation Sint Maarten offers opportunities to volunteer by taking part in early morning beach patrols and monitoring sea turtles.

Environmentally concerned snowbirds can volunteer at Perpetual Plastics, helping to sort and repurpose plastic waste on the island. 

For more information on volunteering in St. Maarten, check out Volunteer.sx

Island celebrations

St. Maarten celebrates its cultural diversity and Caribbean setting with several festivals throughout the year.

In March, you can take part in the Heineken Regatta - four days of world-class sailing races and evenings spent at the Regatta Village with food, drink and live music

Perhaps the highlight of the year is the St. Maarten Carnival in mid-April - one big party featuring island music. Carnival Village on Pond Island features food booths, concerts, parades, and parties. 

The culinary capital of the Caribbean

St. Maarten is home to many different nationalities who have settled there over the years, which has created a very diverse restaurant scene that snowbirds will love exploring.

You’ll find many food stands all over the island - known as Lo-Lo Food Stands - where you can enjoy authentic and affordable dishes of all descriptions, including roti, shrimp and lobster, barbecued ribs, goat stew, peas and rice and other island favourites.   

St. Maarten is also home to many restaurants offering international cuisine, including Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Italian. These restaurants are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike and offer lots of variety for snowbirds.  

Accommodations

Snowbirds will find accommodations to suit every budget, including some fabulous villas and condos with great views and modern furnishings. 

Make yourself at home away from home on this beautiful island and settle into your villa, condo or apartment with views of the hills and the sea. 

Check out links to accommodations, including villas, apartments and condos here.

Shop duty-free!

One of the many benefits of staying in St Maarten is its duty-free shopping. While the official currency is the Caribbean Guilder, American dollars and Euros are widely accepted. 

The island’s capital, Philipsburg, features palm-lined streets that are home to its shopping districts along Front Street and Back Street.

Front Street is the premier shopping destination, offering a delightful array of duty-free boutiques where shoppers can find everything from luxury goods and premium perfumes to authentic local handicrafts. You’ll also find luxury brands like Cartier, Rolex, Dior, Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren, alongside duty-free shops selling electronics, premium alcohol, tobacco, and other coveted items. 

Back Street caters to budget-conscious shoppers with fashion boutiques offering clothing, handbags, and shoes - perfect for picking up last-minute essentials or stylish beachwear.

And St. Maarten has many resident artists and craftspeople who sell their creations in shops and markets such as the Philipsburg Market, where you will find jewelry, crafts and clothing. 

Getting to St. Maarten

There are direct flights from Toronto and Montreal, with connecting flights from other Canadian cities through the U.S.  

In the winter months, Air Transat offers non-stop flights from Toronto and Montreal, beginning in November of each year. Air Canada & WestJet also offer non-stop flights during the winter months from Toronto.

The bottom line

St. Maarten is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan option for snowbirds with lots to see and do - packed into 13 square miles with perfect weather. 

The Dutch and French sides of the island each offer their own unique ambience and cultural heritage, and you can move freely between the two halves of the island. 

The island is also ideally situated for exploring other nearby Caribbean islands such as Anguilla, St. Barts and Saba. Island hopping by air or ferry is very popular with visitors. 

St. Maarten’s high standard of living, duty-free status and modern accommodation options make it a tempting choice for snowbirds. 

For more information, check out our St. Maarten Snowbird Destination Guide here.