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

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 several hours relaxing as you please at Grand Case Beach, an idyllic setting that offers special beach wheelchairs to accommodate your needs. On the drive from Philipsburg, you will hear enlightening commentary about the inspiration for the Freedom Fighter statue that you will see in one of the city roundabouts and the history of the Great Salt Pond that borders the capital of the island’s Dutch side. It won’t take long to reach Grand Case Bay on the French side of the island, giving you all the more time to enjoy its wide crescent-shaped beach. To enhance your mobility there, you will ease into a comfortable wheelchair with large tires that are designed for rolling across even the softest sand with the least amount of resistance. The wheelchairs can be pushed right to the edge of the sea. In time, you will drop by a beachside restaurant for a Caribbean-style lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax however you please at Grand Case Beach on the French side of the island.
• Ease into a special beach wheelchair with large tires for easier rolling across the sand.
• Hear entertaining commentary about the sights on the way to and from Case Beach.
• Enjoy a Caribbean-style lunch at a beachside restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• 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

Conclude your enlightening exploration of the island with an innovative Japanese- and Caribbean-influenced lunch on picturesque Orient Beach. You will discover much about the island’s history and culture on the panoramic drive through both Dutch-governed St. Maarten and the French Collectivity of St. Martin, which occupies the northern half of the island. A stop atop Harold Jack Hill will present a sweeping view of the island’s Dutch southern portion, which is quite different from the French-governed half. That contrast is most noticeable in Marigot, the French colonial capital, where you will meander about its largest open-air market. You can expect to find a wide variety of locally sourced seafood, garden-fresh produce and aromatic spices. It will surely whet your appetite, which you will satisfy at KKÔ, a restaurant directly on Orient Beach. The dishes will be a fusion of Nikkei and Caribbean cuisines, each prepared to maximize its unique flavors.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through both the Dutch and French sides of the island.
• Pause at a lookout that offers sweeping view of the island’s gorgeous southern portion.
• Browse an open-air market in the French capital of Marigot.
• Dine on a fusion of Nikkei and Caribbean cuisines at the beachfront restaurant KKÔ.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Get a feel for the charming French colonial capital of Marigot before sitting down to a Caribbean-inspired lunch at a beachfront restaurant. Before crossing the border into the French Collectivity of St. Martin, you will pause at Harold Jack Hill, the best vantage point to admire Dutch-governed St. Maarten. The northern half of the island is just as beautiful as you will discover on the way to fashionable Marigot on the island’s western shore. The city exudes a distinctly French flair in its architecture and in the open-air Marigot Market, where you will see an endless array of garden-fresh produce and succulent seafood. Many of those ingredients will be used in preparing your multi-course lunch at Tropic’s Beach Bar in the nearby village of Grand Case. It offers a wonderfully relaxed waterfront setting for dining on Caribbean-fusion cuisine, especially when complemented with an ice-cold rum punch.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through both the Dutch and French sides of the island.
• Pause at a lookout that offers sweeping view of the island’s gorgeous southern portion.
• Browse an open-air market in the French capital of Marigot.
• Settle in for an extraordinary meal at a beachfront bar in the village of Grand Case.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• 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

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.

OVERVIEW

Treat yourself to the ultimate cruise on a classic wooden schooner where everything is first class, including the service. You will travel on the luxurious Spirit of St. Maarten, a one-of-a-kind, 114-foot vessel designed for comfort. Features include a second-level sun deck, shaded and open areas below and bowsprit netting where you can ride above the waves. You will cruise through Great Bay, past 17th-century Fort Amsterdam and on to Little Bay, where the ship will anchor in sheltered waters that are ideal for snorkeling. If you prefer, you might just take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear bay or remain on board and luxuriate in whatever way you find most pleasurable. Feel free to take advantage of the open bar and indulge in a tropical-inspired lunch that the chefs will prepare from scratch. If conditions permit, you will pass Maho Beach, the perfect spot to watch airplanes land and take off just over your head. Spirit of St Maarten is owned by a charitable foundation, with some of its proceeds going toward a range of educational and empowerment programs for the island’s vulnerable youths.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise along the island’s southern shore on a luxurious wooden schooner.
• Luxuriate onboard as the crew sees to your every need.
• Snorkel, swim, kayak and paddle board in Little Bay if you like (snorkel, mask & fins provided).
• Enjoy a freshly grilled lunch onboard and an open bar.
• Your excursion provides a sustainable future for local youths while you enjoy the beauty of the island!

HELPFUL HINTS

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