Comprehensive Family Guide to St Martin

The Ultimate St. Martin / St. Maarten Family Guide

Planning a trip to “The Friendly Island” with kids? This St. Martin / St. Maarten family guide is your one-stop hub for everything family-friendly. With two unique nations on one island, you get the best of both worlds—from the legendary plane-spotting at Maho Beach to the chic, calm waters of the French-side coves. Whether you’re bringing toddlers or teens, we’ve got you covered.

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Top Things to Do

St. Martin / St. Maarten is an island of endless adventure. Families can feel the roar of jets at Maho Beach, take a short boat trip to a pristine island, or explore the charming, historic capitals of two different countries.

  • Plane Spotting at Maho Beach: A truly unique, must-do experience. Kids and teens will be thrilled to watch massive jets land just feet above their heads.
  • Day Trip to Pinel Island: A short water taxi ride takes you to this tiny, protected island. It offers very shallow, calm water, great snorkeling, and fun beach restaurants.
  • Explore Orient Bay: The “St. Tropez of the Caribbean,” this long, vibrant beach on the French side has calm water, countless restaurants, and water sports.
  • Visit Marigot & Philipsburg: Explore two capitals. Walk the boardwalk in Dutch Philipsburg, and climb to Fort Louis in French Marigot for stunning views of the harbor.
  • Loterie Farm: A nature sanctuary at the base of Pic Paradis. Kids can enjoy the hiking trails or the spring-fed swimming “pool” with cabanas.
Top List of Things to Do

Best Beaches for Kids

With 37 beaches to choose from, finding a family-friendly spot is easy. The French side is known for its quiet, calm coves, while the Dutch side offers vibrant, high-energy beaches. All are public and beautiful.

  • Le Galion (Baby Beach): Widely considered the island’s best beach for toddlers. It’s set in a protected, pool-like bay that is extremely shallow and calm for hundreds of feet.
  • Orient Bay: This 1.5-mile beach has soft sand, clear water, and a designated swimming area with no motor sports. The southern end is particularly calm.
  • Friar’s Bay: A beautiful, sheltered cove on the French side with very gentle water, soft sand, and two family-friendly beach restaurants. A local favorite.
  • Little Bay: A very calm, protected beach on the Dutch side, right next to Philipsburg. It has great snorkeling and amenities from the nearby resorts.
See Best Family Beaches

Top Ranked Family Stays

From sprawling resorts to private villas and chic boutique hotels, the island offers lodging for every family style. The Dutch side is popular for its large resorts and entertainment, while the French side is known for villas and a quieter, more culinary-focused vibe.

  • French Side (Orient Bay, Grand Case): Ideal for families seeking a quieter vibe with access to calm beaches and the island’s best restaurants.
  • Dutch Side (Simpson Bay, Maho, Little Bay): The hub for large resorts, marinas, and entertainment. It’s lively and close to the airport and Philipsburg.
  • All-Inclusive Resorts: Several properties (like the Sonesta Maho Beach and Secrets) are dedicated to families with kids’ clubs, multiple pools, and activities.
Top-Ranked Family Stays

Snorkeling with Kids

The island’s clear waters and protected coves are perfect for introducing kids to snorkeling. The best spots are often rocky coves or protected marine reserves accessible by a short boat ride or right from the beach.

  • Pinel Island: The best spot for beginners. A designated snorkel trail in the shallow, protected water is perfect for kids to follow.
  • Little Bay: An easy-to-access shore snorkel on the Dutch side. You can see wrecks (a helicopter, a submarine) and lots of fish in the calm bay.
  • Rocher Créole (near Grand Case): A famous rock formation in a marine reserve. This spot requires a short boat trip but offers the island’s best, most vibrant snorkeling.
  • Le Galion: The super-calm water on the outer edges of the bay, near the reef, is a safe place for first-timers to practice and see small fish.
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Family-Friendly Hikes

While known for its beaches, St. Martin also offers some great, accessible hikes with incredible views, thanks to its volcanic, hilly terrain. These are perfect for a morning activity before it gets too hot.

  • Fort Louis (Marigot): Not a long hike, but a historic walk up a (steep) stone path in the heart of Marigot. The reward is the best view of the harbor.
  • Pic Paradis: Hike or drive most of the way up the island’s highest peak. At the top, Loterie Farm offers shaded hiking trails.
  • Coastal Trail (Anse Marcel): A scenic and fairly easy 1.5-mile trail that winds along the beautiful, rugged coastline.
See Top Family Hikes

Where to Eat

St. Martin is the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean,” but it’s not all fine dining. The island is incredibly family-friendly, with options from casual toes-in-the-sand BBQ shacks to fun, open-air pizzerias.

  • “Lolos” (BBQ Shacks) in Grand Case: A must-do. These casual, open-air grills on the French side serve amazing BBQ ribs and chicken at great prices.
  • Grand Case Beach: Many of the fine-dining restaurants on “Restaurant Row” are surprisingly welcoming to kids, especially for an early dinner.
  • Orient Bay Beach: Dozens of beach restaurants line the sand, offering everything from pizza and burgers to fresh fish.
  • Simpson Bay Strip (Dutch Side): This street is packed with a huge variety of casual, family-friendly restaurants (pizza, sushi, sports bars).
See Top Family Restaurants

Regional Breakdown

The island is split in two, and both sides offer a very different vibe. You can cross the border-less-ly to enjoy both.

  • French St. Martin (North): Quieter, more relaxed, and focused on gourmet food. Home to Grand Case, Orient Bay, and Marigot. Feels more European.
  • Dutch St. Maarten (South): More developed and lively. Home to the airport, cruise port (Philipsburg), nightlife, and entertainment (Maho, Simpson Bay). Feels more Americanized.
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Local Tips

  • Driving is on the **right** side of the road.
  • Tap water is desalinated and safe to drink, but bottled water is widely preferred for taste.
  • **Dual Currency:** The official currency on the **French side is the Euro (€)**. The official currency on the **Dutch side is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (NAF)**. However, **USD is accepted everywhere**.
  • **Dual Power:** The **French side uses 220V** with European (Type E) plugs. The **Dutch side uses 110V** with U.S. (Type A & B) plugs. A **universal travel adapter is essential**.
  • All 37 beaches on the island are public.

Best Time to Visit

St. Martin’s peak season is from December to April, offering the best and driest weather. The shoulder seasons (May-June and November) are great for fewer crowds and lower prices. The official hurricane season is from June to November, with the highest risk from mid-August to October.

Getting Around

Taxis are common, but **renting a car is highly recommended** to explore both sides of the island and its many beaches. Be prepared for traffic, especially in Simpson Bay and Marigot, and when crossing between the two “sides” during peak times.

What to Pack

  • **A Universal Power Adapter (110V/220V)**
  • Reef-safe sunscreen and rash guards
  • Bug spray (especially for evenings)
  • Water shoes for snorkeling and rocky coves
  • Snorkel sets to explore right from the beach
  • Sun hats and sunglasses

We hope you found this St. Martin / St. Maarten family guide useful. For more general travel info, visit the Wikivoyage page on St. Martin.