The smallest island in the world shared by two sovereign nations — French Saint-Martin to the north, Dutch Sint Maarten to the south — with a completely open, checkpoint-free border between them, south of Anguilla and north of St. Barths.
St. Martin/Sint Maarten sits in the northeastern Caribbean's Leeward Islands, south of Anguilla and north of St. Barths. Saint-Martin, the northern French side, is an overseas collectivity of France; Sint Maarten, the southern Dutch side, is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands — and despite that division, the border between them has no checkpoints at all. View map →
The island is famous for Maho Beach, where jets landing at Princess Juliana International Airport pass just feet overhead, for kitesurfing on the Nettle Bay Lagoon, and for a dining scene that blends French, Dutch and Caribbean cuisines. Read the full fact sheet →
Nationality: French and Dutch · Size: 87 km² (34 sq mi) · the world's smallest sea island divided between two nations
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gandor.tv specializes in creating, maintaining, hosting and promoting websites in the Caribbean. They are known for their customer service, maintenance packages, fast response, e-commerce, booking systems and social media magic and creation of advertisments.
★ Cool factor: They create, maintain, host and promote websites. Visit site
Hommage Hotel & Residence Situated in Terres Basses, this modern and refined hotel of 148 rooms, boasts an exceptional museum garden along with art pieces. The spacious and luminous rooms have a terrace with a view of the lagoon, the gardens or the pool. Beautiful beaches like Baie Rouge, Baie Longue and Baie aux prunes are a few minutes away.
★ Cool factor: Gated, high-end, village resort atmosphere Visit site
B52 Kitesurfing School is located on the French side, at the Flamboyant Village on the Baie Nettle Lagoon. They specialize in kitesurfing and foiling lessons and rentals. No wind, no worries, go foiling behind a boat. It's like water sking, just better cause you hover above the water on a surfboard. Very cool!
★ Cool factor: Personal one-on-one lessons - very cool! Visit site
Saint Martin. Welcome to the French side, the Friendly Island by excellence! Days filled with sunshine, velvet soft nights and breathtaking scenery are only some of the ingredients that create the unique feel and taste that reflect Saint-Martin.
★ Cool factor: We communicate in English and French Visit site
Star Island Tours Star Island Tours. They're a family owned tour agency who knows the island inside out. They understand that you are on Sint Maarten for a short time and want to see as much as possible. So they have devised these three tours that will give you great value for money. All three tours include scenic routes and key landmarks of the island.
★ Cool factor: They customize tours to suit your time frame and cost! Visit site
Sint Maarten. Welcome to the Dutch side. Come to where European sophistication and raw island passion have fallen in love. Where boredom is a forbidden emotion. A magical place called St. Maarten
★ Cool factor: Culinary Capital of the Caribbean Visit site
SAX Car Rental SAX Car Rental offers top quality car rental services. They are highly committed to customer satisfaction and offer a wide range of vehicles to fit every customer's needs. Whether you are looking for rental services for the day, week or month, they can work around your schedule and offer affordable prices.
★ Cool factor: They run discount specials throughout the year Visit siteNo businesses in this category yet.
Real, lived-in advice from travellers and locals — trip reports, packing lists and the tips that make a Caribbean vacation go smoothly.
These St. Martin tours or activities are independently operated. After booking, the tour operator will contact you directly with your reservation details.
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The stories behind the postcard — a few things worth knowing before you go.
St. Martin/Sint Maarten is the smallest island in the world shared by two nations — the northern half is an overseas collectivity of France, the southern half a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Despite the two-nation split, the border between the French and Dutch sides is completely open — visitors cross freely with no checkpoints at all.
The island's food scene blends Dutch, French and Caribbean influences — expect Johnny cakes, saltfish and conch alongside gourmet French dining, especially on the French side.
Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side sits right beside Maho Beach — landing jets pass just feet overhead, a famous thrill for sunbathers and plane spotters alike.
The island's population is a mix of Afro-Caribbean, European and other cultures, reflected in its festivals, music and arts scene — a rich cultural melting pot even by Caribbean standards.
Ranked by locals — the St. Martin/Sint Maarten essentials.
See the island before you go.
“O Sweet Saint Martin’s Land”
According to legend, Christopher Columbus sighted the island on November 11, 1493, the feast day of Saint Martin of Tours, and named it San Martin in his honor. At the time it was populated, if at all, by Carib Amerindians, who had displaced the earlier Arawak people not long before the Spaniards' arrival.
Full European control wasn't established until the mid-17th century, after a struggle among the French, English, Dutch, Danish and Spanish for control of the West Indies. The Dutch first worked the island's salt ponds in the 1620s; Spain recaptured the island in 1633 and built the fort now known as Ft. Amsterdam. Slavery, introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century and expanded under French and Dutch sugarcane plantations in the 18th, was abolished in the first half of the 19th century.
The division between French and Dutch territory dates to 1648, making St. Martin/Sint Maarten one of the smallest islands in the world ever divided between two nations. The population today reflects that layered history — a mixture of Amerindian, European, African and Asian ancestry across both sides of the island.
The closest beach to the cruise terminal in Philipsburg, lined with Front Street's shops, restaurants and hotels — everything within walking distance.
A stunning stretch on the French side, split into nude, topless and normal sections, with lively watersports and beachfront cocktail bars.
Close to nightclubs, casinos and resorts, this Dutch-side bay between Marigot and Philipsburg is the island's go-to spot for a night out.
A scenic bay near Philipsburg with calm, crystal-clear water, water sport rentals and resort amenities just a short walk from the cruise dock.
A set of three beaches on the island's southwest tip, framed by dramatic limestone cliffs and known for stunning sunset views.
Tips by Liz Strauss, an experienced traveler and piano entertainer. www.lizpiano.com · Disclosure
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