St. Maarten's Summer Sale. Discounts at over 50 resorts, restaurants, casinos, car rentals, shops, spas and activities. With 37 breathtaking beaches, duty free shopping galore, exciting casinos and entertainment to tempt you at night, an absolute culinary heaven-on-earth, how can you resist?
Now for a limited time, get $50 to spend for each day you stay, plus 20% off room rates through October 31st! A little European. A lot of Caribbean. Get your bronze on.
Sports Galore in St. Maarten/St. Martin
By Donald Rodrigue
One of the things that sets the dual-nation island of St. Maarten/St. Martin apart from a typical beach destination is the incredible variety of sporting and adrenalin-charged activities available to visitors.
Whether you get your thrills zipping across the waves on a Jet Ski, exploring the mysterious wonder of the ocean depths, or hiking or biking to the top of a windswept peak for a breathtaking view of the Caribbean, St. Maarten/St. Martin has something to please your sporting taste.
LIQUID-BASED EXCITEMENT
Ever since the dawn of time, mankind has dreamed of flying. Although a visit here won't guarantee you your own set of wings, you can experience the next best thing with the thrill of parasailing above the aquamarine waters. Aqua Mania Adventures (599-544-2640) can take you soaring high, with parasailing tours departing from Pelican Key Beach. No other sport puts the incredible beauty of the Caribbean literally at your feet.
Of course, one of the easiest and most tranquil sports to take up here is snorkeling, which immerses you in a magical wonderland of brilliantly colored tropical fish and living corals. St. Maarten/St. Martin is surrounded by perfect snorkeling spots, many of which can be waded to. Others require a boat trip, such as Creole Rock off the coast of Le Petite Plage in Grand Case on the French side, one of the island's best destinations for the sport. Plum Bay and Baie Rouge are also good snorkeling locations. In Dutch St. Maarten, you'll want to head to Dawn Beach or Little Bay near Philipsburg.
Aqua Mania Adventures offers several snorkeling and diving trips that will leave you with timeless memories. New divers can take a Discover Scuba Diving course with the company and even earn their PADI certification, while experienced divers can hone their skills even more with the Advanced Open Water course.
If you'd rather leave the adventuring to someone else but still want to view the island's fantastic marine life, then book passage on the Seaworld Explorer (888-832-2302). This semi-submersible vessel is great for both young and old, offering tours around Grand Case Bay. You'll see schools of colorful tropical fish and maybe even a sea turtle or shark, all while traveling below the surface in the comfort of an air-conditioned cabin. The large panoramic windows provide passengers with an in-your-face encounter with the mysterious underwater world.
HOIST THE MAINSAIL, MATE! There's nothing that compares to the tranquil beauty of skimming across the water with the wind in your sails, accompanied by the occasional dolphin, the sound of water lapping the hull and the cry of seabirds. In St. Maarten/St. Martin, you can opt to charter your own sailing vessel or live the lifestyle of the rich and famous as your own crew sails you toward the setting sun. If you're an experienced sailor, several local companies can set you up with either a half- or full-day charter out of Simpson Lagoon, while novice sailors are provided crews. Simpson Bay is one of the best spots for experiencing an afternoon of sailing aboard one of the 20-foot crafts available at Lagoon Sailboat Rental (599-557-0714).
For those who prefer to simply sit back and enjoy the ride, skippers are available for hire by the day for your jaunt around the calm waters of Simpson Bay Lagoon. One of the best pampering sailing experiences can be had aboard a huge catamaran departing daily from Simpson Bay by Bluebeard Charters (599-557-5935). The 60-foot Bluebeard has a fully stocked bar and two trampolines to lounge on, as well as seating in the sun and shade. From Simpson Bay you can go on adventures to either Anguilla or its uninhabited but beautiful little sister, Prickly Pear. From the Pelican Key Marina, you can also catch a boat from Aqua Mania Adventures. The large trampolines on the boats offer plenty of room to luxuriate in true Caribbean style.
ANGLING FOR ADVENTURE For some people, there's no greater adrenaline rush than the sound of a whining reel with a huge game fish on the other end of it. Here, you can go one-on-one with marlin, tuna, dolphin, barracuda, wahoo or kingfish, all of which congregate just offshore. Lee's Deep Sea Fishing (599-544-4233) can fulfill your every deep-sea fishing whim through its variety of half-, three-quarter- or full-day charters off the coast of St. Maarten/St. Martin or the neighboring islands.
Captain For A Day
By Donald Rodrigue
The glorious morning sun is just beginning to peak over the horizon of the Caribbean as you head down the dock and jump into the cockpit of your sailboat. With your gear and provisions safely stored aboard and your crewmates at the ready, you slowly sail away from the dock just far enough to sense the breeze blowing directly over the bow. Barking orders to your crew, you quickly yank on the halyard to hoist the mainsail as they work furiously to haul in the jib halyard. When the sails are fully raised and luffing in the wind, you grab the tiller and gently bring the boat to starboard. The vessel immediately heels to the right and begins to rapidly pick up speed, as you and your crew trim the sails and sit back to enjoy your cruise around Simpson Bay Lagoon and the glorious isle of St. Maarten/St. Martin. Sound like the lifestyle of the rich and famous? Think again. Here in St. Maarten/St. Martin, it's easy to be a captain for a day when you charter your own sailing vessel. Lagoon Sailboat Rentals (599-557-0714) boasts a variety of sailboats for both half-and full-day cruises. They offer lessons for novices to brush up on their skills and will provide a crew if you feel you're not up to the task. If you'd rather let someone else do all the work, then book passage on the Lambada, which cruises around the coast and lagoon. For exciting jaunts on a catamaran, both Celine (599-545-3961) and The Explorer (599-543-0068) offer group sailing trips around the lagoon.
HOIST YOUR HEINIE AND LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
Once again, imported German beer, the region's best sailors and Caribbean trade winds come together in the spectacular annual event known as the Heineken Regatta! Now in its 29th year, this St. Maarten/St. Martin sailing competition is known for both the caliber of its racing and the seriousness of its partying. Although non-racers and other visitors to the island tend to focus on the latter, the rivers of Heineken flowing do nothing to dampen the competitive regatta spirit. The 2008 race broke all previous records, with 284 boats registered for the event's 21 divisions, including bareboats, multihull craft, spinnaker and nonspinnaker racing classes and beach cats. There was even an open class with handicaps, depending on the skill level of the sailors.
In 2006, the regatta added an extra day of racing known as the Budget Marine Commodores Cup. Now in its third year, this event offers a chance for spinnaker-outfitted vessels to compete on both windward and leeward courses and get an extra day of practice before the actual event.
The first official day of the regatta ends with the renowned after-party along the Philipsburg Boardwalk that follows the arch of Great Bay Beach. Several live bands entertain the crowd of thousands of racers, tourists, islanders and visiting dignitaries. The celebration moves to Marigot on the French side for the second day of racing in a virtual repeat of the previous evening's events in Dutch St. Maarten. The crowd enjoys live music, the tantalizing aroma of grilled meats and exquisite French cuisine, and of course, more of that famous Dutch beer. The closing ceremony is held back on the Dutch side at Simpson Bay's Kim Sha Beach, where attendees view an exciting awards ceremony and enjoy entertainment by renowned bands from the Caribbean and abroad. For more information, call 599-544-2079 or visit www.heinekenregatta.com.
America's Cup St. Maarten
12-Metre Challenge
Bobby's Marina
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Tel: 599-542-0045
Fax: 599-542-6419 info@12metre.com www.12metre.com
Our Activity Guide will get you acquainted with all the tours, attractions, sports and activities in St. Maarten/St. Martin -- for you and your kids. Contact our activities providers and get full details before you go!
St. Maarten's Summer Sale. Discounts at over 50 resorts, restaurants, casinos, car rentals, shops, spas and activities. With 37 breathtaking beaches, duty free shopping galore, exciting casinos and entertainment to tempt you at night, an absolute culinary heaven-on-earth, how can you resist?
Now for a limited time, get $50 to spend for each day you stay, plus 20% off room rates through October 31st! A little European. A lot of Caribbean. Get your bronze on. 
One of the things that sets the dual-nation island of St. Maarten/St. Martin apart from a typical beach destination is the incredible variety of sporting and adrenalin-charged activities available to visitors. 
Of course, one of the easiest and most tranquil sports to take up here is snorkeling, which immerses you in a magical wonderland of brilliantly colored tropical fish and living corals. St. Maarten/St. Martin is surrounded by perfect snorkeling spots, many of which can be waded to. Others require a boat trip, such as Creole Rock off the coast of Le Petite Plage in Grand Case on the French side, one of the island's best destinations for the sport. Plum Bay and Baie Rouge are also good snorkeling locations. In Dutch St. Maarten, you'll want to head to Dawn Beach or Little Bay near Philipsburg. 
There's nothing that compares to the tranquil beauty of skimming across the water with the wind in your sails, accompanied by the occasional dolphin, the sound of water lapping the hull and the cry of seabirds. In St. Maarten/St. Martin, you can opt to charter your own sailing vessel or live the lifestyle of the rich and famous as your own crew sails you toward the setting sun. If you're an experienced sailor, several local companies can set you up with either a half- or full-day charter out of Simpson Lagoon, while novice sailors are provided crews. Simpson Bay is one of the best spots for experiencing an afternoon of sailing aboard one of the 20-foot crafts available at Lagoon Sailboat Rental (599-557-0714).
For some people, there's no greater adrenaline rush than the sound of a whining reel with a huge game fish on the other end of it. Here, you can go one-on-one with marlin, tuna, dolphin, barracuda, wahoo or kingfish, all of which congregate just offshore. Lee's Deep Sea Fishing (599-544-4233) can fulfill your every deep-sea fishing whim through its variety of half-, three-quarter- or full-day charters off the coast of St. Maarten/St. Martin or the neighboring islands.
Once again, imported German beer, the region's best sailors and Caribbean trade winds come together in the spectacular annual event known as the Heineken Regatta! Now in its 29th year, this St. Maarten/St. Martin sailing competition is known for both the caliber of its racing and the seriousness of its partying. Although non-racers and other visitors to the island tend to focus on the latter, the rivers of Heineken flowing do nothing to dampen the competitive regatta spirit. The 2008 race broke all previous records, with 284 boats registered for the event's 21 divisions, including bareboats, multihull craft, spinnaker and nonspinnaker racing classes and beach cats. There was even an open class with handicaps, depending on the skill level of the sailors. 
America's Cup St. Maarten 
Bluebeard Charters
Lambada
Seaworld Explorer
