Saint Martin, also called Sint Maarten on its southern side, is a Caribbean island famed for its fusion cuisine, lively nightlife, duty-free shopping, and endless white-sand beaches. Here you can relax in the sun on soft sand on the shores of deep, turquoise waters. You can enjoy romantic dinners of locally sourced seafood with a world of flavors packed together.
You can take scenic tours of the island from above or on the ground, go snorkeling and diving, or get pampered together in a spa. You can have a cocktail on the beach under the sunset and take romantic long walks with stunning views. Discover the 10 best things for couples to do on a romantic trip to St. Martin.
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Maho Beach
Lie on the sand while planes roar closely overhead
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- Couples
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Maho Beach offers the chance to sit on a beach below planes that zoom overhead so low as they take off and land that you feel like you can touch them. The beach is situated right next to the airport, and planes pass directly overhead as they take off and make their final approach to land. You'll get blasted by the wind of the jets as they roar above you.
Because of the nature of the planes, it's definitely not a beach you come to for a relaxing day of beach balls, sunbathing, and swimming. Signs even warn about the dangers. It will, however, get your blood pumping if you want something new and different on your romantic getaway.
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Loterie Farm
Take an extreme zip-line ride over the rainforest
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- Couples
- Unusual
Loterie Farm offers mountain views surrounded by lush greenery and the chance to race over the ground at breakneck speed on a wild extreme zip line. You'll catch a bus ride up the mountain where you'll get hooked up and have a heart-pounding ride as you soar over the rainforest below.
This is a wild natural adventure that will get your heart racing and your blood pumping. If zip-lining isn't your thing, you can also enjoy a bar and eatery, go swimming in a pool, relax in the lounge area, or hike nearly 135 acres of trails through the unspoiled natural rainforest.
Location: Rue du Pic Paradis, St Martin 97150, St. Martin
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +59 (0)6 90 28 84 66
Mapphoto by alljengi (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
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Sint Maarten sailing tours
See the islands in a whole new way
- Adventure
- Couples
- Luxury
Sint Maarten sailing tours allow you to get out on the open waters and explore the surrounding Caribbean islands while viewing reefs, dolphins, and a world of sea life. You'll find few things quite as romantic as getting onto a glamorous yacht and sipping cocktails on the open ocean under the sunset.
You can choose from any number of sailing tours conducted by a wealth of companies, and each offers its own unique take. You can go deep-sea fishing or just get pampered in the lap of luxury. All you need to do is decide what you want out of a sailing tour and book your tickets.
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St. Maarten Safari
Rent a jeep or ATV and explore
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- Couples
A St. Maarten Safari lets you hop into an ATV or jeep and see the wild birds, animals, and flora of the island in their unspoiled natural habitats. Your jeep will be equipped with air conditioning and all of the latest safety technology. While you're on your tour, you can stop at the shore to swim in the Caribbean, or head for local villages to shop boutique stores.
Safari tours can also include fishing and snorkeling excursions to take your sightseeing to the next level. Pack your camera and sunscreen, and get on the road! You can choose from guided tours or rent a jeep for a self-guided excursion starting near the southern coast.
Location: 153B, Front Street, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
Open: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 721-556-8484
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Pic Paradis
Hike to the island's highest peak for panoramic views
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- Couples
- Photo
Pic Paradis is the highest point on St. Martin and offers gorgeous panoramic views of St. Martin and the surrounding islands while surrounded by lush tropical flora. This peak is considered a destination for hikers and offers 3 different options; the 3.5-kilometer hike to Eden Wall, the 4.5-kilometer hike to the Northeast Ridge, or the 6.5-kilometer hike to the Central Crest.
If you're not into hiking, you can access the peak by road. It's located centrally in the heart of St. Martin, so it's easy to get to from just about anywhere on the island. At some places on the mountain, you can even take a wild zip-line ride over the rainforest below.
Mapphoto by Christine Warner (CC BY 2.0) modified
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Sint Maarten spas
Get pampered with a massage, sauna, or whirlpool
- Couples
- Luxury
Sint Maarten spas offer the chance to get truly pampered alongside that special person in your life with saunas, massages, and romantic cocktails in a Jacuzzi. Spas are usually part of resorts where you'll spend your trip in the lap of luxury feeling like royalty the entire time. You can also, however, find day spas where you can go for a few therapeutic treatments just to get away and unwind.
A spa is an outstanding option after you've spent a day hiking and exercising, or you just want quiet time to unwind together and prepare for a romantic dinner. You can find a wealth of spa options all over St. Martin; just choose one nearby and go.
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Butterfly Farm
Have a fairy tale adventure surrounded by rare beauty
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- Couples
- Families
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The Butterfly Farm offers a romantic experience with a fairy tale element to it as you walk through lush flora surrounded by rare and beautiful creatures. As you walk through the natural surroundings of vibrant tropical rainforest, you'll be surrounded by the colorful wings of hundreds of species of butterflies, some of which may land on you for a "butterfly kiss."
Tours of the farm take just around a half hour, and you'll be led by knowledgeable tour guides who can tell you all about the native flora and the rare butterfly species found here. It's located on the northeastern coast of the island and is easy to get to.
Location: 97150 Rue du Coconut Grove, Guadeloupe 97150, Sint Maarten
Phone: +59 (0)5 90 87 31 21
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Emilio’s
Dine at a historic, romantic restaurant
- Couples
- Food
- History
Emilio's is a romantic restaurant that has been ranked among the top 10% of restaurants across the entire island and worldwide, with great food and a casual atmosphere. The restaurant is the brainchild of Emilio Wilson, who was born to humble roots and remained an advocate for the preservation of the island's natural resources his entire life.
The restaurant is a fine dining establishment that serves dinner and Sunday brunch as well as craft cocktails. Some menu highlights include a range of tapas and main courses like tenderloin steak, shrimp risotto, or rack of lamb, all paired with an outstanding wine list. It's located right in the heart of the Sint Maarten region.
Location: 59 L.B. Scott Rd, Sint Maarten
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 6 pm to 10 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm (closed Monday–Tuesday)
Phone: +1 721-522-1848
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Le Moulin Fou
Enjoy an upscale meal of French cuisine
- Couples
- Food
Le Moulin Fou offers outstanding, responsibly sourced French cuisine in an upscale but welcoming atmosphere that will make you feel like you're in the heart of Paris. You can choose your own lobster from the tank, have a cocktail on the terrace while listening to live music, or enjoy a quiet, refined atmosphere in the climate-controlled dining room.
Whatever your style of romantic dining might be, Le Moulin Fou can offer it. Don't forget to sample a vintage from their incredible, carefully cultivated wine list. The wine manager is pleased to talk with you about the wines and tell stories about his own adventures. The restaurant is located in the heart of the island in the French St. Martin region.
Location: Maho Plaza, Thames Rd, Sint Maarten
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 5.30 pm to 11 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 721-545-5777
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Topper’s Rhum Distillery
Taste all the flavors of the Caribbean's famed spirit
- Couples
- History
- Nightlife
Topper's Rhum Distillery offers you the chance to taste a wide range of styles of the Caribbean's unofficial spirit while learning all about how it's made. Rum is at the heart and soul of Caribbean history, and Topper's is one of the more famous distilleries around, producing award-winning rum in many different flavors.
At the end of the tour, you'll get samples of every flavor of rum the distillery currently has, and it's all you can drink at a very affordable price. You'll see the daily working life of locals and get a greater connection to Caribbean history and culture. It's located near the southern coast of the Sint Maarten region.
Location: 60 Welfare Rd, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten
Open: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 721-520-0008
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