The Island
Discover The Island
Saint-Martin has something for everyone. Whether you’re here for the swimming, sunbathing, sports, gourmet restaurants, nice shopping excursion, amazing water activities, an active night life or simply to relax, there’s room for everyone to find their own little corner of paradise.
The waters off the beaches of St. Martin are clear and warm and perfect for exploring the local marine life with a snorkel and mask. Watersports are by no means the only activities available on the island, but they are by far the most numerous.
SAINT MARTIN/SINT MAARTEN
The island is divided into two geographical zones: the southern part (Sint Maarten) granted to the Netherlands and the northern part given to France (Saint Martin). Never have two neighbouring countries lived in greater harmony.
Were it not for the “welcome” signs as you cross the border there are no obvious indications that you are entering another country, except for a few features that are special to each side.
GEOGRAPHY
The island of St. Martin sits at the heart of the Antilles Archipelago in the Northern Hemisphere, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator.
Saint Martin faces out towards the Atlantic on its eastern side and is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea on the west coast. With a total surface area of 88km², the island is 15km long and 13km wide at its longest and widest points. The island of St. Martin occupies a central position midway between Puerto Rico and Guadeloupe at the heart of the Caribbean Sea, and is the closest part of France to US shores.
St. Martin is a three-and-a-half-hour flight from New York, a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Miami (Florida), an hour and a half away from Caracas (Venezuela), and 45 minutes from the islands of Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico. The island lies at around 7,000km and eight flight hours from Europe. Neighbouring islands include Anguilla, St Barts, Saba, Statia, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
CLIMATE
Situated in the centre of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, Saint Martin/Sint Maarten enjoys a tropical climate, tempered by constant trade winds.
The average annual temperature is 80.6°F, peaking at around 89.6°F.
LANGUAGES
French and Dutch are the 2 official island languages, English is the first language for St Martiner’s ; Creole ,Spanish and Papiamento are also widely used by more than a 100 different nationalities who share the Friendly Island.
FORMALITIES / CURRENCY
A valid passport and a return ticket are required, No vaccinations are necessary.
The official currencies are Euros for the French side, and NAF for the Dutch side, Euros and $US dollars are accepted throughout the island as, are most major credit cards.
A visa can be required for non EU-US and Canadian travelers.