St Martin

Saint Martin Carnival is one of the island's cultural highlights, where locals and tourists get together in the streets to sing, dance, make music, throw confetti and have a good time watching the lively parade. Both Marigot and Philipsburg are decorated in colourful feathers and glitter for the whole carnival month. On the French side, the carnival takes place in February and until early March. On the Dutch side, the carnival is celebrated from mid-April until early May.

Swim with turtles, lionfish, lizardfish and other colourful sea creatures. You will be provided with top notch diving equipment; professional underwater cameras can be rented in order to capture this unique experience.

The capital of Sint Maarten is the central point for shopping and the local cultural scene. Tucked in the southeastern part of the island between Great Bay and Great Salt Pond, the city has been a major commercial hub for the island since the 17th century.

The capital of Saint-Martin has rows of patisseries and smart bistros that sit side by side with luxury fashion houses and colonial architecture. Take a stroll on Rue de la République with its 19th-century traditional facades and visit one of the many historical buildings like Marigot Church, the Old Prison or Durat Bridge.

The town of Grand Case has gained the status of St Martin's gourmet capital. A number of world-class restaurants are located in traditional huts and the village is home to the last remaining wattle houses. In January, a Caribbean jazz festival with bands and orchestras takes place.

The only place in the world where you can directly cross the border between Holland and France! Back in 1648, the French and Dutch signed a contract dividing the island into two parts. Since then, the two sides have lived in peace and harmony. Apart from the language, the only indicator of the border is a border obelisk marking 300 years of peaceful coexistence by the two nations.

A true oasis of fauna and flora, the triangle-shaped Reserve covers over 3000 hectares of sea and land including the islands off the east coast: Pinel Island, Petite Clef, Green Cay and Tintamarre. With its rocky coasts, cliffs and beaches, the reserve is home to a host of different species like seabirds, iguanas, sea turtles, and dolphins.

Located between Great Bay and Little Bay in the southern part of the island, Fort Amsterdam dates back nearly four centuries. It was constructed by Dutch settlers who claimed the island in 1631 and utilized shortly thereafter in battle with Spanish occupiers. There isn't much left of the fort itself, but the surrounding nature is spectacular. Wear comfortable shoes and look out for iguanas.