⚠️ Entry rules and local regulations change without notice. Before booking, check entry requirements and local rules — visas, access, nature reserves, visitor quotas — with the official authorities.
Saint-Martin is a one-of-a-kind island: split between France in the north (53 km²) and the Netherlands in the south (Sint Maarten), it is one of the world's smallest landmasses governed by two nations. The French side, more nature-focused and gastronomic, revolves around its capital Marigot and the magnificent Orient Bay beach. The Dutch side, livelier, is home to Philipsburg and the famous Maho Beach, where planes pass just metres above bathers on their approach to Princess Juliana Airport — a sight unlike anywhere else in the world.
One island, two countries, no border post
Saint-Martin is the smallest inhabited landmass in the world divided between two sovereign states. The Treaty of Concordia split it in 1648: 53 km² French in the north, 34 km² Dutch in the south. Nearly four centuries later there is still no border control — you cross from Marigot to Philipsburg past a modest roadside marker and nothing else.
The two halves feel genuinely different. The French side runs on euros, French administration and a restaurant culture that has earned the island its reputation as the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean, concentrated in Grand-Case. The Dutch side, Sint Maarten, runs on dollars, casinos, duty-free malls and the cruise terminal at Philipsburg.
Maho Beach sits directly under the approach path to Princess Juliana airport, where wide-body jets pass a few metres overhead. It is the island's most photographed spot and also its most dangerous: people have been killed by jet blast standing behind the runway fence. Watch from the beach, not from the fence.
December to April
The dry season from December to April brings 27–29 °C, low humidity and calm seas — high season, high prices. May, June and November are the good compromise. September and October are the hurricane peak, and the island has reason to take it seriously: Irma, a category 5, passed directly over Saint-Martin in September 2017 and destroyed most of the built environment. The reconstruction is largely done, but it shaped what the island looks like today.
Two systems, one hire car
Most visitors land at Princess Juliana (SXM) on the Dutch side, which takes the long-haul flights; Grand-Case (SFG) on the French side handles regional hops. ⚠️ Note the asymmetry: entering via the Dutch side means clearing Sint Maarten immigration, which has its own rules — French and EU nationals need a passport there, even though a national identity card suffices for the French side. Take the passport.
A hire car is the sensible choice and crosses freely between the two sides; check with the rental company that the insurance covers both. Prices, taxes and even electrical sockets differ across the line — the French side uses 220 V European plugs, the Dutch side 110 V American ones. Bring an adapter for whichever half you are not staying in. Grand-Case for dinner, Orient Bay for the day, Pinel Island for the short boat ride.
Essentials & your questions
| Capital | Marigot |
|---|---|
| Area | 53 km² |
| Language | French |
| Currency | Euro |
| Visa | French ID card |
| Best time to visit | December – April |
When is the best time to visit Saint-Martin?
The best time to visit is December – April. The weather is ideal for outdoor activities.
Do I need a visa to visit Saint-Martin?
French ID card sufficient. Always check current entry requirements before travelling.
How do I get to Saint-Martin?
Check the air and sea connections from your departure point — see the On the ground section above.
What are the highlights of Saint-Martin?
Franco-Dutch island, Orient Bay and Maho Beach. Saint-Martin is a one-of-a-kind island: split between France in the north (53 km²) and the Netherlands in the south (Sint Maarten), it is one of the world's smallest landmasses governed by two nations.