Saint Martin

Key facts

• Region: The Caribbean
• Sovereignty: Non-sovereign territory administered by France
• Capital: Marigot
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Languages: French (official); English is widely spoken
• Main airport: SFG — Grand Case-Espérance Airport on the French side
• Best time to visit: December to April, the dry season; the hurricane season runs June to November

Overview

Saint Martin is a French overseas collectivity occupying the northern part of a small Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles. The island is split between the French collectivity of Saint-Martin in the north and the Dutch constituent country of Sint Maarten in the south, and there is no controlled border between the two. The French side is part of France and the European Union and uses the euro, while the Dutch side uses the Netherlands Antillean guilder and, widely, the US dollar. This makes the island an unusual case where two currencies and two administrations sit on one landmass.

Airports

The island's main gateway is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), which is located on the Dutch side at Simpson Bay but serves travellers bound for both halves of the island. The French side has its own smaller field, Grand Case–Espérance Airport (SFG), near Grand Case, which mainly handles regional and charter flights to nearby islands. Because SXM lies in Sint Maarten, arriving passengers cross into the French side by road after landing. Ferries from neighbouring islands also call at Marigot and at the Dutch-side ports.

Main cities

Marigot is the capital of the French side and its main town, with a harbour, markets and a French-Creole character. Grand Case is a small waterfront village known for its restaurants and is the closest settlement to the French-side airport. Orient Bay is the main beach-resort area on the French east coast, while Quartier d'Orléans and Cul-de-Sac to the east and north are quieter residential and marina areas.

Places to go

Orient Bay Beach is the best-known beach on the French side, long and lined with beach bars, with a section traditionally used by naturists. Grand Case has a sheltered bay and a beach good for swimming, and Baie Rouge on the west coast is a curved cove popular for snorkelling. Îlet Pinel, just off Cul-de-Sac, is a small islet reached by ferry, and Pic Paradis is the island's highest point, with views across the island and the shared Simpson Bay Lagoon. The French side also has the historic Fort Louis above Marigot, overlooking the bay.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Saint Martin, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked