A week to see it all
St. Maarten in 7 Days
A week is the perfect length for St. Maarten: the planes of Maho, Orient Bay and Green Cay, Pinel Island and the Pic Paradis forest, Marigot and Grand Case, a day on a nearby island, the Dutch side and, to finish, the beaches of Terres Basses.
- Length
- Seven days
- Getting around
- Rental car, ferry on day five
- Best for
- A complete first trip, couples, families
- Pace
- An active morning, a beach afternoon
Updated October 2026
The route
- Day 1 Maho and Mullet Bay Maho Beach · Mullet Bay · Dinner in Maho Village
- Day 2 Orient Bay and Green Cay Green Cay by kayak · Orient Bay · Orient Bay village
- Day 3 Pinel and Pic Paradis Pinel Island · Loterie Farm · A drink in Cul-de-Sac
- Day 4 Marigot and Grand Case The market and Fort Louis · Friar’s Bay · Dinner in Grand Case
- Day 5 A nearby island Anguilla or St. Barths
- Day 6 The Dutch side Rainforest Adventures · Philipsburg · Little Bay · Simpson Bay
- Day 7 Terres Basses Baie Longue · Baie Rouge · One last sunset in Grand Case
Day 1
Maho and Mullet Bay
An easy start, close to the airport.
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Afternoon
Maho Beach
Planes pass right over the beach before landing: the island’s classic sight.
Maho Beach
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Late afternoon
Mullet Bay
The quieter beach next door, for a first swim at sunset.
Mullet Bay Beach
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Evening
Dinner in Maho Village
Steakhouses, Italian and bars around the casino, steps away.
Day 2
Orient Bay and Green Cay
The big French-side beach, and an islet to paddle to.
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Morning
Green Cay by kayak
Facing the beach, an islet you reach by kayak or paddleboard from the south end of Orient Bay.
Green Cay (Caye Verte)
Reserve islet · Kayak / Paddle Read more
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Afternoon
Orient Bay
Loungers, swimming and beach clubs on the island’s big beach.
Orient Bay Beach
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Evening
Orient Bay village
Dinner on the village square, a short walk from the beach.
La Favela
Creole and Latin-Caribbean food, tapas, grilled dishes and cocktails Read more
Day 3
Pinel and Pic Paradis
The islet in the morning, the forest in the afternoon.
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Morning
Pinel Island
By shuttle boat or kayak from Cul-de-Sac, for calm water and lunch with your toes in the sand.
Pinel Island Beach
Nature Reserve · Snorkeling Read more
By kayak: Caribbean Paddling
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Afternoon
Loterie Farm
At the foot of Pic Paradis, the island’s highest point: forest trails, a pool and a jungle restaurant.
Loterie Farm
Jungle restaurant, lunch & pool lounge Read more
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Evening
A drink in Cul-de-Sac
A rum bar facing the bay, for a quiet end to the day.
Oualichi Rhum
Rum bar, brasero & sharing plates Read more
Day 4
Marigot and Grand Case
The French capital, a west-side beach and the food village.
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Morning
The market and Fort Louis
The waterfront market (big market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings), then the view from Fort Louis.
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Afternoon
Friar’s Bay
A sheltered beach with calm water, between Marigot and Grand Case.
Friar’s Bay Beach
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Evening
Dinner in Grand Case
The boulevard and its fine restaurants, or a lolo for a simple, generous dinner.
Lolo’s Ribs Shack
Creole Lolo, Ribs, Grill & Seafood Read more
Day 5
A nearby island
A day somewhere else, by ferry: Anguilla for its beaches, or St. Barths for Gustavia.
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All day
Anguilla or St. Barths
The public ferry leaves the Marigot ferry terminal for Anguilla (20 to 25 minutes), and Voyager for St. Barths (45 minutes to 1 hour). Bring your passport.
Day 6
The Dutch side
Thrills, town and snorkeling.
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Morning
Rainforest Adventures
Chairlift, the Flying Dutchman zip line and views of the nearby islands, from Sentry Hill.
Rainforest Adventures St Maarten
Adventure Park Read more
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Midday
Philipsburg
The Boardwalk, Great Bay Beach and the duty-free shops of Front Street.
Philipsburg Beach (Great Bay)
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Afternoon
Little Bay
Snorkeling over the underwater sculptures, in a sheltered bay.
Under SXM
Guided snorkeling Read more
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Evening
Simpson Bay
Lagoon-side restaurants and bars that stay open late.
Day 7
Terres Basses
One last, quiet beach day.
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Morning
Baie Longue
One of the island’s longest beaches, lined with villas.
Long Beach (Baie Longue)
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Afternoon
Baie Rouge
Pink-tinged sand, clear water and views of Anguilla.
Baie Rouge Beach
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Evening
One last sunset in Grand Case
Toes in the sand, on the village beach.
Korner SXM
Beach bar bistro, French and Caribbean fusion Read more
Make it yours
A day at sea
Swap day three for a catamaran trip in the nature reserve, with stops at Tintamarre, Pinel and Creole Rock: see Scoobi Charters.
Rough sea in the east
In strong wind, Orient Bay can be choppy: choose Anse Marcel instead, which is well sheltered.
With kids
Keep Green Cay, Pinel and Loterie Farm, and spend an afternoon at Anse Marcel. See St. Maarten with kids.
Our tips
- Book the ferry and boat trips ahead in high season, from December to April.
- Bring your passport for Anguilla, and for St. Barths unless you are an EU citizen with a national ID card.
- Make day four a Wednesday or Saturday for the big Marigot market.
- Keep a spare day: weather, a rough sea or a lazy mood can change the plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is a week in St. Maarten too long?
No: it is the perfect length to see both sides of the island, its best beaches and a nearby island, without rushing.
Where should I stay for a week?
One base is enough, the island is small. Orient Bay or Grand Case on the French side, or Simpson Bay on the Dutch side, are the most convenient. See where to stay.
Which nearby island is best for a day trip?
Anguilla for its beaches, 20 to 25 minutes by ferry, or St. Barths for Gustavia, 45 minutes to 1 hour away. See nearby islands.
Do I need a car for the whole week?
It is the easiest option: the itinerary goes to beaches and sights the buses don’t reach. See car rentals.