St. Maarten with Kids

1. The essentials in 30 seconds

• Water and weather. Sea temperatures between 79 and 84 °F all year and trade winds that keep things cool. December to April is the driest period.
• Calmest beaches. Le Galion, Friar’s Bay, Anse Marcel and Pinel Island on the French side; Little Bay and Great Bay (Philipsburg) on the Dutch side.
• Lifeguards. Most beaches have no lifeguard: an adult should stay in the water with the children.
• Car. A rental car makes family life much easier. Book child seats at the same time.
• Documents. Each child needs an ID or passport, depending on the arrival airport, and must be included on the Sint Maarten ED Card (entry requirements).
• When to go. December to April: drier, but more expensive. May and June: a good compromise. September to November: hurricane season.

2. When to go with children

Month-by-month temperatures, rain and sea temperature are in our weather guide.

• December to April: The driest. The driest and most pleasant period, but also the most expensive and the busiest: book accommodation and cars early.
• May and June: The good compromise. Fewer people and lower prices.
• September to November: Hurricane season. The heart of the hurricane season (June 1 to November 30): more rain and more uncertainty. Choose insurance that covers weather-related cancellations and keep your plans flexible.

And what about sargassum?

Some years, sargassum seaweed washes up on the east coast (Galion, Orient Bay), often more in spring and summer. Météo-France publishes a forecast bulletin (see "Safety"). The island is small, so you can always switch to a west-coast beach.

3. Ideas for every age

Age rules change from one season to the next: always ask the operator before you book.

0–3 yrs : Babies and toddlers

Short days, in the shade during the hot hours, with a fixed base: a sheltered beach or the hotel pool.

• Le Galion, nicknamed "Baby Beach": a shallow lagoon protected by a reef, with coconut palms for shade.
• In Philipsburg, the boardwalk is traffic-free and works well with a stroller. The Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau also names Pelican and Simpson Bay, Orient Bay and Grand Case.
• Bring an umbrella or UV tent, water and snacks: several calm beaches have few facilities.
• On soft sand, a baby carrier or an all-terrain stroller beats a city stroller.

4–8 yrs : Children aged 4 to 8

The perfect age for splashing around, hunting for shells and trying a mask and snorkel in the calm water of Pinel Island or Little Bay.

• Loterie Farm: the Jungle Kids Adventure Park, a play area just for children, with its own pool.
• Seaside Nature Park (Cay Bay, Dutch side): farm life and horseback rides from age 6.
• Rainforest Adventures: the Sky Explorer chairlift accepts children from age 3, with an adult.
• Kids clubs: ages 3 to 12 at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, a JW Kids’ Club at JW Marriott St. Maarten.
• Free: Amuseum Naturalis, an open-air museum in Quartier d’Orléans (self-guided, daytime). Parotte Ville, a bird park at Belvedere (near Philipsburg), offers a guided visit with bird feeding.

9–12 yrs : Preteens

Adventure starts here: ziplines, kayaking and guided snorkeling.

• Rainforest Adventures: from age 9, the Sentry Hill ziplines can be added to the chairlift, subject to height and weight minimums. The Flying Dutchman, the steepest zipline in the world, is not open to children.
• Caribbean Paddling: tandem kayak rental to Pinel, children stay with an adult (swimming ability is required).
• Under SXM: guided snorkeling to the underwater sculpture park at Little Bay (you must be comfortable in the water).
• Catamarans (Scoobi Charters, Random Wind Charters): a day of swimming with a children’s rate.

13+ yrs : Teens

Thrills, sea and planes: enough to pull them away from their screens.

• Jet skis with Jet Paradise; a boat you drive yourself with Rhino Safari (the minimum age for children is on the listing).
• A hike toward Pic Paradis: see our hiking and viewpoints guide.
• Plane watching at Maho from a safe spot, such as the terrace of Tortuga Maho.
• Escape rooms on the Philipsburg boardwalk and, if height and weight allow, the Rainforest Adventures ziplines.
• Sonesta Maho Beach Resort has a Teen Zone for ages 13 and up.

4. The best beaches for kids

All beaches on the island are open to the public. With children, here is what really matters: calm, shallow water, a little shade and easy parking.

The safe bets

• Le Galion (French side). Shallow lagoon protected by a coral barrier, ideal for teaching toddlers to swim. Few facilities, coconut palms for shade. Surf and windsurf spot farther out. Good to know : bring water and snacks; one of the beaches most affected by sargassum (east coast).
• Friar’s Bay (French side). A cove well protected from swell: children love to paddle here. Two restaurants with their feet in the sand and a sailing club. Good to know : busy on weekends; dirt parking lot, road sometimes bumpy.
• Anse Marcel (French side). A bay sheltered from the wind, the sea is often as calm as a lake. Hotels and restaurants (loungers and umbrellas to rent), watersports club with kayaks and paddleboards. Good to know : steep, winding access road.
• Pinel Island (French side). Very calm and shallow, perfect for mask and snorkel. Two restaurants, loungers, shower, restrooms, snorkeling gear rental. Good to know : boat shuttle from Cul-de-Sac (large parking lot at the departure point). On the trail to the other side: no shade and swimming is not recommended, see the wild beach.
• Grand Case (French side). Bay protected from swell, calm sea, beautiful sunsets. Restaurants, lolos, loungers. Farther north, Petite Plage is quieter. Good to know : no lifeguard; temporary swimming bans are possible (see "Safety").
• Little Bay (Dutch side). One of the most sheltered beaches on the island: a protected bay where the bottom slopes gently. Loungers and umbrellas to rent, beach bars, snorkeling with Under SXM, Fort Amsterdam close by. Good to know : public access on foot: park before the Divi Little Bay guardhouse (small free parking lot) and walk through the hotel.
• Great Bay, Philipsburg (Dutch side). Generally calm, in front of a traffic-free boardwalk. Restaurants, public restrooms, a playground at the east end (Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau), Walter Plantz Square and its fountains. Good to know : crowded on cruise ship days, especially on the east side: check the arrivals calendar. Paid street parking.
• Kim Sha and Pelican Key (Dutch side). Generally sheltered water, between Simpson Bay and Pelican; reachable on foot from several resort residences. Bars, restaurants, loungers. See also Pelican Key. Good to know : beaches are not supervised and there are many boats and water activities: keep children close to the shore.
• Mullet Bay (Dutch side). A pretty bay, generally calm, near Maho. Beach bars, loungers, umbrellas. Good to know : be careful near the rocks; free parking.

Livelier : Orient Bay (La Baie Orientale)

The island’s lively beach: restaurants, watersports clubs, loungers and about 1.2 miles (2 km) of sand. The sea is sometimes rough, with possible currents, and the south end is clothing-optional. Better for children who swim well, with an adult in the water.

Avoid with young children

• Baie Rouge: powerful shore break, steep slope.
• The Atlantic coast, such as Dawn Beach or Guana Bay: swell and currents.
• Cupecoy: cliffs and stairs.
• Maho Beach: you go for the planes, not for toddlers to swim.

All the beaches of the island

5. Nature, adventure and the sea

From a bird park to a catamaran: here is how to fill the days, with the age rules to know.

Nature and animals

Loterie Farm, the kids’ jungle. At the foot of Pic Paradis, the Jungle Kids Adventure Park welcomes children with a per-child rate and free entry for the parent (one parent for two children at most).

• Open only on certain days in the low season (September to November); closed on the last Saturday of the month for the Jungle Pool Party.
• The big "Jungle Pool" only accepts children Monday to Friday, accompanied.
• The Fly Zone zipline course is announced as closed on the Loterie Farm website.
• At the restaurant, a children’s menu up to age 12 according to its website.

See the Loterie Farm listing

• Parotte Ville (Belvedere, near Philipsburg) : Bird park (Dutch side): guided visit with bird feeding.
• Seaside Nature Park (new tab) (Cay Bay, Dutch side) : Farm life, trails and horseback rides (from age 6, with a weight limit).
• Amuseum Naturalis (new tab) (Quartier d’Orléans · free) : Open-air nature and heritage museum, botanic walk and viewpoints. Opening times on its website.
• Curiosities in Philipsburg (Boardwalk and downtown) : According to the Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau: the Rusty Parrot pirate show, escape rooms and the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit of Star Wars items.

Adventure and boat trips

• Rainforest Adventures St Maarten (Rockland Estate, Cul de Sac, Sint Maarten, From $159). Sky Explorer from age 3 with an adult (able to sit on their own). Sentry Hill ziplines from age 9, with height and weight minimums; Flying Dutchman not open to children. Closed-toe shoes required, park opens midday: check hours and conditions before booking.
• Scoobi Charters (Anse Marcel / Grand Case, Saint Martin, From €145). Catamaran trip from Anse Marcel or Grand Case: swimming, a meal and relaxing, with a children’s rate.
• Random Wind Charters (Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, From $145). Catamaran from Simpson Bay: swimming, a meal and relaxing, with a children’s rate.
• Lambada Sunset Sail (Simpson Bay Resort Marina, Sint Maarten, From $45). An end-of-day sail at sunset.
• Caribbean Paddling (Pinel Island pier, Cul-de-Sac, Saint Martin, From $79). Tandem kayaks at Cul-de-Sac, facing Pinel. Children with an adult: swimming ability required.
• Under SXM (Little Bay, Sint Maarten, From $49). Guided snorkeling to the underwater sculpture park at Little Bay: you must be comfortable in the water.
• Jet Paradise (Marina Royale, Marigot, Saint Martin, From $236). Jet skis in Marigot, for the sportiest (teens).
• Rhino Safari (Simpson Bay / Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, From $149). A boat you drive yourself: the minimum age for children is on the listing.

All activities

6. If it rains, or for a rest day

Tropical showers are usually short and intense. Keep two or three fallback options in mind.

• In Philipsburg. The Rusty Parrot show, escape rooms on the boardwalk and the Yoda Guy exhibit.
• At Rainforest Adventures. The Emilio Wilson Museum.
• At the hotel. The kids club of some hotels.
• A relaxed brunch. For example at Réveil Matin SXM or Baratié SXM.

7. Where to eat with kids

You often eat with your feet in the sand: the children play while you wait for the food. According to the Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau, most restaurants offer a children’s menu. Here are the places we have tagged "Kids Friendly".

• Orient Bay : Waï Plage · Bikini Beach · Rancho Del Sol (Tex-Mex and grills)
• Grand Case : Captain Frenchy (beach restaurant) · La Cantine SXM (brunch and coffee)
• Simpson Bay : Babacool · Buccaneer Beach Bar (playground according to the Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau) · Pineapple Pete & Wasabi Charlie (fish and seafood) · Réveil Matin SXM (brunch)
• Maho and Cupecoy : Sandbar SXM · Kalatua
• Marigot and Pelican Key : Baratié SXM (brunch) · The Palms
• Pic Paradis : Loterie Farm, children’s menu up to age 12 according to its website

Lolos and toes in the sand

The lolos of Grand Case, open-air grills, are simple, friendly and very local. The tourist office lists pork ribs, crab and rice and salt cod fritters among the island’s dishes.

• With the heat, have lunch and dinner early: children tire quickly at the end of the day.

All the places: our restaurant list

8. Where to stay as a family

Our where-to-stay guide covers each area in detail.

• Orient Bay. Suits independent children well.
• Anse Marcel. A calmer sea.
• Simpson Bay and Maho. Home to the resorts with services.
• Terres Basses. Villas for large families, with a car.

Resorts with services (Dutch side)

• Sonesta Maho Beach Resort (Maho). Kids club for ages 3 to 12, Teen Zone from age 13, a very shallow pool with small slides for the youngest (Aqua Park), according to the resort’s website.
• JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa (Dawn Beach). JW Kids’ Club. East coast: the sea is more exposed to swell, so swimming depends on conditions.
• Divi Little Bay Beach Resort (Little Bay). Sheltered beach, weekly entertainment and an optional all-inclusive plan; the beach has no lifeguard.
• Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa (Pelican). An area the Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau mentions for its family-friendly residences that are easy to explore with a stroller.

French side: tagged "families" on our site

• Grand Case Beach Club (Petite Plage). Seafront boutique resort, two beaches.
• Orient Beach Hotel (Orient Bay). Beachfront boutique hotel, with a pool.
• La Playa Orient Bay (Orient Bay). 4-star hotel right on the sand, pool.
• Hommage Hôtel & Résidences (Nettle Bay). 4-star hotel-residence, pool.

See all hotels

9. Planning your days

The sun is strong in the middle of the day. The rhythm that works best with children: beach or activity in the morning, an early lunch, a break in the shade or by the pool, then back to the beach or a stroll late in the afternoon.

East-coast lagoon day

1. Morning. Morning at Le Galion: calm water and shade.
2. Midday. Lunch at Orient Bay.
3. Afternoon. Visit Amuseum Naturalis in Quartier d’Orléans.

Pinel day

1. Morning. Park at Cul-de-Sac, take the boat shuttle to Pinel (a few minutes), swim and snorkel.
2. Midday. Lunch on the island.
3. Afternoon. Back before sunset to Grand Case for dinner at a lolo.

Philipsburg and Little Bay day

1. Morning. The Philipsburg boardwalk, with the stroller if needed.
2. Midday. Lunch in Philipsburg.
3. Afternoon. Little Bay: swimming and snorkeling with Under SXM.

10. Getting around with kids

Distances are short: a few minutes’ drive is often enough to switch beaches.

Car and child seats

• A rental car is the most practical: you leave and come back when you want, and the trunk doubles as a beach bag.
• Book child seats or boosters at the same time as the vehicle: rental companies generally provide them on request.
• On the Dutch side, a child seat is required for children under 4 (Government of Sint Maarten). In France, an appropriate child restraint is compulsory up to age 10.
• Whatever the rule, use a seat suited to the child’s age and weight. Roads are often narrow and winding: drive carefully.

Taxis, buses and strollers

• In a taxi, a child’s fare is the same as an adult’s and a baby seat counts as a place (see our taxi guide).
• Don’t count on a child seat being available: request it when you book or bring a lightweight booster.
• Shared minibuses can be crowded at rush hour, with few seats: in a group with children, prefer a taxi or a car (Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau).

11. Safety, health and sun

A few simple habits to keep a holiday a holiday.

• Sun and heat. The sun is strong all year. Hat, sunglasses, UV-protective clothing, high-SPF sunscreen reapplied regularly, plenty of water and shade between mid-morning and mid-afternoon. For a baby, ask your pediatrician for advice before leaving.
• Reef-safe sunscreen. The Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten asks visitors to avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone and to prefer mineral filters (zinc and titanium), as a lotion rather than a spray, applied at least 30 minutes before swimming. The Saint-Martin Nature Reserve also encourages non-toxic sunscreens.
• In the water. An adult stays in the water with the children. Bring suitable life jackets or armbands, and water shoes for sea urchins and rocks. Do not touch the small green fruits of manchineel trees and do not shelter under these trees when it rains: they are highly toxic (see our safety guide).
• Sargassum and water quality. Sargassum strandings mostly affect the east coast. Météo-France publishes a forecast bulletin for Saint-Martin (in French); as it decomposes, the seaweed gives off a strong smell, so avoid staying near large piles with children. When the pond outlets are open, swimming can be temporarily banned at Grand Case and Galisbay: this was the case from February 23 to March 6, 2026, pending ARS checks. Ask your accommodation or the Collectivité before swimming.
• Mosquitoes and health. Dengue circulates regularly in the Caribbean: use repellent and cover up at the end of the day, and see a doctor if there is a fever. Check that your insurance covers medical costs abroad. Hospitals and on-call pharmacies: health and pharmacies.

12. Where to spend, where to save

We do not publish a price grid: prices change often, so check them on each operator’s website. The "from" prices on the listings are indicative. A few pointers:

• Free. Beach access, Amuseum Naturalis, the Philipsburg boardwalk and most walks.
• Parking. Free at most beaches, paid on the streets of Philipsburg and near Maho Beach (free if you spend at certain bars, see the Maho Beach listing).
• Excursions. Most operators have a children’s rate, sometimes free for toddlers, with age and accompaniment conditions. Compare before booking.
• Loterie Farm. The Jungle Kids Adventure Park listed €20 per child, parents free, on the Loterie Farm website in October 2026.
• Meals. An all-inclusive resort, such as Sonesta Maho or, as an option, Divi Little Bay, can simplify the budget for a large family.
• Currency. US dollars and euros accepted everywhere on the island (see currency and payments).

13. What to put in the suitcase

Good news: you can find the essentials on the island. Here is what we would pack, based on the advice of the Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau.

In the suitcase

• A passport for everyone: the Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau says it is required to arrive on the Dutch side, at Princess Juliana airport (see entry requirements).
• A plug adapter: 220 V with European sockets on the French side, 110 V with American sockets on the Dutch side. An adapter is enough to charge phones on both sides.
• A hat, sunglasses, a light long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen: the tourist bureau recommends them, and most supermarkets and pharmacies on the island sell them.
• A water bottle. Tap water is safe to drink, but the tourist bureau recommends bottled water: the island has no freshwater source, so tap water comes from the desalination plant.
• Mosquito repellent: hotels, bars and restaurants often provide it for free, and every supermarket sells it.
• Some cash and a bank card: US dollars are accepted almost everywhere on both sides, most places take cards (not always American Express), and ATMs work 24 hours a day (see money and payments).

Our tips from the field

• Fill in the Sint Maarten ED Card before you leave: the tourist bureau strongly recommends it and says it speeds up your arrival.
• On the French side, many shops close from noon to about 2 p.m., and most are closed on Sundays unless a cruise ship is in port. Do your shopping in the morning.
• Tips are often already included in the bill on the French side; elsewhere, plan on 10 to 20 percent for good service.
• On the Dutch side, petrol stations mostly accept cash only: keep a little cash for filling up.
• Do not leave bags or valuables in the car or on the beach; the hotel safe is there for that.

14. Frequently asked questions

Read next

• Where to stay in St. Maarten
• Car rental
• Weather and best time to visit
• Safety tips
• Health and pharmacies
• Entry requirements
• Things to do in St. Maarten
• First trip tips

Ready to pick your beach? All the beaches of the island, with access, parking and tips for each one. All beaches · See all hotels