About the island
One island, two nations
St. Martin (the French side) and Sint Maarten (the Dutch side) share an island of thirty-seven square miles in the northern Lesser Antilles. The division dates to a 1648 treaty between France and the Netherlands and has been preserved, with minor adjustments, ever since. The two halves operate as separate jurisdictions, with no formal border control — most guests cross between them several times a day without noticing.
The French side runs the larger northern half, with the small fishing town of Marigot as its capital. The atmosphere is unmistakably French — boulangeries, market stalls, the cuisine of Grand Case (known locally as the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean), and a quieter, less developed coastline. The Dutch side, anchored by Philipsburg, is busier, more commercial, and home to the international airport.
For villa stays, the prime addresses are on the French side — particularly Terres Basses (“the Lowlands”) on the western peninsula, an exclusive residential area with private beaches at Baie Longue, Baie aux Prunes, and Plum Bay. The northern coast around Anse Marcel offers something quieter still. Hurricane Irma made a direct strike in September 2017; rebuilding has been comprehensive, and the island that has emerged is in many respects better than the one that came before.
“St. Martin’s defining quality is the unusual combination of French restraint, Caribbean climate, and unmatched international connectivity — there is genuinely nowhere else like it in the region.”
Capitol
Currency
Language
Time zone
When to go
St. Martin enjoys a stable tropical climate that is comfortable throughout the year. December through April is the high season — drier, breezier, and busier. May and November are good shoulder months. The summer brings more heat and the chance of a passing tropical system; the island sits in the heart of the hurricane belt and Irma’s 2017 strike remains the recent benchmark. September is the peak risk month.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak season
Shoulder
Green Season
Getting there
Princess Juliana International (SXM), on the Dutch side, is one of the principal aviation hubs of the Eastern Caribbean — with direct flights from the US, Canada, France, and seasonal service from the UK. SXM is also the gateway airport for St. Barth, Anguilla, and Saba; many guests transit through on the way to other islands.
Things to do
St. Martin offers an unusually wide range for an island its size — French gastronomy, quiet beaches, lively day-sail destinations, and the convenience of two cultures within a half-hour drive of each other.
Baie Longue and Baie aux Prunes on the western peninsula are the most discreet on the island — long, quiet, and private. Plum Bay, Friar’s Bay, and Happy Bay reward a short walk. Orient Bay on the eastern coast is busier and livelier; Cupecoy on the Dutch side is for an afternoon, not a week.
Grand Case, a small fishing village on the French coast, holds an unusual concentration of fine restaurants for a place its size. La Villa, L’Auberge Gourmande, Le Pressoir, and Le Tastevin are the established names. The Tuesday-night Mardi de Grand Case street market in season is part of the rhythm.
The Marigot Saturday market, held on the harbour front, is the place to buy spices, produce, and finished pieces from local makers. The covered area near Fort Louis is open daily and worth a slow morning.
St. Martin is the principal yacht-chartering hub of the Eastern Caribbean. Day sails to Anguilla and the offshore cays, week-long crewed charters down through St. Kitts and Nevis, and bareboats from the lagoon at Simpson Bay are all easily arranged.
The Réserve Naturelle Marine on the eastern coast protects the reefs around Tintamarre and Pinel Island. Both are excellent snorkelling and reasonable diving. Several wreck dives offshore complement the reef sites.
Pinel, just off the eastern coast, is reached by a five-minute water-taxi from Cul-de-Sac. The beach café and the quiet snorkelling on the windward side make a relaxed half-day.
The trail across Pic Paradis — the island’s highest point at 424 metres — gives the best overview of the island, with views to Anguilla, St. Barth, and Saba on a clear day. The walk from Loterie Farm is the standard approach.
The 25-minute ferry from Marigot to Anguilla makes a Sandy Island lunch or an afternoon at Shoal Bay East perfectly feasible from a St. Martin base.
Our St. Martin portfolio is concentrated on the French side — Terres Basses (the western peninsula), Anse Marcel on the north coast, and a small number of properties near Grand Case. Each villa has been visited and assessed by our team. We know which Terres Basses villas have direct beach access, which sit on the right side of the prevailing wind, and which work for larger groups.
Terres Basses . St. Martin
Sol e Luna
6 Guests
3 Beds
Parking
Private Garden
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Air-Conditioning
WI-FI
HD Smart TV
From
$ 572 / night
Anse Marcel . St. Martin
Privilège
14 Guests
6 Beds
HD Smart TV
Fully Equipped Kitchen
WI-FI
Air-Conditioning
Parking
Beach Access
From
$ 1714 / night
Grand Case . St. Martin
Petit Plage 5
12 Guests
6 Beds
Fully Equipped Kitchen
HD Smart TV
Air-Conditioning
Private Garden
WI-FI
Beach Access
From
$ 4914 / night
Practical information
Entry requirements
UK, US, EU, and Canadian passport holders. Valid passport required. EU entry rules apply.
Currency
The Euro is official on the French side; USD accepted everywhere on the island.
Climate
26–30°C year-round. Sits within the main hurricane belt; September is peak risk.
Electricity
French plugs (Type C/E) on the French side; mixed on the Dutch side.
Driving
French and Dutch convention. EU and US licences accepted.
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time. No daylight saving observed.
Connectivity
4G/LTE island-wide. All Simply Islands villas have fibre WiFi.
Healthcare
Hôpital Louis-Constant Fleming on the French side and St. Maarten Medical Center on the Dutch side handle routine care. Serious cases transfer to Guadeloupe, Miami, or Puerto Rico.
A note from our team
St. Martin is a more varied island than its size suggests. The Terres Basses villas are quiet, private, and beach-front; the north coast at Anse Marcel is quieter still; Grand Case is for those wanting the restaurants within walking distance. We know the differences between the pockets of the island and which work for which kind of stay. Call us if you would like guidance.
