21 Best Sights in St. Martin and St. Maarten

This beautiful beach seems to have it all—champagne-color sand, an underwater marine reserve, a variety of water sports, and trendy beach clubs. Topless bathing is allowed along the whole stretch of it (there was once even a nudist resort on its southern end), so cameras are a no-no. To get here from Marigot, take the main road north past Grand Case, and watch for the left turn. There's parking and toilets.

Almost halfway up the road to Pic Paradis is a peaceful 150-acre private nature preserve, opened to the public in 1999 by American expat B. J. Welch. Marked trails (maps are available) traverse native forest with tamarind, gum, mango, and mahogany trees—the same as it was hundreds of years ago—and you'll probably see vervet monkeys. 

Also on-site are the Jungle Tree Adventure Park play area for kids, and the more adults-oriented Jungle Pool, a lovely tropical garden with a large pool and whirlpool-tub area, lounge chairs, chic tented cabanas, roaming iguanas, and music. Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner poolside or a tasty lunch featuring tapas and strong cocktails in the Jungle Room. On Sunday, a DJ spins tunes in a tree booth during the wild TreeJ party from 1 to 5 pm. If you're brave—and over 4 feet 5 inches tall—you can try soaring over the trees on zip line, including one that's among the longest in the Western Hemisphere.

Despite some "no nudity" signs at the neighboring Shore Pointe condos, this beach has been "clothing optional" for decades—but wait until you're on the beach itself before disrobing. Friendly Dany's Beach Bar near the stairs to the beach serves all kinds of drinks and snacks (sometimes including fresh Caribbean spiny lobster) to a clientele that hails from around the world. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available. Note that it's a steep walk down to parts of the beach, and the surf here can be rough.

A protected nature reserve, this kid-friendly island is a five-minute ferry ride from French Cul de Sac (about €12 per person round-trip). The ferry runs every half hour from midmorning until 4 pm. The water is clear and shallow, and the shore is sheltered. You can swim and snorkel (equipment rental is available) between both coasts of this pencil-shape speck in the ocean. The two restaurants, Karibuni and Yellow Beach, both offer great service, with cocktail tables in the water. Chairs and umbrellas can be rented for about €25 for two. The island can be busy on Sunday.

Despite its occasional use by snorkelers, divers, kayakers, and boating enthusiasts, Little Bay isn't usually crowded. It does boast panoramic views of neighboring islands St. Eustatius (Statia) and Saba, and arriving and departing cruise ships. As it's accessible via the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, most beachgoers are hotel guests.

Many believe that this mile-long, powdery-white-sand beach behind the Mullet Bay Golf Course is the island's best. Though the undertow can make swimming a challenge at times, there's a cove at the south end that's calm enough for kids, and it's a good spot for snorkeling. Listen for the "whispering pebbles" as the waves wash up. Beach bars serve lunch and cold drinks, and you can rent chairs and umbrellas.

This half-moon stretch of white sand on the island's Caribbean side is a gem, despite occasional noise from planes at the airport in the nearby Maho area. It's surrounded mostly by private residences, with no big resorts or crowds and few Jet Skiers, so it's just you, the sand, and the water. One funky beach bar, Karakter, at the northern end provides chairs and nourishment. To find the beach, follow the signs southeast of the airport to Mary's Boon and the Horny Toad guesthouses.

A must-see for movie buffs, especially Star Wars fans, this nonprofit museum is run by Nick Maley, a film-industry artist who was involved in the creation of Yoda and other iconic characters. You'll learn how he worked while enjoying displays of models and memorabilia, and Maley is often on-hand to answer questions and autograph souvenirs that are for sale.

Not many people know about this romantic, hidden, clothing-optional gem with powdery sand, good snorkeling, and stunning views of Anguilla. Access is via the rather rutted dead-end road to Baie des Péres (Friar's Bay), where, from the northernmost beach bar, it's an easy, 10- to 15-minute easy hike to this beach.

This skinny stripe of a beach borders the culinary village of Grand Case, where you can still see examples of old-style gingerbread architecture. The sea is usually quite calm, and there are tons of fun lunch options—from bistros to beachside grills (called lolos). Several restaurants rent chairs and umbrellas; some include their use for lunch patrons. The main street (aka Restaurant Row) has some of the island's best restaurants, as well as places to shop for beach necessities and fashions, as well as handicrafts.

This quiet, occasionally rocky cove close to Marigot has beach grills and bars with chaises and umbrellas, usually calm waters, and a lovely view of Anguilla. Open daily for lunch and (weather permitting) dinner, the chic 978 Beach Lounge has a cool, jazzy vibe. It's the best place to be during the full moon, with music, dancing, and a bonfire, but you can get lunch, beach chairs, and umbrellas anytime. Another option is Friar's Bay Beach Café, a French bistro on the sand that's open from breakfast to sunset. To reach the beach, take National Road 7 from Marigot, go toward Grand Case to the Morne Valois hill, and turn left on the dead-end road at the sign. Note the last 200 yards of road to the beach is dirt and quite bumpy.

Although it's a great place for a romantic walk and is home to the luxurious Belmond La Samanna hotel, this lengthy beach has no facilities, vendors, or shade of its own. It's also on the leeward, less breezy side of the island, and getting here isn't as easy as it once was—access is via the National Road 7 south of Marigot, and you must pass through the security checkpoint of the exclusive Terres Basses (French Lowlands) residential community.

This gorgeous beach and its salt ponds make up a nature preserve, and the area is widely thought to have the island's best snorkeling. You can swim the crystal waters along the point and explore a swim-through cave, but beware: the water can be rough. There's a sign and a right turn after you leave Baie Nettlé.

True to its name, this stretch of sand is a great place to be at sunrise, preferably with your camera. Located on the Atlantic side of Oyster Pond, just south of the French border, it's a first-class beach for sunning and snorkeling (at its northern end), but the winds and rough water mean only strong swimmers should attempt to take a dip. Locals often fish here in early mornings or evenings—as do brown pelicans. It's not usually crowded, and there are some good restaurants in the area. To find the beach, follow the signs to Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Big Fish Restaurant, or Coral Beach Club.

Though not much remains of this fort, which was completed by the French in 1789, the 92-step climb to it rewards you wonderful views of the island and neighboring Anguilla. You can also get here by bike. On Wednesday and Saturday, there's a produce and fish market in the square at the bottom.

This bustling white-sand beach curves around Philipsburg just behind Front Street. Here you'll find boutiques, eateries, and a pleasant boardwalk, as well as places to rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Often busy with cruise-ship passengers, the beach is best west of Captain Hodge Pier or around Antoine Restaurant.

A coral reef borders this quiet, naturally protected beach 4 km (3 miles) northeast of Orléans and part of the French side's nature reserve. The water is calm, clear, and quite shallow, so it's a paradise for young kids. Kiteboarders and windsurfers like the trade winds at the far end of the beach and will find the beach satisfactory if they don't need those "services." On Sunday, there still may be some groups picnicking and partying, but during the week Le Galion is a rather desolate place better avoided.

Here, planes at Princess Juliana International Airport seem to pass just above your head, causing strong winds that can stir up the sand; a great place to windsurf or watch people windsurf. Alternatively, you can watch the thrilling spectacle from a more comfortable distance at the Sandbar or the Sunset Bar and Grill.

In addition to 360-degree island views, this eco-adventure park has adrenaline-rush rides. Nose around the Emilio Wilson museum to learn about island history before taking the Sky Explorer chairlift up Sentry Hill, where there's a wooden observation deck . Get a cold beverage at the Sky Bar, and work up the nerve to go down the hill via the Schooner Ride (featuring inner tubes that slide along a special track), the Sentry Hill zip line, or—if you really dare—the famous Flying Dutchman, reputed to be the world's steepest zip line. After all the excitement, treat yourself to a nice lunch at Emilio's, the award-winning on-site restaurant.

In addition to rotating exhibits that highlight island history, industry, geology, and archaeology, this museum displays artifacts that range from Arawak pottery shards to objects salvaged from the wreck of the HMS Proselyte. One interesting exhibit focuses on hurricanes. The gift shop has a small but nicely curated selection of items, including framed maps and other works.