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09914 4675
Level 4, 66 Wyndham Street
Auckland, New Zealand
Level 4, 66 Wyndham Street
Auckland, New Zealand
St. Martin/St Maarten Island is one of the most rewarding stops for a cruise-ship passenger. The island is divided between French St. Martin in the north and Dutch St. Maarten in the south. Each side manages to retain its own distinct flavor. The French side (St. Martin), is certainly more relaxed and sophisticated. There are first-class resorts and secluded white sand beaches. Its capital, Marigot, is Mediterranean resort-like, with yachts in the harbor, and open-air markets and shops lining the waterfront.
Deserted Tintamarre island is a favorite of St. Martin boaters because the beach wraps around a calm, perfect crescent shaped bay and provides a picturesque anchorage. Covered with a close-cropped vegetation adapted to the dryness which prevails there, the islet has some dream beaches, in particular the Lagoon and the White Bay.
Tintamarre is famous for its "magical" mud baths, its immaculate sand and its large colony of hermit crabs. Whales and dolphins are occasionally spotted cavorting around this charming island.
Things to See & Do
* Beach combing
* Water sports
* Mud baths
* Swimming & sunbathing
Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Euro (St Martin), Netherlands Antilles Florin (St Maarten)
Language – English and French (St Martin), English and Dutch (St Maarten)
Land Area – 85 sq km
Population – 35,000
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time – GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 1 - 599
Port Location – Most ships dock on the Dutch side, in Great Bay, at the A.C. Wathey Pier in Point Blanche. The pier is about 2.5kms from the center of Philipsburg. Some ships anchor in Great Bay and tenders will transport passengers directly to the center of town.
Transport Links – There are ferries leaving from the landing stage at the Cul de Sac.