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St. Martin & St. Maarten – Vacation Packages

By Miss Julie | December 22nd, 2006

St. Maarten/St. Martin is a good spot for divers, snorkelers or non-divers to share a vacation. The island is surrounded by extremely shallow reefs, perfect for snorkeling or learning to dive. There are some areas suitable for children. For the more experienced diver, there are advanced reef, cave and wreck sites off the south coast. The island also serves as a jump-off point to three neighboring “best dive” islands – Saba, St. Eustatia, and Anguilla.

It is the largest of the Dutch Windward Islands, though still compact enough for you to stay on one end and easily explore the other. The north half (St. Martin) is French, the south half (St. Maarten) is Dutch. The island’s dual personality, coupled with its reputation as the gourmet capital of the Caribbean, exciting nightlife, duty-free shopping, endless watersports and extraordinary scenery have contributed to its popularity as a prime vacation spot. The bustling tourist population may seem too busy for the devout naturalist, yet, given half a chance, this island’s beautiful beaches and endless creature comforts can seduce, surprise and entertain just about anyone.

Residents of this small island point proudly to more than 300 years of peaceful co-existence. They are fond of describing their 37-square-mile island as “the smallest bit of real estate in the world shared by two countries”and they are quick to add, “probably the friendliest.” A single border monument bracketed by a pair of flags, stands beside the road connecting Philipsburg and Marigot, the Dutch and French “capital villages.” There are no real boundaries or borders.

For more on St. Martin & St. Maarten, check out the St. Martin & St. Maarten Travel Guides on BootsnAll.

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