About St Marteen Villas
St Marteen is set to the east of the Turks and Caicos island in the Caribbean sea. Washed with warm crystal clear waters and a constantly warm climate where could not be a better choice for your vacation. Add a luxury St Marteen villa and you have your own little slice of paradise.
The opportunity to kick-back and relax in the Caribbean sun makes St Marteen sound like a perfect vacation destination. Our luxury St Marteen villas are set in the western tip or peninsula of the island surrounded by the blue Caribbean sea on the French side of this two-culture island.
The peninsula is surround by quiet beaches like the Bay of Plums (Baie aux Prune), Red Bay (Baie Rouge), White beach (Caye Blanche) and Long Bay (Baie Longue).
The gated secure site at Terres Basses is sheer luxury itself so our luxury St Marteen villas as you might expect are something very special. They all have sea views with terraces that are great for watching the sunsets; some are literally a step away from the beach and all have the guaranteed luxury of their own pools, Jacuzzi, hot tub, media room and garden kitchen for preparing al fresco meals.
Many of the luxury villas in Terres Basses come complete with their own staff so you don't have to worry about a thing! Terres Basses is a world class resort and our luxury St Marteen vacation rentals here will more than live up to your expectations.
Saint Marteen Travel Guide
The Caribbean island of St Marteen is a wonderful vacation destination to escape to and enjoy a taste of paradise and an intriguing mix of cultures. The island has a French and Dutch side with two capitals - Philipsburg the Dutch capital and Marigot the French capital. You will hear Dutch and English spoken here and enjoy cuisine influenced by both nationalities along with Caribbean.
St Marteen is the perfect place to unwind, spend time together and kick back and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Climate
This Caribbean island is blessed with a constantly warm climate averaging 88°F all year round with a coastal breeze and warm crystal blue waters averaging 78°F. You might experience the odd rain shower or tropical storm in late summer or early autumn.
Getting Around
There are several modes of transport to choose from to navigate your way around this beautiful island. In a St Marteen hire car organised by Top Villas you have the freedom to discover the island on your own terms and see where the roads take you.
Alternatively if you've always fantasized about riding a Harley Davidson you can rent a Fat Boy from Super Bikes in Cole Bay (bandanna optional) and act out your fantasy. Those of you with a sense of adventure will enjoy the challenge of the narrow bumpy roads which are often busy especially between the two capitals and negotiating the scooters on the French side.
For a cheaper option and a real taste of island life, use the mini-van bus service. Locals will be able to tell you where the stops are and you can identify the mini-van buses by the word "bus" on their number plates.
Taxis are readily available and fares are based on 2 passengers per trip following government regulated pricing as opposed to meters. The prices increase with additional passengers and after 10pm and midnight. You can find taxi ranks on both halves of the island - on the French side near the tourist office and at Princess Juliana International Airport and Wathey Square on the Dutch side.
Things To Do
Taking it easy is high on the agenda but you'll also find lots of other interesting activities to gently indulge in on St Marteen.
Beaches
If you're choosing a Caribbean destination for your vacation chances are you're looking for a slice of paradise and total relaxation. St Marteen offers 37 beaches to spend your days on devouring novels and participating in gentle water sports. You'll find secluded sandy beaches with crystal clear waters and busy stretches for maximum people watching.
Beaches on the Dutch side of the island include Simpson Bay, Dawn Beach and unspoilt, secluded Mullet Bay. On Cupecoy Beach you can go all out with nude sunbathing, but nowhere else on the Dutch side unless you want to be charged with indecent exposure. Maho Bay is famous for being virtually at the end of the island's airport runway and has the added thrill of planes landing and taking off overhead!
The busiest beach on the French side is Baie de L'Orient with facilities and water sports to enjoy. You'll also find beaches Baie Longue, Baie des Prunes, Baie Rouge and Anse Marcel that allow topless sunbathing along with nude sunbathing in designated areas.
Butterfly Farm
A chance to be at one with nature in the form of amazing colourful butterflies at the Butterfly Farm in the Quartier d'Orleans.
Pic du Paradis
For a birds-eye view of St Marteen visit the highest point (1,400 feet) on the island at Pic du Paradis. Hire a local guide to drive you or hike to the top for the amazing views from two observation points.
Plantation Mont Vernon
See the recreated cotton plantation circa 1780 - Plantation Mont Vernon - and sample Caribbean rum at the distillery.
Pirate's Cruise
Head out onto the high seas with a half day Pirate's Cruise from Philipsburg.
Tintamere Island
Set sail from Simpson Bay and across the water you'll find Tintamere Island. Spend the day taking in the wonderful coastal scenery en route and the island itself. Thrill seekers will want to take the 20ft jump off "The Eagle" into deep water...
Carnival
If you're here just after Easter you're in for a treat with the 2 week carnival up until 30th April on Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands' birthday. Celebrations begin with the Balloon Jump-Up Parade of floats, costumed dancers and live music heading through the streets to Carnival Village with hundreds of food booths. There's also the Grand Carnival Parade, Carnival troupes, Caribbean comedians, steel drum bands, the Caribbean Queen Pageant and Calypso competitions to enjoy.
Sport and water sports
This fabulous island destination makes the most of its clear blue waters by offering snorkelling, sailing, wind surfing, kayaking, paragliding and diving. Grand Case has a diving school where you can obtain your diving certificate as well as dive at Turtle Reef to swim with turtles, barracuda, eagle and sting rays and other marine life.
On the way up to Pic du Paradis you can stop at Loterie Farm Nature Reserve and have a go at zip lining or walking the rope bridges high in the trees.
Golfers can try out the Caribbean's most challenging 18-hole golf course at Mullet Bay Resort but will need to make reservations in advance. You can play tennis day or night at many of the resorts but will also need to book in advance. Horseback riding is popular with treks along the coast and on the beach available too.
Duty free shopping
Take advantage of St Marteen being a completely duty free port and bag yourself a bargain or two in the designer shops in the capitals Marigot and Philipsburg. Shops are open from Monday to Saturday and into the night.
Restaurants
You'll never be short of somewhere to eat on St Marteen with approximately 300 restaurants serving up French and Caribbean influenced cuisines. You'll also find Italian, Chinese, American and Mexican amongst the mix and can opt for a bite to eat from street vendors, casual beach cafe dining to all out fine dining in the Capital of Caribbean Cuisine.
On the Dutch side:
- Jimbos Rock and Blues Cafe - Mexican
- Taloua Mangos - Caribbean
- Greenhouse - Caribbean/American
- Zee Best - breakfast & patisseries
- Saratoga - fine dining with a view
On the French side:
- Spiga - Italian
- L'Auberge Gourmande - French
Night life
Head to the Dutch side of the island for after dark entertainment where you can try your luck in the 9 casinos open until 2am. There is also the Comedy Club and Axum Jazz Cafe featuring jazz, reggae, poetry readings and contemporary artists. Or perhaps take a Sunset Dinner Cruise or Moonlight Party Cruise including a dance contest with Sun Star Cruises from Simpson Bay. Continuing with the dancing theme, St Marteen also has clubs and local hotspots including Amnesia, Indiana Beach, New Music Cafe, Greenhouse and Cheri's Cafe to showcase your dance moves aided by intoxicating tropical drinks.
Good to know
- Dutch and English are the official languages but Spanish and Papiamento (the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles) are also spoken
- The Netherlands Antilles florin or guilder is the official currency of the Dutch half of St Marteen but US Dollars are well received
- Both international and foreign driving licences are accepted on the island
- St Marteen is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone
- It is customary to tip 10-15% in restaurants and taxi drivers
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