The Complete Guide to a St. Martin Honeymoon

There are two sides to this island for double the romance.
a sunny view of saint maarten
Photo: Shutterstock
Adrienne Jordan
by Adrienne Jordan
Updated Mar 07, 2024
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Look no further than a St. Martin honeymoon if you and your new spouse want to experience one of the top honeymoon destinations for sunshine and relaxation. This 37-square mile island was first inhabited by the Arawaks and later colonized, leading to its current two-part divide. The northern side of the island speaks French and is called Saint-Martin, while its southern side, Sint Maarten, is Dutch-speaking.

The European culture of this Caribbean island can be felt in the old stone historic forts dotting the island, while the natural beauty can be experienced by the stunning red-and-white sand beaches. Located only three hours from New York and under three hours from Miami, St. Martin is easily accessible and makes for a stunning honeymoon surrounded by warm locals and intriguing culture.

For planning tips and advice, let us be your guide. From things to do and where to stay, we've got all you need to plan your romantic beach getaway in the heart of the Caribbean.

St. Martin Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

    Old Street Shopping Arcade in Phillipsburg
    Photo: Bob Krist | Getty

    Best Time to Honeymoon in St. Martin

    St. Martin weather is tropical hot and sunny year-round. That being said, the best time to visit is from January to March, when the average daily temperature is around 79 degrees. From June to October, the weather is an average of 84 degrees and is also the most humid time of the year.

    Best weather: January to March.
    Festival highlights: The St. Maarten Carnival in April/May, featuring parades, music, and dance; The SXM Music Festival in March, showcasing electronic music against the backdrop of the island's stunning beaches.

    St. Martin Honeymoon Planning Tips

    For a memorable St. Martin vacation, consider staying in a honeymoon resort that offers special honeymoon packages, including romantic dinners, couples' spa treatments, and private excursions. Booking activities in advance, such as sailing trips or snorkeling tours, can help ensure availability and avoid disappointment.

    Depending on your location, direct flights to the destination may be sparse or simply unavailable. This can require a layover or two from the departing airport. Also the small airport means that customs lines can get lengthy depending on the time of year and the sizes of planes landing at the same time. Make sure to pack a book and travel in comfy shoes, just in case you have honeymoon travel issues and things don't go as planned.

    Here a few more things to keep in mind before buying plane tickets:

    Entry requirements: A US passport valid for the duration of your stay, as well as a completed ED-Card, which you can fill out online for free.
    Language:
    The official languages of St. Maarten (the Dutch side) are Dutch and English, with English widely spoken and understood. The French side, St. Martin, primarily uses French but English is also commonly spoken in tourist areas.
    Location:
    St. Martin is located in the Caribbean, on the northern part of the island shared with Sint Maarten, a Dutch overseas collectivity.
    Currency:
    The official currency of St. Martin is the Euro (EUR), while the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, uses the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG).
    Flight time to Destination:
    From Miami, flights are approximately 3 hours.
    Getting around:
    Renting a car, taxis, public minibuses, cycling, by foot.

    Pro tip: Invite a honeymoon planning expert to join your vendor team. You can find travel agents on The Knot Marketplace who will help you curate the perfect St. Martin honeymoon.

    Best St. Martin Honeymoon Resorts and Hotels

    A honeymoon in St. Martin can offer a range of accommodations. From luxury resorts to charming boutique hotels, many cater to couples with various preferences and budgets. Here are our top picks.

    Colorful Hillside Homes in Oyster Bay, St Martin
    Photo: eyfoto | Getty

    La Samanna

    This Belmond Hotel property in the Caribbean infuses Mediterranean touches to its property. With 63 rooms, suites and villa options, honeymooners can't go wrong with what they book–especially as all come with oceanfront views.

    During the daytime, guests can explore the beach and rent a bamboo cabana. Evenings are complete with cruises around the island and delicious dinners at L'Oursin.

    4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

    Sonesta Ocean Point Resort

    There's nothing quite like a honeymoon experienced at an adults-only resort. The all-inclusive Sonesta Ocean Pointe Resort has 130 suites where you can lounge by a variety of pools, grab a drink at several bars and have upscale dining experiences at the signature Azul Restaurant.

    Your stay gives you access to the adjacent all-ages Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa. wellness and fitness center, personalized concierge and butler service in the top suites. They also offer a honeymoon package, so be sure to check that out, too.

    4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

    Royal Islander Club Resort La Plage

    The Royal Islander Club Resort will take your breath away with views that overlook Maho Bay. With oceanfront suits, spa packages, a casino and a golf course, you'll have everything you need for your sunny honeymoon in St. Maarten.

    4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

    Pro tip: If you're looking for St. Martin honeymoon accommodations that'll provide you more privacy or lower prices, you might also want to consider staying at a romantic Airbnb or VRBO.

    St. Martin Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

    There's much for newlyweds to do, including shopping and secluded beach hopping, on a St. Martin honeymoon. The mile-long boardwalk and shopping hub of Philipsburg Island, for example, is brimming with souvenir shops, ice cream parlors and fashion boutiques.

    A few forts dot the island where history buffs can learn about the past stories of St. Martin. Beautiful beaches like Cupecoy Beach, a secluded spot surrounded by limestone cliffs, allow couples to snorkel with few crowds.

    Boats by a beach in St Maarten
    Photo: Barry Winiker | Getty

    Explore the Stunning Underwater World

    Get certified to dive with local dive shop Dive Sint Maarten located at Bobby's Marina. Owned by Captain Willem, your PADI Open Water Certification will allow you to experience an array of thrilling dives around the island. For example, you can visit Charlie's Shoal: a site that remains quite pristine as it doesn't get many visitors.

    In these calm waters, take in the colorful coral and look out for grouper, sea turtles and nurse sharks. If you're looking for a great snorkeling site, Mullet Bay offers tons of natural rocks on the beach's northern side so you can spot plenty of tropical fish hiding and feeding off these formations.

    Experience an Adrenaline Rush

    Set on a hilly incline over several acres, Rainforest Adventures is an amusement-style park fit for couples who want to be big kids again in a nature-based setting. The Schooner Ride allows you to zip down and around a mountain via inner tube.

    Real daredevils can do the Flying Dutchman: called the steepest zip line in the world, where you sit in a harness chair and fly down the mountain with St. Maarten views in the background. Also check out the Sentry Hill Zip Line and the Sky Explorer which takes to a 360-degree viewing deck which shows the islands of Anguilla, Saba and St Barthelemy. After a day of adventure, wake up in the morning for a private couple's yoga session on your resort property.

    Enjoy the Diverse Landscape

    One of the main attractions of a honeymoon in St. Martin is the diverese landscape it offers. You can also find the thrilling experience of planes taking off and landing not too far from your head. A five-minute drive to Maho Beach from Princess Juliana International Airport will allow you access to the planes from a safe distance and makes for a great backdrop to photos. Located in the port city of Philipsburg, Great Bay Beach is a serene place to walk, run, or even just sunbathe with your plus one.

    Don't miss another great beach located near the village of Marigot. The craggy cliff beach of Baie Rouge ("Red Beach") is extremely photogenic with its pinkish-red sand and also a popular spot for bringing along lunch or cocktails and watching the sun set.

    Take in the History of the Island

    Pay a visit to the Emilio Wilson Museum where you can learn about life on St. Maarten during slavery and history of the island colonized by the Dutch. Overlooking blue waters of Great Bay and Little Bay, Fort Amsterdam is worth a mild hike to the top.

    Being that it was Holland's first island outpost built in 1631, the purpose of the fort was to claim control of the island's salt resources. A short walk from Orient Bay, the two-acre wide Mount Vernon Plantation is actually the site of several old plantations. You can take a guided tour of the area to learn about the sugar making as well as some of the native tropical fruit trees and spices that were also cultivated in the area.

    Pro tip: Add St. Martin honeymoon experiences to your gift registry so that loved ones can give you a memorable couples' activity. Don't forget to upload some cute honeymoon photos to your wedding website for your guests to see.

    What to Pack for a St. Martin Honeymoon

    beach chairs on a beach in sint maarten
    Photo: Westend61 | Getty

    Your packing checklist should include lightweight clothing for the warm, tropical climate, along with swimwear, sunscreen and hats for sun protection.

    Don't forget comfortable walking shoes for exploring, and make sure to pack a formal outfit for dinners in your St. Martin honeymoon luggage, too.

    Brittany Barber also contributed to this article.

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