St. Maarten & St. Martin are two fascinating Caribbean countries that share a single island of only forty square miles in size. In the year 1649, this Caribbean nation split in two; with the Dutch inhabiting the southern portion of the island and the French inhabiting the north. Today, a peaceful coexistence between the two governments make both nations a charming getaway that welcomes all visitors to bask in their ample beaches, fabulous duty-free shopping, terrific nightlife, exciting casinos, and world-class dining.

One of the most unique attractions on the island is the Butterfly Farm. Located next to Orient Bay, you and your family can enter a lavish garden where butterflies of all shape and sizes surround you. For you insect lovers, this is a destination that surely can't be missed!

Also called Fort de Marigot, was a fort built in 1789 to protect the area's warehouses from frequent British raids. Today, its stone ruins and cannons are what remains, but the hilltop view offers you some great sights of the town and Simpson Bay Lagoon.

This little museum focuses on the Arawak period of the island's history, with exhibits showcasing amulets, artifacts and pottery to illustrate the period's culture. There are also historical displays of the island's European history as well.

This oyster-shaped bay encompasses both the French and Dutch territories on the east side of the island. Here you will find plenty of accommodations and a marina on the Fren side, and beautiful Dawn Beach on the Dutch side.

One of the main reasons that Philipsburg, in Dutch St. Maarten, is such an attractive cruise port-of-call is because of its fabulous duty-free shopping. Here you can find terrific bargains on all sorts of items, including liquor, clothing, jewelry, Irish linen, leather goods, etc. Front Street, in downtown Philipsburg, is the center of this duty-free trade. Stroll through the town and visit Front Street, where you can shop for everything under the sun and enjoy some of the very best bargains anywhere in the Caribbean. Yet there are other shopping hot spots in the area as well. Old Street and Plaza del Lago feature many fine boutiques and shops as well.

The tourists arriving in St. Maarten/St. Martin have nearly forty beaches to choose from when it comes time to having some fun in the sun.

The beach closest to the Dutch capital of Philipsburg is the Great Bay Beach. As you head west of the great Bay Beach, you will hit Little Bay Beach. This stretch of coastline is very popular with the tourists, but a main and worthwhile draw here is the hike up to Fort Amsterdam. This is a nearly four-hundred-year old fort that features breathtaking views of the Caribbean. A great beach for a swim is Dawn Beach, also famous for its spectacular sunrises and as a snorkeling haven.

On the French side of the island, be sure to visit Baie Longue, never crowded and always beautiful and inviting. If you would like to visit the islands only official nudist beach, head to Orient Beach. Here you will find live Caribbean music, water sports galore, and terrific restaurants.

One of the best ways to explore this scenic island is by horseback. Whether it's a quick gallop on the beach or a longer guided tour through the inland hillsides, there are several outfitters that can assist you in this adventure, including Bayside Riding Club.

An incredible array of sportfish can be found in the surrounding waters of St. Martin! Catch anything from yellowtail and red snapper to a giant grouper or a mammoth marlin on one of several deep-sea fishing trips offered on the island. Rudy's Fishing (14 Airport Rd.) or Sailfish Caraibes can outfit you for this adventure.

With year-round warm waters and great visibility, St. Martin is a premier scuba diving location. Visit the wrecks of the tugboat Annie, marvel at the marine life in abundance at Creole Rock, or visit the famed Proselyte Reef. Leeward Island Divers in St. Maarten's Simpson Bay can assist you in your scuba diving plans. St Martin's Octoplus in Grand Case offers certification course as well as one and two hour dives.

Nestled in the foothills and grazing pastures of French St. Martin is the town of Grand Case. Known as the "Restaurant Capital of the Caribbean" it is a lovely little town that features cuisine from all over the world. In addition, directly adjacent to the town is the Grand Case Beach Club and its two beautiful beaches; a perfect spot to take an afternoon swim and work off your delicious lunch.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus embarked on his second voyage to the New World. According to legend, Columbus sighted and perhaps anchored at the island of Saint Martin on November 11, 1493, the feast day of Saint Martin of Tours. In his honor, Columbus named the island San Martin. It is now more commonly known as Sint Maarten (Dutch), Saint-Martin (French), and Saint Martin (English).

When Columbus sailed these seas, St. Martin was populated, if populated at all, by Arawak or Carib Indians. The Arawaks were subjugated by the warlike Carib Indians from South America a short time before the arrival of the Spanish who followed in Columbus' wake. The Caribs' territory was not completely conquered until the mid-17th century when most of them perished in the struggle between the French, English, Dutch, Danes and Spanish for control of the West Indies.

Despite the Dutch presence on the island, the Spaniards recaptured St. Martin in 1633 and The Spaniards introduced the first slaves to the area in that time. Slavery was abolished in the first half of the 19th century, whereupon the British imported Chinese and East Indians. Thus, St. Martin and the other islands are peopled by a mixture of Amerindian, African, Asian and European peoples. West Indian cultures such as in St. Martin are, consequently, exceedingly rich and varied, scarcely matched in other parts of the world.

The official website for Dutch St. Maarten

The official website for French Saint Martin.