Activities
Activities
Family-Friendly Island by Susan Campbell St. Maarten, “The Friendly Island”, is extremely family-friendly, too! Follow our lead to keep the kids happy on holiday; we know where to find fun for all ages!
Of course there’s always surfside and pool fun for the kids, but after awhile there are only so many sandcastles to make, waves to jump over, and seashells to find before you might finally hear those two dreaded words: “I’m bored.” No worries, there’s lots to do that will keep everyone happy on this island. But preparation for the tropical climate is important when doing any offresort activities with the family. Always pack loads of sunscreen, plenty of water and snacks, comfortable shoes, bug repellent, hats, and diversions, and try to plan very physical outings when it’s coolest, in the early morning or late afternoon. And whatever you do, don’t forget your camera! Magical St. Maarten/St. Martin family memories are waiting to be made!
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Go wild!
Seek out the island’s coolest critters and creatures. You can start by taking a walk on the wild side at the St. Maarten Zoo in Philipsburg. It’s a huge nonprofit foundation housing over 300 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates making it the largest zoological park in the Caribbean. The Captain Hodges Playground at the zoo features an interactive pirate ship playground including play cubes, swings, and slides. And they also have lovely gardens, a snack bar, and gift shop making it a perfect spot for a family outing.
Also with lovely tropical gardens is The Butterfly Farm on the French side on Le Galion Beach Road, Quartier d’Orléans. Go early in the morning when hundreds of species are at their most active to witness their flights and feedings. If you want to attract them to you, wear bright colors, and if you’ve applied tropical flavored Banana Boat sunscreen, it has a chemical in it that male butterflies look for to pass onto their female partners to protect them! Guided tours are available and you will also see all stages of their metamorphosis on-site. Children and adults will love it. And go early into your vacation because your original admittance fee is good for return visits for the rest of your stay!
Go play!
Older children and adults will enjoy playing Tarzan and Jane by swinging through the trees of Pic Paradis at Loterie Farm’s Fly Zone and smaller children can also play there via the Ti-Tarzan zip lines for ages five to seven. Then there’s Kidsworld – the island’s largest indoor and outdoor playground and party center – offering a wide range of attractions for kids from ages one to 12. And you can also take a break from the sun in the island’s air-conditioned movie theaters. Saddle up!
Horseback riding is also great family fun; St. Maarten has many outfits offering guided rides for adults and children like Seaside Nature Park located in Cay Bay. They offer horseback tours, pony rides, and all kinds of pet-able animals E
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Activities
Activities Ask about kids’ clubs
roaming around their grounds. And for younger children and the young at heart visit Carousel Gelateria Bar for a unique old-fashioned carousel the entire family will enjoy near Simpson Bay.
Land and sea fun
Aqua Mania has a popular “Children’s Lagoon Cruise” aboard the Calypso catamaran and also offers guided snorkeling tours, wave runners, and parasailing for more family fun. And while you’re there check out their fully equipped scuba shop. Sea Trek St. Maarten allows children eight and up to walk under the sea without even knowing how to swim with an air-supplied sea helmet! And there is also Atlantis Adventures’ Seaworld Explorer, a semisubmarine tour to enjoy the fascinating fish along the captivating coral reef without even getting wet! 54 Nights
TriSport has some wonderful snorkel and kayak trips, kayak rentals, bike tours, and bike rentals for all ages. They also do a land and sea combo of boogie board and nature hike capturing the exciting wave action of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the guides will take charge of the young ones with practical lessons, and afterward you take a gentle sightseeing walk that ends in the Nature Reserve Pond full of St. Maarten’s national birds – the brown pelicans. TriSport also has a very cool Amazing Race style clue hunt and challenge in downtown Philipsburg that’s both informative and fun for parents and kids to compete in. Their “race” can be completed at your leisure; it doesn’t have to be completed at breakneck speed that will tire out young ones. And while you’re downtown, don’t forget to seek out the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit for everything Star Wars by the original creator of Yoda and other creatures from the famous movie series.
Many full-service resorts also have their own kids’ clubs and often babysitting services, too. Divi Little Bay Resort has a new family program called Treasures of the Caribbean that includes all kinds of cool activities like treasure hunts, sand castle building contests, and movie on the beach nights. There are so many great things to do with your children on this island that overscheduling could become an issue. So, remember to slow down long enough to
simply enjoy each other’s company, because childhood flies by far too fast… even in paradise. K
Family Fun Guide Call or click to find out more.
Aqua Mania Adventures Pelican Marina, Simpson Bay Tel: 544-2640 (And Divi Little Bay Resort) www.stmaarten-activities.com Atlantis Adventures Seaworld Explorer Philipsburg Tel: 542-4078 www.stmartin-seaworldexplorer.com Carousel Gelateria Bar Welfare Road 60-A Tel: 544-3112 www.carouselstmaarten.com Kidsworld Mahoe Tree Drive 8, Cole Bay Tel: 544-2883 www.kidsworld-sxm.com Loterie Farm Fly Zone Pic Paradis Tel: 0590 87.86.16 www.loteriefarm.com
Seaside Nature Park Caybay Road 64, Cay Bay Tel: 544-5255 www.seasidenaturepark.com St. Maarten Zoo Madame Estate, Philipsburg Tel: 543-2030 www.stmaartenzoo.com The Butterfly Farm Le Galion Beach Road, Quartier d’Orléans Tel: 0590 87.31.21 www.thebutterflyfarm.com TriSport Airport Blvd 14-B, Simpson Bay Tel: 545-4384 www.trisportsxm.com Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit at Planet Paradise Front Street 19-A, Philipsburg Tel: 542-4009 www.yodaguymovieexhibit.com Nights 55