Even though St. Maarten appears to be a tiny island in the center of the Caribbean, both tourists and locals are aware that the island is considerably larger than it first appears. It’s an opportunity to embark on a trip that is rich in culture and vibrancy. Visit the stunning sandy beaches on the island or climb the tallest peaks. Take a stroll through Phillipsburg’s palm-tree lined streets, go boating to secluded coves, or even just take in our exciting nightlife. St. Maarten is a cosmopolitan paradise with experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Rhino Excursions
It was our job to take on the opportunity to go around the island and explore so much of what St. Maarten has to offer. To begin the week, we had an all-day excursion with a Rhino Safari where we had the opportunity to pilot our own watercraft throughout the waters of Simpson Bay Lagoon and the Caribbean sea, ultimately consisting of 18 nautical miles! We finished the excursion at Creole Rock, a well-liked snorkeling location where we were able to see the most vibrant tropical fish.
After an hour full of swimming and snorkeling, we hopped back on our water crafts and raced back to the port. As we are all so competitive, you can only imagine how this went, but it was super fun to race against our fellow classmates and teachers. Plus winners get a free rum punch which makes it all that more fun. The ride around the island offered the most breathtaking views of St. Maarten and it really was a view that is unforgettable. This excursion is perfect for any type of person. Kids, adults, and especially 20 year-old college girls who attend The University of Alabama!
Elev8
Although the Caribbean Sea and beaches are a major draw for visitors to the island, our target audience of 22 to 29-year-olds also enjoys a good party. With that being said, we decided to emphasize some of the social activities taking place on the island as well as the nightlife that St. Maarten has to offer. Elev8 is quite literally the HIGHEST and most exclusive party in St. Maarten. It is a techno party that happens to sit on top of Sentry Hill, the highest point of the entire island and home to the steepest zip-line. To get to the top, you are required to take a chair lift which offers the most beautiful views of the island. It was so cool to have our feet dangle on the world we know below us.
People of various ages were dancing the night away, despite the appearance that it was an event only for the younger generation. As you get your dance on, you get to view the most stunning sunset from the mountains. You get a view of the whole island and it is amazing. There even is a glitter section where they put bottles of body glitter out to be used on their guests. Guests were covered head to toe with rainbow colored glitter making the event unlike anything I’ve experienced before. With a night full of music, glitter, and dancing with friends, it is an unforgettable experience that you don’t want to miss out on.
Anguilla and Prickly Pear
This excursion is an all day adventure to the neighboring islands of Anguilla and Prickly Pear. Here we saw the most turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. We left the dock around 8:30-9:00 am and didn’t get back until 4 in the afternoon so it was a long day to say the least. It took about two hours to reach Prickly Pear island but the boating staff is very accommodating and the guests are full of energy. It includes an open bar, lunch, snorkeling gear, and snacks such as cheese, apples, and bread. So yummy!
We stopped at Prickly Pear to eat, swim, and snorkel for about two hours. There was a coral reef right near where we stopped and we got to see the most fluorescent fish and even came across a friendly stingray. The underwater was filled with so many tropical fish and Caribbean species it was so mesmerizing. After stopping at Prickly Pear for a couple of hours we headed over to Anguilla to swim some more. They even provided us with noodles as floating devices. So we actually sat in the water for hours enjoying the views of Anguilla’s sandy beaches. Overall it was an amazing experience and would recommend this excursion to anyone who comes to the island.
-Alex and Kayla
