You are not a typical vacationer. When you venture out of your hometown, you want something you haven’t experienced. Something you can’t get at home. When you come to the Caribbean, going to the pristine beaches is a given. But what if you want something more? What if you want some excitement? This Island is a place for adventurers and thrill seekers. If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, there’s no better place than St. Maarten.
Here on the Island, there is an array of adventurous things you can partake in. Some of our favorite activities that we are going to discuss today are snorkeling, makeshift jet skis, and ziplining. Now, I know you may be thinking that some of these things may seem typical, but here on St. Maarten, each typical activity has an added “friendly island” twist. Keep reading to find out how you can spice up your beach vacation!
Snorkeling is one of the biggest and most popular excursions in the Caribbean. Off the immediate coast of St. Maarten, there is a gorgeous snorkeling spot around a land formation called creole rock. There are many fish and coral around the rocks. It can be reached by boat from Grand Case, but you can not enter Creole Rock itself. Here in St. Maarten, there is another large, beautiful, thriving reef a short boat ride from the island. If you want to see a bit more, a small island called Saba close to St. Maarten has a reef unlike any other. The Saba National Marine Park encompasses the waters and sea bed encircling the Caribbean island of Saba. In addition to the fact that Saba’s reefs are still flourishing, unlike many others in the region, several unusual natural formations attract divers. Some of these features were formed through volcanic activity, such as the Pinnacles. These peaks rise up to 100 feet from the ocean floor, and are covered with corals, sponges, and other animals. Other attractions in this prime snorkeling and scuba diving area include underwater caves, tunnels, and rock walls.
If you like to Jet Ski, you’ll love the Rhino Safari. Almost impossible to tip, these jet ski like watercrafts provide fun for the whole family. For the common thrill seeker, the faster you go, the greater the adventure. You’ll have the thrill of a lifetime that’s safe and tons of fun. You don’t need any experience to take on these rhinos. You go through the coastline’s protected waters on the French side of the island. You receive a one of a kind perspective going through the simpson bay lagoon, which is one of the largest inland lagoons of theWest Indies. You drive 18 nautical miles round trip, which when you are having fun, goes by in a blast. On the way to your destination, your guide will take you through twists and turns to ramp up the excitement as you go up the St. Martin Coastline, where you’ll see mega yachts, catamarans, and million dollar homes. On your way back to the port, you have the option to race your tour counterparts, for the iconic prize of a free rum punch.
Located in Rainforest Adventure Park, one of the most iconic and thrilling things to do in St. Maarten is the world’s steepest zip line, The Flying Dutchman. This is a bucket list activity for sure! Now, you may be thinking, how does someone even get up there? Well, with every package at the park, the Soualiga Sky Explorer, A ski lift type ride, takes you to the top of Sentry Hill. We are here to recommend The Flying Dutchman, but before you get to the top of the mountain, there are plenty of other exciting things to do. The first stop you can take off of the ski lift is the Schooner Ride. It is a tube style slide that takes you through the trees and land scape, back down to the base of the hill, where you hop on the Sky Explorer again. Once you get back on, you can ride up to the Sentry hills Zipline Canopy tour. On this zip line, before you take the risk on Flying Dutchman, you have the opportunity to go through the trees at a lower elevation. It is a series of four zip lines that give you a little trial run before you take on the big one. After this stop, the Ski lift will take you to the top of the hill. Before you go to the big one, you have the option to stop at the lookout decks, where you can see the entire island and the bodies of water in the vicinity. It is a great area for once in a lifetime photos. Once you have taken in the scenery, head up the stairs to the hilltop bar to get some liquid courage if you need it (we recommend the rum punch)! Once you are mentally prepared, get strapped in by the professional guides, who take every precaution to make sure you’re safe. Once you are secured and ready to go, they will put your belongings in a zipped up pouch on the back of your seat. Soon, the staff will open the gate in front of you and you will plummet over 2,800 feet down the hill. When your heart finally stops pounding, at the bottom of the hill, feel free to stop at the Emilio Wilson Museum, the restaurant, and the gift shop, where you can buy photos and purchase an “I conquered the flying Dutchman” t-shirt.
If you want a unique, thrilling, and adventurous experience, now you know St. Maarten is the place to be. From snorkeling, to makeshift jet skis, to zip lining, there are so many opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping and your heart racing here on the Island and its surrounding waters. So, next time you want to do something adventurous, crazy, or make your friends say, “Oh my gosh, you did what?” take a trip to the friendly island, and make memories you will never forget.
