Collectively known as St. Martin, the island was named by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage in 1493. Although Columbus claimed the island for Spain, there is no evidence that the explorer ever landed here. Over the years, like most islands in the West Indies, St. Martin became a pawn in the great colonial game, fought over by various powers seeking to expand trade and protect their valuable shipping routes.
The islands colonial past can be found in Fort Amsterdam overlooking Philipsburg, and impressive Fort Louis, whose ramparts once protected the French Capital, Marigot.
Proselyte reef in Great Bay offers another tantalizing glimpse into the past. The reef gets its name from the HMS Proselyte, a British warship that sank there in 1801. The coral still holds a few artifacts from the wreck, and even now, divers find the occasional cannon of English, French, Dutch or even Spanish origin while exploring around the coast.
Sugar once ruled the West Indies and St. Martin had its share. Many of the hills that sweep upwards from the sea held huge sugar plantations. Little remains of the sugar mills and boiling vats today but a visit to a museum on the Dutch or French side will tell you more.
With so many countries seeking possession in the past, it is no wonder that St. Martin, the smallest inhabited island in the world divided between two nations, became a melting pot of people and cultures. Some 80,000 inhabitants share the 36 square miles of Caribbean real estate. On 10 October 2010, Sint Maarten became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. French St. Martin is an overseas collectivity of France and as such part of the EU.
St. Martin’s attractions are almost too many to list. So perhaps we should start with the most obvious. It leads us to why the island is known as the Yachting Capital of the Caribbean, and that’s the water. Sailors flock to St. Martin to experience some of the best yacht racing in the world. The shelt
ered Simpson Bay Lagoon—the largest stretch of inland water in the Caribbean—offers safe anchorage and access to world-class marinas and services.
St. Martin is a cruising ground in its own right, and a circumnavigation of the island, with stops in anchorages and marinas along the way, opens the door on a world of gourmet dining, lively bars, golden beaches, romantic hideaways and pulsating casinos.
An international airport with direct flights to Europe and North America keeps the island busy for most of the year, although the quieter summer months are now enjoyed by many. Duty free shopping adds to the St. Martin experience.
Drive or sail around the island or along the coast and you will see several islands in the distance. Dutch Saba, British Anguilla and French St. Barth are quite unique and a visit will enhance your Caribbean experience. The islands are easy to get to by ferry, or by air, and offer a fabulous day out.
Whether you enjoy life in the fast lane or throw away your watch and live on island time. One thing’s for sure, your first visit to St. Martin will not be your last!
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