Experience St. Maarten

• The smallest island divided between two nations
• A vibrant, multicultural nation where French and Dutch influences combine
• Admire brightly coloured and decorated heritage homes
• 37 beaches dot the coastline perfect for diving, surfing or relaxing

Known as the "Friendly Island," throughout this small and serene destination you'll find endless escapes from the everyday. Technically half France and half The Netherlands, it offers a fascinating blend of French, Dutch and Creole traditions. Dive into the water and admire local marine life through a snorkelling mask or challenge yourself to a thrilling jet-skiing or wakeboarding adventure along St. Maarten's picture-perfect coast. History geeks will be fascinated by the island's unique history. There's no physical barrier between France (St. Martin) to the north and The Netherlands (St. Maarten) to the south and it's easy to explore both contrasting halves of this fascinating Caribbean island in one day. A not to be missed experience is standing on Maho Beach as 737s graze the sands as they land at the International Airport. On both sides of the island you can discover lush vegetation and tropical wildlife with a leisurely hike or exciting zipline or mountain bike ride. Rhythm and dance both sides of the island that live happily together, whether it's through soca, salsa, samba or the iconic steel drum band.

National language: French and Dutch

Currency: NAFL (Netherlands Antillian Guilder). We recommend travellers bring USD (United States Dollar) for their vacation.

Language notes: Hallo! Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten, which is part of The Netherlands. While the French half of the island, St Martin, belongs to France where French is the official language. You will also find English is widely spoken.

Voltage: 220V

Travel tips: Canadian devices use 120 V and will work with 110 V. Many resorts have 120 V plugs. For older devices, items using motors or heating (heated beauty tools, electric toothbrushes) and three-prong plugs we recommend bringing an adaptor with voltage conversion. The French side of the island uses 220 V and will also require an adaptor with voltage conversion.

What to pack: Don’t know what to bring? Don’t worry. Click Here for a full checklist to print and refer to when packing for your all-inclusive vacation in St. Maarten.

What to buy: Guavaberries, which grow wild on the island of St. Maarten, are aged with fine rum and cane sugar to make a fruity, spicy and woody liqueur of the same name. Aside from a bottle of guavaberry to make your own cocktails at home, you can also pick up a guavaberry-flavoured jam or cake as a memorable and yummy souvenir.

Getting around: Your local Sunwing Experiences representative will handle your airport transfers, providing you with round-trip transportation from the airport to your resort and back. To discover all the incredible things to do and see, Sunwing Experiences will take you on a range of exciting tours and excursions.