St-Martin – Sint Maarten – Sports
From fitness addicts to people who just want to have fun, St. Martin has plenty of activities to make any stay complete.
Golf in St. Martin
mullet bay golf course
This 18-hole, par 70 course is a magnificent setting on the edge of Mullet Bay Beach on the Dutch part of the island.
Founded in 1990 by a small group of keen golfers looking to make their golfing experience more meaningful, the Sint Maarten Golf Association has over 130 players. Their mission: “to promote golf on Sint Maarten/Saint Martin and develop various golfing events for the enjoyment of participants and for the benefit of the community”.
Following their example, golfers on the French side of the island have recently created the Tamarins Golf Association.
This relatively new Association is young and dynamic and has organised a number of tournaments both on the Mullet Bay course and on the Temenos Golf Course on the neighbouring island of Anguilla.
The golfing year on Saint Martin is centred around two flagship events:
• The Generali Golf Tour on the Anguilla course in May, under the aegis of the French Golf Federation.
• The Concordia Cup allows players from the French side to take on their Dutch counterparts in a two-day tournament in the Ryder Cup format.
For more information and contact details see: www.saintmartin-golf.org
Bicycle touring on St. Martin
Some of the hiking trails listed above are accessible to competent mountain bikers or hybrid riders.
From the comfort of their saddle, cyclists cannot fail to be impressed by the island’s variety, with mountain peaks, the limestone flats of the Terres Basses, coastal trails and tracks through the Nature Reserve packed into a relatively tiny area.
In all, there are 40km of marked trails for rides of 1 to 4 hours.
With or without a guide, bicycle touring is without any doubt a great alternative way to discover St. Martin.
renting equipment / guides
• Authentic French tours – Marigot – 0590 87 05 11
• Trisport – Simpson Bay – (1-721) 545 4384
anse marcel to cul de sac via petites cayes
Distance: 3.5 km – Altitude difference: 100 m
Start: Anse Marcel Marina – Finish: Cul de Sac
The trail goes through a mountain path with panoramic views and descends towards Petites Cayes. A coastal path leads to Grandes Cayes and on to Cul-de Sac.
geneve bay
Distance: 2.5 km – Altitude difference: 60 m
Start: Most southern point of Guana Bay beach – Finish: Pointe Blanche
Unmarked coastal path skirting several natural pools.
tintamarre
Distance: 3.5 km – Altitude difference: 30 m
This route follows the old airstrip along the Atlantic coast to the limestone cliffs of La Fourche.
pointe arago
Distance: 2.5 km – Altitude difference: 60 m
Start: Marigot commercial port – Finish: Friar’s Bay Beach
This track hugs the coastline and passes Lover’s Beach.
Pony trekking on St. Martin
Treks of various lengths to suit all levels provide an opportunity to explore the hills, discover unspoiled spots, gallop on deserted beaches and swim with your horse.
Effective sun protection is essential during the day.
An evening trek will put you in total harmony with nature while you enjoy one of Saint Martin’s beautiful sunsets.
riding clubs
• Bayside Riding Club – Baie de l’Embouchure – 0590 87 36 64
• Colombier Centre Equestre – Colombier – 0690 61 08 97
Aerial activities
Combining sport, leisure and adventure into one, paragliding and skydiving are a great way to take in the extent of the island’s beauty.
Flying over Saint-Martin offers exceptional views of its hills and plains, its white sandy beaches framed by turquoise waters, its lagoons and limestone plateaus.
The most popular paragliding spot is in Cul-de-Sac, on the Grandes Cayes road. More experienced paragliders can launch from Pic Paradis.
Parasailing is a fun, water-based activity. Towed behind a boat, parasailers are launched into the air while attached to a parachute. It’s an unforgettable experience that is better shared in pairs or threes.
Live unforgettable sensations by experiencing a tandem skydive!