St. Maarten / St. Martin and St. Thomas are two very talked-about and beautiful Caribbean islands. Should you’re making an attempt to decide on between them to your subsequent journey, you may surprise which is healthier to go to, St. Thomas or St. Martin?
The reply is determined by what kind of journey you’re in search of. Learn our comparability of St. Maarten vs. St. Thomas / St. Martin vs. St. Thomas to see which island will ship the perfect expertise for you.
St. Maarten vs. St. Thomas: Overview
These two islands are literally fairly totally different, though they do share some similarities corresponding to breathtaking seashores and lots to do.
St. Maarten is exclusive in that it’s certainly one of two international locations on the identical island. The opposite nation is St. Martin, and guests can simply cross the border between them. St. Maarten is a Dutch nation whereas St. Martin is a French territory.
The most important of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is widespread with People as a result of they don’t want passports to go to. It’s additionally an enormous crusing vacation spot in addition to a major spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
St. Thomas has extra of an American really feel, whereas St. Maarten looks like a European outpost within the Caribbean. Foodies will desire St. Maarten, as you possibly can pattern Dutch specialties then head to St. Martin for connoisseur French delicacies. St. Maarten additionally has a extra vibrant nightlife together with casinos.
Each islands supply nice duty-free buying, breathtaking seashores, loads of watersports, and the power to go island-hopping. One of the best time to go to each St. Thomas and St. Maarten is December to April, though that’s the excessive season. Might is a wonderful shoulder season various.
St. Thomas and St. Maarten are equally nice for households, {couples}, teams, and solo vacationers.
Should you’re primarily all in favour of snorkeling or scuba diving, St. Thomas is finest for you. Should you’re in search of all kinds of delicacies varieties, a party atmosphere, or on line casino playing, then St. Maarten could be a more sensible choice.
St. Maarten vs. St. Thomas: Location
Each St. Maarten and St. Thomas are within the japanese Caribbean. St. Thomas is within the U.S. Virgin Islands, simply east of Puerto Rico. St. Maarten is a part of the Lesser Antilles, barely to the east of the Virgin Islands.
How far aside are St. Thomas and St. Maarten? They’re simply over 100 miles aside, or a couple of 2-hour flight. Flights from the japanese U.S. are about 4 hours nonstop to St. Maarten and three ½ hours nonstop to St. Thomas.
Do you want a passport to go to St. Maarten and St. Thomas? U.S. residents will want a passport for St. Maarten however not for St. Thomas, whereas European residents will want a passport for each.
Each islands are within the hurricane zone, so there’s a likelihood for storms from June to November.
St. Thomas vs. St. Maarten: Actions
Each St. Thomas and St. Maarten supply lots to do, whether or not you’re into seashores and watersports, out of doors actions, historical past and tradition, or buying.
The charming capital of St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie, has fascinating historic structure and loads of outlets and eating places to discover, along with museums and historic websites. St. Thomas additionally has essentially the most energetic nightlife within the U.S. Virgin Islands, though it’s fairly laidback.
St. Thomas additionally has lush hills you possibly can hike for wonderful views, Coral World Ocean Park, a mangrove lagoon, and extra for out of doors fans. There’s a scenic tram journey as nicely. You may simply island hop across the neighboring islands of St. John, St. Croix, and the British Virgin Islands.
Watersports abound in St. Thomas, together with snorkeling and scuba diving alongside colourful coral reefs, in addition to kayaking, paddleboarding, crusing, and deep-sea fishing. There are additionally loads of beautiful seashores to loosen up on.
St. Thomas seashores have tender white sand and clear turquoise water. One of many best beaches in the Caribbean is Magen’s Bay. Different high St. Thomas seashores are Sapphire Seashore, Coki Seashore, Secret Harbor Seashore, and Lindquist Seashore.
Seashores on St. Maarten / St. Martin are additionally fairly stunning. Prime choices on the St. Maarten facet are Mullet Bay, Simpson Bay Seashore, Guana Bay Seashore, Nice Bay Seashore, and Daybreak Seashore. There may be additionally the well-known Maho Seashore, which presents the distinctive sight of planes flying shut overhead.
Yow will discover topless/nude seashores like Orient Bay and Completely happy Bay on the St. Martin facet, along with scenic stretches like Grand Case Seashore, Le Galion Seashore, Plum Bay Seashore, Petite Plage, and Friar’s Bay Seashore.
Issues to do in St. Maarten embrace all types of watersports together with snorkeling and scuba diving, out of doors actions like mountain climbing, buying, meals excursions, rum tasting, island-hopping, historic websites, museums, nature reserves, an eco-park that includes the world’s steepest zipline, and a zoo.
You can even discover the stunning cities of Phillipsburg in St. Maarten and Marigot Bay in St. Martin. Foodies will love the truth that there are over 400 eating places right here, which is greater than on some other Caribbean island. You may dine at something from informal open-air “lolos” to genuine Dutch cafes to connoisseur French eating places.
There are additionally loads of nightlife choices, from golf equipment to bars to casinos. In truth, St. Maarten has a very good bit extra to supply when it comes to nightlife than St. Thomas.
St. Maarten vs. St. Thomas: Lodging
St. Thomas presents a wide range of locations to remain, from smaller motels to trip leases to luxurious resorts. A few of the finest St. Thomas resorts are Bolongo Bay Resort, the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, and Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove.
You can even discover all types of selections on St. Maarten / St. Martin, from cheap inns to rental villas to swanky resorts. Nice choices embrace the adults-only Karibuni Boutique Hotel, Grand Case Beach Club Hotel, and the adults-only all-inclusive resorts Secrets St. Martin and Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.
St. Maarten vs. St. Thomas: Value
The foreign money on St. Thomas is the U.S. greenback, whereas on St. Maarten it’s the Netherland Antilles guilder. (Though St. Martin makes use of the euro.) St. Maarten tends to be dearer than St. Thomas, however each are comparatively reasonably priced islands.
St. Maarten vs. St. Thomas: Cruise Port
Whereas each of those islands are on many cruise ship itineraries, St. Thomas is probably the highest Caribbean port for cruises. This could make it fairly crowded, but it surely additionally implies that you’ll find tons of fascinating excursions to do together with distinctive actions like flyboarding.
There are two cruise ports on St. Thomas, Havensight and Crown Bay.
The cruise port in St. Maarten at Pointe Blanche is a couple of 20-minute stroll or quick water ferry journey from the capital of Phillipsburg. You can even simply stroll to Nice Bay Seashore from the pier. There may be additionally a cruise port close to Marigot on the St. Martin facet.
Now that you simply’ve learn our comparability, what do you assume? Is St Maarten or St Thomas higher to your journey? Tell us within the feedback!
