You can spend your morning in one country and your evening in another. Start your day on a wide sandy beach with clear, flat water, then cross the invisible border and take a seat at a table where you can enjoy a long, leisurely meal. Later, you’ll return to the other side of the island and wander between shops and bars along the boardwalk, see cruise ships in the distance, and hear music blaring in the streets. From here you can split your day however you wish. You can spend half your time on the beach and half in the city and still feel like you’ve done plenty.
Now it’s easier to get there.
New JetBlue flights departing Fort Lauderdale
JetBlue is flying now Four times a week between Fort Lauderdale and St. MaartenAdds clean, direct connectivity from South Florida to one of the Caribbean’s most versatile islands.
The route arrives at: Princess Juliana International AirportIt is minutes from Simpson Bay, Maho Beach and the main road connecting both sides of the island. Fort Lauderdale continues to be one of the easiest gateways for travel to the Caribbean, and the added frequency gives you more control over how long you stay and when you travel.
It’s a schedule that works for a long weekend or a full week without overthinking the logistics.
Two countries, one trip
Saint-Martin is distinguished because it is divided into: two countries.
On the Dutch side, Sint MaartenYou’ll find Philipsburg, cruise traffic, shopping streets, casinos, and a never-ending stream of bars along the water.
On the French side, st martinThe speed changes. The roads are narrow, beach clubs occupy the coastline, and a day can often be spent moving from sand to table without much interruption.
You can hop between them in a matter of minutes. There are no checkpoints and no stops. All it takes is a change in roadside signs, language, menus, and the way the day progresses.
This is what makes islands so easy to use. You don’t have to choose just one travel style.
You can do both on an island called “The Friendly Island” for a very good reason.
Orient Bay and French Side Beach
On the French side, Orient Bay The wind continues to blow and the sand stretches long and wide. You’ll see rows of beach chairs, water sports moving in and out of the bay, and restaurants located just behind the shoreline.
It’s one of the most active beaches on the island, but it never feels pressured. There is space to walk, space to settle, and a steady rhythm of people arriving, staying for a few hours, and then moving on.
Drive further and the beach changes again. Smaller bays, quieter areas, fewer structures. Where a day is all about water, sand, and whatever you bring with you.
Phillipsburg: Where Energy Gathers
On the Dutch side, phillipsburg Everything is within reach along the long boardwalk that runs along Great Bay.
You can get from one end to the other without getting into a car. The streets just behind the beach are lined with jewelers, local boutiques and duty-free shops, making it one of the Caribbean’s strongest shopping destinations.
If you follow the trail ahead, the speed will be different. The bar is connected to the water, music is playing, and people are stopping to have a drink before moving on to the next place. You could easily spend an afternoon here without planning anything, just walking, stopping, sitting, and walking again.
When a cruise ship docks in port, energy builds up. When they’re gone, they make way for quieter, more local, yet still active places.
Spending time at the beach without overthinking it.
One of the great things about St Maarten is how quickly you can change settings.
You can start here: Maho BeachWatching a plane pass low overhead and then driving for 10 minutes takes you to a completely different place. Head over the hill towards Simpson Bay, a longer stretch of sand, or towards the French side, where the beach opens up.
Nothing feels far away. This will change the way you use your time.
Instead of committing to one place for a day, move around. Stay here for a few hours and then go somewhere else. Beach in the morning, town in the afternoon, dinner across the island.
place to stay
Where you stay will depend on how you use the island, and each of these three properties will be in a different location.
Grand Case Beach Club
On the French side, Grand Case Beach Club You’ll find yourself right on the water with views across Anguilla and a quiet coastline that feels like you’re away from the hustle and bustle of the island.
The rooms open towards the sea and the property has easy access to: Grand Case VillageOne of the most well-known dining venues on the island. A walk or short drive will get you to the restaurant in minutes and a quieter environment at night.
Perfect if you want to stay on the French side with easy access to both beaches and restaurants.
The Martin Boutique Hotel
For smaller ones, The Martin Boutique Hotel With only a few rooms and a quiet atmosphere, it offers a more intimate environment.
The location is unique. It is located in the heart of the residential area of Cul de Sac, the most popular starting point for Pinel Island.
Explore the Island
Once you land, the best way to get around is by car.
Although the distances are short, the island is not built around a single center. Beaches, villages and restaurants are spread out, and having your own transport means you can change your plans without waiting for anything.
From the airport, depending on traffic, it takes a few minutes to get to Simpson Bay, about 15 minutes to Philipsburg, and about 25-30 minutes to the French side.
That proximity is what makes the island work the way it does. You are never stuck in one place.
Why is this plane buzzing?
JetBlue’s expanded service isn’t just about adding routes. It’s perfect for the way St. Maarten is used.
Short flight. Flexible schedule. The ability to go for several days without having to make a complicated itinerary.
Four weekly flights give you more control over your arrival and departure dates, which is important if you want to maximize your time on the island.
This also solidifies Fort Lauderdale as a major gateway for Caribbean travel, especially for a destination best suited for quick, repeat trips rather than one-off visits.
Types of trips you can make here
St. Maarten doesn’t require you to choose a single version of your Caribbean trip.
You can spend an hour of your day on the beach, with its breezy open spaces, and then head into town where everything is within walking distance. You can move from the quiet surroundings of the French side to the busier Dutch side of the afternoon without having to plan much in advance.
This flexibility is what keeps people coming back.
And now, with more flights between Fort Lauderdale and St. Maarten, it’s easier to make this type of trip more frequent rather than just one.
jetblue flight prices
According to what I found on the Google Flights platform, you can find round-trip airfare on JetBlue to St Maarten in April for around $489.
