Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten, and is situated a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. The main shopping district, Front Street, is in the heart of the city. Philipsburg was founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy, and soon became a bustling centre of international trade. Two historic forts bear witness to Philipsburg's strategic importance in St. Maarten's history: Fort Amsterdam and Fort Willem. This view is from above Fort Willem. Philipsburg has a port that is home to many cruise liners, ships like Celebrity Solstice, Crown Princess, Disney Magic, and the Oasis of the Seas.

Pic Paradis or Pic du Paradis (Paradise Peak in French) is the highest point in a chain of hills on St Martin, with an altitude of 424 metres (1,391 ft), it is the highest point on the island. From Pic Paradis you can see Orient Bay in the North-East, and all the beaches and coves to the Port of Philispburg, the capital of the Dutch side, St Maarten, as well as the off-shore islands of Tintamare, Grren Caye and St Barts on the horizon.

Fort Amsterdam was built by the Dutch in 1631. Located near Great Bay and Little Bay, it was soon captured by the Spanish who occupied it as a military post until 1648. In that year the partition agreement was signed by Holland and France, creating Dutch Sint Marten and French St Martin. The island, and therefore the Fort, changed hands many times between Holland, England and France.

From Pointe Blanche you have a superb view of Great Bay, the beach and Fronts Street, the commercial area of Philipsburg, the capital of St Maarten. We are told that the Dutch built an artillery battery here opposite the Fort Amsterdam to control access to Great Bay and the town. Today Pointe Blanche is a very desirable residential area.

Fort Louis is the largest historic, military monument in St. Martin. It was built in 1767, shortly before the demise of the King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Shortly afterwards the fort was temporarily occupied by the Dutch to prevent the further spread of revolutionary democracy. The fort was built to protect the settlement at Marigot, today the colorful capital of French St Martin. From the fort there is a fabulous view of the city and the British island of Anguilla to the west, and the Dutch island of Saba in the south.

Simpson Bay near the airport Of Juliana is one of the most bustling commercial areas of St Maarten, with abundant restaurants, bars and clubs, hotels and casinos. There is a drawbridge which opens several times a day to let mega-yachts and sailing boats into the lagoon, where there are several marinas. Simpson Bay beach is a beautiful long curve of white sandy beach, usually very quiet and enjoyable. Cole Bay is a busy shopping area leading towards Marigot on the French side.

Grand Case is a delightful town built on a mile-long curving white sandy beach with calm Caribbean waters. The town is famous for its Gourment French cuisine restauarants. The main street is lined with restaurants and boutiques. Grand Case has an excellent view of Creole Rock and Anguilla. Small planes intermittently land at the airport, sweeping low over the beach.

From the hill above Grande Case you can see the northern mountains and the pristine bay of Anse Marcel. To the east is Orient Bay beach and the off-shore island of Tintamare and in the distance St Barts. To the south you can see the Fort Louis overlooking Marigot, and in the distance the Low Lands and the Juliana airport.

Babit Point in French St Martin overlooks the cove of Oyster Pond and the Captain Oliver hotel, restaurant and marina, Dawn Beach to the south and Galion to the north. The point is on the dividing line between French St Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten. The French town of Oyster Pond has some delightful restaurants, guest houses and small hotels. On the Dutch side there are several hotels and many vacation villas.

From the hills you can see Oyster Pond's quiet cove and marina, and the exquisite white sandy beach and turquoise waters of Dawn beach, and excellent spot for snorkling. The Lighthouse is a luxury residence dominating the channel into Oyster Pond, the Coral Beach Club a beautifully designed collection of white-walled villas located on Dawn Beach. A ferry goes twice a week from Oyster Pond taking you in 40 minutes to the island of St Barts.