Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin can be enjoyed by visitors who use a wheelchair, walker or mobility scooter, as well as travelers who find it difficult to walk long distances. Accessibility is not consistent across the island, however, so some advance planning is important.
Sidewalks may be narrow, uneven or interrupted, curb ramps are not always available, and some older buildings have steps at their entrances. The hills and busy roads can also make independent movement difficult outside the main tourism areas.
There are several notable exceptions. The Philipsburg Boardwalk, Great Bay, Little Bay, Maho Village, Orient Bay, Anse Marcel and the Marigot waterfront are among the most practical places to visit. Accessible transportation, beach-wheelchair rentals and airport assistance also make it possible to experience much more of the island.
Princess Juliana International Airport – SXM
Princess Juliana International Airport provides assistance for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility. Wheelchair assistance must be arranged directly through the passenger’s airline before travel. Trained personnel can assist departing passengers from check-in to the aircraft and arriving passengers through the terminal.
The airport also provides marked accessible parking spaces close to the terminal entrance. Passengers travelling with a powered wheelchair should provide their airline with the chair’s weight, dimensions and battery information before departure.
Princess Juliana International Airport
Reception: +1 721 546 7542 or +1 721 546 7549
Customer Service: +1 721 546 7777
The wheelchair request itself should always be made through the airline.
Grand Case–L’Espérance Airport – SFG
Grand Case Airport provides free assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Assistance can begin at the intercom in the main parking area and continue through the terminal to the passenger’s seat on the aircraft. The same service is available in reverse for arriving passengers.
Passengers must inform their airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before departure. The airport also recommends calling at least 36 hours in advance to confirm the arrangements.
Grand Case–L’Espérance Airport
Telephone: +590 590 271 100
Telephone service: 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., seven days a week
Accessible Taxis & Transportation
Most regular taxis and public minibuses should not be assumed to accommodate a passenger who must remain seated in a wheelchair. Specialized transportation should therefore be arranged before arrival.
Accessible Ventures Transportation
Accessible Ventures Transportation of St. Maarten provides equipped transportation, airport and cruise-port assistance, accessible island tours and mobility-equipment rentals. Available equipment includes wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, rollators and specialist beach chairs.
The company recommends making reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Its private tours can be adapted to the passenger’s mobility level and can include stops on both the Dutch and French sides.
Telephone and WhatsApp: +1 721 542 0411
Email: accessibleventures@outlook.com
Location: W.G. Buncamper Road, Suite 2, Philipsburg
St. Maarten Access A Ride / Access A Tour
St. Maarten Access A Ride provides accessible transfers and private tours from the airports, cruise port, hotels, restaurants and other locations on both sides of the island.
Passengers should explain whether they can transfer into a regular vehicle seat or must remain in their wheelchair during transportation. The company should also be given the approximate dimensions and weight of the wheelchair or scooter.
Dutch-side telephone numbers: +1 721 588 2888 or +1 721 550 2888
French-side telephone number: +590 690 220519
Email: bookings@accessaridestmaarten.com
Philipsburg Boardwalk & Great Bay
The Boardwalk along Great Bay is one of the easiest areas of the island for wheelchair users and people who have difficulty walking. The broad waterfront route is mostly level and provides access to restaurants, beach bars, shops and places to sit and enjoy the view.
Great Bay Beach runs directly alongside the Boardwalk. Beach-chair rentals, umbrellas, showers, restrooms and numerous dining options are available close to the waterfront. Visitors can therefore enjoy much of the beach atmosphere without having to cross the sand.
A conventional wheelchair will still have difficulty reaching the water. Accessible Ventures offers specialist beach chairs designed to move across the sand, making Great Bay one of the best options for an accessible beach day.
Individual businesses along the Boardwalk may have small steps, narrow entrances or different restroom arrangements. Contact a particular restaurant or beach bar before visiting when full step-free access is required.
Arriving from the Cruise Port
Great Bay and the Philipsburg Boardwalk are close to the cruise port, making them among the easiest attractions for cruise passengers with limited mobility. Accessible Ventures and Access A Ride can provide pre-arranged collection from the port and transportation directly to the Boardwalk, a beach location or another accessible activity.
Passengers using a large powered wheelchair should book transportation before the ship arrives rather than relying on finding a suitable vehicle at the port.
Maho Village & Plane Spotting
Maho Beach itself is difficult for conventional wheelchairs because of the loose sand, changing beach conditions and large crowds. Visitors should also remain aware of the strong jet blast created by departing aircraft.
Maho Village is a much more practical alternative. Restaurants, cafés, shops, casinos and entertainment are concentrated within a relatively compact area close to the famous aircraft landings. Visitors can watch arriving aircraft from developed or paved areas without attempting to cross the beach.
Accessibility differs between individual businesses. Confirm step-free entry, seating arrangements and restroom access directly with the establishment you plan to visit.
Marigot Waterfront
The Marigot waterfront is one of the more manageable areas on the French side. The market, cafés, marina, shops and waterfront promenade are concentrated within a compact district.
Visitors can browse the market, stop for lunch or coffee and enjoy the harbor without covering the steeper parts of town. Marigot’s interior streets can be narrower and more uneven, so remaining near the waterfront is generally the easier option.
Fort Louis overlooks Marigot but requires a steep climb and steps. It is therefore not suitable for most wheelchair users or visitors who have significant difficulty walking.
The Collectivité has also been developing additional parking and a new promenade along the Marigot seafront. As work may temporarily affect routes, visitors should check local conditions before travelling.
Great Bay Beach
Great Bay is the strongest choice for visitors who want to combine a beach day with restaurants, shopping and an easy waterfront route.
The Boardwalk provides a stable surface beside the beach, and accessible transportation can drop passengers close to the restaurants and beach facilities. A specialist beach chair can then be arranged for anyone who wishes to move across the sand or closer to the sea.
Great Bay is busier when cruise ships are in port. Visitors seeking a quieter experience should arrive earlier in the morning or continue farther along the Boardwalk away from the busiest cruise-passenger areas.
Little Bay Beach
Little Bay is another practical beach, particularly for visitors staying at one of the beachfront resorts. The bay is protected by the Fort Amsterdam peninsula, resulting in generally calmer water. Restaurants, beach service, shops and watersports are available close to the shoreline.
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort is one of the island’s most practical places to stay for visitors with limited mobility. Restaurants, pools, shops, a spa, beach facilities and activities are located within the resort grounds, reducing the need to travel to different locations each day.
The resort provides a complimentary golf-cart shuttle that operates throughout the day and evening. It connects rooms, restaurants, bars, pools, shops, the spa and watersports centre. This can be particularly helpful for guests who can walk short distances or transfer into the shuttle.
Accessible rooms have been confirmed as available by request. Guests should contact the resort before booking to discuss the precise bathroom layout, shower access, door widths, room location and distance from restaurants and the beach.
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
Resort telephone: +1 721 542 2333
Concierge email: concierge.sxm@diviresorts.com
Reservations: +1 800 367 3484 or +1 919 419 3484
Reservations email: reserve@diviresorts.com
Orient Bay
Orient Bay is one of the best French-side beach areas for visitors with limited mobility. The beach is accessible by road, parking is available around the central square and near the beach, and there is a large selection of restaurants, beach clubs and shops.
The developed village and restaurant areas are generally easier to navigate than isolated beaches without nearby facilities. The final route across the sand will still require assistance or a specialist beach chair for most wheelchair users.
Each beach club has a different layout. Ask about the distance from the drop-off point, pathway surfaces, steps, accessible restrooms and assistance across the sand before choosing where to spend the day.
Orient Beach Hotel
Orient Beach Hotel is located directly beside Orient Bay Beach and offers two ground-floor rooms designed for people with reduced mobility. These rooms are available on request.
The hotel’s ground-level rooms provide direct access toward the beach, while restaurants and beach clubs are located nearby.
Orient Beach Hotel
Telephone: +590 590 77 64 64
North America: +1 201 957 5493
Email: contact@orientbeachhotel.com
Esmeralda Resort
Esmeralda Resort may be suitable for visitors who have difficulty with stairs. All rooms and suites are on the ground floor, and the resort is located close to Orient Bay Beach.
The property extends across a large tropical garden, so guests who use a wheelchair should ask about pathway surfaces, distances and the location of their room before booking. Ground-floor accommodation does not automatically mean that every route or bathroom is fully wheelchair accessible.
Esmeralda Resort
Telephone: +590 590 87 36 36
WhatsApp: +590 690 55 86 25
Email: reservation@esmeralda-resort.com
Anse Marcel
Anse Marcel is one of the easiest French-side beaches for a quieter day. The beach lies inside a sheltered bay, with generally calm and shallow water. Road access, parking, a marina, restaurants and beachfront accommodation are located within the same developed area.
The compact arrangement makes Anse Marcel easier than beaches where visitors must walk a long distance from the road or parking area. Assistance may still be required for the final section across the sand.
Anse Marcel Beach Restaurant
The Anse Marcel Beach restaurant is located directly beside the beach and has nearby parking. It is listed as wheelchair accessible, but visitors should contact the restaurant to confirm the current entrance, pathway and restroom arrangements.
Telephone: +590 690 26 38 50
Email: restaurant@anse-marcel-beach.com
St. Martin Beach Resort & Spa
St. Martin Beach Resort & Spa is located directly on Anse Marcel Bay. The hotel publishes an accessibility commitment and asks guests with disabilities to contact the resort for specific arrangements.
Before booking, confirm room access, shower configuration, grab rails, door widths and the route between the room, restaurant, pool and beach.
St. Martin Beach Resort & Spa
General telephone: +590 590 87 33 61
Accessibility enquiries: +590 590 87 67 00
Email: stay@stmartinbeachresort.com
Accessible Island Tours
A private accessible island tour is one of the easiest ways to see both sides of Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin.
A suitable route can include the Philipsburg Boardwalk, Great Bay, Maho Village, the Marigot waterfront, Orient Bay and Anse Marcel. Stops can be selected according to the passenger’s ability to transfer, walk short distances or remain seated in a wheelchair.
Accessible Ventures and Access A Ride can also organize airport, cruise-port, hotel and restaurant transfers, allowing visitors to avoid relying on ordinary taxis or public minibuses.
Practical Tips
- Request airport wheelchair assistance through the airline as early as possible.
- Reserve accessible ground transportation before arriving on the island.
- Provide the dimensions and weight of any wheelchair or mobility scooter.
- Explain whether the passenger can transfer into a regular seat.
- Ask hotels for photographs or measurements of the bathroom and shower.
- Confirm whether the route from parking to the room, restaurant or beach is step-free.
- Ask whether an accessible restroom is available.
- Reserve a specialist beach chair in advance.
- Allow additional time for island traffic and for securing mobility equipment.
- Do not assume that every restaurant or beach club within an accessible area has the same facilities.
- Use Destinito for current contacts, transportation information and suitable places to visit.
Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin are not yet fully accessible destinations. Nevertheless, visitors with limited mobility can still enjoy many of the island’s best experiences with the right planning.
The Philipsburg Boardwalk, Great Bay, Little Bay, Maho Village, Marigot, Orient Bay and Anse Marcel all provide practical possibilities. Accessible transportation, adapted accommodation and specialist beach chairs can make the difference between simply seeing the island and truly experiencing it.
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