Aruba and St Maarten (Sint Maarten / Saint Martin) are both Dutch Caribbean islands — but they couldn’t be more different in character. St Maarten is split between French and Dutch, known for Maho Beach and the Princess Juliana Airport plane landings, with a livelier, more cosmopolitan feel. Here’s how they compare.
Planning a trip to Aruba?
One email before you go, with what is worth booking ahead and what is not. No weekly newsletter.
By submitting you agree we can email you about your Aruba trip. One or two emails, then nothing. Unsubscribe in one click from any of them.
Aruba vs St Maarten: Quick Comparison
| Category | Aruba | St Maarten/St Martin |
| Weather reliability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outside hurricane belt | ⭐⭐ In hurricane belt — Category 5 Irma in 2017 caused catastrophic damage |
| Beach quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Eagle Beach, Palm Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Orient Bay, Maho, multiple good options |
| Unique experiences | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Natural Pool, divi-divi trees, windsurfing capital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Maho plane spotting, French/Dutch split, Orient Bay nudist beach |
| Dining | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 200+ restaurants, strong scene | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Renowned French cuisine on St Martin side |
| Nightlife | ⭐⭐⭐ Beach bars, casinos | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the Caribbean’s liveliest |
| Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very safe | ⭐⭐⭐ Higher crime than Aruba; still manageable |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐ Premium pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ More affordable overall |
Hurricane History: Critical Difference
Hurricane Irma (Category 5) hit St Maarten directly in September 2017 — one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded. The island suffered catastrophic damage. While recovery has been substantial, the fact that St Maarten can be directly hit by Category 5 hurricanes is a meaningful consideration when choosing between the two islands. Aruba’s position outside the hurricane belt means this is not a realistic risk.
Still deciding what to do?
These three come up again and again in reviews.
Traveller favouriteAruba Morning Snorkel Sail aboard Palm Pleasure Catamaran
$124 / person
Check dates & book
Highly ratedAruba Afternoon Snorkel Sail aboard Palm Pleasure Catamaran
$85 / person
Check dates & bookLive prices from Viator · free cancellation up to 24 hours before · we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Unique Experiences: St Maarten Wins
Maho Beach, adjacent to Princess Juliana Airport runway, is one of the most unique beach experiences in the world — jets land just metres above sunbathers’ heads. The French-Dutch island split means you can have breakfast in France (Saint Martin) and dinner in the Netherlands (Sint Maarten) within the same day. Orient Bay has a vibrant beach club scene. These are distinctive experiences Aruba can’t match.
Dining: St Maarten Edges Ahead
The French side (Saint Martin) has a genuine gastronomic scene with outstanding French Caribbean cuisine. Grand Case is one of the Caribbean’s best food villages. Aruba’s restaurant scene is excellent — but St Maarten’s French influence takes it slightly higher for serious food travellers.
Who Should Choose Aruba
✅ Hurricane risk is unacceptable (honeymoon, milestone trip, June–November travel)
✅ Safety is a priority
✅ You want a more relaxed, single-island experience
Who Should Choose St Maarten
✅ You want the most unique Caribbean beach experience (Maho plane spotting)
✅ Serious dining (French Caribbean cuisine) is a priority
✅ Lively nightlife is important
✅ Travelling December–April when hurricane risk is at its lowest
Aruba wins on weather reliability (no hurricane risk — Hurricane Irma devastated St Maarten in 2017), safety, and beach consistency. St Maarten wins on unique experiences (Maho Beach plane spotting), French cuisine, nightlife, and the novelty of a split French-Dutch island.
Tourist areas of St Maarten are generally safe, but the island has higher crime rates than Aruba. Exercise normal urban precautions, particularly in Philipsburg. The French side (Saint Martin) is generally considered safer than the Dutch side.
Aruba vs Curaçao | Aruba vs Jamaica | Aruba travel guide
Planning your Aruba trip? Browse the best Aruba tours, top beaches and recommended hotels for honest reviews and direct booking.
4,000+ reviews · Free cancellation on most · Best price guaranteed
Bring Aruba Home With You
Authentic Aruba merch — designed by locals, shipped worldwide.
Our cars
Rent a car with us — from $50 a day
Automatic and air conditioned, picked up at the airport, your hotel or our Oranjestad office. Pay 13% online to hold the car and the rest when you collect it. Minimum 3 days.
See cars and prices →✈️ Search Flights & Hotels to Aruba
Compare prices across airlines and hotels in seconds.
We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
We are an independent Aruba travel guide. Our rankings are honest — we track live prices across 460+ tours and 180+ hotels, we update guides continuously, and no operator can pay for a better review. Read our editorial policy and who we are.
✈️ Cheap Flights to Aruba
Live lowest round-trip fares found on Aviasales
🚕 Airport Transfers
Pre-book a private transfer from Queen Beatrix Airport to your hotel
We earn a small commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you. This never affects our recommendations.
Car rental · from $50 a day
Rent a car in Aruba
Automatic and air conditioned, picked up at the airport or our Oranjestad office. We hold the exact car for your dates, you pay 13% online and the rest at pickup. Minimum 3 days.
Rental cars, same deal — small reservation fee online, the rest paid when you pick the car up. All vehicles →
