Are you a would-be Sint Maartener? Or does being a Saint-Martinois sound better to you? Whichever part of the island you choose to live in, both St. Maarten and Saint-Martin present fantastic real estate investment opportunities that may prove to be beneficial in the long run.
Together, let’s examine your options as well as the best places to invest on the island. First, we’ll be touring St. Maarten and uncover its coveted neighborhoods. Afterwards, we’ll hop over to Saint-Martin to see what the local real estate market has in store for you. Ready? Let’s get started
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MAARTEN: THE DUTCH SIDE
St. Maarten (more formally known as Sint Maarten) occupies the southern half of Saint Martin– that’s nearly 45% of the island. Its capital is Philipsburg, which also serves as the entire island’s main commercial hub. Based on the latest population estimates, over 45,000 people reside here.
Before we move on, here are some basic facts about St. Maarten:
- Philipsburg may be St. Maarten’s capital, but its most populated cities are Cul de Sac and Lower Prince’s Quarter.
- St. Maarten is one of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of Netherlands. The other three are Antigua, Curacao, and the Netherlands. After resident voting in 2000, St. Maarten officially became self-governing in 2010. The local currency is Florin, also known as Antillean guilder.
- A low and hilly terrain characterizes St. Maarten’s topography.
- A few small islands are also part of St. Maarten. These include Little Key, Guana Key, and Molly Beday, which all lie off of the island’s southeastern coast.
Best places in St. Maarten for real estate investment
1. Cupecoy
On the western side of St. Maarten, just south of its border with Saint-Martin, lies Cupecoy. With its stretch of gold-sand beach, the neighborhood is renowned as St. Maarten’s golden coast. The views are especially stunning around sunset, when the beach seemingly glows under the late afternoon sun. It’s easy to see why Cupecoy is a choice location for those who want to secure a beachfront or waterview property on the island.
There are already several established beachfront condos and gated residential developments in and near Cupecoy Beach. These include Sapphire Beach Club, Porto Cupecoy, Cupecoy Beach Club, and Rainbow Beach Club. But if you want to invest in an undeveloped St. Maarten real estate property, beachfront and lagoon plots are listed on the market from time to time.
Apart from being a dream beach property location, Cupecoy attracts a steady stream of tourists due to its golden beach and proximity to Princess Juliana International Airport. You can turn this opportunity into regular passive income should you open your property as a short-term vacation rental. Alternatively, you can purchase a parcel of land and keep it until a developer comes knocking on your door.
2. Almond Grove
A hilly gated community located near the St. Maarten-Saint-Martin border, Almond Grove enjoys fantastic views of Cole Bay and the vast ocean beyond. Homes here are predominantly west-facing villas that allow residents to admire unforgettable sunsets. And since it’s nestled against the hills of Cole Bay, Almond Grove is shielded from strong easterly winds.
Almond Grove is an ideal place to invest– and live– if you want to get a feel of old-world St. Maarten. The entire neighborhood is covered in lush trees and vegetation, most of which have been around before the community. And to ensure all residents are able to enjoy the beautiful scenery, Almond Grove only allows the building of single-family residences and villas. Height restrictions are enforced to protect the vistas and overall landscape.
Real estate options in Almond Grove, St. Maarten include spacious villas, townhouses, as well as parcels of land.
3. Pelican Key
Another attractive place to invest in St. Maarten is Pelican Key. A stone’s throw away from Almond Grove, the neighborhood fronts scenic Simpson Bay and is recognized as one of the most developed areas in this side of the island.
A testament to Pelican Key’s development is the wide range of real estate options available in Pelican Key. Ocean-view apartments and condos as well as beachfront luxury villas feature prominently in the local housing market. On the commercial side, there are also retail spaces you can invest in.
Pelican Key’s diverse real estate investment options aren’t the only things that keep people returning to the area. The neighborhood is brimming with activities both on land and on the water. Some of the things you can do in Pelican Key include beachcombing, hiking, sailing and snorkeling. An array of restaurants, shops, and casinos can also be found in and around the vicinity.
4. Simpson Bay
From Pelican Key, you can widen your scope and consider real estate investments in the village of Simpson Bay. Although it’s considered as St. Maarten’s center of nightlife and water recreation, you can still enjoy a peaceful lifestyle in this esteemed neighborhood. Luxury beachfront villas and condos can be found in places such as Simpson Bay Corner and Simpson Bay Yacht Club; these homes make excellent primary residences, vacation properties, and short-term rentals.
Although it calls itself a village, Simpson Bay is very much like a cosmopolitan city. Though it’s compact, several public transit options are widely available for both residents and tourists. The Princess Juliana International Airport is also conveniently located nearby. There are several key attractions in the area, such as Simpson Bay Fish Market and a couple of high-end resorts and spas. If you own a yacht or sailboat, you can make Simpson Bay Lagoon your homeport.
Diverse dining and retail options abound in Simpson Bay, not to mention nightlife spots such as bars and clubs. But if you prefer to just sit back and relax, there’s Simpson Bay Beach. One of the longest beaches on the entire island, it’s lined with beach bars, local eateries, as well as stretches of quiet and calm– perfect for a day of sunbathing, reading, or simply doing nothing.
5. Guana Bay
Let’s head over to the eastern side of St. Maarten and into Guana Bay, one of the most picturesque locations in the country. Nestled on hills overlooking the Atlantic, the neighborhood is home to some of the largest villas in St. Maarten, with lots typically covering an acre or more. The best part of investing in Guana Bay real estate, however, is the price. As of time of writing, you can purchase an oceanfront villa or beachfront land in Guana Bay for less than $500,000.
Guana Bay’s magic lies in its rawness. Unlike most of St. Maarten’s west side, there are no sprawling beach resorts in this region. The lack of available accommodations also make Guana Bay a haven for those who want to escape the thick crowds of tourists that usually frequent Simpson Bay and Pelican Key. Even better, Guana Bay and the general vicinity offers amazing outdoor activities, from hiking to snorkeling.
A wide variety of water recreation can be done off of Guana Bay, but the best thing to do here is to surf. The beach and reef breaks in the area consistently generate swells that can be ridden by surfers of all skill levels. But because of the currents, anyone who tries to surf in Guana Bay should also be a strong swimmer. For clean waves and light offshore winds, the best time to surf here in Guana Bay is during autumn.
SAINT-MARTIN: THE FRENCH SIDE
Bienvenue à Saint-Martin, the island’s French side! Officially called the Collectivity of Saint-Martin, this overseas collectivity occupies Saint Martin’s northern half or around 60% of the island. Its capital is Marigot, which is only a 20-minute drive from St. Maarten’s Philipsburg via Rue de Hollande/Union Road. Saint-Martin is home to approximately 32,800 residents, making the French side less populated than its Dutch counterpart.
Below are a couple of essential information about Saint-Martin:
- Unlike St. Maarten, Saint-Martin is only semi-autonomous. It is part of the European Union and recognized as its outermost region. Euro is the official currency here.
- Most of Saint-Martin’s population lives along the collectivity’s coast. The most populated areas, however, are its urban centers. These include Marigot, Grand-Case, and Orleans.
- The landscape in Saint-Martin is defined by a series of low hills. Pic Paradis, which stands at over 420 meters or nearly 1,400 feet, is the highest point on the island.
- Saint-Martin includes several small islands, such as Creole Rock, Pinel Island, and Tintamarre Island. Although Tintamarre Island is the largest of these islands, it’s also uninhabited.
Best places in Saint-Martin for real estate investment
North of St. Maarten’s Cupecoy lies Terres-Basses, which is also known as the French Lowlands. Whichever you call it, the fact remains that it is one of the most exclusive and luxurious communities on the island. Million-dollar– and in some cases, million-euro– properties and parcels of land are the offerings here.
Terres-Basses sits on a large peninsula on the westernmost part of the island. There are over 320 home sites available. Majority of these lots offer up to 2.5 acres of prime land. At first glance, 320 lots might seem a lot, but Terres-Basses’ building restrictions preserve the neighborhood’s low density and ensure its residents’ privacy. Many home sites in Terres-Basses offer spectacular oceanfront locations, while others are perched higher on the hillside and come with breathtaking vistas. After all, this gated community is located right at the heart of the Gold Coast.
Terres-Basses is not only known for its collection of luxury villas; the community is also home to a string of beautiful beaches. These include Long Beach and Plum Beach, both of which sit in secluded areas of Terres-Basses and are never too crowded. Baie Rouge, set against cliffs, is even more sheltered. At one point, clothing becomes optional on this beach.
2. Marigot
As you consider real estate investment options in Saint-Martin, you don’t need to look farther than Marigot. It holds plenty of charm and character– as expected of a French city– but made even more colorful with its Caribbean influences. And for real estate investment, Marigot offers various options in terms of property and price.
Residential investment options in Marigot include single-family residences, condos, luxury estates, and beach homes. One of these properties can be your dream home on the island, or the latest addition to your vacation rental portfolio and empire. CRE investment opportunities are also ripe in Marigot. Multi-family properties and a wide selection of retail spaces (i.e. restaurants and storefronts) are available in the city, especially downtown.
Longevity is one of the best reasons to invest in Marigot real estate. Unlike most Caribbean port cities, which cater to a transient population, Marigot is home to a stable year-round population. Civic activity and engagement is well and alive in the city, guaranteeing steady income for those who are investing in rental properties or CRE.
3. Baie Nettle / Nettle Bay
Situated just outside Marigot, Nettle occupies an interesting– and quite scenic– location. It sits on a narrow peninsula, flanked on two sides by bodies of water: Simpson Bay Lagoon on one side and the Caribbean sea on the other. On land, two notable-Martin communities also border Nettle Bay: Terres-Basses to the west and Marigot to the east.
Because of its ideal location, Nettle Bay is brimming with activity. Many hotels, water recreation centers, and restaurants have branched out here, fronting the lagoon. And it’s this same lagoon that serves as the heart of the community. Calm and shallow, it’s a great spot to swim or engage in family-friendly water activities, making Nettle Bay especially popular among residents and holidaymakers with children.
Since Nettle Bay only covers a small area, the local real estate market is relatively limited compared to its neighbors. That said, there are gems to be found in the area. These include stunning ocean-view apartments and beachside villas. Right now on the market, a 27-acre beachfront hotel site is on sale for €35 million. If you’d like to grab this investment opportunity, get in touch with our team today!
Orient Bay on Saint-Martin’s east coast is a wonderful mix of French Caribbean and Mediterranean lifestyles. Although it suffered significant damage in 2007 due to Hurricane Irma, the community has since bounced back, its homes with their vibrant roofs and façades as colorful as ever. And if that’s not inviting enough, know that Orient Bay is also known as the Caribbean’s answer to St. Tropez.
Various real estate opportunities are available in this popular destination in Saint-Martin. On one hand, Orient Bay offers beautiful and brightly colored villas and single-family homes, many of which follow the design principles of gingerbread architecture. It’s definitely one of the most dominant architectural styles in Orient Bay. On the other hand, CRE investment opportunities also await. Retail spaces as well as different hospitality properties (i.e. resorts and guesthouses) can be found throughout the neighborhood.
Orient Bay is famed for Orient Beach, which is recognized as the busiest beach on the island. It’s especially popular among nudists, since clothing is optional in the southern end of the beach. That said, don’t feel pressured to bare it all. On the water, you can participate in a bevy of watersports and activities such as snorkeling and windsurfing.
5. Anse Marcel
We’ve made it to the northernmost community on the island– Anse Marcel. While Orient Bay is busy and action-packed, Anse Marcel is calm and relaxed, with many unspoiled green hills and pristine beaches. The village starts from the hills and travels all the way down to the protected cove, which is a fantastic spot for water activities such as kayaking and jet-skiing.
Although 45 minutes away from the airport and considerably more remote than the other places we’ve listed so far, Anse Marcel attracts its fair share of vacationers and aspiring homebuyers. Real estate options in the village include undeveloped parcels of land and hillside villas with dramatic views of the turquoise sea. CRE investment opportunities are available as well; you might be the new owner of the next sought-after hotel in the area.
EXPLORE MORE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Our team at St. Maarten Investments (SMI) is ready and well-positioned to help you secure the newest addition to your investment portfolio in St. Maarten (SXM) or Saint-Martin (FWI). Whether you’re looking for a luxury hillside villa overlooking the sea or a beach bar, get in touch with us today.