JetBlue Has New Nonstop Flights to St. Maarten, the Dual-Destination Caribbean Island With Food, Fun, and Picture-Perfect Beaches

Sunset cocktails along the boardwalk. An afternoon of shopping in Philipsburg. Dinners in Grand Case that stretch late into the night — St. Maarten is just a fun place to be — and the Caribbean island has a way of making even simple rituals feel like part of its identity. With JetBlue’s new nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale, travelers now have an easier path to all of it.

The route launched this week with four flights per week, operating year-round. It marks St. Maarten’s return to JetBlue’s Fort Lauderdale network and reflects the steady rise in Caribbean demand from South Florida. For travelers, it’s a direct three-hour flight into one of the region’s most diverse, compact, and experience-rich destinations.

The Island

St. Maarten offers two distinct personalities wrapped into one island — the Dutch side alive with waterfront promenades, beach clubs, and a lively marina district, and the French side known for its quieter villages, hillside lookouts, and a culinary landscape that draws travelers from across the Caribbean.

That mix plays out across everyday experiences. Philipsburg is the island’s shopping hub, with jewelry boutiques, local craft stalls, fashion storefronts, and seaside cafés lining the boardwalk. Farther north, the French side leans into its open-air markets, bakeries, and galleries, giving travelers a taste of its European-Caribbean blend.

Culture is central to the island’s appeal. Music, food, and local festivals move between both sides, but each keeps its own character — from the colorful bars and waterside grills of the Dutch side to the slower, village-centered lifestyle of the French communities. Grand Case, in particular, remains one of the Caribbean’s best-known dining villages, where seaside restaurants and casual “lolos” create a nighttime scene that feels both local and worldly.

For those who want more than shoreline, St. Maarten’s interior offers real adventure. Pic Paradis, the island’s highest point, is lined with hiking trails that wind through dense greenery and lead to panoramic views over both coasts. The island is also home to ziplines, nature parks, and coastal excursions that take travelers beyond the usual beach day — all within a short drive, thanks to the island’s compact layout.

The Beaches

Both sides of St. Maarten deliver standout beaches, each with its own feel and shoreline personality. Orient Bay is the French side’s long, lively sweep of sand with wide water views and a lineup of casual restaurants just steps from the surf. Around the corner, Grand Case Beach offers a quieter scene, framed by calm water and that signature French-side charm.

Farther along the northern shore, Friar’s Bay has the feel of a tucked-away beach day, with soft sand and a sheltered curve of coastline that draws both locals and visitors. On the Dutch side, Cupecoy’s dramatic limestone cliffs give way to pockets of golden beach, especially appealing in late afternoon. And near the southwest corner of the island, Simpson Bay stretches into a long ribbon of easy, unhurried shoreline, with calm water and small beach bars that make it one of the island’s most versatile spots for a relaxed day by the sea. And the reality is that these are just the beginning.

Where to Stay

Grand Case Beach Club lines one of the French side’s most peaceful curves of sand, pairing beachfront suites with easy access to Grand Case’s celebrated dining scene. It’s the classic St Marten hotel, and one of our favorites anywhere in the Caribbean.

Aura SXM is a new retreat hidden away in Anse Marcel, one we visited recently and were very impressed. It’s basically a villa-resort, with a cool pool and some rooms that come with their own plunge pool options, too. Great if you’re with family or a large group.

The Morgan delivers a polished stay on the Dutch side, very close to the airport, with bright rooms, a lagoon-style pool, and a central location near the marina district and several southern beaches.

La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel brings an elevated, French-Caribbean elegance to the western edge of the island, set above a stretch of white sand that feels naturally secluded. The resort’s terraced suites and villas open to wide ocean views, and its design leans into soft, coastal tones that mirror the calm water below. Guests come for the quiet, the refined service, and the sense of being tucked into a private corner of the French side

What We Like

A four-times-weekly schedule gives travelers flexibility for long weekends or midweek departures, and the year-round operation keeps the island accessible at any time. Fort Lauderdale’s easy connections also open the route for travelers coming from other JetBlue cities.

The variety of hotels helps define the island’s charm. St. Maarten manages to balance classic beachfronts, contemporary design hotels, culinary districts, and outdoor adventure — all within reach of a single base.

How to Get There

JetBlue now flies nonstop from Fort Lauderdale to St. Maarten four times per week throughout the year, with flight times just over three hours. Travelers can also use the route as a launching point for short transfers to Anguilla, St. Barth, or Saba.

What It Costs

Fares are about $595 roundtrip right now, according to Google Flights. If you’re willing to fly Spirit, you can find fares for as low as $176 out of Fort Lauderdale to St Maarten right now, too. But it’s hard to beat the JetBlue experience.