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Dumbbell racks, Primal adjustable benches and lit mirrors at Solis Body Club

Local guide

How to stay fit in St. Maarten

Gyms with day passes, the island’s best hikes, where to run, padel and water sports — plus how to train in the Caribbean heat. From the team at Solis Body Club in Simpson Bay.

By the Solis Body Club teamPublished Updated

Lift: find a gym with a day pass

St. Maarten has gyms on both sides of the island, and many welcome visitors on day or week passes. Look for real free weights, a cool and well-ventilated space, showers and easy parking — and check the hours before you drive over.

At Solis Body Club in Simpson Bay you can buy a pass at the front desk any day from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm with your ID or passport — your QR code then works 24/7 for as long as the pass lasts — and train on professional-grade Primal Strength equipment. See day and week passes.

Hike: the island’s best climbs

For its size, St. Maarten / Saint-Martin is surprisingly hilly — which makes for short, steep and rewarding hikes with sea views on every side. A few favourites:

  • Pic Paradis · French side

    • 424 m · 1,391 ft
    • Island’s highest point
    • Via Loterie Farm or Rue du Pic Paradis

    The summit viewpoints look west over Marigot and east over Orient Bay and Tintamarre — and on clear days you can pick out St. Barths and Saba on the horizon. The hike up from Loterie Farm is the longer, tougher option (about 1½ hours one way); you can also drive up Rue du Pic Paradis and walk the last 20 minutes.

  • St. Peter Hill · Cole Bay, Dutch side

    • 317 m · 1,040 ft
    • ≈ 2 h round trip
    • Closest big hike to Solis

    Also called the Fleming Property trail. It starts on Union Road in Cole Bay, near the Simpson Bay causeway roundabout, and climbs about 2 km to the top — with panoramic views over Simpson Bay Lagoon, the airport and Dutch Cul de Sac. Go in the morning for the best light.

  • Naked Boy Hill · Guana Bay, Dutch side

    • 1.6 km one way
    • ≈ 2 h round trip
    • Challenging

    A steep climb from the Pen Shell Road parking area in Guana Bay to one of the island’s highest hills, with panoramic views over Philipsburg and Guana Bay. You may meet iguanas along the route — give them space.

  • Sentier des Froussards · French side

    • 4.5 km · 2.8 mi
    • ≈ 2½ h
    • Nature reserve

    A coastal trail in the Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin, from Anse Marcel to Grandes Cayes via the quiet beach at Petites Cayes — through the island’s last intact coastal forest. Bring a swimsuit.

Trail tips: start early, carry more water than you think you need, wear proper shoes, and tell someone where you’re going. Most trails have little shade, and conditions change after heavy rain.

Run: where to go, and when

Many main roads are busy and have no sidewalk, so pick your route carefully:

  • Philipsburg boardwalk along Great Bay — flat, paved and scenic, best early before the cruise crowds.
  • Beach runs on the firmer sand near the water at Simpson Bay Beach, Great Bay and Orient Bay.
  • Trail runs on the hikes above, for hill work with a view.

Want company? The St. Maarten Road Runners organise races, training runs and community events on the island.

Play: padel & more

Padel has taken off on the island. SXM Padel Club in Little Bay, opposite the Belair Beach Hotel, has three courts, lessons for every level and a snack bar — an easy way to add cardio to a holiday.

Get on the water

Simpson Bay Lagoon is calm and sheltered, which makes it a good place to try paddleboarding or kayaking. For swimmers, calm beaches early in the morning are ideal for laps. Sailing fans can time a trip with the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta each March.

Beat the heat

It’s warm and sunny all year, so plan around the sun:

  • Train outdoors early or late. Depending on the season, the sun rises between about 5:35 and 6:50 am and sets between about 5:35 and 6:50 pm.
  • Drink before you’re thirsty, and add electrolytes on long or sweaty days.
  • Wear SPF, a cap and light clothing — and take it easier your first few days.
  • For the hardest sessions, head indoors to a gym during the midday heat.

Today in Simpson Bay

Recover & refuel

Hot days, long hikes and hard sessions add up. At Solis you can use Normatec compression boots and Hyperice tools after training, then refuel at the Solis Smoothie Bar — open to everyone, no membership needed.

Sources & further reading

Trail details change — check conditions locally before you go.

Too hot to run? Come lift.

Iron, recovery and a smoothie on the way out. Day passes every day.

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