Family Paradise: Kid-Friendly Activities and Beaches in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten

Cole Bay itself doesn't boast the island's most famous beaches, but this proves to be its hidden strength for families. A short 10-minute drive brings you to Kim Sha Beach, where gentle waves and gradual depth create the perfect playground for little swimmers. Unlike the more tourist-heavy spots, we found space to spread out our beach blanket without feeling cramped.

For slightly older children with energy to burn, Simpson Bay Beach offers a longer stretch of sand perfect for morning shell hunts and impromptu football matches. Elena and I would sip coffee from our insulated mugs while watching our three explorers construct elaborate sand castles as the morning light painted the bay in soft pastels.

Mullet Bay became our special weekend treat – a bit further from Cole Bay but worth every minute of the drive. Its protected cove and powder-soft sand created what my youngest daughter called 'the swimming pool beach' for its crystal clear, calm waters. Pack a picnic lunch and plan to spend the entire day here – you won't want to leave.

Sint Maarten's dual-nation identity (half Dutch, half French) creates a fascinating cultural landscape for curious young minds. From our base in Cole Bay, we dedicated several mornings to exploration beyond the beaches.

The Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit in Philipsburg became an unexpected highlight. Nick Maley, who helped create Yoda for Star Wars, has assembled a remarkable collection of movie memorabilia. My son, normally difficult to impress, stood transfixed before the original molds and designs, asking questions about sculpture techniques that made my artist's heart swell.

For a taste of local heritage, we joined a Saturday morning tour at the Sint Maarten Heritage Museum. The guides brilliantly adapted their stories for the children, bringing to life the island's complex colonial past through artifacts and interactive displays. I'd recommend bringing along a kids travel journal so they can sketch and document what captures their imagination.

The butterfly farm on the French side (Marigot) deserves a special mention. The ethereal experience of hundreds of iridescent wings fluttering around us left the children speechless – a rare feat indeed! The knowledgeable guides turned what could have been a quick visit into a two-hour immersion into the lifecycle and conservation of these delicate creatures.

Traveling with children often means navigating the treacherous waters of unfamiliar food. Cole Bay surprised us with its range of family-friendly dining options that satisfied both adventurous and cautious palates.

Buccaneer Beach Bar became our regular haunt – feet-in-the-sand dining where the children could play within eyesight while we savored fresh catch of the day. Their 'little pirates' menu offers simplified versions of local dishes rather than the typical chicken nugget fare.

For a special treat, we visited The Palms Caribbean Restaurant in Simpson Bay, where the staff treated our children like valued guests rather than inconveniences. They brought a modeling clay set to keep little hands busy while waiting for food – a brilliant touch I've rarely seen elsewhere.

Self-catering proved economical for some meals, with Cole Bay's Prime Supermarket offering familiar brands alongside local products. Our apartment's kitchen wasn't fancy, but equipped well enough to prepare breakfasts and the occasional dinner. I recommend bringing a compact spice kit to elevate simple meals without purchasing full-sized ingredients for a short stay.

The true magic of Cole Bay lies in its position as a gateway to aquatic adventures suitable for various ages and courage levels.

For our youngest (age 5), the Aqua Mania glass-bottom boat tour provided the thrill of marine discovery without the intimidation of snorkeling. The reinforced viewing panels revealed vibrant coral and darting fish that had her squealing with delight. The tour guides showed remarkable patience with endless questions from curious children.

Our older two (8 and 10) were ready for more immersive experiences. The Tropical Sail snorkel trip to Creole Rock became their highlight. Before traveling, I invested in kids snorkel sets with dry-top snorkels – worth every penny for preventing the panic that comes with water in the tube. The guides provided bread to attract fish, creating a swirling underwater spectacle around the children that had them buzzing with excitement for days.

For a land-sea hybrid adventure, the Seaside Nature Park offers horseback riding tours where the horses actually swim with riders in the ocean. Even our most hesitant child found courage on these gentle mounts, carefully selected for young riders. Book this early in your trip – our children begged to return for a second ride.

Even paradise has rainy days, and Sint Maarten's brief but intense winter showers taught us to have backup plans. Cole Bay's central location proved advantageous for quick pivots to indoor activities.

The unexpected gem was Cole Bay's own Philipsburg Jubilee Library's visitor program. On a particularly stormy Tuesday, the librarians welcomed us with Caribbean folktales and craft activities. My children still treasure their handmade Jumbie Bead bracelets, crafted while learning about local traditions.

For creative downtime in our accommodation, I'd packed our trusty travel art kit which kept little hands busy recreating the day's adventures without staining rental furniture. I also recommend downloading a few documentaries about Caribbean marine life before your trip – educational screen time that enhances rather than detracts from your destination.

When cabin fever threatened, we discovered Market Garden Supermarket's impressive toy section where we purchased modestly priced beach toys and games. Their puzzle selection saved a particularly thunderous afternoon, with the whole family gathering around the portable puzzle board I'd thankfully packed in our luggage.