Pellau Magazine

– The recent 32^nd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta  brought thousands of sail enthusiasts, leisure/adventure seekers as well as hardcore music fans to the magnificent, multifaceted island.

Over the years the highly acclaimed St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has become a mainstay on the regional event calendar attracting a multitude of visitors to isle from various parts of the world such as Europe, North, Central and South America and of course various West Indian islands and territories. This 32^nd edition was indeed a landmark experience for many and gave participants, media practitioners and vacationers an opportunity to experience the many exciting sides to St. Maarten.

Voted by top online travel community ‘Trip Advisor Travellers’ as one of the top 5 Caribbean destinations, the picturesque St. Maarten boasts several historical and family-oriented attractions along with a unique range of fun-filled activities. In addition to the annual regatta, throughout the year watersport enthusiasts can enjoy the island’s scuba diving and snorkelling facilities, while others can take full advantage of duty-free shopping in the high energy Caribbean city atmosphere of the capital, Philipsburg.

The 37 square mile island proudly serves up a slice of paradise for all types of travellers. Those who wish to lounge in luxury can spend their time relaxing between any of the island’s elegant private villas, family hotels, quaint cottages or luxury spa resorts and its 37 pristine beaches (which include a clothing optional beach for the truly adventurous and uninhibited).

Explorers can visit interesting sights such as the ‘Butterfly Farm’ as well as the ‘Guavaberry Emporium’ where they can sample various by products and cocktails made from Guavaberry (the key ingredient in the legendary folk liquor of the island). Most notably, the island offers an unmatched entertainment component in the form of numerous nightclubs, casinos, art galleries and over 365 restaurants displaying a full range of international cuisine.

It must be mentioned that the Regatta which is run by the St. MaartenYacht Club Regatta Foundation was an environmentally friendly one as the committee encouraged the use of biodegradable water bottles, straws, etc, thus maintaining the island’s rich beauty and aesthetic value. The vibe on each race day was filled with competition and excitement as sailors and boat owners from all over the globe fervently shared stories about their past competitions and ocean exploits with a passion similar to that of children describing their first Disney World experience. The nights however, brought out a superb spirit of festivity as locals and visitors alike partied to performances by the region’s top musical acts.