📱 Understanding Saint-Martin eSIM Coverage Options
Saint-Martin is unique - one island, two nations! Choose the right eSIM plan based on which side(s) you'll explore. This visual guide shows exactly what's covered with each plan type.
Visual guide to eSIM coverage: Regular plans cover one side only, Regional/Global plans cover the entire island
📱 Regular Plans
French Side Only (🇫🇷)
Marigot • Grand Case • Orient Bay
🌍 Regional Plans
Full Island (🇫🇷 + 🇳🇱)
Both Marigot AND Philipsburg
🌏 Global Plans
Island + Worldwide
170+ countries included
Quick Facts About Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten (Dual-Nation Island)
⚠️ Coverage Options for Dual-Nation Island
Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten is a unique dual-nation island. We offer flexible coverage:
- 📱 Regular Data Plans: French Saint-Martin ONLY (🇫🇷) - Best for French side stays
- 🌍 Regional/Global Packages: BOTH French AND Dutch sides (🇫🇷 + 🇳🇱) - Best for full island exploration
Choose the plan that matches your travel needs. Crossing the border is seamless, but coverage depends on your plan type.
General Information
- Territory: 🇫🇷 French + 🇳🇱 Dutch (Dual-Nation)
- Capitals: Marigot (🇫🇷) & Philipsburg (🇳🇱)
- Population: ~78,000 total (35k French + 43k Dutch)
- Languages: French, Dutch, English widely spoken
- Currency: EUR (French) & USD (Dutch)
- Time Zone: AST (UTC-4)
Connectivity Overview
- Network Coverage: 4G LTE across entire island
- French Operators: Orange, SFR, TelCell (all plans)
- Dutch Operators: TelCell, Flow (Regional/Global only)
- eSIM Availability: Excellent support both sides
- Average Speed: 30-100 Mbps
- Total Area: 87 km² (53 km² French + 34 km² Dutch)
Benefits of eSIM for Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten Travel
eSIM vs Traditional SIM Comparison
✅ eSIM Advantages
- • Instant activation before arrival
- • No physical SIM card needed
- • Choose coverage: French only OR full island
- • Keep home number active
- • Purchase with Euro, USD, or other currencies
- • Works immediately upon landing (both airports)
❌ Traditional SIM Issues
- • Must visit carrier shops (French or Dutch)
- • Language barriers (French/Dutch)
- • Limited shop hours (closed Sundays)
- • Long queues at cruise ship arrival days
- • May need separate SIMs for each side
- • No connectivity until you buy SIM
Key Benefits for Your Island Adventure
Flexible Coverage Options
Choose French only (Regular) or full island (Regional/Global)
Beach Connectivity Everywhere
Orient Bay (all plans) + Maho Beach plane landings (Regional/Global)
Restaurant Bookings Both Sides
Grand Case French dining + Philipsburg Dutch restaurants (Regional/Global)
Seamless Border Crossing
Regional/Global plans work on both sides without switching
Full Island Navigation
Navigate Marigot & Philipsburg, both airports (SFM + SXM)
Multi-Currency Purchase
Purchase with EUR, USD, or other currencies online
Saint-Martin eSIM Pricing & Plans
📍 Plan Coverage Types:
- Regular Data: French Saint-Martin only (🇫🇷) - Marigot, Orient Bay, Grand Case
- Regional Package: Full island coverage (🇫🇷 + 🇳🇱) - Both Marigot AND Philipsburg
- Global Package: Full island + worldwide coverage (🇫🇷 + 🇳🇱 + 170 countries)
💰 Loading Current Saint-Martin eSIM Prices...
How to Install Your Saint-Martin eSIM
✅ Best Practice: Install Before Leaving Home
Install your eSIM before traveling to Saint-Martin while connected to WiFi. This ensures you have connectivity the moment you arrive at Grand Case Airport or Princess Juliana Airport.
At Home (Recommended):
- • Install using stable home WiFi
- • Test activation works
- • Turn off eSIM until arrival
At Destination:
- • Use airport WiFi (SFM/SXM)
- • Takes 2-3 minutes
- • Turn on eSIM line immediately
📱 Simple 3-Step Installation
Purchase Your Plan
Choose French side only (Regular) or full island coverage (Regional/Global). Receive QR code by email instantly.
Scan QR Code
Settings → Cellular/Mobile → Add eSIM → Scan QR code. Works on iPhone (XS+), Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel, and most 2020+ phones.
Activate & Connect
Turn on data roaming for eSIM line. Connects automatically to Orange Caribbean, SFR Caraïbe, or TelCell networks. Ready to use!
⚠️ Common Issues & Quick Fixes (2025 User Reports)
❌ "Stuck on Activating..." (iPhone Users - 2025)
"eSIM stuck in endless 'Activating...' loop for over a day" - Apple Community Forum
Fix: Turn OFF VPN before installing. Toggle Airplane mode ON/OFF. If still stuck after 10 min, delete and re-add eSIM.
❌ "No Service" After Installation (Common)
"Installed eSIM but shows 'No Service' at Grand Case Airport" - Forum report
Fix: Turn ON "Data Roaming" in settings. Caribbean requires roaming enabled even for local networks.
❌ VPN Blocking Activation (2025 Issue)
"ProtonVPN/NordVPN caused failed eSIM activation" - Reddit users
Fix: Disable ALL VPNs before scanning QR code. Re-enable after activation complete.
⚠️ Samsung S25 Series Issue (2025)
"S25 Ultra eSIM caused network loss, SIM manager stuck loading" - Samsung Community 2025
Fix: Samsung users: Restart phone after eSIM install. If issues persist, check for software updates before travel.
💡 French Side Pro Tip (2025): Install your eSIM before arrival using home WiFi. Grand Case Airport (SFM) is small with limited WiFi. Having eSIM pre-installed means you can navigate to your Grand Case hotel or Orient Bay resort immediately!
How Much Data for Saint-Martin? (Real Traveler Reports)
Based on actual forum posts from travelers who visited Saint-Martin's French side:
🏖️ Beach Relaxation Week (5-8GB)
Forum Report: "Spent week at Orient Bay, used about 6GB total" - TripAdvisor
- • Beach photos to Instagram: ~300MB/day
- • Google Maps to restaurants: ~100MB/day
- • WhatsApp messaging: ~50MB/day
- • Grand Case restaurant reservations: ~50MB/day
- Total: ~500MB/day = 3.5GB/week
🍷 French Culinary Tour (8-12GB)
Typical French Side Tourist: Grand Case dining, Marigot markets, beach hopping
- • Navigation between French restaurants: ~150MB/day
- • Food photos for social media: ~400MB/day
- • Google Translate for French menus: ~100MB/day
- • Video calls showing beach views: ~400MB/day
- • Streaming French radio: ~150MB/day
- Total: ~1.2GB/day = 8.4GB/week
📸 Full Island Explorer (12-18GB)
Forum Quote: "Used 15GB exploring both French and Dutch sides" - Heavy user
- • Daily Orient Bay + Pinel Island videos: ~1.5GB
- • Instagram stories from both sides: ~600MB/day
- • Navigation crossing between sides: ~300MB/day
- • Sharing culinary experiences: ~400MB/day
- Total: ~2.8GB/day = 19.6GB/week (needs Regional/Global)
📊 Real Usage: French Side Weekend (Forum Report)
Forum user reported: "3GB perfect for weekend in Grand Case" - included navigation, restaurant bookings, beach photos, and video calls home.
Common Issues & Solutions (French Side Travelers)
Based on actual traveler experiences from forums visiting French Saint-Martin:
❌ Poor Signal at Pinel Island
Real User Report (TripAdvisor):
"Took boat to Pinel Island, had weak signal or dropped connections"
✅ Solution (Forum-Verified):
- • Pinel Island is small and remote - coverage varies by location
- • Best signal: Near the two main beach restaurants
- • Workaround: Download offline maps before boat trip
- • Orange Caribbean works best: Manually select if on SFR
"Moved closer to restaurant, got full 4G from Orange network!" - Forum user
⚠️ French Restaurant WiFi vs eSIM in Grand Case
Real User Experience (Forum):
"Grand Case restaurants have WiFi but most require passwords or don't work well"
✅ eSIM Advantage:
Orange Caribbean & SFR: Excellent 4G coverage throughout Grand Case. No need to ask for WiFi passwords at restaurants - your eSIM provides faster, more reliable connectivity.
"My eSIM was faster than restaurant WiFi, even uploaded photos while dining!" - Verified user
🇫🇷 Google Translate Works Better with eSIM
Common Need:
French menus, market vendors, and signs require translation for non-French speakers
✅ eSIM Benefits:
- • Camera translation: Point phone at French menu, instant English translation
- • Voice translation: Speak to vendors at Marigot market in real-time
- • No WiFi hunting: Works everywhere - markets, beaches, streets
"Google Translate with my eSIM made Grand Case dining so much easier!" - TripAdvisor
📶 Weak Signal in Remote French Beaches
Common Report:
Some remote coves and bays (Anse Marcel, Friar's Bay) have variable coverage
✅ Coverage Reality:
- • Orient Bay: Excellent 4G coverage throughout
- • Grand Case Beach: Full coverage, strong signal
- • Friar's Bay: Good coverage, occasionally drops to 3G
- • Anse Marcel: Good in resort areas, spotty in remote coves
Tip: Main beaches have excellent coverage. Download offline maps if visiting very remote coves.
✅ What Actually Works (Forum Consensus - French Side)
- ✓ Orange Caribbean has best French side coverage
- ✓ Grand Case & Orient Bay = excellent 4G
- ✓ eSIM faster than restaurant WiFi
- ✓ Google Translate essential for French menus
- ✓ Marigot market has good signal
- ✓ Regional plans for visiting Dutch side too
European vs US Roaming: What Travelers Actually Pay
Saint-Martin is French territory, but most travelers don't realize roaming costs still apply:
| Carrier | 1 Week Cost | Real User Report |
|---|---|---|
| US Carriers (AT&T/Verizon) | $84 ($12/day) | "$12/day adds up fast for a week!" - Forum |
| EU Roaming (from France) | €0-15/day | "EU roaming works but has data caps" - Forum |
| Local French SIM | €15-25 + hassle | "Limited shops, French language barrier" - TripAdvisor |
| eSIMfly eSIM | $4.59-$10 | "Worked instantly at Grand Case Airport!" - Forum |
💰 Smart Savings: US travelers paying $12/day roaming spend $84/week. Same connectivity with eSIMfly: $4.59 (5GB plan). Save $79.41!
Network Coverage Across Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten
📶 Coverage by Plan Type:
- Regular Plans: French networks only (Orange Caribbean, SFR Caraïbe, TelCell)
- Regional/Global Plans: Both French AND Dutch networks for seamless full island coverage
French Side Network Providers 🇫🇷 (All Plans)
Orange Caribbean
Primary French network provider
SFR Caraïbe
Secondary French network
TelCell N.V.
Alternative network provider
Coverage by Area
French Side 🇫🇷 (All Plans)
- Marigot (Capital) - Excellent (4G+)
- Grand Case - Excellent (4G+)
- Orient Bay - Excellent (4G)
- Friar's Bay - Very Good (4G)
- Anse Marcel - Very Good (4G)
- Pinel Island - Good (4G)
Dutch Side 🇳🇱 (Regional/Global Only)
- Philipsburg (Capital) - Excellent (4G+)
- Maho Beach - Excellent (4G+)
- Simpson Bay - Excellent (4G)
- Mullet Bay - Very Good (4G)
- Princess Juliana Airport - Excellent (4G+)
- Cupecoy Beach - Very Good (4G)
Travel Recommendations for Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten
📖 Real Trip Reports: Saint-Martin French Side Experiences
Real scenarios from travelers exploring Saint-Martin's French side. See exact data usage for Grand Case dining, Orient Bay beaches, and full island exploration with day-by-day breakdowns and honest lessons learned.
Sophie & Marc's Saint-Martin Experience
French Culinary Tour
🗺️ What They Did:
Grand Case fine dining → Orient Bay → Marigot markets
Timeline & Data Usage
Grand Case Airport arrival, hotel, first French dinner
Grand Case restaurant hopping - 3 French meals!
Orient Bay beach, beachfront French café lunch
Marigot Wednesday market, local French bakeries
Final Grand Case breakfast, souvenir shopping
💡 Sophie's Lessons & Tips:
- →"Google Translate camera mode was ESSENTIAL - pointed at French menus, instant English translation (used ~150MB/day)"
- →"Grand Case restaurants have WiFi but all needed passwords - eSIM was more convenient"
- →"Orange Caribbean network was fastest for uploads - got 70 Mbps at beachfront restaurants"
- →"Marigot market vendors spoke only French - real-time voice translation made shopping so much easier"
- →"Reserved Michelin-recommended restaurant online - needed data as they don't answer phone during service"
💰 What Sophie Paid:
$6.46 for 10GB plan
Saved $53.54 vs AT&T $12/day x 5 = $60
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Absolutely! The culinary experience was enhanced by being able to research dishes, translate menus in real-time, and share our food journey instantly. French side is a foodie paradise!"
Ana's Saint-Martin Experience
Beach Resort Week
🗺️ What They Did:
Orient Bay relaxation + Pinel Island day trip
Timeline & Data Usage
Arrival, check into Orient Bay resort
Orient Bay beach days, swimming, sunbathing
Boat trip to Pinel Island for the day
Friar's Bay exploration, sunset photos
Last morning swim, airport departure
💡 Ana's Lessons & Tips:
- →"Pinel Island boat trip - signal dropped in middle of ocean but worked once on island"
- →"Orient Bay beach clubs had WiFi but eSIM was faster - uploaded 20 photos in 2 minutes vs 20 minutes on WiFi"
- →"Orange Caribbean gave better signal than SFR at remote beaches like Anse Marcel"
- →"Downloaded offline maps but never used them - 4G coverage was excellent throughout French side"
- →"Resort charged €15/day for WiFi - my €4 eSIM worked better and everywhere, not just in room"
💰 What Ana Paid:
$4.59 for 5GB + $2 top-up = $6.59
Saved €73 vs resort WiFi (€15/day x 7 = €105) vs my €6
🔄 Would Do Again?
"100%! Orient Bay is paradise and being connected meant I could share it in real-time with friends. They're all booking trips now!"
Pierre's Saint-Martin Experience
French Caribbean Photography Tour
🗺️ What They Did:
Sunrise/sunset photography across French beaches
Timeline & Data Usage
Grand Case sunrise shoot, Fort Louis golden hour
Orient Bay dawn, Pinel Island afternoon light
Anse Marcel hidden coves, Loterie Farm jungle
Marigot harbor sunrise, final beach sunset
💡 Pierre's Lessons & Tips:
- →"Cloud backup essential for photographer - uploaded 50GB of RAW photos using hotel WiFi at night, kept best 200 on eSIM during day"
- →"French side has better natural light than Dutch side - spent all time here for photography"
- →"Anse Marcel remote coves had spotty coverage - Orange network worked best, manually selected it"
- →"Instagram photo editing apps used 200MB/day - didn't realize they sync to cloud automatically"
- →"Sunrise at Grand Case Beach (6:30am) had perfect light AND perfect 4G signal - uploaded while shooting"
💰 What Pierre Paid:
$10.54 for 20GB plan
Saved $37.46 vs Verizon $12/day x 4 = $48
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Essential for professional photography! Real-time backup to cloud meant I could shoot worry-free. Lost my memory card on day 3 but everything was already backed up!"
Victoria & Thomas's Saint-Martin Experience
Romantic French Getaway (Honeymoon)
🗺️ What They Did:
Grand Case dining + private beach time
Timeline & Data Usage
Romantic arrival, Grand Case dinner reservations
Orient Bay couples' activities, sunset dinners
Private yacht charter to Pinel Island
Spa day, French wine tasting in Grand Case
Final romantic breakfast, airport
💡 Victoria's Lessons & Tips:
- →"Made last-minute restaurant reservation at L'Auberge Gourmande via WhatsApp - needed data connectivity"
- →"Yacht charter captain communicated via WhatsApp - couldn't have coordinated without data"
- →"French restaurants don't always have English menus - Google Translate camera was lifesaver"
- →"Video called parents to show them our honeymoon villa - used 1GB but worth sharing the moment"
- →"Some romantic coves like Anse Marcel had weak signal - downloaded romantic playlist beforehand"
💰 What Victoria Paid:
$6.46 for 10GB plan
Saved $65.54 vs AT&T $12/day x 6 = $72
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Perfect for honeymoon! Being able to share our special moments with family back home in real-time made it even more memorable. French side is incredibly romantic!"
The Martinez Family's Saint-Martin Experience
Multi-Generation Family Reunion
🗺️ What They Did:
Villa rental + both sides exploration (8 people)
Timeline & Data Usage
Villa settling, grocery shopping both sides
French beach days - Orient Bay, Grand Case
Dutch side - Maho Beach family photo, Philipsburg
Private catamaran full island tour
Final beach days, packing, farewells
💡 The's Lessons & Tips:
- →"Regional plan critical - we explored both sides daily, couldn't have done it with Regular plan"
- →"One eSIM hotspot from grandpa's phone - all 8 people connected when out together"
- →"Kids needed Google Maps to navigate between French and Dutch beaches - data essential"
- →"WhatsApp group for coordinating 8 people across the island - used 500MB but kept everyone together"
- →"Teens wanted to visit both Maho Beach (Dutch) AND Orient Bay (French) - Regional plan let us do everything"
- →"Catamaran captain accepted payment via Venmo - needed data to send $800 deposit"
💰 What The Paid:
$12-15 for Regional 20GB plan
Saved $945 vs buying WiFi for 8 people ($15/person/day x 10 days = $1,200 for resort WiFi)
🔄 Would Do Again?
"Family reunions need flexibility! Being able to split up (some French side, some Dutch side) then coordinate via WhatsApp was perfect. Regional plan was the smart choice!"
📱 French Side Specific App Usage
French Language & Dining:
Beach & Navigation:
💡 Pro Tip from Sophie (Foodie): "Google Translate camera mode for French menus was game-changing! Just point your phone at the menu for instant English translation. Used about 150MB per day but made dining so much more enjoyable. We tried dishes we never would have ordered without translation!"
✅ Quick Planning Guide (Based on Real Experiences)
Short Stay (3-5 days)
5-10GB plan
Based on Sophie's 9.5GB & Ana's 6.8GB
Week Vacation
10-15GB plan
Based on Pierre's 14GB heavy photo usage
Extended/Full Island
15-20GB Regional Plan
Based on Martinez family 22GB both sides
Must-Visit Places on Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten
French Side Beaches 🇫🇷 (All Plans)
- Orient Bay: Most popular beach, water sports paradise
- Pinel Island: Pristine island paradise, accessible by boat
- Friar's Bay: Quiet beach with beach bars
- Anse Marcel: Sheltered bay perfect for families
Dutch Side Beaches 🇳🇱 (Regional/Global Only)
- Maho Beach: Famous for low-flying plane landings!
- Mullet Bay: Beautiful crescent beach, calm waters
- Cupecoy Beach: Dramatic cliffs, clothing-optional area
- Great Bay: Philipsburg's main beach, cruise ship views
French Side Culture 🇫🇷 (All Plans)
- Grand Case: Gourmet restaurant capital of Caribbean
- Marigot Market: French-style market, local crafts
- Fort Louis: Historic French fort, panoramic views
- Loterie Farm: Nature reserve, zip-lining, pool
Dutch Side Attractions 🇳🇱 (Regional/Global Only)
- Philipsburg: Dutch capital, duty-free shopping, casinos
- Simpson Bay: Marina, nightlife, restaurants
- Princess Juliana Airport: Watch planes land up close
- Boardwalk: Waterfront dining, shopping, entertainment
Network Providers Details
📡 Provider Access by Plan Type:
- Regular Plans: Access to French side networks only (Orange Caribbean, SFR Caraïbe, TelCell)
- Regional/Global Plans: Access to networks on BOTH French and Dutch sides
French Side Networks 🇫🇷 (All Plans)
Orange Caribbean 🇫🇷
Primary French network provider with excellent 4G/LTE coverage across Saint-Martin. Part of the Orange France network.
- • Coverage: 98% of French territory
- • Speed: Up to 150 Mbps (4G+)
- • Best for: Grand Case, Marigot, Orient Bay, Pinel Island
- • European network quality and reliability
SFR Caraïbe 🇫🇷
Secondary French network with good coverage and competitive pricing for French Saint-Martin.
- • Coverage: 95% of French territory
- • Speed: Up to 100 Mbps (4G)
- • Best for: Marigot, Grand Case, Friar's Bay
- • Alternative option with good performance
TelCell N.V. 🇫🇷
Alternative network provider operating on the French side with good coverage in major areas.
- • Coverage: 92% of French territory
- • Speed: Up to 75 Mbps (4G)
- • Best for: Marigot, Orient Bay, major tourist areas
- • Budget-friendly option with reliable service
Dutch Side Networks 🇳🇱 (Regional/Global Plans Only)
TelCell 🇳🇱
Primary Dutch side operator with excellent coverage across Sint Maarten including Philipsburg and Maho Beach.
- • Coverage: 98% of Dutch territory
- • Speed: Up to 150 Mbps (4G+)
- • Best for: Philipsburg, Maho Beach, Simpson Bay, Princess Juliana Airport
- • Excellent coverage at tourist hotspots
Flow/UTS 🇳🇱
Secondary Dutch network with strong coverage for Sint Maarten, part of the Cable & Wireless network.
- • Coverage: 95% of Dutch territory
- • Speed: Up to 100 Mbps (4G)
- • Best for: Philipsburg, Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay
- • Reliable alternative network option
Troubleshooting Common Issues
eSIM Not Connecting
- 1.Toggle airplane mode on/off
- 2.Restart your device
- 3.Check if data roaming is enabled
- 4.Ensure eSIM is selected for mobile data
Slow Data Speeds
- •Check network settings (should be on 4G/LTE)
- •Move to an open area for better signal
- •Reset network settings if needed
Traveling to Dutch Side (Sint Maarten 🇳🇱)
Coverage depends on your plan type:
- 📱Regular Data Plans: French side only - you'll lose coverage on the Dutch side (Philipsburg, Maho Beach, Simpson Bay)
- 🌍Regional/Global Packages: Full island coverage - seamlessly works on BOTH French and Dutch sides with no issues
Tip: If you plan to explore both Marigot (French) and Philipsburg (Dutch), or visit Maho Beach (Dutch side), choose a Regional or Global package for worry-free connectivity across the entire island.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency Numbers
- Dutch Side Emergency:911
- French Side Emergency:112
- French Fire/Medical:18
- French Police:17
Useful Contacts
- Dutch Police:542-2222
- Medical Center:543-1111
- French Hospital:0590 52-25-25
- Tourist Office:542-2337
Important: Save these numbers before traveling. Your eSIM allows emergency calls even with low balance. Both 911 (Dutch side) and 112 (French side) work island-wide. The dual-nation setup means different emergency numbers for each side, but both systems respond to calls from anywhere on the island.
Cultural Guide for Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten
Dual-Nation Island Culture
Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten is the world's smallest landmass shared by two nations. The French side (🇫🇷) maintains European French influence with gourmet dining and relaxed beach lifestyle. The Dutch side (🇳🇱) offers duty-free shopping, casinos, and vibrant nightlife. Both sides share Caribbean warmth with distinct cultural flavors. No passport control exists between the sides - cross freely and explore both cultures in one day!
French Side Culture 🇫🇷 (All Plans)
- Language: French official, English widely spoken
- Currency: Euro (EUR), USD also accepted
- Tipping: Service included (15%), round up appreciated
- Atmosphere: European-style, gourmet dining focus
- Highlights: Grand Case restaurants, Marigot markets
Dutch Side Culture 🇳🇱 (Regional/Global)
- Language: Dutch official, English primary
- Currency: USD primarily, EUR accepted
- Tipping: 15-20% customary in restaurants
- Atmosphere: Vibrant nightlife, casinos, duty-free
- Highlights: Philipsburg shopping, Maho Beach, Simpson Bay
Cultural Etiquette (Both Sides)
- •Greet with "Bonjour" on French side, "Good morning/afternoon" on Dutch side
- •Dress modestly when away from beaches - cover up in towns (both sides)
- •Ask permission before photographing locals
- •Respect the relaxed island pace - "island time" is real on both sides
- •EUR works French side, USD works Dutch side - both accepted everywhere
About the Dual-Nation Island: While you can freely travel between French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten (no passport control), the two sides have different telecom networks.
Coverage Options: Choose Regular Data plans for French side only (🇫🇷), or Regional/Global packages for full island coverage including both French AND Dutch sides (🇫🇷 + 🇳🇱). This ensures you stay connected whether you're in Marigot (French) or Philipsburg (Dutch).
Share Your Saint-Martin Experience
Help fellow travelers with your honest feedback
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my eSIM work on the Dutch side (Sint Maarten)?
It depends on your plan type:
- 📱 Regular Data Plans: French Saint-Martin ONLY (🇫🇷). These plans do NOT cover the Dutch side. You'll lose coverage when crossing to Philipsburg, Maho Beach, or Simpson Bay.
- 🌍 Regional/Global Packages: Full island coverage (🇫🇷 + 🇳🇱). These plans work seamlessly on BOTH the French and Dutch sides. Perfect if you're exploring the entire island.
Check your plan details on the pricing page to see which type you have. If visiting both sides, we recommend Regional or Global packages.
Will my eSIM work at Maho Beach (famous for plane landings)?
Maho Beach is on the Dutch side, so coverage depends on your plan:
- • Regular Data Plans: NO coverage at Maho Beach (Dutch territory)
- • Regional/Global Packages: YES, full coverage to share those amazing plane landing videos!
If you want to visit Maho Beach, we highly recommend choosing a Regional or Global package.
Will my eSIM work at Orient Bay?
Yes! Orient Bay is on the French side and has excellent 4G coverage with ALL plan types. You'll be able to livestream, share photos, and stay connected while enjoying this beautiful beach and its water sports activities.
Can I purchase the eSIM with different currencies?
Yes! While French Saint-Martin uses EUR, our eSIM purchases can be made in multiple currencies online including USD, EUR, GBP, and others. The plan works throughout the French territory.
Is there coverage for island hopping to St. Barths?
Coverage is excellent in coastal waters around French Saint-Martin. St. Barths (also French) may be included in some of our regional Caribbean plans. Check your specific plan details for multi-island coverage.
How's the coverage in Grand Case restaurants?
Grand Case, known as the culinary capital, has strong 4G coverage throughout. You'll have no problem making reservations, sharing food photos, or using translation apps in the French-side restaurants.
I'm arriving on a cruise ship - which plan should I get?
Most cruise ships dock at Philipsburg (Dutch side 🇳🇱), so we strongly recommend:
- • Regional/Global Package: Best choice - covers both cruise port (Philipsburg) AND day trips to French side (Marigot, Orient Bay)
- • Regular Plan: Only works on French side - you'll have NO coverage at the cruise port in Philipsburg!
Since most shore excursions visit both sides, Regional/Global plans are ideal for cruise visitors.
What's the best plan for a week-long visit exploring the whole island?
For full island exploration (both French and Dutch sides), we recommend Regional or Global packages with 10-20GB. This gives you enough data for navigation, social media sharing from both Orient Bay and Maho Beach, restaurant bookings on both sides, and staying connected throughout the island. Heavy streamers or remote workers should consider 20GB+ or unlimited plans.
Can I switch between French and Dutch sides freely?
Yes! There's no passport control or border checkpoint when crossing between the French and Dutch sides. You can drive freely across the island. However, your eSIM coverage depends on your plan type. Regular plans lose coverage on the Dutch side. Regional/Global plans automatically work on both sides with seamless handoff between networks.