This blog post is all about our St. Maarten adventures as a family of four!
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Have you ever gone ziplining before?
This was personally my first experience and of course, I had to choose the place that also had the steepest zipline in the world, The Flying Dutchman.
Four Rides You Can Enjoy During Your St. Maarten Rainforest Adventure
Schooner Ride
A fun, fast-paced tube ride down a winding track, perfect for kids and adults.
The Flying Dutchman
Experience the thrill of the world’s steepest zipline, reaching speeds of up to 60 MPH while taking in breathtaking views.
Sentry Hill Zip Line
Zip through the treetops on two separate lines, hitting speeds of up to 40 MPH for an exhilarating ride.
Sky Explorer
A scenic chairlift that takes you high above the island, offering incredible panoramic views and easy access to the other rides.
Why I Chose the World’s Steepest Zipline for My First Ziplining Adventure
We were on a cruise from Puerto Rico, visiting several Caribbean islands, and St. Maarten was one of our ports of call.
While researching things to do, we discovered Rainforest Adventure, which seemed like the perfect way to celebrate my 40th birthday—because on birthdays, you either go big or go home!
However, since we had the kids with us, we could only take them on 2 out of the 4 rides, but they still had a blast.
Our Rainforest Adventure in St. Maarten
The adventure began with the Sky Explorer, a ski lift that takes you up the hill to access the other rides.
The Sky Explorer really lives up to its name—you’re truly high in the sky, with stunning views of St. Maarten and both sides of the island.
Our first stop was the Schooner Ride, which the whole family could enjoy.
It’s a tube ride that races down a fast slide, and it was a hit with the kids!
After that, we took the Sky Explorer back up to the second stop, the ziplining area.
Here, you get a quick tutorial on ziplining before heading off on two separate ziplines, reaching speeds of up to 40 MPH!
Next, we rode the Sky Explorer up to the main attraction: the Flying Dutchman, the steepest zipline in the world! The wait for this ride can be long, but the thrilling descent—where you feel all 60 MPH of wind rushing by—offers breathtaking views of the island.
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I didn’t get to ride the Flying Dutchman since I stayed with the kids, but my husband Tony did, and it was his first time ziplining too!
He said the Flying Dutchman felt less intimidating than the lower ziplines because you sit in a hammock-style harness rather than just having straps around your legs and waist.
At the end of the adventure, there’s a bar and restaurant at the base, along with a museum showcasing the history of the place.
You can enjoy food and drinks, browse the museum while you wait, and visit the gift shop to purchase photos and souvenirs that proclaim you conquered the Flying Dutchman!
The bartender, Maria, made the best mojito I’ve ever had—definitely a 10/10! The food was excellent too.
I’d love to return when the kids are older so they can experience the ziplining rides— I highly recommend Rainforest Adventure in St. Maarten as it was such a fantastic trip!
Important Things to Know for Your Rainforest Adventure Day Trip
Plan for a Full Day:
If you’re visiting from a cruise, be prepared to spend the entire day at the port. The excursion will take up most of your time, so plan accordingly.
Priority Access with Cruise Packages:
If you book through the cruise line, you’ll get priority access to all the rides. This means you can get on and off the rides quicker, ensuring you finish your activities before your cruise departs.
Photo Memories Made Easy:
Photos are taken of you at each ride, and you can easily access them at the end of your day. Just use the wristband provided to scan at each ride, and your photos will be saved under your unique code.
Complete Activities in Reverse:
To save time and avoid long lines, do the activities in reverse order. Start with the Flying Dutchman as soon as you arrive—most people do them in sequence, but by going against the flow, you can get through your day faster.
Fill Out Waivers Online:
Save time by filling out any required waivers online before you arrive. This will speed up your check-in process and help you make the most of your day from the moment the park opens.
Learn more about Rainforest Adventure in St. Maarten here!
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