Nature Activities on St. Maarten

Clients heading to St. Maarten this summer on a cruise or land vacation should check out Seaside Nature Park. Here, visitors can book a variety of nature-focused activities, but the outfit’s specialty is horseback riding excursions on trails in the hills along the pristine coastline. The trail rides are designed for all riders, from beginners to experts, and the highlight of the tour is being able to ride the horses into the ocean. Horses love cooling down in the surf and riders — especially kids — will rave about this unique experience for years to come.

The nature park and Lucky Stable, the horseback riding operation, was started by Roderick Halley on a 30-acre estate owned by a local family. Horses and other animals roam freely around the stables and the park is especially proud of the awards it has won for outstanding environmental achievement.

Seaside Nature Park offers hiking, snorkeling and kayaking excursions as well.

Be sure to tell clients arriving on cruise ships they may need to take a $20 taxi ride to the park, which is a bit off the beaten path. www.seasidenaturepark.com