Visiting Sint Maarten as a Masonic Traveler
Philipsburg, on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, is the main center of Masonic activity on the island. Visiting Masons can connect with either the GONL lodge (via vrijmetselarij.nl) or the PHA Caribbean GL lodge (via mwphglc.com). Sint Maarten's compact size and open-border arrangement with the French side of the island means that Masonic connections and travel are effectively island-wide. The island is a major Caribbean cruise destination and a well-served aviation hub, making it among the most accessible of the smaller Eastern Caribbean jurisdictions for visiting Masons.
Philipsburg (Sint Maarten's capital on the Dutch side) is the center of Masonic activity on the Dutch side of the island. The Front Street commercial district and the Great Bay waterfront serve the substantial cruise tourism that defines Philipsburg's economic character. The Sint Maarten Museum documents the island's shared Dutch-French history.
The French side of the island (Saint-Martin) includes Marigot, the French territorial capital, and the Grand-Case village known for its concentration of fine restaurants. Orient Beach on the French side and Maho Beach on the Dutch side, where aircraft approach just above the heads of beach visitors, are among the island's most distinctive natural experiences. The island's small size (87 square kilometers total) means that both sides are accessible from any base. Visiting Masons should contact the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Caribbean (GONL) or the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Caribbean for current lodge information.
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