Making Memories in St. Maarten

If your idea of a perfect family vacation includes beach time, poolside snacks, and a parrot named Gizmo, then Divi Little Bay Resort in St. Maarten might just be the spot you're looking for. We spent a week there and it checked all the boxes for family fun, chill time, and adventure.

Beach Days, Pool Nights

Most days, we hit the beach early—just steps from our room. The water’s calm, clear, and perfect for the kids to splash, paddleboard, and snorkel. They spotted fish and even a sunken helicopter not far from shore! And since non-motorized water sports like kayaks and snorkel gear are included with an all-inclusive stay, we made the most of it.

Come nighttime? We were all about the pools. Yep—Divi’s pools are open 24/7, which meant evening swims became part of our nightly routine. There’s something pretty magical about floating under the stars while the kids wind down (or, honestly, get a second wind).

Gizmo and Good Vibes

Gizmo, the resort’s friendly parrot can be found near the dining area. He’s kind of a local celebrity, and the kids loved getting up close and snapping a photo. In addition to colorful birds, our kids loves spotting iguanas which could be found all around the island, and in all sizes!

Comfy Rooms for the Whole Crew

Our room was super convenient, with a full kitchen and even a washer/dryer—huge win for traveling with kids. The resort offers everything from simple hotel rooms to spacious suites, many with ocean-view balconies - I loved waking up to that view!

If you go the all-inclusive route, all meals, drinks, and activities are covered. It made budgeting easy, and the food was varied enough to keep everyone happy (yes, even our picky eater).

Exploring Beyond the Beach

One of the best things we did? Renting a car for a day to explore the island. It gave us the freedom to go at our own pace and see parts of both the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten.

We visited Fort Amsterdam (right above the resort) and then drove to Fort Louis in Marigot. Both spots had amazing views and were a fun, breezy way to mix a little history into our trip.

After that, we stopped at Parrot Ville Bird Sanctuary, where the kids got to feed bright tropical birds and learn a bit about the island’s wildlife. It was small, easy to walk through, and totally worth the stop.

And of course, we couldn't miss Maho Beach, where planes fly incredibly low over the sand as they land at Princess Juliana Airport. We parked nearby, grabbed a snack from a beach bar, and waited with a crowd of fellow plane-watchers. When those jets came soaring just overhead? The kids (and adults) were blown away. It’s one of those “only in St. Maarten” experiences we’ll never forget.

Final Thoughts

St. Maarten delivered the perfect mix of beach adventure and poolside chill. Whether we were swimming under the stars, jumping off the pier iinto clear blue waters, feeding parrots, or standing under a roaring jet at Maho Beach, it was the kind of trip that made memories and gave us a real chance to slow down and enjoy.