Eastern Caribbean
Plan your visit
Check local sources for current access conditions before making the trip.
About this place
Fort Amsterdam is a 17th-century fortification on Sint Maarten, built from stone and now partly in ruins. Several antique cannons remain on site, giving a sense of the defensive role the structure once played when European powers competed for control of the island.
The fort sits at an elevated position that takes in views across Great Bay and Little Bay. These two bays were strategically significant, and the vantage point makes clear why this location was chosen for a fortification in the first place.
Because the ruins are open to the elements, the site is best explored during daylight hours. Visitors should wear comfortable footwear suited to uneven ground, as the stonework and surrounding terrain can be rough underfoot.
Location
Find Fort Amsterdam
Fort Amsterdam stands on a headland on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, overlooking Great Bay and Little Bay.
Coordinates: 18.0147° N · 63.0597° W
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