Fort Amsterdam

The headland between Great Bay and Little Bay carries the island's Dutch founding stones: Fort Amsterdam, raised in 1631 to defend the Dutch outpost and seaport, taken by Spain two years later and contested in the island's early tug-of-years, and now standing in low rampart ruins that the resident brown pelican colony has requisitioned - the birds nesting in the sea grapes and gliding the headland's updrafts in squadron style. The walk out passes the resort's edge to the point's double panorama - Philipsburg's cruise bay one side, Little Bay's coves the other - with interpretation panels carrying the history the pelicans ignore.

History

The Dutch built the triangular stone fort in 1631 to defend their outpost and seaport; the Spanish held it from two years later until 1648, and the island later changed hands several times before remaining mainly Dutch. Several 19th-century cannons still stand on the walls (Wikipedia, Fort Amsterdam (Sint Maarten)).

What's there

• The 1631 ramparts - the fort the Dutch built for their outpost.
• The pelican garrison - the colony holding the headland.
• The double panorama - Great Bay and Little Bay from the point.
• The history panels - the contested founding told in place.

When to go

December to May with the season; mornings give the pelicans' fishing shows and the light on Great Bay. Nesting months ask extra distance from the colony.

Good to know

Ruins are modest - the setting, birds and history share the billing; access threads a resort's edge politely, and edges are unfenced.

Nearby

Philipsburg's boardwalk, Little Bay and the Divi headland.

Key facts