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Tortuga Clean St. Maarten Campaign Offers $20 for Every Bag of Litter Collected

A cleanup campaign running across St. Maarten from September 1 through October 31 is giving residents and local groups an extra reason to help keep the island free of litter. Tortuga, located near Maho Beach, is offering $20 in credit for every bag of trash collected as part of the Tortuga Clean St. Maarten Campaign.

 

Cleanup Effort Runs Through October

 

The campaign is open to individuals as well as groups such as schools, clubs and organizations. Participants can organize a cleanup and collect litter from areas around the island.

 

Tortuga will provide trash bags and gloves for the cleanup efforts. Once the work is completed, participants can receive $20 in Tortuga credit for every bag of litter collected. The credit can then be used at Tortuga.

 

A Cleaner Island Benefits Everyone

 

For St. Maarten, initiatives that encourage residents to take an active role in keeping the island clean can make a visible difference. The island’s beaches, natural surroundings and outdoor spaces are important to everyday life as well as its appeal to visitors. The campaign also gives schools, clubs and organizations an opportunity to contribute to the island’s environment while working together.

 

Registration is required to participate. Those interested can register by contacting welcome@tortugamaho.com. Terms and conditions apply, with full details provided upon registration.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tips for More St. Maarten Bargain Hunting: VIP Pass and St. Maarten Flavors

Many islanders and loyal visitors know that this site helps them find uniquely priced purchases that, in turn, support island projects. Clearly, a starting bid of 50% offers a great opportunity to find a bargain!

If finding great offers is your thing, also consider other special programs providing attractive shopping ideas.

Take, for example, the freely downloadable Visit VIP Pass, offering over 90 discounted rates for activities, retail items, and dinners throughout the year. Additionally, if you are part of the program, it sends you an annual email with special offers.

The St. Maarten Flavors program is geared toward foodies. It celebrates the island’s nickname, “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean,” to the fullest, as many restaurants highlight a flagship or “signature” dish, often (especially during June) with an added extra.
See the island menu and discover which taste appeals to you!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fun Auction Fact: A Museum as the Source of Books for Bid

The Book of St. Martin and Stories of St. Martin are written by Mark Yokoyama. For this very busy author, they can be considered a byproduct of many years of volunteering.

He is one of the driving forces behind the Fruits de Mer Foundation, best known for its Amuseum Naturalis in the "old house" near Orient Bay. He is part of a larger team of dozens of volunteers who make this museum possible.
With your book in hand, you might not only be able to get a signature from the author, but also enjoy a personally guided tour through the many exhibitions on island poetry, nature, history, and architecture.
Thanks to the hard work of the volunteers, the exhibition is accessible for free. If you visit, do not forget to look at the back, where gorgeous views unfold all the way to St. Barths.

Mark is also a great photographer, often making use of his own artwork for his books. Apart from his books for all ages, there is also a range of children’s books that he has created and that can be ordered online.

If you are interested in this multifaceted artist, see an interview with him by Visit St. Maarten and learn what his suggested island itineraries would be.

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction Feature: Three Signature Dish Restaurants
Did you know that auction item providers Rumhuys, Ital Shack, and Tortuga Maho are all part of the St. Maarten Flavors program?

This program, partially a fundraiser to help bring national culinary talent to the prestigious Taste of the Caribbean contest, is meant to guide locals and visitors to special “signature dishes” of island restaurants and showcase the vast array of available tastes.

Together, these signature dishes make up an island menu of delicacies to choose from. The program has run since 2022 and has operated throughout the year since 2026/2027.

The signature dishes of the above three restaurants are:Tortuga: Catch of the Day — fresh local mahi-mahi marinated with island spices, served with seasonal vegetables, homemade mashed potatoes, and a slow-simmered Creole sauce.
Ital Shack: Plant-based Caribbean plate with seasoned brown rice, vegan curry “chicken,” fried plantains, avocado, and fresh green salad.
Rumhuys: Craft Rum Selection — three homemade Rumhuys rums and a tasting experience showcasing their locally crafted rum flavors.