Welcome to the Caribbean!
In 2016, Todd and I had just started dating when he asked if I’d join him on a trip to the Caribbean. Um… Yes! Little did I know at the time that not only would he later become my forever travel (and life) partner, but this would be the start of a love for adventure that would take us around the world.
Planning an adventure
One of our favorite ways to travel is researching the destination and making a list of possible things to do:
- iconic locations
- popular attractions
- off-the-beaten-path destinations
- interesting excursions
- restaurants, shops, etc.
Then, taking each day as it comes.
Where to stay
The Hilton Vacation Club Flamingo Beach St. Maarten is located on the southwest side of the island, in the Dutch region. It’s not far from the airport and just a short drive to both Phillipsburg and Marigot.
The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and private beach area perfect for lounging in the sun or snorkeling in the beautiful, turquoise Caribbean water. Other amenities:
- Kitchen in every room
- Balcony or terrace with every room, some with an ocean view
- BBQ facilities on the property
- On-site restaurant and beach/poolside bar
- Fitness center
- Free onsite parking
Things to do on St. Martin
We spent the days and weeks leading up to the St. Martin trip reading books and websites about the island. We learned about its uniqueness of being one island ruled by two countries – the north side is French, the south is Dutch. We made a list of things to do, places to go, and interesting facts about the island’s culture. That list went with us and became our inspiration for each day. We’d wake up, grab a cup of “Joy in the Morning” Caribbean coffee and the list, and ask, “What would we like to do today?”
Keep reading for suggestions to help you start crafting your own St. Martin itinerary.
Drive around the island
Yes! You can drive all the way around the island. St. Martin is a small island, roughly 34 square miles, so driving around it takes a relatively short time (typically less than 2 hours). With a rental car, it’s easy to explore.
Before setting out, make a plan for the stops you might want to make and pack up your gear for the day. For example, you might make a day of exploring the many beaches around St. Martin, snorkeling in the different bays. In that case, grab your snorkeling gear, towels, and a change of clothes. Or maybe you want to head to Marigot Market or Philipsburg for a bit of local shopping. Grab a tote bag to carry your treasures.
Approximate driving times to popular destinations (from the Hilton Vacation Flamingo Beach resort):
- Marigot Market – 14 min
- Phillipsburg – 18 min
- Grand Case – 26 min
- Loteri Farm – 22 min
- Maho Beach – 12 min
- Dawn Beach – 27 min
Shop at Marigot Market
Why is Marigot Market our first choice? Because it encompasses so much of the Caribbean. There’s a plaque outside the Market with a poem imprinted on it that reads, in part:
Generations have seen me basking in the sun.
Market Queens with callous hands preciously hold the food they sell.
Around them shouts, greetings and laughter swell the air.
Visitors come and go, they happily say we’ve been to the Market.
I am the Market, pleasing one and all, I am the Market.
To this day, we do happily say we’ve been to the Market!
At the Market, you can find a variety of foods, such as fresh fish and meats, tropical fruit, Caribbean spices, vanilla and infused rums. We brought home six rum flavors that later became the inspiration for a “Caribbean Christmas” party – a huge hit among our friends!
With more than 100 stalls at the Market, you can also find a variety of souvenirs, local artwork, hand-crafted jewelry and more. Don’t be afraid to negotiate with vendors for a better price. Negotiating is common and acceptable.
After browsing through Marigot Market, stop in at Sarafina’s French Bakery across the street for lunch or a perfect cappuccino.
Roland Richardson Art Gallery
Sir Roland Richardson is a well-known and beloved artist with a long history on St. Martin. The Roland Richardson Gallery and Museum in Marigot is a special place to visit. Random and uniquely Caribbean, Sir Roland once offered art classes at the studio. While not at the time of our visit, we did have the good fortune to meet and talk with his wife.
Exploring the gallery, you are surrounded by the vibrant colors, history and beauty of St. Martin as seen through the artist’s eyes.
Explore Philipsburg
Marigot is the capital city of the French side of the island; while Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side.
Marigot borders quiet Marigot Bay with quaint little shops, art studios and cafes; while Philipsburg borders Great Bay, where the cruise lines stop, and is full of colorful alleyways, shopping and sidewalk cafes.
Things to do in Philipsburg:
- Stroll through the many little art galleries, looking for a piece of local artwork to take home
- Sit at one of the sidewalk cafes and enjoy a bit of island-inspired food
- Stop into one of the local rum boutiques for a tasting
- Shop the variety of souvenir stores, art co-ops and luxury boutiques
- Wander the colorful alleyways, discovering murals painted on the sides of buildings
Snorkeling on St. Martin
The beaches and coves surrounding St. Martin offer a variety of snorkeling opportunities. Knowing snorkeling was high on our list of things to do while on the island, we packed our own gear. That is certainly one option if you want a more casual, grab-and-go opportunity. As an alternative to carrying the extra weight from home, book a tour that includes transportation and snorkeling gear.
If you stay at the Hilton Vacation Club Flamingo Beach St. Maarten, you can snorkel around the reefs right off the resort’s private beach in Pelican Key Cove. The water is warm and calm, with plenty of marine life to observe around the coral reefs.
Two other public areas where we found good snorkeling were Little Bay (on the southern part of St. Maarten) and Friar’s Bay (in the northern region).
Safety First | As with any water sport, keep these things in mind to keep yourself and the environment safe:
1) Check the weather and water conditions. Don’t go out in rough waters or inclement weather.
2) Know your physical limits. Don’t participate in activities beyond your ability.
3) Never go alone. Stay near your buddy while in the water.
4) Respect the environment. Don’t touch coral reefs or marine wildlife.
5) Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for other swimmers and boat traffic.
Hike Pic Paradis
On the French side of St. Martin, near the island’s center, is the highest point – Pic Paradis.
The trailhead is at Loterie Farm which is home to a host of other activities in addition to the trail hike:
- Fly Zone Zipline Canopy Course (closed during low season, so check availability)
- Extreme Zipline Experience
- Jungle Kids Adventure Park
- Jungle Room Restaurant
Pic Paradis Hike: The trail is steep and rocky, but promises spectacular views at the summit. You can stop at vista points for unique views facing opposite sides of the island as you make your way around the mountain. And stay alert… If you’re really lucky, you might encounter the resident black-faced varvet monkeys along the trail.
They tend to stay away from hikers, but we came across a couple of inquisitive monkeys on our hike. They ran just ahead of us, seemingly playing a game of peek-a-boo along the way. Who gets to play with monkeys in the wild? We did!!!
Jungle Room Restaurant: After your hike, sit and enjoy a well-deserved cold tropical drink and tapas in the open-air restaurant.
Watch the jets land over Maho Beach
Princess Juliana International Airport is located at Simpson Bay on the southwest side of Sint Maarten (the Dutch half of the island). As planes come in for a landing, they fly low over Maho Beach, creating a unique photo opportunity that has become a popular tourist attraction.
At Maho Beach, of course, you’ll find a beautiful sandy beach, but don’t be fooled. This isn’t the beach to sit and relax at. It often gets crowded with tourists trying to get that perfect picture. And naturally, the sound of the jets is loud and thrilling.
Instead of vying for a spot on the beach, head to one of the nearby beach bars where you can sip on a cold beverage and watch as the planes come and go.
Watch the sunrise from Dawn Beach
It’s hard sometimes to think of getting up before dawn when you’re on vacation. Aren’t vacations for sleeping in and relaxing in a chair on the beach with a good book and a cold drink?
Definitely take the time to relax and recharge during your stay on St. Martin, but we recommend planning at least one early-morning wake-up call to experience the sunrise.
To catch the sunrise on the eastern side of the island, we were up before dawn (4:30 a.m. to be exact!) to make our way around to Dawn Beach. We were the only people on the beach at that time, watching the waves roll in and out as the sun made its way up through the clouds. It was incredibly beautiful!
Day trips from St. Martin
Anguilla: Catamaran ride and snorkeling
Exploring nearby islands is a fun way to spend a day. Consider booking a catamaran cruise to Anguilla.
There are several options to choose from and most include time to snorkel in the bays around Anguilla, sunbathe on its sandy beaches, and enjoy lunch – either on the boat or in a beachside cafe.
The excursion we took stopped briefly at Maundays Bay, considered by some as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, for a bit of snorkeling, then headed to Cove Bay for lunch at Smokey’s and time to swim. The catamaran ride there and back featured light snacks and rum punch cocktails.
*UPDATE: We were disappointed to read that Smokey’s was destroyed by hurricane Irma the year after our visit and is permanently closed.
Saba: Climb through a cloud forest
For those who like hiking, a visit to Saba is a must! Nicknamed the “Unspoiled Queen,” Saba is a tiny, 5-square-mile, island that once was a volcano. Today, the island features four main villages and three distinct ecosystems – a dry, arid foundation; a tropical rain forest center; and the summit of Mt. Scenery, shrouded in a cloud forest.
From Sint Maarten, it takes a 90-minute, high-speed ferry ride to reach the neighboring island. From the boat dock, you’ll need to take a taxi ride up the narrow “road that could not be built,” climbing the steep topography through a series of intimidating switchbacks to the Windwardside village and Mt. Scenery trailhead.
To reach the summit of Mt. Scenery, you’ll climb 1,064 steps from the Trail Shop in Windwardside up to the top of this beautiful island – the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands at 877m. The moisture in the air of the rain forest keeps much of the trail mossy and slippery in addition to being steep, so you’ll want to wear sturdy and comfortable hiking shoes. Along the way, you might encounter goats, lizards, roosters, hens, hermit crab (yes, really!) and some of the most gigantic leaves you’ll ever see.
Toi la! Je t’taime, Sint Maarten! We’ll be back…