We try to take a couple of vacations every year and one of the places we love going back to is St. Martin. We love it so much that we actually ended up getting a timeshare there so we can go back repeatedly. The entire island is small enough to go across in about an hour but there are innumerable great things to do while you’re there.
If you’re planning a trip sometime soon, I highly recommend it! They had a bit of a set back with the hurricane last year but are on track to be fully rebuilt by next year. We’re already booking our tickets!
If you do decide to visit, here are a couple of things I recommend not missing while you’re there:
1. Pinel Island. My absolute favorite spot on earth. This little island is a $7 boat off the main coast and is a small slice of heaven. Surrounded by the most beautiful water you can imagine, the island is the perfect spot for suntanning. You can even get the on site restaurant to put a table in the water for you to enjoy drinks and food while you swim. At several points in the day, someone comes out to feed the large iguana population of the island and if you’re brave enough, you get to feed about a hundred lizards. If you’re coming with kids, be warned there is a nude beach on the opposite end of the island.
2. Maho Beach. A massive tourist attraction but definitely worth the trip. This is the iconic beach where planes land so low to the ground you can actually get a photo of yourself pretending to hold one in mid-flight. You have to spend a bit of time getting it right but planes land every fifteen minutes or so, so you’ll have plenty of chances. There is a bar on the beach while you wait for the planes to arrive and from what I recall, it is tops optional. Can we spot a theme here? Haha.
3. The Boardwalk. If you need to shop, this is your best bet! There are a ton of shops, both for tourist and luxury items, all duty free and open throughout the day. The boardwalk is located just off the beach which is full of restaurants so you can take breaks and sip a mojito in between sprees.
4. Loterie Farm. A swanky beach club full of lush greenery and beautiful photo ops. If you’re like me and prefer relaxing over adrenaline rushes, this is a great spot. This place is full of luxe cabanas both beach and poolside. As a bonus, the surrounding area is wonderful for personal reflection walks.
5. L’Escargot Restaurant. Located on the French side of the island, this restaurant is probably my favorite place to eat in the world. There is nothing on the menu that isn’t delicious and we make sure to book reservations each time we go. It is truly a treat for the taste buds!
I hope some of these inspire you to visit this beautiful island and if you do, let me know how you liked it!
Stay magical,
Alexis
