One of many nice sights of a trip within the Caribbean is the prospect to do a little bit of island hopping. After all, so as to take action successfully, you need to decide your targets and, importantly, an acceptable leaping off spot. St. Thomas as a place to begin for the Virgin Island and St. Vincent for exploring the Grenadines spring to thoughts, however if you wish to do some island hoping that exposes you to a couple completely distinctive cultural experiences, then island hopping round St. Martin is your greatest wager.
To start with, whereas I’m utilizing the overall time period “St. Martin,” you might be truly getting two separate nations on one island: the French St. Martin and the Dutch Sint Maarten. And from there you’ll be able to simply attain three different islands – Anguilla, Saba, and St. Barth – every with its personal vastly totally different attraction. All are simply reachable, both for a day journey or an extended go to.
So, let’s leap in and discover the primary spots to go island hopping round St. Martin.
See additionally: Island Hopping within the Caribbean
The place to go island hopping round St. Martin
You may both base your self at St. Martin or begin off on the island and hop round.
Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten serves because the pure hub for the realm due to its trendy worldwide airport. Princess Juliana Airport is properly served by most US and Canadian airways, with common flights all year long. Its Dutch/French connection additionally ensures frequent service from Europe, primarily Amsterdam and Paris. So, it’s straightforward to get to and is extraordinarily person pleasant, with little or no tradition shock for first timers to the Caribbean.
The bigger resorts, some with casinos, are positioned on the “Dutch facet” because the islanders check with it. Most are positioned instantly on white sand seashores in vigorous places like Simpson Bay, Cupecoy Seashore and the airport adjoining Maho Seashore, a favorite of the Instagram crowd.
Philipsburg, the capital, is by far the largest, busiest city within the area and is known for its duty-free buying, which has dramatically expanded in recent times as a result of multi-million-dollar improvement of its cruise ship terminal. The draw back, after all, is that it may get fairly busy when a number of of the large ships are on the town.
However the bustle of Sint Maarten additionally means that there’s at all times a selection of issues to do. There are many actions, from a soothing seaside barbecue to serving to crew a former America’s Cup 12 metre yacht in a race across the island. This selection makes Sint Maarten a very good place for households. There may be additionally an energetic nightlife, that means it may be little bit of a extra adult-oriented playground as properly. While you get proper right down to it, Sint Maarten is a type of uncommon locations that may actually lay declare to being, “enjoyable for all ages.”
And, maybe most significantly, Sint Maarten is both a drive, a ferry trip or brief flight away from the opposite islands we’re specializing in.
St. Martin
Drive throughout the unmanned border (no passport required) and it doesn’t take lengthy to note the distinction. The panorama will get a bit greener and hillier, the event noticeably much less and the bustle of the Dutch facet begins to present approach to a extra laid-back, distinctly Gallic really feel.
St. Martin actually has its personal attraction. The seashores, although much less quite a few than these of its neighbour, are higher, and usually much less crowded. Orient Bay Seashore is probably probably the most spectacular, with Anse Marcel and the secluded and peaceable Baie Rouge additionally worthy of point out.
The small capital of Marigot is charming, although not totally recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Irma. There’s a little bit of a busier vibe than the remainder of St. Martin, an exquisite harbour and good small locations to seize a drink, espresso or sandwich. A quick (uphill) stroll from the city will take you to the ruins of Fort Louis, in-built 1789 to defend the city towards the British, Dutch, and marauding pirates. The spectacular views make it properly definitely worth the hike.
St. Martin has its fair proportion of actions, although admittedly lower than the Dutch facet and of a much less adrenaline-pumping nature. There are some good climbing trails and sail/snorkel excursions, however the cause most individuals come to St. Martin is to loosen up. And to eat.
Surprisingly, particularly given its small measurement, St. Martin has constructed a popularity because the gourmand capital of the Caribbean. There are wonderful eating places scattered all through the French facet, in locations like Marigot and Orient Seashore, however by far the capital of the island’s high quality eating scene is Grand Case.
This small, picturesque beachfront city is residence to some wonderful institutions that supply the very best of French Creole cooking, with an emphasis on seafood. Some standouts embody Auberge Gourmande, Ocean 82 and Le Pressoir. And for those who really feel you want a break from high quality eating, you’ll be able to strive one in every of Grand Case’s lolos – vigorous out of doors eating places specializing in native dishes centred across the barbecue.
Grand Case can also be a beautiful place for a seaside stroll, the place you’ll be able to take within the view of our subsequent island-hopping vacation spot, Anguilla.
Anguilla
The space from St. Martin to Anguilla is lower than 30km. The primary route between the 2 islands is the 25-minute public ferry trip from Marigot, on the French facet, to Blowing Level in Anguilla. You can too take one of many shuttles that present speedboat service, nearly throughout from Princess Juliana Airport on the Dutch facet. Or you’ll be able to catch a 10-minute flight between the islands, nevertheless it’s hardly definitely worth the effort or value. Nevertheless, you get there, you should definitely take your passport. Anguilla is a British territory.
If you’re on the lookout for one phrase to explain Anguilla, that phrase is undoubtedly ‘seashores’. This lengthy, flat slim island (the title means ‘eel’) appears to include little greater than a string of seashores. In reality, there are over 30 of them dotted alongside its 60km of shoreline.
Anguilla seashores are merely idyllic: lengthy stretches of powdery, white sand set towards calm, shallow turquoise seas. Good for sunbathing, swimming or simply strolling. Shoal Bay is usually ranked the highest seaside within the Caribbean and probably the greatest on this planet. However there are numerous extra that come near difficult for these honours, Meads Bay, Maundys Bay, Sandy Floor, and Rendezvous Bay amongst them.
And, as you’d count on from a Caribbean Island with so many nice seashores, Anguilla is known for its legendary seaside bars. No island, no matter measurement, repeatedly options so many names on printed lists of the High Ten Seashore Bars. It’s actually a seaside bar-hopper’s paradise, with locations like Gwen’s Reggae Grill (Shoal Bay) and Elvis’ (Sandy Floor), in addition to the Sunshine Shack and Dune Protect (Rendezvous Bay).
The islands seashores are additionally residence to a number of the area’s most spectacular resorts. Right here you’ll find the 4 Seasons Anguilla, the Malliouhana, Zemi Seashore Resort and the long-lasting Belmond Cap Juluca. Their presence has additionally significantly elevated the island’s eating scene in recent times.
What Anguilla doesn’t have is quite a lot of actions (past crusing and snorkelling), a vibrant nightlife, duty-free buying of any form, or a lot of a selection of funds lodging. And there isn’t actually a city to discover. However, consider me, with these seashores, it’s straightforward to overlook about all that.
Saba
At a distance of 50km from St. Martin, the island of Saba is the furthest flung of our island-hopping targets. It is usually some of the uncommon, unspoilt, and surprisingly charming islands not solely within the area, however all through all the Caribbean.
Saba just isn’t for the informal traveler, or these on the lookout for the stereotypical island paradise. To start with, it’s not precisely the only island to get to. Most guests arrive by the quick ferry from Sint Maarten, an usually bumpy 90-minute trip. Or you’ll be able to fly there. The flight takes a mere quarter-hour, however you might be then confronted with touchdown on a tiny airport seemingly carved out of the hillside and that includes the smallest business runway on this planet. And don’t count on palm lined white sand seashores. At a compact 13 sq. kilometres, Saba is basically a volcano elevating steeply from the ocean.
However those that do courageous the journey will uncover an nearly mystical panorama of winding roads, quaint pink and white wood cottages, and pleasant down-to-earth individuals – an embodiment of the outdated Caribbean as many think about it. The island is basically an eco-paradise, above and under the waterline, with difficult rain forest hikes and world-renowned dive websites. Those that handle the hike up the aptly named Mt. Surroundings shall be rewarded with breathtaking views throughout the Caribbean to St Martin, St Barths, and past.
Lodging and eating are typically quaint and cozy slightly than luxurious, with lower than 100 rooms in whole unfold amongst a handful of small lodges, visitor homes and cottages. Queen’s Backyard Resort and Juliana’s are probably the most notable lodges on the island, each tucked into the hillside amongst wealthy foliage.
The tempo on Saba is gradual and other than exploring the tiny quaint villages of The Backside and Windward facet, there isn’t a lot to do besides benefit from the island’s pure magnificence – the rationale Saba proudly promotes itself because the “Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean”.
St. Barth
If Saba is sleepy, St. Barth is buzzing. In reality, the 2 islands couldn’t be extra totally different. St. Barth is nearer to St. Martin and far simpler to get to. Quick, trendy ferries service the island from three totally different places in St. Martin, with the shortest journey taking 45 minutes. As well as, there are frequent flights (quarter-hour in length) from Princess Juliana and Grand Case airports.
St. Barth is a taking place place, albeit a slightly dear one. At the beginning, St. Barth is a distinctly French island. However not within the Creole French type of Martinique or Guadeloupe. St. Barth is nearer to the French Riviera transplanted within the Caribbean.
The capital of Gustavia is famous for the multi-million-dollar yachts within the harbour and the stylish eating places and high-end designer outlets (don’t count on any duty-free bargains) lining its principal road, together with a Dolce & Gabbana Martini bar. And for those who want a break, the beautiful Shell Seashore is inside strolling distance of the downtown.
If Gustavia doesn’t excite you, a 10-minute taxi trip will take you to the island’s different scorching spot, St-Jean Seashore. This magnificent stretch of gleaming sand is anchored at one finish by the fabled Eden Rock resort and the famend Nikki Seashore restaurant, and on the different by St. Barth’s extremely Instagrammable small airport. The scene at St-Jean Seashore, and different components of the island, by no means actually stops.
Nevertheless, when you get past the glitz and glamour, you’ll discover that St. Barth is a remarkably stunning little island. It’s good for renting a automotive and exploring the plush, hilly terrain. You’ll discover various different engaging, extra secluded, seashores like Grand Saline, Anse du Gouverneur, and Colombier Seashore, in addition to some low key however surprisingly luxurious, lodges.
Briefly, St. Barth could be a blast, particularly for those who don’t thoughts the sometimes-scary costs.
Issues to contemplate when island hopping round St. Martin
- Entry: Every of those locations will be comparatively simply accessed by ferry or aircraft from St. Martin, with the longest journey being the 90-minute quick ferry to Saba. All will be accomplished in a day, nevertheless, attributable to its geography, Saba is healthier served by an in a single day keep in one in every of its quaint little lodges or visitor homes. And, after all, all lend themselves to longer stays.
- Forex: You may freely use US {dollars} in Anguilla, Saba, and Sint Maarten (although the official forex within the latter nation is the Antillean Guilder). In St. Martin and St. Barth, nevertheless, Euros are the forex of file. It’s possible you’ll get away with US {dollars} (particularly in St, Martin), however it’ll probably be frowned upon.
