Conquering Saint Martin in 5 days, the ultimate itinerary
Heading to Saint Martin for a tropical vacation? Well, I’ve got some recommendations for you! I just got back from a 5-day visit for labor weekend with family and had a chance to experience some of these recommendations. I didn’t do them all (remember your girl can’t swim and a few of our activities got rained out) but I still highly recommend checking them out if you have the time and opportunity!
Want to more about Saint Martin before you go? Check out these 12 interesting facts!
Day 1: Start at the beach
Saint Martin / Sint Maarten is known for its 37 picturesque beaches. The best way to kick off your stay and shake off any lingering jet lag is to relax beachside and take a dip in the warm ocean.
Some of my favorites include Orient Bay Beach on the French side or Cupecoy Beach (pictured below!) and Maho Beach on the Dutch side. There are many to choose from but I can guarantee you that all of them will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the island. Don’t forget your rum punch and some delicious local cuisine!
Day 2: Take a tour around the island – on an ATV!
Get to know your surroundings by taking a tour of the island! There are many amazing ATV tours that allow you to get to see the island’s main highlights on both the French and Dutch sides in a fun new way. Plus you can learn some interesting history. Want to learn even more? Check out their history museum.
Here is an ATV tour I recommend checking out!
Day 3: Time to take an adventure!
The Flying Dutchman: Get your adrenaline rush by riding the steepest zipline in the world! The Flying Dutchman is at an elevation of over 2,800 feet and a heart-pounding 1,050-foot drop. Be aware this excursion is $100 per person for a single ride down. It is free to take the chair lift up. There are also other zip line tours available there at different price points.
Snorkeling Excursions: For all my swimmers and divers out there – Saint Martin is a prime destination for some amazing snorkeling experiences. The best locations for snorkeling include Creole Rock and Pinel Island. Pinel Island is actually not on the main island of Saint Martin but is only a brief ferry ride away!
Loterie Farm: Loterie Farm is a beautiful nature reserve near the highest point on the island. Here you can enjoy hiking, ziplining, treetop courses, premium poolside service, and more! It’s like entering a jungle paradise and is a wonderful way to experience nature and adventure all at once.
Paradise Peak: If you’re visiting Loterie Farm you might as well hike next door to Paradise Peak! This is the highest point on the island where you can enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the island.
Day 4: Hit the town for some shopping and sightseeing
The entire island of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten is duty-free, making it perfect for shopaholics to get their shop on! Walking around these areas you’ll also get to enjoy the sites and vibe of the island.
Philipsburg: Hit the boardwalk area in Philipsburg to enjoy the vibrant vibe of the locals. This city is the capital of the Dutch side of the island and is known for its abundant jewelry stores. You can also find artisan crafts, their signature guavaberry rum, and more amount this capital’s quaint shops on Front Street.
Marigot: Marigot is the place to go for a shopping fashionista. Here you will find many unique designer boutiques as well as outlets hidden along the side streets. Head to the Marina Royale to be in the center of it all or Le West Indies Shopping Mall for more great options.
Day 5: Take a day trip to a neighboring island
What makes Saint Martin unique is the ability for you to easily island hop during your visit! You may already be getting a two-country for one deal while on the island, but you can easily visit neighboring islands via speedboat, ferry, plane, and catamaran as well.
Anguilla: If you thought Saint Martin’s beaches were beautiful (which they totally are), wait until you see the dreamy white sand beaches of Anguilla. Shoal Bay Beach is a must-see and perfect for snorkelers as well.
St. Barts: Another picturesque Caribbean local, Saint Barts is known for both its red-roofed capital Gustavia and amazing beaches.
More things to consider:
Sunset sailing: Looking for a romantic excursion while visiting Saint Martin? I recommend checking out the many sunset sailing tours they have available.
Nightlife/casinos: Looking to go out or try your luck? The Dutch side of the island is known for its many casinos and clubs.
Nude Beaches: The French side of the island is known for its nude beaches. Even if you aren’t a nudist (I’m not!), I definitely recommend trying this out at least once! I enjoyed my time at Orient Bay so much that I checked out Cupecoy as well!
Perfume Making Workshop: Looking to try something different? Check out the perfume-making workshops at Tijon Parfumerie.
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