Tour Overview
| Duration | 7 Days / 6 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Saint-Martin / Sint Maarten — The Friendly Island |
| Price From | $2,395 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | Cultural & Culinary Discovery |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive St. Martin
Welcome to the smallest landmass shared by two nations. Transfer to your boutique hotel on the French side. Evening walk along the Grand Case beachfront boulevard — choose from over 40 restaurants in this one-mile stretch, the Caribbean’s highest concentration of dining excellence. Overnight in Grand Case.
Day 2: French Side Discovery
Explore Saint-Martin’s French soul. Morning visit to the Marigot Market on the waterfront — stalls of tropical fruits, spices, and French pastries. Climb to Fort Louis (1789) for panoramic views of Marigot Bay and Anguilla. Visit the Loterie Farm, a former sugar plantation turned eco-adventure park — zip-line through the canopy or hike the Treasure Trail to Pic Paradis (424m), the island’s highest point. Afternoon cooking class: learn to prepare French-Caribbean fusion dishes with a local chef. Overnight in Grand Case.
Day 3: Pinel Island & Orient Beach
Morning kayak or short ferry to Pinel Island, a tiny paradise in the Cul-de-Sac marine reserve. Hike the short trail to the island’s summit for views across to St. Barts. Swim and snorkel in the calm, shallow waters — the beach restaurant serves grilled lobster with feet in the sand. Afternoon at Orient Beach, the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean” — a long crescent of white sand with beach bars, watersports, and a famously carefree vibe. Overnight in Grand Case.
Day 4: Dutch Side — Philipsburg & Great Bay
Cross to the Dutch side for a day in Philipsburg, the bustling capital. Walk Front Street’s duty-free shops — St. Maarten’s tax-free status makes it a jewelry and electronics bargain hunter’s dream. Visit the Sint Maarten Museum to understand the island’s Arawak heritage, colonial conflicts, and unique dual-nation arrangement (in place since the 1648 Treaty of Concordia). Afternoon: Great Bay Beach, a perfect crescent of sand on the Philipsburg waterfront. Boardwalk stroll past colorful Creole houses. Overnight in Grand Case.
Day 5: Catamaran to Tintamarre Island
Full-day catamaran excursion to Tintamarre, an uninhabited nature reserve island three miles off St. Martin’s northeast coast. This was once a cotton plantation, then an airstrip for early Caribbean aviation — now it’s pure wilderness. Snorkel with sea turtles in the crystal-clear waters of the marine reserve. The island’s abandoned runway, now just a grassy field, is surreal evidence of its past. Picnic and swimming on the pristine beach. Overnight in Grand Case.
Day 6: Creole Rock & Farewell
Morning eco-friendly sail and snorkel to Creole Rock, the prime snorkeling spot on the French side. This protected marine area teems with parrotfish, angelfish, and occasional sea turtles. Afternoon at leisure — perhaps revisit your favorite beach. Farewell dinner at a Grand Case gourmet restaurant: French technique meets Caribbean ingredients. Overnight in Grand Case.
Day 7: Depart St. Martin
Transfer to airport.
Inclusions
- 6 nights boutique hotel with breakfast
- French-Caribbean cooking class
- Loterie Farm entry (zip-line or hike)
- Pinel Island ferry + kayak
- Tintamarre catamaran day excursion
- Creole Rock snorkeling eco-tour
- Philipsburg guided tour
- All transfers
