St. Martin Dual-Culture Explorer: 8 Days French & Dutch Caribbean

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrive French St. Martin

Arrive in Grand Case on the French side. Check into a charming boutique hotel. Evening orientation walk along Grand Case Boulevard — the restaurant mile. Overnight in Grand Case.

Day 2: Grand Case & Northern Coast

Explore the culinary capital: cooking class with a local chef (Creole-French fusion: mahi-mahi with passion fruit, accras, coconut flan). Afternoon: hike to Petites Cayes, a remote beach accessible only by trail. Beach time and a visit to Loterie Farm, a former plantation turned into a nature sanctuary with zip-lining through the forest canopy. Overnight in Grand Case.

Day 3: Marigot & French Culture

Explore Marigot: the waterfront market, Fort St. Louis (1789) for panoramic views, and the Merveilleux bakery for the best croissants in the Caribbean. Visit a parfumerie making fragrances from local flowers. Afternoon at Friar’s Bay Beach Club for lunch and swimming. Overnight in Grand Case.

Day 4: Dutch Side Transition & Maho Beach

Move to the Dutch side. Visit Philipsburg, the Dutch capital: Front Street’s duty-free shops, the courthouse built in 1793, and the boardwalk along Great Bay. Afternoon: Maho Beach for the legendary plane-spotting — arriving jets pass just 30 meters overhead, a bucket-list aviation experience. Sunset at Sunset Bar & Grill. Overnight in Simpson Bay.

Day 5: Island Safari & Cole Bay

Full-day island safari covering both sides: Corilita Natural Reserve, Pic Paradis (the highest point at 424m, offering views of Anguilla, St. Barts, and on clear days, Saba and St. Eustatius), and hidden beaches. Lunch in a traditional “lolo” (roadside grill) for johnny cakes and jerk chicken. Overnight in Simpson Bay.

Day 6: Pinel Island Day Trip

Kayak or take a small ferry to Pinel Island, a tiny nature reserve in Orient Bay. The island is divided between two beach restaurants — the yellow umbrellas of Yellow Beach and the more laid-back Karibuni. Snorkel the marked underwater trail among green turtles. Lunch: grilled lobster on the beach. Overnight in Simpson Bay.

Day 7: St. Barts Day Trip & Farewell

Day trip to St. Barts (45 min ferry). Explore Gustavia, Shell Beach, and the Swedish clock tower. Farewell dinner: a tasting menu at a Grand Case gourmet restaurant. Overnight in Simpson Bay.

Day 8: Depart

Transfer to airport.

Inclusions

• 7 nights (3 nts Grand Case French side, 4 nts Simpson Bay Dutch side)
• Daily breakfast + 4 dinners
• Creole cooking class
• St. Barts day trip
• Pinel Island kayak/snorkel trip
• Island safari with guide
• Loterie Farm zip-line
• All transfers

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses