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For travelers who'd like to mix a Caribbean-style beach vacation with
European food and flair, the Dutch/French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin
is an ideal choice.
Don't worry about finding a nice beach on
this island. There are ten miles of white sand spread over 37 beaches. One
of the most festive and popular is Orient Bay. Beach bars and cafés
are scattered along the beach. Rent a chaise lounge, wave runner, or go
parasailing. One end of the beach is clothing optional. Topless sunbathing
is common elsewhere along Orient Bay. Other beautiful French-side beaches
include Baie Rouge, Plum Bay, and Long Bay. These three do not have the
same level of activities or crowds as Orient Bay. Maho Bay and Mullet Bay
are two of the more beautiful Dutch-side beaches.
The best way to experience the bi-nationality of the island is to head
to the two capitals, Marigot on the French side and Philipsburg on the Dutch
side. Elegant Marigot offers fine dining, bistros, duty-free shopping, and
a small museum. Walk up the steep stairs to Fort Louis for great views of
the harbor and town. Philipsburg's pastel buildings are trimmed with West
Indian fretwork. Cruise ship passengers flock to the duty-free stores and
casinos that line its cobblestone streets. A narrow beach runs the length
of Great Bay.
St. Martin (the French side) is generally considered one of the top gourmet
destinations in the Caribbean. Waterfront restaurants
housed in restored buildings and old homes serve an impressive array of
cuisine. Grand Case is the island's dining capital, with over 24 fine restaurants.
L'Auberge Gourmande, Chez Martine, and Rainbow are considered among the
best. Marigot also has some fine choices, including La Vie en Rose and La
Brasserie de Marigot. Be prepared, though, because fine dining in St. Martin
can be expensive. You can easily spend $150 on dinner with wine. For atmosphere
and value, try one of the casual, charming restaurants along the Marina
Port La Royale in Marigot.
An interesting and unique side trip is to the St. Martin Butterfly Farm.
The specially-created high-tech structure houses a landscaped garden, waterfalls,
fish ponds, and butterflies from around the world. Guided tours are given
at regular intervals. For beautiful views of the island, consider a drive
up the narrow road to Paradise Peak. At 1,400 feet, the peak is the highest
point on the island.
Island Hopping. Another popular diversion
is to take a day trip to one of the nearby islands. St. Barthélemy
(St. Barts), 16 miles southeast of the island, is known for its beautiful
beaches, reefs, and French restaurants. Anguilla, a British Island, also
has some great beaches and good snorkeling. Saba, a Dutch Island 30 miles
from St. Maarten/St. Martin, is a popular spot for divers. Try the 1,064
steps from the tiny town of Windwardside to Mt. Scenery's crater.
Snorkelers may want to take a water taxi from Orient Bay to Ilet Pinel.
The snorkeling is some of the best around the island. There are also a couple
of beach grills and small shops. Caye Verte is another small island with
good snorkeling. On the main island, good snorkeling can be found at Dawn
Beach and nearby Oyster Pond. The top dive site is the wreck of the British
Frigate H.M.S. Proselyte, which sank near Great Bay in 1801.
Golfers will find only a single course on the island. It is an 18-hole
Joseph Lee course at Mullet Bay. Anglers can catch yellowtail, grouper,
snapper, tuna, wahoo, bonito, and barracuda year round. An annual marlin
tournament is held in June.
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