The Best Places to Go in Saint Martin, post Hurricane Irma

St. Martin is an island in the north Carribean Sea, split up into two sides—that owned by the Dutch (Sint Marteen) and that owned by the French (St. Martin). There are many fun things to do and places to go around the island on both sides. Having visited St. Martin recently, only a couple of years after Hurricane Irma hit and devastated the island, the Dutch side is making a comeback and the French, slow in comparison, is truly a case of ‘survival of the fittest,’ where the most dedicated businesses and their owners are rebuilding and making a statement.

After spending nearly two weeks on the island and having previous experience staying in Sint Marteen / St. Martin from years previous, here are the top place and activities, post-hurricane, I would recommend on and around the island.

1. Orient Bay Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Orient Bay and its beaches are on the French side of the island and known for its clear blue water, beautiful sand and its nude side. However, if you’re not into seeing ‘the goods,’ no worries as most people elect to keep their clothes on (you will spot a passerby every so often flaunting what their momma gave ‘em! Great for entertainment and people watching, if you’re easily amused like me :P).

Kontiki restaurant/beach bar is also on Orient Bay Beach and is great for cocktails and wine (including their delicious passion fruit mojitos), service is great and you can also rent beach recliners, towels and an umbrella for the day for only about $20 USD (hubby and I paid this price for 2 chaises and an umbrella).

2. Duty-Free Shopping at Front Street in Philipsburg

Shopping is a great thing to do on any international destination trip, but one drawback can be taxes imposed on goods that one buys.

St. Martin is a duty-free port. So items that would normally be taxed in New York, London or other destinations are not charged duty (typically) when purchased on this island.  

Front Street is the busiest shopping area on the island (located in Philipsburg, the capital city of the Dutch side of St. Martin) that has a host of duty-free shops, both casual and high-end. It is particularly great for jewelry and watch shopping. Some of the designer stores there include Rolex, Cartier, Bvlgari and Baume.

Also, Front Street is located roughly 50 meters parallel to the beach in Philipsburg where many nearby cruise ships anchor. So after buying some amazing gifts for yourself, you can lay on the beach, socialize with other visitors (if you wish) and enjoy a refreshing pina colada.

3. Eat at Barranco in Grande Case

After enjoying shopping on Front Street, in the past, you would hear many recommending to visit Grande Case on the French side, to experience and choose from a high concentration of top-quality restaurants at which to dine. Sadly, after hurricane Irma, many of these restaurants have been damaged, changed ownership or completely shut down.

However, there was one I recently had heard several individuals rave about, so I thought to give it a try. Its name? Barranco.

Barranco Grand Case (70 Boulevard de Grande Case) is a lovely oceanfront restaurant serving French cuisine with a Latin American influence. In addition to the savory, mouth-watering dishes, exquisite service and breathtaking views, the boho-chic décor of this restaurant very much appealed to my visual senses.

 

 

Specific dishes I ordered included a delectable eggs appetizer and fish for my entrée. My husband ordered the veal sweetbreads.

The food was truly delectable. In fact, The Caribbean Journal placed Barranco restaurant among the 5 hottest new eateries in all of the Caribbean. You’ll not want to miss out on this experience.

4. Take a Ferry to St. Barths

Saint Barthélemy (St. Barths) is a French-speaking Caribbean island roughly 22 miles southeast from St. Martin, known for its white-sand beaches and designer shops. I would definitely recommend visiting this island, at least for a day trip. By boat from St. Marteen, it takes roughly 45-50 minutes to get there; by plane, only about 25 minutes (I’d recommend boat though as I heard the airplane flying to St. Barths is small and nerve wracking/scary).

Once there, I’d highly recommend browsing the amazing high-end shops and boutiques (at least window shopping) in Gustavia and in St. Jean—the two main shopping areas. Like St. Martin, St. Barths also boasts tax free shopping.  To boot, Forbes has named St. Barths one of the World’s top 10 shopping destinations.  

 

After shopping, head over to the famous and popular Shell beach for some fun and sun.

 

In the vicinity, there is a wonderful restaurant called Shellona. Shellona overlooks the gorgeous Shell beach and offers authentic (and delicious!) Mediterranean/Greek cuisine.

On the weekday I went, they also had a live DJ spinning chill and groovy music. A great experience and amazing vibes. You truly feel that you are in Ibiza or Mykonos while at Shellona. I highly recommend!  

In general, St. Barths rocks and you will feel fabulous in this posh destination!

5. Have Lunch at Bacchus

Bacchus, on Rue Anegada in St. Martin (French side), is a restaurant and delicatessen, uniquely created over 10 years ago and is renowned for its excellent and diverse selection of French and international wines.

If you’re a wine connoisseur (or just a good, old-fashioned wine-o), this is the place you want to be.

Its wine may be the major draw but not the only nor debatably even main draw, as Bacchus’ food is truly out of this world. I have been to Bacchus’ several times, pre- and post-Irma and the food quality and flavor have never wavered, placing this venue as my top, in terms of outrageously savory food on the entire Island (both French and Dutch sides).

 

6. Take a Hike & Swim at Loterie Farm

One of my all-time favorite places to frequent on St. Martin is Loterie Farm.

Loterie Farm is a secret hideaway and private nature reserve nestled in the hillside of Pic Paradise.  This private nature reserve boasts a rich history and a host of various activities to partake in, including taking picturesque hikes on the various available trails to zip lining adventures.

Here are some more of my photos and videos from my recent hike there last week.

I even spotted monkeys on my hike, but unfortunately they ran off before I got to snap a vid (next time I’ll be quicker!).

Afterwards, I grabbed a refreshing drink (love their passionfruit juice) and took a dip in their beautiful, rainforest-feel “l’eaulounge” pool and relished in its lovely waterfall. The rythmic, calm lounge music that accompanied my swim and the relaxed, cool young-but-mature (late 20s and 30s) crowd enjoying the lounges and deck added to the “positive-vibes only” ambiance of this milieu.

 

The whole site is like a tropical oasis.. one that I never want to leave!

To read more about Loterie Farm, click here.

7. Savor a delicious dinner at Mario’s Bistro in Porto Cupecoy

I’ve listed a few restaurants so far that are definitely top restaurants on the French side of St. Martin (Barranco, Bacchus) and Shellona in St. Barts. However, my top restaurant recommendation on the Dutch side of the Island is Mario’s Bistro.

Mario’s is located in Porto Cupecoy, a 20-acre, mixed-use luxury condominium community with a full-service marina and a vibrant plaza filled with quaint shops and fine restaurants. The owner is French and the restaurant itself serves a mix of French, Asian and Creole blends.

 

Food is excellent and I specifically recommend the duck entrée…truly exceptional. Wonderful ambiance for a romantic dinner and Mario, the chef/owner, is great!

8. Swim with the Dolphins in Anguilla

Anguila is a British island only about 9 miles north of St. Martin with 33 magnificent beaches. I’d recommend taking a ferry over which, from the Dutch side of the island, takes only about 20-30 minutes and is usually inexpensive.

For swimming with the dolphins, I’d recommend Dolphin Discovery Anguilla—one of the biggest and most picturesque swim-with-the-dolphin facilities in the Caribbean.

Under professional guidance from trainers, the dolphins interact with you in a variety of exciting ways. You get to learn a lot about them and these beautiful creatures, after being born in captivity and after years of training, enjov human companionship. A very intimate swim and delightful experience all around.

With these activities, you definitely won’t be bored. Enjoy the Caribbean! 🙂

~Lesley Yvonne~