5 Great Day Trips from St. Martin
Close to so many incredible islands in the Caribbean, St. Martin offers travelers an incredible selection of day trips – from St. Barts to Anguilla.
St. Martin has more than enough beaches, restaurants, bars, and shops to fill up your vacation schedule (as if you have a schedule on vacation!), but if you’re an explorer at heart, it also happens to be perfectly positioned for some prime island hopping. These islands are all close enough to St. Martin to make an easy day trip by ferry or a private boat charter.
(1) Anguilla
Though Anguilla is only a 25-minute ferry ride away, it feels worlds away from hilly, cosmopolitan St. Martin. The island is incredibly quiet and laid-back, with a flat landscape and long stretches of pristine beaches; featuring clean, soft sand and bright turquoise water, Anguilla’s beaches are widely considered some of the best in the Caribbean.
(2) Prickly Pear Cays
The Prickly Pear Cays are two small islands about six miles off the northwest coast of Anguilla. Designated as a marine park, the islands are surrounded by coral reefs and canyons perfect for snorkeling and diving. There’s also a restaurant and bar with huge portions and rave reviews, so stop for lunch or dinner before sailing back.
(3) Tintamarre
This tiny mile-and-a-half-long island is completely deserted save for wild goats, lizards, and iguanas. Stop by for an afternoon to swim with sea turtles and stingrays on a wild, untouched beach.
(4) St. Barts
St. Martin’s southwest neighbor St. Barts (short for St. Barthélemy) is known for its chic jetsetter crowd, French-inspired restaurants, and designer boutiques. People-watch in the picturesque harbor, relax on one of 22 gorgeous beaches, and enjoy a slow, decadent meal on this stylish island.
(5) Saba
Saba is the most distant island on this list, but still only about one-and-a-half hours from St. Martin by boat or a short (and thrilling!) flight away. A Dutch island known as “The Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean,” Saba is as rugged and off-the-grid as it gets. Majestic cliffs and lush rainforest make for spectacular hiking, and the diving opportunities in Saba are unmatched.
Ready to explore villa rentals? Take a look at all St. Martin villa rentals, villas on the French side, or villas on the Dutch side.