Things to Do in St. Martin: 18 Reasons to Visit!

Drinking Ti Punches at Karibuni Restaurant on Pinel Island!

Whether it’s your first visit to St. Martin or one of many, a day trip to Pinel Island should definitely be on your list.

Tucked away on the northeastern side of the island, it’s just a short ride by kayak, ferry, or boat.

Once there, you can hike, shore snorkel with blue tang, or simply relax by the calm, turquoise water. The setting is absolutely stunning.

There are two main spots to settle in for the day: Karibuni and Yellow Beach.

We chose the Karibuni side and loved it. They set us up with chairs and an umbrella, kept the cocktails flowing, and served an excellent lunch at the Karibuni Restaurant.

Pinel Island in St. Martin

Lobster is the star of the show here.

Just before lunch, you’ll see the staff bringing in fresh lobster straight off the boats … now that’s as fresh as it gets.

If you’re looking to elevate the experience, consider booking a stay at the Karibuni Boutique Hotel like we did (see our detailed hotel review!).

The hotel owns the restaurant on Pinel Island and offers some great perks, including a private boat transfer, complimentary kayaks, and reserved beach chairs with an umbrella. The staff goes out of their way to make you feel truly taken care of.

While you’re relaxing by the water, be sure to try the island’s signature drink, the Ti’ Punch. It’s a simple but delicious mix of rhum agricole, lime, and sugar cane syrup.

Now that’s what vacation should feel like!

Meats and cheeses at Le Petit Casino Baie Orientale in St. Martin

Okay, this next activity might not be for everyone, but if you love discovering local food like we do, don’t skip the local food shops.

Traveling through food is kind of our thing, whether that means popping into neighborhood grocery stores like this or taking a hands-on cheese tasting class in Paris to really understand what we’re eating.

The new spices, snacks, cheeses, and drinks. It’s a total sensory adventure. Since we stayed on the French side of St. Martin, we had easy access to some fantastic French grocery stores.

My husband turns into a kid in a candy shop whenever we visit one in a new country. He loves to cook and bake and I love to eat, so we make a pretty great team. Honestly, he probably missed his calling as a chef.

One of our favorites was Le Petit Casino Baie Orientale. It’s small, but the selection was amazing. Fresh baguettes for just one euro, delicious pâtés, charcuterie, and some seriously tempting cheeses.

Variety of imported cheeses at Grape Wine in St. Martin

Another spot we really enjoyed was Grape Wine.

This charming little store quickly became a favorite.

The staff was incredibly friendly and genuinely excited to help you find just the right cheese or that perfect bottle of wine.

And when I say they have a great wine selection, I’m not exaggerating.

I was genuinely surprised to spot a bottle from one of our favorite Grower Champagne producers, Egly-Ouriet.

This was a label we first discovered at our charming boutique hotel stay in Burgundy. Total unexpected find!

They also carry a great selection of cured meats, spreads, olives, and more. Perfect for putting together an easy, delicious picnic or beachside snack.

Yes, it’s definitely touristy and can get crowded, but if it’s your first time in St. Martin, Maho Beach is a must-see.

Where else can you have your feet in the sand while a plane roars just overhead as it comes in for landing?

It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.

The beach itself is beautiful, and there are two lively bars on either end, making it a great spot for both plane spotting and people watching.

Yes, we’ve definitely planned entire vacations around a single dining experience!

Sometimes we book the reservation first, then figure out the flights afterward.

A few past favorites include Hisa Franko in Slovenia, The Test Kitchen in South Africa, Maido in Peru (the #1 restaurant in the world!), Pujol in Mexico City, Sawada in Japan, and The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia.

By the way, if you can only do one 3-star Michelin dining experience in your life, let it be Hisa Franko. My husband and I went before the Michelin Guide even arrived in Slovenia, and it completely blew us away. Truly an unforgettable experience!

Slowly poached confit thigh with hedgehog mushroom and Ivoire sauce at La Villa Hibiscus in St. Martin

La Villa Hibiscus is one of those foodie gems, and the best part is it’s tucked away right here in the Caribbean. It may not have Michelin stars, but it absolutely deserves them.

This intimate restaurant is run by the lovely Sabine and her husband, Chef Bastian, who trained in France. I’d describe the food as fine French dining with a Caribbean twist.

The tasting menu is beautifully prepared, full of flavor, and made with top-quality ingredients. There are only a few tables, so reservations fill up fast.

Be sure to check out my full restaurant review for all the details.

Alright, I think I might need a couple more Ti’ Punches to do this one.

But yes, the French side of St. Martin does have one official nudist beach, Orient Bay Beach, which has a designated area for those who prefer to go au naturel.

There are also a few unofficial spots where nudity is more common, like Happy Bay Beach and Petites Cayes.

Topless sunbathing also seems to be widely accepted. We learned that quickly during a snorkeling trip to Baie Rouge Beach.

And for those who want to fully embrace the experience, there’s even a nudist hotel on the island.

St. Martin might not be famous for world-class snorkeling, but if you’re like us and enjoy being in the water, there are still a few gems worth exploring.

You can snorkel over a sunken ship, spot sea turtles gliding by, or swim alongside schools of vibrant blue tang.

We’ve shared all the snorkeling spots we found in the post below!

When in the Caribbean, it only makes sense to sample the local rum.

Some of our favorite distilleries include Foursquare from Barbados and Chairman’s Reserve from St. Lucia.

Fortunately, there are a few great shops in St. Martin that carry some of the best rums from across the islands.

One spot worth visiting is Gulmohar’s located on the Dutch side.

The owners are incredibly knowledgeable, and the prices are hard to beat. They also have an impressive whisky & bourbon selection if that’s more your style.

We even heard that some travelers bring an empty suitcase just to stock up on their favorite bottles. We scored a great deal on two bottles of Foursquare and couldn’t have been happier.

And if you love a well-made cocktail, check out the new-ish cocktail bar called Luxbar SXM, located right across the street from Gulmohar’s.

We didn’t have a chance to visit ourselves, but it looks like exactly the kind of cocktail bar we’d be into … craft drinks, cool vibe, and great location.

The second shop worth checking out is Grape Wine.

As the name suggests, they offer a fantastic selection of wines from around the world. But what might surprise you is their impressive collection of rum and rhum agricole.

They opened a small “Rum Cave” in the back of the shop, and it’s definitely worth a visit. My husband and I had the chance to meet Alain, who guided us through a thoughtful tasting of rhum agricole. We learned a lot- like the fact that rum and rhum agricole are not the same thing!

It turns out rhum agricole is the key ingredient that makes Ti’punches so delicious.

It was such a fun and informative experience, and of course, we left with two bottles to enjoy at home.

I had heard that Papadan’s serves up the best pizza on the island.

When we pulled into a simple shopping strip to pick it up, I’ll admit my expectations were pretty low. After all, we’re in the Caribbean, not Naples.

But I was genuinely impressed by how good the pizza was. The ingredients were fresh, the flavors well-balanced, and you could tell each pie was made to order with care.

They stay busy, so I highly recommend calling in your order ahead of time and picking it up later. If you order on-site, be prepared for a bit of a wait.

That said, you’re on Caribbean time, and it’s absolutely worth it.

St. Martin is the perfect launching point for exploring nearby islands, and one of the best side trips is to Saba. It’s often called the Caribbean’s Unspoiled Queen.

It’s still under the radar for most tourists and offers incredible hiking and diving for those who love nature and adventure.

Getting there is part of the experience. While you can take a ferry, the 12-minute flight is much more exciting. Landing on the world’s shortest commercial runway is something you won’t forget!

We spent three amazing nights on this tiny island, hiking its lush trails and snorkeling with turtles.

If you’ve read a few of my blog posts, you’ve probably noticed a pattern.

My husband and I are usually either eating and drinking our way through a new destination or exploring its natural beauty through hiking, snorkeling, or biking.

It wasn’t easy to find clear info on hiking in St. Martin, but we did come across a great trail called Sentier des Froussards.

The hike begins at Anse Marcel and winds along the coastline, passing two beautiful beaches, Petit Cayes and Grandes Cayes.

It took us about 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. It wasn’t overly strenuous, but the heat made it a bit more challenging. Definitely start early and bring plenty of water!

If you’re looking for a shorter option, you can hike just to Petit Cayes like a few others did and still enjoy stunning views.

I love that endorphin boost you get from a good hike. It’s a great way to balance out all the delicious French food. If you enjoy getting outdoors, I highly recommend giving this trail a try!

If you’re a foodie, dining at a lolo is a must when visiting St. Martin.

Lolos are casual, open-air restaurants built around the barbecue. These causal dining spots are authentic spots where locals gather to share great food and good company.

You’ll find them mainly in Marigot and Grand Case.

While we didn’t make it to a lolo on this trip, we did enjoy a fantastic meal at a local Haitian spot called Hercule, located on the French side of the island.

The chicken curry was rich and flavorful, and we also tried a dish made with stuffed Christophine, a unique and tasty Caribbean vegetable. The owner was incredibly welcoming, and the meal was a real highlight.

There’s something pretty cool about standing on a sandbar in the middle of the ocean.

Our first experience like this was at Stingray City in Grand Cayman. We joined a boat tour that took us out to a shallow sandbar, stepped off the boat, and found ourselves standing in the sea surrounded by stingrays.

The adventure in St. Martin isn’t quite as dramatic, but it’s still a fun and relaxing outing.

You can rent a kayak through Caribbean Paddling, or if you’re staying at Karibuni Boutique Hotel, they offer free kayaks to guests.

Just a short paddle from shore takes you to a sandbar in front of Pinel Island. Use the map below to get your bearings.

Once you’re there, hop out, stretch your legs, and enjoy the novelty of standing in the ocean. You might even spot a turtle swimming by.

If you’re up for more, you can continue paddling out to snorkel at Petite Clef or all the way to Pinel Island.

One of the many things I love about the French side of St. Martin is the amazing pastries.

My favorite was the pain au chocolat we were served each morning at our hotel, Karibuni Boutique Hotel (you can read my full hotel review for more details!).

It honestly reminded me why French pastries are in a league of their own. The same feeling we had when we took a croissant making class in Paris that ended up being one of our favorite hands-on food experiences in France.

I later found out that those Karibuni pastries came from The Express by Bacchus.

We ended up visiting The Express by Bacchus several times on a later trip. Their selection of French pastries and breads is excellent. Don’t miss the ham and cheese croissant. They warm it up for you on the spot, and it’s so satisfying.

Another great option is Chez Ferdinand.

We tried their pain au chocolat and a pastry that looked a bit like a cinnamon roll, though it was less sweet and not as sticky. Both were tasty, though not quite as good as the ones we had at Karibuni.

I would love to try one of their eclairs next time!

The culinary capital of the Caribbean? I’d say yes.

Be sure to explore Restaurant Row in Grand Case on the French side of the island. This charming, narrow street is packed with one standout restaurant after another.

Alongside the fine dining options, you’ll also find the local lolos, open-air food stands serving up authentic Caribbean dishes like conch stew, crab backs, BBQ chicken, and Johnny Cakes. It’s a great way to experience both sides of the island’s food scene.

If you’re only booking one dinner, make it Le Cottage.

You’ll want to reserve in advance because it fills up quickly. The French cuisine was some of the best we had on the island, and the service was just as impressive.

We had the lobster cream soup wrapped in puff pastry, a duck breast special with orange sweet and sour sauce, and finished with the caramel soufflé served with salted caramel ice cream.

Every bite was incredible. Truly a memorable meal!

Believe it or not, this Caribbean island even has its own boutique parfumerie!

A fun and unique way to spend an afternoon is by booking a perfume-making class at Tijon.

The staff was incredibly welcoming and guided us step by step as we created our own custom scent.

We began with a base oil, then added three additional oils based on our personal scent preferences—floral, citrus, fresh, woodsy, and more. With over 300 oils to choose from, there was no shortage of options.

At the end of the class, we bottled up our personalized perfume to take home. They also send you off with a gift bag filled with a few extra goodies.

If you’re looking to mix in a little activity between indulgent meals and beach time, hiking Pic Paradis is a great choice. As the highest point on the island, it offers both a solid workout and some of the best views in St. Martin.

The best place to start the hike is from Loterie Farm, where you can enter for 10 euros per person. They’ll provide a trail map to get you going.

The path is well-marked and generally moderate, though you’ll come across a few steep switchbacks and one short rock scramble with a rope assist.

Once you reach the top, the panoramic views are absolutely worth the effort. And to top it all off, we spotted a small family of monkeys near the end of the trail. A fun little surprise to wrap up the hike!

If spending the day on a beautiful beach with great food and cocktails sounds like your kind of thing, then I highly recommend making a reservation at Coco Beach.

There are plenty of beach bars along Orient Beach, but Coco Beach quickly became one of our favorites. The setting is stunning, the service is excellent, and the food? Way beyond typical beach fare. The chef actually used to work at a two-star Michelin restaurant, and it shows.

We booked a beachside lunch with our toes in the sand. You can also reserve beach chairs if you want to make a full afternoon of it.

Be sure to try the lobster pappardelle. It was absolutely delicious.

And whatever you do, don’t skip the Secret Recipe Piña Colada. It’s not what you’re expecting, and it’s incredible.

The sunsets in Grand Case are truly something special. Even after the sun dips behind the mountains, the sky keeps shifting through layers of color.

One of the best spots to soak it all in is at the end of the pier near Quai 58.

Grab a rum punch, find a good seat, and just enjoy the view.

As you can see, St. Martin has no shortage of things to do. We loved the mix of beautiful beaches, flavorful local dishes, standout fine dining, and outdoor adventures like hiking and snorkeling. There’s a little something for everyone.

We usually don’t return to the same destination twice since we’re always eager to discover new places, but St. Martin is one of the rare exceptions.

It truly won us over.

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What are your favorite things to do in St. Martin?

Let me know in the comments below!