One of the great attractions of a vacation in the Caribbean is the chance to do a bit of island hopping. Of course, in order to do so effectively, you have to pick your targets and, importantly, an appropriate jumping off spot. St. Thomas as a starting point for the Virgin Island and St. Vincent for exploring the Grenadines spring to mind, but if you want to do some island hoping that exposes you to a few totally unique cultural experiences, then island hopping around St. Martin is your best bet.
To begin with, while I’m using the general term “St. Martin,” you are actually getting two separate nations on one island: the French St. Martin and the Dutch Sint Maarten. And from there you can easily reach three other islands – Anguilla, Saba, and St. Barth – each with its own vastly different appeal. All are easily reachable, either for a day trip or a longer visit.
So, let’s jump in and explore the main spots to go island hopping around St. Martin.
See also: Island Hopping in the Caribbean
Where to go island hopping around St. Martin
You can either base yourself at St. Martin or start off on the island and hop around.
Sint Maarten
Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten, is a bustling cruise port with some of the best duty-free shopping in the Caribbean and a lively beachfront. Photo credit: Ian Corks
Sint Maarten serves as the natural hub for the area because of its modern international airport. Princess Juliana Airport is well served by most US and Canadian airlines, with regular flights throughout the year. Its Dutch/French connection also ensures frequent service from Europe, mainly Amsterdam and Paris. So, it’s…
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