Spend a Day in St. Martin: Your Island Travel Guide

St. Martin is a necessity on any Caribbean vacation bucket list. This French/Dutch island offers totally gorgeous beaches, unforgettable cuisine, endless shopping options, and activities for travelers of all ages. From Baie Rouge beach in Terres Basses to Orient Bay's beach bars, there’s never a shortage of things to do and sights to see. Whether you’re staying in St. Martin for a week or making a quick day trip over, check out WhereToStay’s favorite things to do for 24 hours in St. Martin

Where To Eat:

St. Martin’s reputation as a gastronomic hub is on the rise in 2022. New bars and restaurants open regularly, so visitors are never short for choices. Start the day with one of the island’s best morning eateries: Reveil Matin. This Philipsburg spot has perfected breakfast and lunch, and is open until 3:00 pm five days a week. Reveil Matin has the feeling of an old school diner with a quirky, fun interior and all the breakfast classics: omelets, crepes, waffles covered in whipped cream and fruit. 

When lunchtime rolls around, take a kayak or dinghy over to Pinel Island to grab a bite at Le Karibuni. Le Karibuni offers a variety of dishes, including lobster, tapas, fish, and burgers. Take your food and cocktails to the beach chairs to relax by the water, or enjoy your meals around the tables at the restaurant. There are shops nearby and iguanas all over the island, so a meal at Le Karibuni is truly an experience. You even get to pick out your lobster before they cook it! 

End your sunbathed day on St. Martin with dinner at one of three new choices: Le Pressoir, La Villa Hibiscus, or L’Oursin. Both Le Pressoir and La Villa Hibiscus are open for lunch and dinner. Le Pressoir offers fine French dining, including fresh caviar, locally sourced seafood, and shaved truffles. The restaurant lies within a refurbished 150-year-old Creole cottage, which houses an expansive rum bar and a 250-bottle wine list. Open Monday - Friday for lunch and dinner, and Saturday for dinner only. 

La Villa Hibiscus just moved to the former Sol E Luna location and offers picturesque views, daily tasting menus, and an open kitchen. Operated by Chef Bastien Schenk and his wife, the food and wine pairings will leave a lasting impression! Open for lunch and dinner, from Tuesday to Saturday, tables at La Villa Hibiscus are only available by reservation. 

L’Oursin hugs the cliffs above its own private beach, and offers elevated French bistro dining. You can book multi-course tastings in La Cave, the oldest wine cellar on St. Martin. Enjoy an al fresco, elegant dinner Monday through Saturday from 6:30 - 9:30pm.

Where To Drink:

Dirty Sanchez Crew Bar is literally right in the middle of everything on the Philipsburg Boardwalk. You can sit here for hours and watch the island go by! This is a great local hangout spot with cheap drinks and friendly bartenders.

Where To Sunbathe:

Grand Case Beach is one of the calmest beaches on the island, and is totally walkable. There are a ton of fantastic restaurants, a beach bar, and water sports. It’s not the best spot for snorkeling, but it is great for laying low on the island! If you do want to snorkel, head seven minutes up the coast to Creole Rock. The water around this uninhabited rocky islet is home to coral reefs and a huge variety of tropical fish.

Where To Sightsee:

Xisle Boat Charters has everything you could want in a boat charter experience. This one-stop shop covers all your boating needs and water-based activities, with a wide selection of boats, excursions, and watersports. You can reserve a charter ahead of time or the day of!

Where To Shop:

If you’re looking to purchase duty-free fine jewelry, Majesty Jewelers is the best choice. They consistently get feedback on great customer service and their knowledgeable staff. They’ve been on the island for over a decade, and their selection is the best around.

Where To Stay:

St. Martin’s hidden gems are sure to make your next vacation unforgettable. The WhereToStay team would love to help you find the perfect St. Martin villa for your 2022 vacation. Just tap on the header above to check out our full list of St. Martin villas! U.S. readers can call 800-869-8017 to contact one of WhereToStay's Caribbean villa experts, and international readers can call 214-350-6220.