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Three Weeks - What are the must does on the island
#275896
02/19/2022 06:52 AM
02/19/2022 06:52 AM
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 59 Kissimmee,Fl
Liliana
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 59
Kissimmee,Fl
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Hello,
This forum has been a great and helpful find.
With 3 whole weeks, we are looking for recommendations for things to do, sights to see, excursions to take, places to shop, places to eat and places to drink.
Also, is it easy and or worth it to visit neighboring islands either for the day or a single overnight?
We probably won't get back in the immediate after years as we have other world places calling us when covid ends so we want to see/do AMAP while not sitting on a beach.
Thanks, Liliana
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Re: Three Weeks - What are the must does on the island
[Re: Liliana]
#275906
02/19/2022 09:59 AM
02/19/2022 09:59 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,796 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,796
Central Florida!
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Wow, three weeks for your first trip!! I'm envious!! As far as trips to other islands, I confess I am not up to date on what the Covid requirements are to visit other islands. PRE Covid, I would have the following observations with regard to near islands that one can visit for a day or a single over-night. Pinel is part of French St. Martin, so it's the easiest to get to. Just take a ferry from French cul de sac, which are scheduled approximately every hour or so. When I say "ferry", I basically mean an overgrown dinghy.. There are some great restaurants there, a lovely view of St Martin, you can walk over to the other side of the island. A really nice 'beach' day, with a different view. No difference now with Covid. I guess I should put Tintamarre and Green Key in here also. Green Key is the small island you see immediately in front of Orient Beach. No scheduled trips there. If you're athletic, you could kayak over there. Nothing much to see, except some great snorkelling there and some turtles. Tintamarre is the large island off in the distance, behind Green Key off of Orient. Tintamarre is not accessible except by one of the many boat excursions that go there. Often the boat will stop at Green Key also. Many of the boat excursions have lunch on Tintamarre (on the boat). Great snorkelling there, and a lovely deserted island, with some abandoned ruins to see on the opposite side. No difference now with Covid. Anguilla has always been a popular day trip from St Maarten or St. Martin. Most people take the regular ferries from Marigot, which leave on a regular schedule. Anguilla has breathtaking beaches, and you can see some of the spectacular resorts that dot the island's beaches. Many of the boat excursions also have trips to Anguilla, that include lunch either on the boat or at an island restaurant. Anguilla, as of now, I'm pretty sure you have to have a Covid test to enter, within a certain period of time. Perhaps 2 days? Not sure, so that can be a negative to going there right now. St. Barts is the vacation paradise of the rich and famous from France and elsewhere around the world. You get there via scheduled ferry from Marigot or from the Dutch side, or by small plane flight. If you have a tendency to be seasick, you may want to opt for the small plane flight, either from the Dutch side airport, OR from the airport in Grand Case. Look for a totally FRENCH atmosphere, beautiful people, amazing food, and high prices. I honestly don't have any idea what the Covid protocols are to get to St. Barts now. The other fairly popular day trip, or possibly a one or two overnight trip, is Saba. Saba is totally different than any of the other islands, very laidback and unspoiled. There are basically no beaches there, but spectacular scuba diving, amazing views, and a hike up it's tallest peak, which if you are lucky and catch a clear day, you have the most amazing views. If you enjoy totally getting away from it all, it might be somewhere you might consider for a short overnight stay. Again, I have no idea what the Covid protocols are to get there now.
Carol Hill
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Re: Three Weeks - What are the must does on the island
[Re: Liliana]
#275911
02/19/2022 11:22 AM
02/19/2022 11:22 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647
Brookfield, CT.
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It’s been a few years since we’ve done the near islands so I have to admit to knowing absolutely nothing about their current Covid-based entry requirements.
Based on past day-trips and stay-overs to St. Barts, Anguilla and Saba, I would still make Saba my first choice of all mentioned. We did a three night stay-over there during a St. Maarten trip years back and felt, of the three larger near islands, Saba was the most unique. And no, we don’t hike and/or dive but we had been there once on a day-trip and we just knew it would be the perfect place to do some serious limin’ which is just what we needed that year. We stayed at the Queens Garden Inn in a beautiful upper suite where the views of the island were extraordinary.
Anguilla and St. Barts are lovely - and STB is definitely the place to see and be seen as long as you don’t mind spending some serious bucks for the privilege but when all is said and done, the main features of both of these islands are the beaches and I personally think the numerous beaches on St. Maarten are just as beautiful. Saba is totally different and just not what I was expecting to find in the Caribbean.
The only caveat I would offer is DONT go there looking for beach bars and a party- hearty atmosphere - I’m sure it’s there somewhere if that’s your pleasure - and do bring a good book for chillin’ around the pool. Once you’ve toured the island and seen the museum, witnessed the ladies creating their beautiful Saba lace, driven through the hydroponic garden area and witnessed the incredible vistas from all vantage points, that book will be your best friend.
With regard to St. Martin-St Maarten there are any number of daytrips and daytime activities - just take your pick - but my best suggestion is spend some time exploring all the island has to offer. It really is a one-stop-shopping type of destination and deserves to be seen in its entirety.
Enjoy!! 😊😊
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Three Weeks - What are the must does on the island
[Re: rickjames]
#275924
02/19/2022 01:08 PM
02/19/2022 01:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,796 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,796
Central Florida!
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rickjames--I don't think that is correct, with regard to Anguilla not allowing day boat trips, as someone here on TTOL just posted about a day trip to Anguilla.
Carol Hill
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Re: Three Weeks - What are the must does on the island
[Re: rickjames]
#275930
02/19/2022 02:16 PM
02/19/2022 02:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,796 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,796
Central Florida!
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rickjames--here is a link to a trip report of a person who did a day trip to Anguilla, using the public ferry. Linkand a link to the protocols for day trip visitors to Anguilla. (Unfortunately only a Facebook link, but that is apparently what is 'official' these days.. ) Link
Last edited by Carol_Hill; 02/19/2022 02:18 PM.
Carol Hill
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Re: Three Weeks - What are the must does on the island
[Re: Liliana]
#275944
02/19/2022 04:53 PM
02/19/2022 04:53 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,890 Portland, OR
jazzgal
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,890
Portland, OR
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Spend a couple of hours at the parrot sanctuary, where the birds will eat seeds out of a cup you are given. LINKTake a perfume class at Tijon, where you can create your own scent. Reserve ahead of time. LINK
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Re: Three Weeks - What are the must does on the island
[Re: Liliana]
#275945
02/19/2022 05:00 PM
02/19/2022 05:00 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,890 Portland, OR
jazzgal
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,890
Portland, OR
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Some sailing options, all of which are good, are: No1SXM: day or sunset sails LINKEnigma/Celine3: all-day sail on large, beautiful boat with bountiful lunch; his prices are creeping up there LINKFlagship II: full day on beautiful boat LINKSpellbound: Full-day sails to various locations. Call to find out where they are going. LINK
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