3 more days! Thank you!

Leaving in 3 days DCA -> SXM until June 3rd. Very excited! This forum is great-- active, informative, friendly! Thanks for all the tips... here is my to do list. Let me know if I am really missing something.

Maho
Mullet
Orient
Pinel
Baie Rouge
Shoal Bay (Anguilla)

Planning on eating at these beaches from Gus's, Mr. Busby's, Sunset Bar, Kontiki, Perch, Karibuni. I'm also open to stumbling into any place that catches my eye. We will also be trying croissants, lolos, Grand Case for a splurge-- possibly Tropicana in Marigot.

Activities will include hiking to the natural pool, snorkel, jet ski, Marigot market and Phillipsburg shops. Simpson Bay at night time. I will probably skip Loterie/Butterflies as... I prefer the beach.

I would love feedback if I am truly missing out on something!

Otherwise let the good times roll!... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I think you are trying to cram too much into one week, but perhaps that's just me.

I think you are missing the most beautiful beach on the island: Anse Marcel. The restaurant there is fabulous. There's another beach bar with simply marvelous food - Dreams in Baie Nettle. The food may be slightly better than at Anse Marcel, but the beach isn't as nice. Both are not-to-be-missed locations IMO.

And sailing on the Passaat Schooner is one of my most favorite island activities.

Enjoy!

Couldn't agree with Jazzgal more about Anse Marcel. In my 16 years going to SXM never tried it until a month ago and couldn't believe what I have been missing all these years. Simply beautiful. You have some great choices though and can't go wrong with any of the ones that you selected. Enjoy!!

Ok will definitely go to Anse Marcel! I know that it seems like a lot... allow me to explain.

I only plan on visiting Maho briefly to maybe grab a drink at the Sunset bar and watch a few planes. Anguilla is a maybe at this point. As for the restaurants, those are my top choices as we do not plan on cooking throughout the trip.

We may have to edit the list though! Thanks again!

And I, too, will suggest adding the beach and Restaurant at Anse Marcel as a not-to-be-missed day. It's a total experience although not an inexpensive one but one so well worth doing. The drive in itself is an experience!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We had a similar list on our first trip. We made it about halfway through and when we arrived home we quickly booked another trip 5 months later to do nothing but but hang out at Orient during the day and Grand Case at night. All the talk about Ance Marcell is attractive.

In Maho, Sunset Bar is the landmark, but the Driftwood Bar 100 yards away has more island feel. Although I haven't been to the remodeled Susnset.

I agree with those who think that this is a pretty aggressive schedule, unless you're much younger than those of us who have that opinion, lol!

I also agree that both Dreams and Anse Marcel are not-to-miss beaches and restaurants for a nice relaxing day in between all of those activities.

I'd skip the Anguilla trip your first time; you'll be back.

And the food is much better, imho.

And you may fall in love with a beach and want to spend another day there! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

We usually park, grab a drink at Sunset, then head to Driftwood. Definitely a friendly island feel. Food is good and not as crowded as Sunset.

We did a ton of things on our first visit not knowing that we would be able to go back. We loved visiting Anguilla. Different feel to the island and the beach was gorgeous! Haven't seen anything on SXM that compares. (Just my opinion)

Have a list but be ready to make changes!

Wife and I are late 30's. Did our first SXM trip 4 years ago with an equally aggressive schedule and did everything on our list except dinner in Grand Case, but that was only because we found other places that were more convenient to Terres Basses (Dreams, le Sand, Mario Bistro, Tropicana, Le Cigale, Sol E Luna, Ma Ti Beah, Layla's).

Don't miss Happy Bay. The hike from Friar's is less than 10 minutes for the young and fit (even carrying a cooler and umbrella in flip flops). Also highly recommend Cupecoy at sunset with a bottle of wine and some hors d'oeuvre. A truly memorable experience.

Have a great time!

Dany at Cupecoy for sure.............

Paul and I stayed on Orient beach this winter for 3 weeks. we rented a kayak and kayaked over to pinel and little key islet. we had never kayaked in our lives and we had no problem and we are in our late 50's. we did it our first week in case we liked it that we could do it again, and yes we did go back the second time. just be careful if you drink to many spirits like I did, you may tip the kayak a few times. I'm sure we were entertainment for those on the beach watching us. I plan on doing this again.Heres the web site. It was a great inexpensive day for sure. Just pack plentyof sunscreen and a hat as pinel can be hot as well as being in the kayak. Enjoy your week as it goes fast.

https://www.getyourguide.com/pinel-island-l2205/pinel-island-full-day-kayak-rental-t26108/

Ellen from MA