Hello Everyone! Today’s post is going to be for land travelers and cruisers alike. St. Martin may be one of my Top 5 favorite ports in the Caribbean. The water is just absolutely stunning. Excursions through cruise lines and resorts can cost a lot of money. Why not do your own jeep excursion in St. Martin? I’ve put together this excursion after traveling there a few times within the last couple years and I think I have perfected it. This itinerary is based from the cruise port so buckle up! This is my DIY Jeep Excursion in St. Maarten/St. Martin.
Facts about St. Maarten/St. Martin
-Located in the Northeast part of the of Leeward Group of the Lesser Antilles
-The island is divided into a Dutch and French side
-The cruise port is on the Dutch side in Philipsburg
-The area of the island is 34 square miles which makes it very doable to do in one day
Recommended Rental Option:
-Hertz Rental Car at the Port
-Jeep rental is $150 for the day (trust me, you are going to want a Jeep)
–https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation/
Stop #1 Beach Stop (Take your pick)
Flair Beach near Happy Beach
In an attempt to find an alternative to my beloved Friar’s Beach (beach has been washed away and restaurant was closed), we stumbled upon a little beach that I have named after this blog. I’m sure it is probably just a continuation of Happy Beach but it made me feel good. There are no facilities on this beach but it is a little piece of paradise. The view is beautiful and is the perfect spot for a picnic and a little beach fun.
Maho Beach-This is probably the most touristy “beach” you are going to see on the island. This is the famous airplane beach by the airport. If this interests you, check out the arriving flight schedule prior. You can get great views from the Sunset Grille right by the beach.
Mullet Bay-If you are looking for a more inclusive beach experience, check out Mullet Bay. You can rent chairs and rest assured that there is ample food and beverages nearby.
Stop #2 Mountain Views
Pic Paradis
This is the reason that you rent a Jeep. After a while of driving up the mountain, the terrain transitions to dirt road and is extremely bumpy. There are lots of dips and huge rocks on this trek. Once you get to the top you get the most beautiful view of the island. Don’t forget to bring your camera. In my opinion, this is the stop that makes doing this jeep excursion in St. Martin worth it.
Stop #3 French Food
Lunch at L’Oasis on the French side for some island style French food. The French side of the island still has not recovered from Irma. There are quite a few establishments along this side of the coast, including Orient Bay that are not reopened. I stumbled upon this little eatery and figured why not. We had the fried cod fritters, steak and frites and chocolate pot de creme. The chocolate was simply out of this world and I low key wanted to lick the bowl.
Stop #4 Guavaberry Colada at the Port
After you’ve dropped off your rental, you can relax with a delightful Guavaberry Colada. This is an absolute treat to have on a hot day in the caribbean. It is so good that you’ll want to buy a bottle to take home!
St. Martin is such a beautiful island that is still in recovery from hurricane devastation a few years ago. I always encourage supporting local businesses whenever possible. This island destination has it all from a lush rain forest feel on the mountain to beautiful beaches. I hope you enjoyed this DIY Jeep Excursion in St. Maarten/St. Martin.
Which stop would be your favorite on this list?
Here is your St. Maarten/St. Martin Quick Guide to Save to your Phone for your next trip!
Looking for another eastern caribbean diy excursion? Check out this post: https://haleewithaflair.com/2020/01/a-taste-of-san-juan-the-5-best-local-bars/
