Lori’s guidebook
Things to Do & Places to See
Here are a few of the activities that we enjoy while at our St. Maarten home. I hope that you will share your favorite finds with us so that we can learn more about the activities and places on St. Maarten
Loterie Farm is a private 135 acre nature reserve on the French St. Martin. It is a secluded area surrounded by a lush tropical forest. Within Loterie Farm is Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island. Available activities include: hiking trails, zip-lines with a bar/restaurant and pool/lounge areas. Visit their website to learn the history of Loterie Farm and learn more about their daily activities and their nightly entertainment venue. Loterie Farm is truly a unique experience that you won't find anywhere else on the island.
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Loterie Farm
Rue du Pic ParadisLoterie Farm is a private 135 acre nature reserve on the French St. Martin. It is a secluded area surrounded by a lush tropical forest. Within Loterie Farm is Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island. Available activities include: hiking trails, zip-lines with a bar/restaurant and pool/lounge areas. Visit their website to learn the history of Loterie Farm and learn more about their daily activities and their nightly entertainment venue. Loterie Farm is truly a unique experience that you won't find anywhere else on the island.
Pinel Island is a small island a short distance off the coast of French St. Martin. You gain access via Cul De Sac (NE corner of the island) then for a round-trip fee of approximately $12 (US) per person, take the 5-minute "ferry" ride over to Pinel. The ferry runs every 30-minutes. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak, or possibly a paddle board, and ferry yourself to the island.
Why should you travel over to another island when there are 37 beaches on the main island?! The beautiful beach, calm, shallow water and the food are truly an experience worth the time!! There is no electricity on Pinel, therefore, all of the fabulous food is brought in fresh each day, prepared fresh in each of the two restaurants (Karibuni & Yellow Beach) on the island. If you love lobster, then Karabuni is the place! Lobster captured off the nearby island of Saba are kept fresh in the water. When you are ready...pick your own out of the cage for grilling! Other favorites include fresh grilled fish, chicken, ribs, etc. cooked over charcoal.
Chairs (2), table and umbrella rentals, approximately $25 (US), are available at both Karibuni and Yellow Beach. You will find bar tables anchored in the water to hold your cold beverages. A small boutique/gift shop with local souvenirs, t-shirts, bathing suit wraps, etc. is also on the island. Also, look for the iguanas behind the restaurants. The kids will love to feed them.
If you want some exercise, take your trainers or hiking shoes and check out the two deserted beaches on the opposite side of the island. Also, bring your snorkeling gear after you hike there! Plan to spend at least one day on Pinel!
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Îlet de Pinel
Pinel Island is a small island a short distance off the coast of French St. Martin. You gain access via Cul De Sac (NE corner of the island) then for a round-trip fee of approximately $12 (US) per person, take the 5-minute "ferry" ride over to Pinel. The ferry runs every 30-minutes. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak, or possibly a paddle board, and ferry yourself to the island.
Why should you travel over to another island when there are 37 beaches on the main island?! The beautiful beach, calm, shallow water and the food are truly an experience worth the time!! There is no electricity on Pinel, therefore, all of the fabulous food is brought in fresh each day, prepared fresh in each of the two restaurants (Karibuni & Yellow Beach) on the island. If you love lobster, then Karabuni is the place! Lobster captured off the nearby island of Saba are kept fresh in the water. When you are ready...pick your own out of the cage for grilling! Other favorites include fresh grilled fish, chicken, ribs, etc. cooked over charcoal.
Chairs (2), table and umbrella rentals, approximately $25 (US), are available at both Karibuni and Yellow Beach. You will find bar tables anchored in the water to hold your cold beverages. A small boutique/gift shop with local souvenirs, t-shirts, bathing suit wraps, etc. is also on the island. Also, look for the iguanas behind the restaurants. The kids will love to feed them.
If you want some exercise, take your trainers or hiking shoes and check out the two deserted beaches on the opposite side of the island. Also, bring your snorkeling gear after you hike there! Plan to spend at least one day on Pinel!
Restaurants (French St. Martin)
Did you know that French St. Martin, specifically the area of Grand Case, is referred to as the "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean?" While there are many restaurants and lolos in Grand Case, here is a list of our favorites.
List of restaurants that are currently open in Grand Case can be found here:
https://www.st-martin.org/sxm-on-the-move/restaurants-sxm/grand-case-restaurants
The owners of Spiga: Ciro, the innovative Italian chef and his wife, Lara, with a family history of culinary excellence, always have a warm greeting when you arrive. The food is Italian, but there's something delicious for everyone, even vegetarian offerings. Spiga also offers a nice wine selection and wonderful, creative desserts. Reservations are recommended. Please visit their website for contact information.
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Spiga
Route de l'EspéranceThe owners of Spiga: Ciro, the innovative Italian chef and his wife, Lara, with a family history of culinary excellence, always have a warm greeting when you arrive. The food is Italian, but there's something delicious for everyone, even vegetarian offerings. Spiga also offers a nice wine selection and wonderful, creative desserts. Reservations are recommended. Please visit their website for contact information.
Elegant, romantic, yet casual French restaurant. The house specialty is the Lobster Thermidor, however, the grilled Rack of Lamb is equally wonderful. The food and desserts are visually a work of art. Generally, you are greeted at Bistrot Caraibes by one of the owners/brothers, Thibault or Amaury. The staff is always friendly and the service is excellent. Reservations are recommended; please visit their website for contact information.
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Bistrot Caraïbes
81 Boulevard de Grand CaseElegant, romantic, yet casual French restaurant. The house specialty is the Lobster Thermidor, however, the grilled Rack of Lamb is equally wonderful. The food and desserts are visually a work of art. Generally, you are greeted at Bistrot Caraibes by one of the owners/brothers, Thibault or Amaury. The staff is always friendly and the service is excellent. Reservations are recommended; please visit their website for contact information.
Restaurants - Dutch St. Maarten, Oyster Pond
At this point, our favorite restaurants in Oyster Pond have not reopened post-Hurricane Irma.
Here you will find a current list of restaurants that are open for service in Oyster Pond:
https://www.st-martin.org/sxm-on-the-move/restaurants-sxm/oyster-pond-restaurants
At this time (April 2019) Big Fish has not reopened; however, it is actively under construction.
Location:
Emerald Merit Road, Oyster Pond, St Martin / St Maarten
+1 721-543-6288
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Big Fish Seafood Grill
Emerald Merit RoadAt this time (April 2019) Big Fish has not reopened; however, it is actively under construction.
Location:
Emerald Merit Road, Oyster Pond, St Martin / St Maarten
+1 721-543-6288
Restaurants - French St. Martin, Mont Vernon
Mont Vernon is in small section of French St. Martin. There are few restaurants in this area; however, we have one that we highly recommend.
Here is a current list of other restaurants open in the Mont Vernon/Cul de Sac area:
https://www.st-martin.org/sxm-on-the-move/restaurants-sxm/mont-vernon-restaurants
Sole e Luna is located in a beautifully decorated Creole house with a lot of charm and a romantic setting. Lunch and dinner are offered with seating indoors, with views of the open kitchen and outdoors along the terrace or under a poolside gazebo. While the wonderful offerings are of the French culinary tradition (Foie Gras, Caviar and Roasted Duck) there are Asian touches such as the Chilean Sea Bass with Thai Sauce. In addition, you will find vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Reservations are recommended; please visit their website for contact information.
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Sol e Luna
Sole e Luna is located in a beautifully decorated Creole house with a lot of charm and a romantic setting. Lunch and dinner are offered with seating indoors, with views of the open kitchen and outdoors along the terrace or under a poolside gazebo. While the wonderful offerings are of the French culinary tradition (Foie Gras, Caviar and Roasted Duck) there are Asian touches such as the Chilean Sea Bass with Thai Sauce. In addition, you will find vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Reservations are recommended; please visit their website for contact information.