• Day-Tripping to Offshore Islands: Take a trip to a real-life desert island paradise when you visit one of the tiny offshore gems on St. Martin and Anguilla. Here you can snorkel in gin-clear waters, sip rum punches, and eat lobster and barbecue fresh off the grill. There are few more relaxing diversions than wading in the gentle lagoon at Îlet Pinel (Pinel Island) near St. Martin's Orient Beach, or taking similar day trips off-island to Anguilla's Scilly Cay, Sandy Island, Prickly Pear, and Dog Island.
  • Watching Children Dip their Toes in the Calm, Clear Waters at Le Galion Beach, St. Martin: It's not called the "children's beach" for nothing. Gentle waves lap a white-sand beach, where the shallow waters seem to go on forever. It's the perfect place for kids to learn the delights of swimming in the sea.
  • Becoming a High-Flying Yachtsman, St. Maarten: If you've ever dreamed of racing in an America's Cup yachting competition, here's your chance. St. Maarten's 12-Metre Challenge lets you race real America's Cup boats in one of four regattas a day.
  • People-Watching at a Sidewalk Cafe: Find yourself a prime seat on the Marigot waterfront, along the Front Street/Great Bay Boardwalk in Philipsburg (where leviathan cruise ships make the fishing dinghies look like toy boats), or in neighboring St. Barts' fairy-tale harbor town, Gustavia.
  • Dining in Grand Case, St. Martin: This tiny fishing village has an appealing ramshackle style. But don't let its languorous style fool you: The "Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean" has an amazing concentration of top-notch eateries on one beachfront strip.
  • Visiting Loterie Farm, St. Martin: Head over to this nature reserve to handle the ziplines or hike through virgin rainforest, followed by a meal at the lovely Hidden Forest Cafe.
  • Breakfast at Belmond La Samanna, St. Martin: The view is extraordinary: You're high above Baie Longue, its white sands caressing the curve of the bay. The food isn't bad either: a grand buffet of breakfast favorites plus fresh island fruits and juices.
  • Horseback Riding, St. Maarten/St. Martin: You actually dip into the water astride your horse during rides with Bayside Riding Club on the French side and Lucky Stables on the Dutch side (the latter also offers rugged 2-hr. jaunts down to Cay Bay).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.