Tiny St. Martin is full of hidden gems: secret beaches, picturesque tide pools, and some of the best food in the Caribbean.
At a scant 13.4 kilometers from tip to tail, it’s hard to imagine that tiny Saint Martin/Sint Maarten holds too many secrets. The twice named, bi-national island (it’s half French, half-Dutch) might be pint-sized, but what it lacks in landmass it makes up for with its pristine beaches, coral reefs, dramatic volcanic topography, alongside a treasure trove of hidden gems. Saint Martin is best-known for Maho Beach, a sandy strip at the back of the island airport where tourists famously selfie themselves being sandblasted as jets take off from the oh-so-short runway. And while visiting Maho is a—literal—blast, there’s more to SXM than its top beaches. SXM is full of surprises including picturesque tide pools, phenomenal French cheeses at bargain prices and some seriously friendly parrots (as well as some not-so-personable iguanas). There are even a few secret beaches away from the throngs of tourists, too. Here are 11 of the island’s best-kept secrets.
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