Stay : Saint-Martin and surrounding islands

Approximately 24 km southeast of Saint-Martin (13 nautical miles), the internationally renowned Saint-Barth has its own customs, values and rules. Comfort, calm, security and a certain nonchalance are part of an incomparable art of living to which the Saint-Barths are very attached. Saint-Barth was able to attract the gotha from the very start of its tourism operation, and has become the real Saint-Trop' of the Caribbean. Quality and top-of-the-range are the niche on which the locals have focused. Witness the sumptuous seaside hotels and spacious villas dotting the coastline of this small volcanic island, whose surface area barely exceeds 24 km². Take advantage of your stay in Saint-Martin to discover Saint-Barthélemy, if only for a day trip! The island can be reached by plane or boat, and all travel agencies offer day trips.

A flat, elongated island (shaped like an eel), it lies to the north of Saint-Martin, around 15 km (8 nautical miles) away. With a surface area of 113 km², it is 26 km long and 5 km wide. It has a different face from that of Saint-Martin, both geographically and socially, with few tourist facilities that focus more on charm and quality.

Its beautiful long beaches are rarely visited. Independent since 1980 (a parliamentary monarchy) and a member of the Commonwealth, it depends on the British Crown, represented locally by a governor. You can get there by boat or by plane. The port of Blowing Point is linked to Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten several times a day by shuttle bus. The crossing takes about 20 minutes. Passport required.

Approximately 41 km (22 nautical miles) south-west of St. Martin, it is said to have taken its name from the day it was discovered by Christopher Columbus (and as is so often the case, opinions differ on this subject): Sabato, which simply means "Saturday". It's a small volcanic rock measuring 13 km² (approx. 1,150 inhabitants).

Its airstrip is one of the smallest in the world. It exists thanks to the tenacity of a pilot from Saint-Barthélemy who was certain, unlike the engineers, that landing was possible on Saba. The entire population rallied round and built the runway with their own hands, which was completed in 1959. Saba has no beach. It consists of steep cliffs all around the island.

Access by air via Saint-Martin or Saint-Eustache. It is also served by sea, with Fort Bay linked to Saint-Martin by boat several days a week. The journey can take just over 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on sea conditions. Cabs offer a guided tour of the island, with photo stops. A hike in the Saba rainforest is a must (a donation is requested to maintain the trails).

Approximately 49 km (26 nautical miles) south of Saint-Barth, these two sister islands (261 km²) offer lush vegetation, tropical forests and botanical gardens.

They boast peaceful beaches for swimming pleasure and numerous diving spots.

Their two historic capitals, Basseterre and Charlestown, were founded by the English and are among the most beautiful and well-preserved towns in the Leeward Islands. Indeed, both islands have preserved ^18th-century plantation dwellings and forts. Both share a deep respect for their Caribbean heritage, and place particular emphasis on the highest standards of hospitality. The year in St. Kitts is punctuated by music and festivals, beauty contests, carnivals and sporting events.

The local population offers a warm welcome, top-quality hotel facilities, a well-developed road network and an economy focused on tourism and the welcome and well-being of its visitors. You can get there by plane via Saint-Martin or by boat.