Top Netherlands Antilles hotels
Since we had access to a full equipedkitchen, we went to the supermarket to save some money on restaurants. But their supermarket are not what we are used to. Nice, but small. Also, they had many products I never saw before. Interesting.
Baie Longue. Named one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. Pass Sapphire/Ocean Club and go past border marker. Take a left at sign for LaSammana and turn right before the resort. When you see chain link fence on your left, you've found it. Water a bit rough here, but a quiet, spectacular beach.
When it is very hot in summertime: don't visit Christoffel park, where flamingos should be. You don't see many flamingos and you can smell birdshit from miles away. In raintime it is better to come here. The smell is less and there are more birds and water! On the picture: some orange birds who live near the flamingopark.
Snorkling at Knip Bay. You can see a lot of colourful fish here. But watch out for stapping on ales and for getting to the more dark blue part of the ocean. The dark blue part is much colder and suddenly gets deep too. Some sharks swim in these parts, but don't worry too much, they don't come very near the coast and aren't big maneaters or anything like that.
Many beaches like Grote Knip, Kleine Knip and Princessbeach are busy and well visited. But don't forget the more smaller and quiet beaches and bays. Not many people visit Playa Lagun. But snorkling here (bring your own snorklegear) is so great, because there is almost no one here and swimming and laying on the beach is too :)
The beautiful Isle de St. Barthélemy is located 15 miles southeast from St. Maarten. It is small, a little more than eight square miles. Steep hills divide the island into several valleys, usually open on one side to the sea. The island includes fourteen beaches of various sizes, all covered with gleaming white sand. Many are protected from ocean swells by a fringing reef; all, by law, are public and free. The main town is Gustavia.
Sail to the island of Anguilla. Anguilla, British West Indies - is an island that is 'tranquility, wrapped in blue' - chosen by visionaries as the destination of choice for luxurious, five-star resorts. With 33 pristine white beaches this is the place to go to unwind. It is about a half hour boat ride from Marigot, St. Martin.
We sneaked into an abandoned resort a couple of times, which was nice to experience. Also, try to get to know the local people and try to get them to show you around the island where you will go. Usually they will know places that a great but you would never find without them.
I am told that a flying visit to the small and mountainous island of Saba is worthwhile. You can see it from the hills on St. Maarten/St. Martin. A flight from the St. Maarten airport or the small airfield on the French side at Grande Case takes only 5-10 mins. Apparently the airfield on Saba is unique, high up on the mountain which comprises virtually all of the island, with precipitous drops on THREE sides and a further elevation on the fourth side. The pilot has to get it right first time...I think there is a WINAIR flight daily for about $50 each way.
Drive to the top of Pic Paradis in St Martin on a clear day and you'll have a great view of the island (it's the highest point). The road is really bad in parts, but if you drive carefully and slowly you can make it, it's worth the trouble.
Hotel L'Esplanade Sint Maarten
1 Review and 357 Opinions Although the vast online reviews rave about this hotel-we must respectfully disagree for the...
Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort Curaçao
1 Review and 356 Opinions just perfect!!!! service and Quality!!!!!!!!
Harbour Village Beach Resort Bonaire
140 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Netherlands Antilles attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Netherlands Antilles sightseeing.
Q: I am coming from Brussels and I want to go to Netherlands for a few days, then to Berlin. Should I get a train pass? Is that...
A: Three days of train travel - no you likely need to travel for at least 5 for Eurail to be considered. Point-to-point is probably the least expensive option, with...
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