3 Best Sights in St. Martin, St. Martin and St. Maarten

This beautiful beach seems to have it all—champagne-color sand, an underwater marine reserve, a variety of water sports, and trendy beach clubs. Topless bathing is allowed along the whole stretch of it (there was once even a nudist resort on its southern end), so cameras are a no-no. To get here from Marigot, take the main road north past Grand Case, and watch for the left turn. There's parking and toilets.

Almost halfway up the road to Pic Paradis is a peaceful 150-acre private nature preserve, opened to the public in 1999 by American expat B. J. Welch. Marked trails (maps are available) traverse native forest with tamarind, gum, mango, and mahogany trees—the same as it was hundreds of years ago—and you'll probably see vervet monkeys. 

Also on-site are the Jungle Tree Adventure Park play area for kids, and the more adults-oriented Jungle Pool, a lovely tropical garden with a large pool and whirlpool-tub area, lounge chairs, chic tented cabanas, roaming iguanas, and music. Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner poolside or a tasty lunch featuring tapas and strong cocktails in the Jungle Room. On Sunday, a DJ spins tunes in a tree booth during the wild TreeJ party from 1 to 5 pm. If you're brave—and over 4 feet 5 inches tall—you can try soaring over the trees on zip line, including one that's among the longest in the Western Hemisphere.

A protected nature reserve, this kid-friendly island is a five-minute ferry ride from French Cul de Sac (about €12 per person round-trip). The ferry runs every half hour from midmorning until 4 pm. The water is clear and shallow, and the shore is sheltered. You can swim and snorkel (equipment rental is available) between both coasts of this pencil-shape speck in the ocean. The two restaurants, Karibuni and Yellow Beach, both offer great service, with cocktail tables in the water. Chairs and umbrellas can be rented for about €25 for two. The island can be busy on Sunday.