It would be a shame to leave without seeing at least a few of the highlights of Saint Martin like the atmosphere Quartier d'Orléan and the French and Dutch capitals. You’ll visit Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch St. Maarten, where you can stroll along the boardwalk, relax in a sidewalk café, tour some of the historic sites, or browse through shops for last-minute souvenirs.
Enjoy a cruise through the tranquil waters surrounding Turks and Caicos to its remote outlying islands. Along the way you’ll glide across a vast system of coral reefs clearly visible in the crystalline waters. Dock at Salt Cay island for a relaxing few hours on a secluded beach and keep an eye out for the herons, egrets and ospreys that call the island’s mangroves and waterways home. Swim and snorkel in the warm, shallow waters where tropical fish dart in and out of reefs, take a walk on the powdery white sand beach or drift off to the sound of gentle waves lapping at the shore.
When driving a dune buggy, you can traverse narrow marl tracks and rocky coastlines, which allows for a deeper exploration of the island of Grand Turk. Enjoy scenic views of Gibbs Cay and the surrounding Turks Islands from the cliffs high above the shores. On a stop at the famous Grand Turk Lighthouse built in 1852, head to Cliffhanger Lookout for a spine-tingling view of crashing waves 80 feet below. Continue further down the coast to see the salinas that were once used to harvest salt, and if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of pink flamingos wading in the shallow waters.
Hop aboard on an epicurean journey to Grand Turk’s major landmarks and a hands-on culinary experience alongside our resident chef. Simple yet delicious specialties are on the menu today using fresh ingredients sourced locally from the oceans and lands of Turks and Caicos. At the Salt House you’ll learn how centuries ago, salt was considered as valuable as gold, and why chefs don't cook without it today. For generations, salt was the island's biggest industry in these islands. Admire the Grand Turk Lighthouse built in 1852 primarily to protect the salt business.
Experience the two premier attractions in the turquoise waters of Grand Turk: snorkeling along a vibrant coral reef, and swimming and playing with gentle stingrays. Your first stop is a private reef, a secluded snorkeling haven that is home to pristine corals, sea fans, sponges and of course, the bright tropical fish of the Caribbean. Next, sip a rum punch and have your camera ready for Gibbs Cay and your stingray encounter .These friendly, wild Atlantic Stingrays will let you play with them and stroke their soft underbellies. Then hit the sand at the Reef Shark Bar & Grill.
With its reefs and bays, pinnacles and caves, divers will find a bounty of underwater treasures on Norman Island, the deserted, 2.5 mile long island that was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1881 novel Treasure Island. Angelfish Reef, for example, boasts some of the most captivating landscapes in the British Virgin Islands, as well as an incredible cast of characters, from the rare orange ball anemone to eels and nurse sharks and, of course, a variety of dazzling angelfish.
Enjoy a 30 minute boat ride from the yacht. On arrival at Pirates follow the local guide up onto the summit of the island for wonderful views of the surrounding islands. After approximately 1.5 hours, the tour will return to Pirates Beach bar for a light lunch.
Soar through the sky on this thrilling island adventure over the rainforest canopy. Similar to a “zip line”, the Original Virgin Canopy Tour includes 7 platforms built in between and above branches. But instead of having to cut down trees, strong ropes hold branches out of the way of the lines on this eco-friendly tour. Guests are hooked to a double line that takes them through a soaring path in the sky — with views that defy description; on a clear day you can see as far away as St Croix! Following a brief orientation and safety talk, you will arrive at the take-off point.
Break up your beach-centric vacation with a hike up to the highest point in the British and US Virgin Islands. Soaring to a magnificent 1,716 feet, Sage Mountain is considered a hiker’s paradise complete with majestic overlooks and an old growth forest that has remained untouched for over 500 years. BVI’s first national park, Sage Mountain was established in 1964 thanks to Laurence Rockefeller, who purchased 86 acres from farmers and donated the land to the government. Large boulders and lush rainforest on the north side are in stark contrast to the old pastures on the south.
A mere five miles separates the anchorage at Bequia from Mustique, the tiny, privately-owned island that attracts the world’s elite with its inimitable combination of simplicity, comfort and barefoot sophistication. The catamaran captain welcomes you aboard a catamaran for a leisurely sail to Mustique. The route takes you past both the historic whaling station on the islet of Petit Nevis as well as the unusual homes of Moonhole, set amid the rock formations and natural arches of a private sanctuary on the far western tip of Bequia.
