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Planning a trip to the beautiful St Maarten anytime soon? Or just arrived and looking for the best things to see and do on the island? Here’s our insiders low-down on the place that we at Joe’s Jewelry call home.

Joe’s Jewelry’s favourite beaches:

There are so many beaches to choose from in St Maarten, both on the old French and the Dutch sides, all with their own local flavor and character. As long as you keep in mind that many of these aren’t for the feint hearted, as nudist beaches abound on the island as a whole, you’ll have your pick of some of the best bays that the Caribbean has to offer.

If you’re looking for something slightly off the beaten track and away from the hoardes of cruise-ship tourists that descend on the island daily, steer clear of Great Bay and head around the bend from here to Little Bay, Great Bay’s quieter yet equally beautiful sister-beach.

This picture-perfect beach with its fine, white, powdery sand is far enough away from the day-trippers of Phillipsburg to offer you some wonderful peace and quiet, and easily accessible to the Capital with optional rental activities such as jet-skiing and paddle-boarding . The waters here are calm and clear, so it’ the perfect spot for snorkeling. Possibly our favourite part of this beautiful beach is our secret alternative to the famous Fort Louis, Fort Amsterdam, which lies just a short hike uphill from Little Bay and makes for a wonderful lookout and picnic point.

If you want something even more private, hop on a ferry or kayak to Pinel Island, the most secluded part of St Maarten, and discover this small island’s many hidden away, people-free beaches, for what could be the most romantic day-trip of your life.

oe’s Jewelry’s favourite bars and restaurants:

The Dream Pool Bar in Maho is the ultimate for laid-back, classic cool. The views are spectacular, the pool setting offers a tranquil backdrop to some of the best drinks on the island, and the staff are incredibly friendly. This bar doesn’t take itself too seriously, and as a result many a well-watered St Maarten regular holds it dear to their heart (the Joe’s Jewelry team included). Marty the barman is famous across the island for being the most warm and welcoming staff member around.
Kokomo, an exclusive beachside bar offers something a little more formal, with amazing cocktails, including their luscious spiced piña colada.
We love Le Ti Provencal , a lovely, high-end bar and restaurant in Grand Case, known as the “Gourmet Capital” of the Caribbean.Le Ti Provencalserves ice-cold Claro bear throughout the day on its striking outdoor balcony, but the real highlight is it’s dinner time seafood selection. The staff bring the catch-of-the-day selection to your table, tempting you with everything from parrot fish to trunk fish, and although the choice is somewhat overwhelming, there certainly isn’t any ‘wrong’ choice here – it’s all simply delicious.

Joes Jewelry’s favourite attraction:

Not ignoring all of the manifold tourist sites and activities available on the island, we prefer something a little more off-beat and cultural, and we think that you will too. The fabulous Roland Richardson Marigot Gallery is, in our books, an unmissable attraction and a true treasure trove of island magic. Situated in Marigot, the island’s French capital and definitely an attraction in and of itself, lies the beautiful two-level 19th Century home that holds a permanent exhibition of Roland Richardson’s luminescent Impressionist paintings and detailed drawings of the Caribbean. Often called the “Father of Caribbean Impressionism”, Richardson is renowned for his Plein Air Impressionism, which has made him renowned and indeed recognised around the world. His collection of bright and luminous paintings and etchings are perfectly framed by this classic house and its tranquil courtyard, which are both well worth a visit for anyone interested in Caribbean culture and art.

Every Thursday from 10:30 – 14:00 Sir Roland Richardson himself paints at his Marigot gallery and you’re invited to watch this living legend work.

Finally, if you’re thinking about doing some duty-free shopping whilst you’re over here, we know just the place where you can find the jewelry of your dreams… click here to shop with us or pop in store and see us personally!