Have you visited St. Maarten by cruise ship recently? Then you know one day is just not enough for St. Maarten's 37 breathtaking beaches, the shopper's paradise of Duty Free bling and luxury goods, exciting casinos, entertainment and nightlife -- not to mention the glorious food in this culinary heaven.
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The World in Microcosm: Island Hopping
Debby Lind
St. Maarten/St. Martin is a thriving international hub (the second-busiest airport in the Caribbean after San Juan). Every day of the week you can fly to the exciting capitals of the world, though there really is no need. Near St. Maarten/St. Martin, you'll find four very special islands that are well worth discovering—Anguilla, Saba, St. Barths and St. Eustatius.
How To Island Hop
By Air: Flying to Anguilla from St. Maarten/St. Martin is the fastest way, and Winair (599-545-4237, fly-winair.com) offers daily flights there, as well as to St. Barths, Saba and St. Eustatius. Ferries run daily every 30 minutes from Marigot, St. Martin, to Blowing Point on Anguilla.
By Sea: From St.Maarten to St.Barths, the Rapid Explorer (Dutch side: 599-542-9762; French, 590-690-63-35-84) is the most direct ferry, taking about 35 minutes. The Edge I and Edge II high-speed catamarans (Aqua Mania Adventures, 599-544-2640) depart Pelican Marina in Simpson Bay for St. Barths and also call on Saba. Dawn II is based in Fort Bay, Saba, traveling three times a week to the heart of Philipsburg, to dock Sint Maarten. For reservations and information about this ferry service contact (607) 8-GO-SABA, locally at tel. 599-416-2299, by email at reservations@sabactransport.com, or visit the site for schedules and travel tips, www.sabactransport.com.
When planning to travel between the islands by ferry, you can arrive at the pier 30 minutes prior to departure, but it is strongly recommended that you make reservations and reconfirm a day ahead, have your passport handy and always plan some time to clear local customs and immigration.
Trips to Statia are best made by air since the island is 36 miles south of St. Maarten/St. Martin. There are daily flights out of St. Maarten to Statia’s Franklin D. Roosevelt International Airport.
Prickly Pear
To visit St. Maarten/Martin and miss seeing Prickly Pear Cay would be a shame. This perfect, teeny, speck of a Caribbean island in the British West Indies lies just a short distance off the coast of Anguilla. A long, white sandy beach beckons to explorers, as do the three reefs surrounding the island in the translucent turquoise waters. Prickly Pear's shallow waters are perfect for families with little children.
Aqua Mania Adventures (599-544-2640) offers trips to Prickly Pear every Tuesday and Thursday on the Lambada, a 63-foot sail catamaran equipped with seating, a walk-up bar and two restrooms. Guests are served cold drinks, French baguettes, Gouda cheese and apples en route.
You can also visit Prickly Pear with Bluebeard's all-inclusive charters (599-557-5935), which provide lunch and stops in Anguilla as well.
Take a quick trip on Edge I or Edge II the fastest way to get to neighboring islands. These high speed ferries allow you to enjoy day trips for diving, hiking or touring. Saba.
Book your stay at Queen's Gardens Resort, Saba's luxury resort. Chic, elegant, intimate. Known for its highly personalized service and friendly staff. Perched majestically at 1200 feet above sea level. queensaba.com
Love Saba island living? VisitSaba Island Realty to learn about investment opportunities.
Learn more about travel to Saba, the unspoiled queen of the Caribbean at sabatourism.com.
Bluebeard Charters
Bluebeard Charters out of Simpson Bay features day-sail trips on its Heineken Cat to Anguilla that include a fabulous snorkeling stop at Prickly Pear, a magical white-sand beach surrounded by three reefs teeming with marine life and bathed by translucent sapphire-colored waters. Guests are treated to a barbecue lunch and plenty of cold drinks. Contact: Bluebeard Charters.
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Have you visited St. Maarten by cruise ship recently? Then you know one day is just not enough for St. Maarten's 37 breathtaking beaches, the shopper's paradise of Duty Free bling and luxury goods, exciting casinos, entertainment and nightlife -- not to mention the glorious food in this culinary heaven. 
St. Maarten/St. Martin is a thriving international hub (the second-busiest airport in the Caribbean after San Juan). Every day of the week you can fly to the exciting capitals of the world, though there really is no need. Near St. Maarten/St. Martin, you'll find four very special islands that are well worth discovering—
Aqua Mania Adventures (599-544-2640) offers trips to Prickly Pear every Tuesday and Thursday on the Lambada, a 63-foot sail catamaran equipped with seating, a walk-up bar and two restrooms. Guests are served cold drinks, French baguettes, Gouda cheese and apples en route. 
Take a quick trip on Edge I or Edge II the fastest way to get to neighboring islands. These high speed ferries allow you to enjoy day trips for diving, hiking or touring. 
Bluebeard Charters out of Simpson Bay features day-sail trips on its Heineken Cat to Anguilla that include a fabulous snorkeling stop at Prickly Pear, a magical white-sand beach surrounded by three reefs teeming with marine life and bathed by translucent sapphire-colored waters. Guests are treated to a barbecue lunch and plenty of cold drinks. Contact: 
