St Maarten Coastal Hike & Swim: Small Group Nature Tour

Summary

Guided Hiking Adventure: Paradise Peak & Hidden Beaches

If you want to see St Martin beyond the usual crowds, this tour is for you. You’ll hike easy trails with a local guide who knows every shortcut and secret plant, reach the island’s highest point for real views, and swim at a beach most visitors never find. Plus, there’s homemade tea and banana bread waiting when you need a break.

What’s the experience like?

Clouds drifted low over the hills as we set out from the east coast’s National Nature Reserve. Our guide, Jean-Luc, pointed out a cluster of wild orchids clinging to the rocks—easy to miss if you’re not looking. The trail was mostly shaded, but every so often a warm breeze carried hints of salt and crushed leaves. We paused for a sip of cold lemongrass tea (homemade, with a citrusy kick) before heading up toward Pic Paradis.

The drive up to Paradise Peak wound through tiny villages where roosters wandered across the road. For the last stretch, we hiked—twenty minutes or so—past mossy boulders and tangled vines. At the top, you could see both sides of St Martin: turquoise on one side, deeper blue on the other. Jean-Luc shared how locals use certain plants for teas and remedies; I’d never have guessed what grew here if he hadn’t pointed it out.

Later, we followed a sandy path along the west coast to Happy Bay. It’s not marked—you’d walk right by if you didn’t know. The beach was almost empty except for a fisherman mending his net under a sea grape tree. The water felt cool after the hike. Floating noodles made it easy to just drift and watch pelicans dive nearby. Someone passed around slices of banana bread that tasted like it came straight from a home kitchen. I noticed my shoes were still sandy hours later—a small price for such a quiet spot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Coastal Hikes and Swim

• Nature Hike National Nature Reserve
• Hike to Pic Paradis viewpoints
• Visit and swim at Happy Bay Beach

Top questions

How difficult are the hikes?

The hikes are easy to moderate—most folks manage fine with basic fitness. There are some short uphill parts but nothing too steep or technical.

Can kids join this tour?

Yes! Kids are welcome as long as they’re with an adult. We even have special seats for infants if needed.

Is swimming at Happy Bay safe?

The water at Happy Bay is usually calm and clear. We bring floating noodles for extra support if you want them.

What should I bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, swimsuit under your clothes, and maybe a hat. Water and snacks are provided.

What’s included

You’ll get a friendly local guide leading the way, homemade iced-lemongrass tea (refreshing after a walk), floating noodles for swimming, plenty of cold water from our cooler, and slices of homemade banana bread to snack on during breaks.