St. Maarten, St. Martin and St. Barth Travel News

Whenever you renting one of our villas in St Maarten or St Martin, a day trip to Pinel Island is a must.  Charming Pinel Island, or Isle Pinel, or in French Ilet Pinel or Ile de Pinel, is a tiny island on the north end of St. Martin and located near the North end of Orient Beach, 5 minutes off the shores of French Cul de Sac. A must see on your visit. You will see the signs on the main road just past Orient as you are driving toward Grand Case.  The end of the road at French Cul de Sac opens onto a wide sandy area where visitors find a wooden dock, parking and a new shack that rents out Kayaks. The ferry runs every half hour from 10 am to 3:30 pm. The last ferry leaves Pinel at 4 pm. The cost is $6 US round trip. You pay on the boat. The boat ride is about 5 minutes. The boats are all different, so some of them may be easier to get on and off for those with mobility issues. You have to be able to either climb up or down from the dock onto the boat and vice versa. Please check the time of the last ferry as they frequently change the last outbound trip ….. Then enjoy a wonderful short five minute ferry ride on the pristine and shallow waters for a relaxing day of exploring, sunbathing, or a picnic on this tropical paradise!

When you arrive on Pinel Island you will see a large sand spit. Behind that a stand of Coconut palm trees, and then a small hill that makes up this picture perfect paradise. There are chairs for rent on the beach. There are no cars, no roads, no electricity, however you will find two beach bars/ restaurants, one is run by a Frenchman, the other is a local tiki-hut style place serving BBQ food, seafood and grilled fresh lobster as well, between these two bars, hidden in the sea grape, there is the “Paradiso” gift shop (from Dutchman Tom, called Tom´s Place), a treasure chest of Caribbean colors and unusual gifts.

With lots of shallow waters, this paradise like sand point is protected from pounding surf. The water is calm and crystal clear, accompanied by beautiful beaches. Ideal for snorkeling for its coral reefs and also for sunbathing, as the main beach stays sun-drenched until the end of the day! The island is totally relaxing and a little slice of paradise for those who want to get away from it all for a day.

Tip : Only cash accepted on the ferry, restaurants and gift shop. There are no ATM’s on Pinel.

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The French and the Dutch colonialists Partitioned this little piece of paradise to divide de of the island St. Martin and the other portion, St. Maarten. However, that was several generations ago and the modern island is now can be considered to be the epitome of a true mixing of diverse and intermingling cultures.

The borderline between these two nations that straddles the island is hard for tourists notice these days. It is not even particularly adhered to by the two countries, as they prefer to just get on with their lives. in a way that only Carribbean people know how.

Having said that, this is two very different places, the hundreds of years of rule of the European settlers have produced two very different cultures. However, unlike other parts of the world, these cultures live side by side in harmony, enjoying and celebrating, their similarities and differences.

The French side of the paradise island is a small tropical version of the south of France. It features fine dining, the latest in Paris fashions and a Caribbean laid-back and totally luxurious feel. The classic French style permeates through every aspect of life, influencing the resorts, street signs and the indulgent sidewalk cafes.

On the Dutch side is more bustling and just slightly more reserved. Tourism and related business’s are the main focus of business and personal lives. Although busier than the French area of the island, it is still very tourist orientated, with lots to do and see.

Whichever side of the tropical isle you may prefer, this is still the Caribbean and beach life plays a major role in tourist and local lives. There are well in excess of thirty stunning beaches dotted around the islands entire coast.

The beaches offer the classic white sands, palm trees, coral reefs and warm water that is totally crystal clear. On the French side, you don’t even need a costume for all of the beaches. The beaches vary from heavily populated, offering every beach activity imaginable to quite secluded stretches of near uninhabited palm fringed beaches. Where there is not a stunning white sand beach, there are rugged limestone cliffs cascading into the sea, offering spectacular coastal scenery.

All around the island, you can indulge in all types of water activities from basic snorkeling to the full scuba, reef diving experience or exploring the British battleship under the waters of Great Bay. Sailing, jet skiing, pleasure boating, wind surfing and parasailing are just a few of the exiting ‘must try’ indulgencies available.

There are many miles of hiking trails traversing the mountains and along the beautiful shoreline. If your feet get tired, there are horseback adventures, or a more leisurely ‘spoilt walk’ around a first class golf course.

There are night and day markets, the old French Quarter, the incredible butterfly farm and many other ways to spend you time on this enchanted island.

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Despite many peoples perception of two separate islands. St. Maarten and St. Martin are in fact not two islands but one island that was originally split between the French and Dutch colonies for several hundred years.

The island is no longer divided in the sense that there is no separation that is noticeable to the tourist. Apart from the obvious and interesting cultural disparities between the two halves of this exiting tropical island.

There is so much to see and do that St. Martin and St. Maarten can satisfy even the most experienced traveler. The average daily temperature is a balmy Eighty degree’s with a very plentiful supply of sunshine. The trade winds are a seemingly constant companion serving to keep the temperatures at bay, and providing a wonderful fresh feel to the evening air.

The culturally vibrant atmosphere is bound to stimulate the senses as the islands visitors are always enthralled by this culturally diverse, yet harmonious Caribbean getaway. The restaurants and stores have a distinctly European flavor tinged with a laid back Caribbean edge, offering foods and gifts that are very familiar yet somehow very different. The beaches can only be described as stunning, in a way that is only found in this little corner of the world.

Accommodations on the island tend to be up market apartments and villas, rather than hotels. It seems that most visitors prefer the unrestricted feel of doing their own thing at their own pace. With the quiet splendor and seclusion of a spacious self- catering villa or an apartment with a stunning Caribbean view from the balcony. Where tourists can partake of a cocktail, while watching the sun dip into the Ocean.

A vacation on this island is not complete without attempting scuba diving or snorkeling in the crystal-clear blue-white waters. With the opportunity to view the stunning array of marine life, that awaits you just below the surface of the wonderful warm, calm, seas.

These waters offer an endless supply of exiting opportunities such as sailing, deep sea fishing for Marlin and Barracuda. Wind surfing, pleasure boat rides and memorable romantic evening dinner cruises, there is also Jet Ski riding, or you could even opt for a simple swim in the constantly warm water.

here are also multitudes of historic sites that can be visited independently with a hire car, or you can just as easily Ttake an organized trip to the many history filled locations around the island.

The highest quality five course French fare is every bit as wonderful as any to be found in the best Parisian eateries. There is also an enticing mix of European and local fravours that combine to stimulate even the most jaded traveler’s pallet.

It doesn’t matter which ‘island’ you choose St. Maarten or St. Martin, you can intermingle your vacation with these two wonderfully diverse and intertwined cultures that promise to give a taste of two old world European cultures, with a very distinctive Caribbean edge.

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On 11th Nov 1493, famed explorer Christopher Columbus landed on a small Caribbean island and laid claim to it in the name of Spain. In 1624, French settlers began to start the cultivation of a new cash crop, tobacco.

A few years later in 1631, Dutch colonialists arrived they were interested in another highly prized commodity, salt. From 1684, the island was split in half to form Sint Maarten the Dutch zone in the south of the island. And Saint-Martin, the French settlement in the northern half of the island. The British also had interests on the little island up until 1816.

Modern visitors do not have to suffer months on a crowded sailing ship to reach this paradise island. In November 2006, Juliana International Airport opened on the island, this modern air terminal is capable of handling the big jets such as the 747. This has allowed visitors from across the world to reach the island either directly or via many cities in the continental US.

Although the island has a Dutch and French history, English is also widely spoken.  Visitors can also use either Euros or Dollars almost anywhere, as well as using their credit cards at ATM’s, or to pay for goods and services directly. A good way to get around is to use the extensive network of small and inexpensive buses that traverse the entire island.

The tropical Caribbean climate provides for a very comfortable year round warm weather, with little variation in temperature from one season to another. An average air temperature throughout the year of around 27° C and the sea is a very pleasant 26° C on average, every day of the year.

Annual rainfall on the island is around 1000 mm falling in short bursts usually in the late afternoon or evening. The trade winds provide a near constant and cooling breeze from the Atlantic Ocean.

Each year huge numbers of Europeans and Americans arrive to participate in one of the world’s largest sailing extravaganzas the Heineken Regatta.  On the Dutch side of the island, many visitors seek out the joys of the well hidden Dawn Beach, and it is classic palm fringed white sands and azure blue sees.  The beach is also famed for its high quality shallow snorkeling opportunities along its Coral reef, located just off shore.

There are many such hidden gems on the island as well as busier beaches that offer all the facilities that you would expect of a modern and cosmopolitan vacation island. The highest quality accommodations can be found, including some of the best high end villa rentals in the whole Caribbean.

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St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles – April 23, 2008 - BlueOceanVillas.com the leading travel agency for the Island of St.Maarten unveiled their new joint venture.

Press release
One of the Island’s leading online travel companies announced the launch of its redesigned travel web site to meet the needs of St Maarten and St Bart travelers. BlueOceanVillas Ltd added several innovative tools to their new website to support the growing number of customers concerned with airfares, flight schedules, St. Maarten weather forecast, immigration issues & TSA policies and news feeds from the Caribbean.

BlueOceanVillas has signed a joint venture with Ascendant Marketing for search engine optimization strategies. In the coming months, the company will be pursuing joint ventures or other partner relationships that meet the ever-changing needs of its customers.

BlueOceanVillas Travel Services
“Blue Ocean Villas” proudly offers privately owned luxury accommodations and style, service and privacy for your next villa vacation, with all the comforts of your home. We represent some of the finest luxury Caribbean villa rentals in St Maarten, St Martin and St Barth. Visit our website to review all these unique properties we offer.

St Maarten and St Martin
A spicy marriage of European and Caribbean cultures, Sint Maarten & Saint Martin boasts lavish elegance and secluded beaches. Many people head to mile-long Mullet Bay Beach or Maho Beach on the western side of St Maarten. Cupecoy Beach, with its gorgeous swath of white sand backed by sandstone cliffs. Oyster Pond Beach on the eastern side of the island is a favorite for surfers and nearby Dawn Beach has some good snorkeling. Baie Longue on the French side of the island is a beautiful beach that is almost never crowded and one of the most famous beaches is Orient Beach with its European atmosphere. St. Maarten and St. Martin are also known as the capital of the gastronomy in the Caribbean and famous for its dynamic nightlife scene.

St Barth’s
New friends call it “St Barts,” while old-time visitors prefer “St. Barths”. Either way, it’s short for St. Barthélemy (San Bar-te-le-mee) for luxury with minimum hassle. It’s a favourite with the jet set and as popular for its lively “scene” as for its idyllic scenery. Jagged hills create an impressive backdrop to sweeping coves and dramatic headlands. The sheltered port, Gustavia, is dotted with Sunseekers and giant motor yachts in the evening. This tiny island in the French West Indies, remains a preferred playground of the rich and famous. It’s the ultimate in sophistication in the tropics: chic, rich, and very Parisian. Forget historic sites or ambitious watersports programs. You go to St. Barts for the relaxation, the French cuisine, the white-sand beaches, and the ultimate in comfort.

About “www. BlueOceanVillas.com”

BlueOceanVillas is St Maarten’s leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book, and experience travel. We are in the travel industry for over 17 years and have personal knowledge of all the villas offered. By consistently offering unsurpassed expertise and service we have built and maintained a large base of loyal customers who turn to us year after year to assist them with locating exceptional villas, car rentals and other special services. We provide personal service, which can match you to the perfect property for your Caribbean vacation.

Media Contact : R.H. Detiger, Communication Officer
Phone : 1 877 311 7759
Email : info@blueoceanvillas.com
Website : http://www. BlueOceanVillas.com

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