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Luxury Travel
Spotlight on St. Martin Awesome Eco-Activities and Attractions
©Photo: courtesy of Office de tourisme de St. Martin
T
he French side heartily promotes eco-tourism and they have recently taken many measures to protect their natural heritage in a big way, which will bode well for future generations. Of course, there’s lots of eco-friendly fun to be had in the sand and surf, and the Atlantis semi-submarine tour from Grand Case is great for those wanting to see amazing marine life without even getting wet! But there’s lots more natural fun to discover all over. First, there’s the new Wakawa Eco-Klub, a superb operation that offers an exclusive opportunity to tour underwater accompanied by sound. Their snorkel tour of Pinel Island’s healthy reef (accessible by a short ferry ride from French Cul de Sac) uses Amphicom© technology to allow snorkelers to hear an audio narrative describing their encounters (in French or English) backed by new age music during a guided underwater journey. You’ll feel like you are in your very own Jacques Cousteau special– incredible! The Wakawa team has been appointed the official guardians of this protected natural marine park area; their name “wakawa” comes from the Creole word for the spotted eagle ray. Topside, at the base of Pic Paradis--the island’s highest peak, you’ll find another awesome eco-oasis called Loterie Farms—a 135-acre nature reserve and hiking park. There you can go zip-lining (there are simple and extreme courses) through verdant, towering rainforests a la Tarzan and Jane and enjoy “Sex in the Trees” at their Hidden Forest Café. (Relax, it’s their signature drink!) Then there’s the unique Butterfly Farm in Le Galion where you can witness the mysteries
Pinel Island
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of metamorphosis amid a lush tropical garden. There are informative guided tours throughout the day, but visit early morning when the butterflies are most active. For some interesting culture and history, there’s the St. Martin Museum, the ruins of ancient Fort Louis overlooking Marigot, the Old House sugar plantation museum in Quartier d’Orléans, and Mount Vernon Plantation where age-old traditions of rum production, coffee roasting, and making indigo dyes are unveiled. There’s also sea-kayaking in the mangroves, mountain-biking the hills and horseback riding on picturesque trails to enjoy. SUSAN CAMPBELL
-- LuxuryReportMagazine.com