St. Martin is one island with two distinct personalities. You’ll land over the famous Maho Beach on the Dutch side and hit Marigot to explore the French side. But you also can island hop to destinations like St. Barths, Antigua, and the best destination for pristine, white-sand beaches—Anguilla. Here’s how I visited St. Martin and Anguilla for just $1500.

If you’re visiting St. Maarten, a day trip to Anguilla is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to expand your Caribbean experience. Known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, Anguilla offers a distinct contrast to St. Maarten and with a $150 Viator day cruise, it’s both accessible and worth it.

September in Martha’s Vineyard means thinner crowds and weather that’s still warm enough for the beach. Visiting in the first week of September gave weather in the high 70s and low 80s, open restaurants and shops, and a five-night stay steps from the beach and Circuit Avenue for $1,700, something nearly impossible at peak season.

When I go to the beach, I always try to think of everything I could possibly need so that I don’t have to return to my car or my hotel. I tend to overpack for the beach, but when I focus only on the essentials, these are my must have items.