16 St Maarten Beaches You’ll Love
The island of St Maarten/St Martin has some of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean. With 37 beaches across both the Dutch and French sides, you’re sure to find one that perfectly suits your taste. Whether you’re looking for an idyllic spot to relax, a bustling beach with plenty of amenities, or an adventurous place to explore, St Maarten/St Martin beaches have something for everyone. From the secluded shores of Baie Orientale to the lively atmosphere of Maho Beach, these 16 St Maarten beaches are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Near or on St Maarten’s beaches is where everyone wants to stay. You will find that beachfront real estate is the highest in demand and Cupecoy and Simpson Bay our our bestsellers.
1) Orient Bay Beach
Located on the northeastern coast of French Saint Martin, Orient Bay, also known as Baie Orientale, is nicknamed the “Saint Tropez of the Caribbean”. Known for its crystal blue water and fluffy white sand, this tourist hotspot is one of the biggest and most popular beaches in St. Martin and is great for those looking for a fun and action-packed day or night out.
Along the Orient Beach, you will find many beach clubs, bars, hotels, and incredible restaurants. Entry onto the beach is free and beachgoers are given the option to rent umbrellas and beach chairs for $25 for the day. There are also water sports that are available for beachgoers such as jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boating. Depending on the time you decide to visit, the water can be a bit rough. For calmer water, the best time to visit Orient Beach is between the months of April and September.
Although Orient Beach is not considered a nudist beach, there is a nudist resort located on the southernmost part of the beach called Club Orient. Those with families might find this beach unsuitable for this reason.
2) Maho Beach
Maho Beach (Maho Bay) is easily the most famous on the island and is really unlike any location in the world. Maho Beach is located right at the end of the Princess Julianna airport runway. From this vantage point, it is possible to see airplanes flying directly overhead and landing on the runway just behind the beach. Many tourists like to take pictures of the airplanes, admire the incredible sights and feel the force of airplanes and jets taking off into the sky one after the other.
Maho Beach is small and often gets quite busy and full of tourists, not the ideal spot for relaxing. Most usually spend 30 minutes to an hour here. Be careful to secure loose items on the beach because the wind from the airplanes and jets could blow them away. Also, be sure to remain in the safe zones marked by signs on the beach. Over the years, due to entering restricted areas, some have gotten injured by the sheer force of the planes. However, if you remain in the safe zones you have nothing to worry about.
3) Mullet Bay Beach
Mullet Bay beach is in the 5th place out of 40 beaches in the Country of Sint Maarten region 8.5 km away from its center, the city of Philipsburg. It is one of the beaches of Simpson Bay settlement, just 3.1 km from its center. The beach is located in an urban area.
It is a short straight coastline with crystal turquoise water and pure golden fine sand, so you don’t need special shoes. The entrance to the water is very smooth. This beach is suitable for different categories of people, lonely travellers, relaxation getaway lovers, seniors etc. It is partially crowded during the high season.
Mullet Bay beach coast is free for all. This beach has the following amenities, loungers and umbrellas, beach restaurant, toilets. .
In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can also take part in other activities.
Fans of active recreation can take part in beach volleyball.
This beach is easily accessible, it is located very close to road. Parking is located directly on the beach.
4) Cupecoy Beach
Cupecoy Beach is located on the southwestern tip of St. Maarten and is very close to the French-Dutch border. Cupecoy Beach is a collective of 3 small beaches with golden sands that are surrounded by rugged limestone cliffs.
These are some of the most private beaches that you can find on the island, this makes it ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway. The seclusion of the beaches also makes it popular among tourists who prefer a clothing-optional beach experience.
Cupecoy Beach is known for its gorgeous sunsets and its breathtaking views of the neighboring island, Saba. There are no food vendors, umbrellas, or chairs to rent on either of the three beaches, so be sure to bring all of your necessities for the day.
5) Simpson Bay Beach
Located on the picturesque fishing village of Simpson Bay, Simpson Bay Beach is a 2 km long beach that is lined with luxury resorts. Known for being the epicenter of the nightlife on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, the famous beach bars that are along the beach have delicious food and drinks, exciting activities, and live entertainment. This beach is perfect for those who are looking for a fun day or night out.
Simpson Bay Beach is near Princess Juliana airport. So, this beach presents a nice location for those who would like to watch the planes take off from a less crowded beach.
6) Little Bay Beach
Located in the southern tip of the island near historical Fort Amsterdam is Little Bay beach. This kid-friendly beach is separated from Great Bay Beach by a peninsula, making it well-protected from the elements. It has perfect white sand and calm and clear waters with a great variety of fish.
Little Bay Beach is far less of a tourist attraction than other beaches on the island and is usually visited by guests from the nearby resorts and a few divers and snorkelers. This destination is known to be one of the safest beaches for kids on the island since the waters are current-free and there are a lot of aquatic and kid-friendly activities available. This makes it an ideal spot for families looking to do some underwater exploration.
7) Great Bay Beach
Located in the Dutch capital of Phillipsburg, Great Bay Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the island of St Martin. With its location being close to the harbor, Great Bay Beach has thousands of visitors from cruise ships pass through every day.
This tourist hotspot has a mile-long boardwalk, shopping centers, numerous bars, restaurants, and casinos, all of which contribute to the famously vibrant atmosphere of Great Bay Beach.
Great Bay Beach is very well kept and pristine with golden sand and seawater that is clean and refreshing. The beachside bars offer rental of lounge chairs, umbrellas, restrooms, and showers and even have deals where they offer a drink along with your purchase.
8) Kim Sha Beach
Kim Sha Beach is on the world famous Simpson Bay beach in the southwestern region of the island in Dutch Sint Maarten. This beach is famous for being packed with action and offers all types of activities for beachgoers including sailing, kayaking, and other water sports. It’s known for its vibrant nightlife and is a perfect spot for party-goers.
Kim Sha Beach is also a nice location to sunbathe while enjoying a refreshing cocktail and tasty food from one of the famous local beach bars such as “The Buccaneer Bar” or “The GreenHouse Restaurant”.
Entry onto the Kim Sha Beach is free and Beach chairs and umbrellas are also offered by the shore for free. The waters are known for being rough and not very swimmable. This makes Kim Sha beach a hotspot for tourists who enjoy water sports such as kayaking, sailing, and jet skiing.
9) Grand Case Beach
Located in northern French Saint Martin in the culinary capital of the island, Grand Case Beach is home to many gourmet restaurants, beachfront bars and is known among tourists for its fantastic nightlife.
Grand Case Beach is protected from the winds and waves of the ocean making for some of the calmest waters on the island. The minimal waves make the beach very suitable for people and children who aren’t the best swimmers. A great place for a family beach day. This makes beach front real estate very popular and with the crystal blue waters, the stunningly white beaches and the array of activities such as snorkeling, swimming and tanning you’ll be able to find the perfect spot. The SXM beaches are definitely some of the best in the Caribbean, so if you’re looking for a beach to call your own, why not make it one of the amazing beaches of St. Martin?
10) Dawn Beach
Located on the far eastern coast of Sint Maarten, close to the French border is Dawn Beach. This beach is framed by the lush green mountains and lined with luxurious homes, yacht clubs, and beach clubs.
Dawn Beach is known for and named after its stunning sunrises and views of Saint-Barthélemy island to the east. The waters can be a little rough and don’t offer the most ideal swimming conditions, because the eastern side of the island faces the waves and currents of the Atlantic Ocean.
11) Indigo Bay Beach
Located between Phillipsburg and Simpson bay is Indigo Bay Beach, formerly known as Cay Bay. This beach is managed by an environmentally conscious developer who maintains the integrity of the environment of the beach by building ecologically friendly homes and structures.
Indigo Bay Beach is great for those who would like to escape the crowds and relax in the brilliantly blue waters and soft sands. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent on the beach. Not far from the beach is the famous Indigo bay beach restaurant. The beach also has an abundance of water sports available such as kayaking and snorkeling.
12) Guana Bay Beach
Located on the southeastern side of the island, Guana Bay Beach is one of the island’s best-kept secrets. Guana Bay Beach is a secluded and unspoiled beach, with a lovely view of St. Barts. Despite its picturesque appearance, few tourists visit this beach because of the very strong undercurrent. The beach is popular with experienced swimmers and surfers trying to catch some waves.
Entry onto the beach is free, and there is free parking nearby. It’s important to bring your own towels, chairs, and umbrellas as there are no facilities that sell these on the beach. Phillipsburg is located 2 miles away so amenities can be purchased before coming onto this secluded oasis.
13) Baie Rouge Beach
Located on the northwestern side of the island in French Saint Martin is Baie Rouge, also known as Red Bay. Baie Rouge is one of the most popular beaches on St. Martin, the beach gets its name from the reddish-pink color of the sand. The pretty pink sand gets its color from the crushed coral pieces that wash up onto the shore. Not only is the sand beautiful but Baie Rouge is an amazing spot for snorkeling. It has a vibrant reef that has many kinds of fish and other sea life.
Baie Rouge rarely gets overcrowded because it is so wide and long, the beach spans about 3.2 km long (2 miles), which makes it a good choice for those who enjoy a bit more privacy. Renting a chair and umbrella can be a hassle so it’s best to bring your own equipment. Some local beachside restaurants are Chez Raymond and Gus’ Beach Bar.
14) Pinel Island Beach
Pinel Island is an uninhabited island located near the northwest coast of St. Maarten. The west side of the island has calmer waters while the east side can be very windy. With crystalline blue waters and a colorful coral reef, this beach is a great place for snorkeling and underwater exploration.
Pinel Island is accessible by ferry, which leaves from the town of Cul-de-Sac on the north shore of Saint Martin every half hour. There is free parking on the Saint Martin side before boarding the ferry. The 5–10-minute boat ride to Pinel Island costs $6 per person. Once on the island, beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent for $18 for the day. Pinel Island is known to be quite busy on the weekends so it’s best to visit midweek if possible.
15) Grand Case Beach
Located in northern French Saint Martin in the culinary capital of the island, Grand Case Beach is home to many gourmet restaurants, beachfront bars and is known among tourists for its fantastic nightlife.
Grand Case Beach is protected from the winds and waves of the ocean making for some of the calmest waters on the island. The minimal waves make the beach very suitable for people and children who aren’t the best swimmers. A great place for a family beach day.
16) Cupecoy Beach
Cupecoy Beach is located on the southwestern tip of St. Maarten and is very close to the French-Dutch border. Cupecoy Beach is a collective of 3 small beaches with golden sands that are surrounded by rugged limestone cliffs.
Cupecoy Beach is known for its gorgeous sunsets and its breathtaking views of the neighboring island, Saba. There are no food vendors, umbrellas, or chairs to rent on either of the three beaches, so be sure to bring all of your necessities for the day.
These are some of the most beautiful beaches that you can find on the island, this makes it ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway. The location of the beaches also makes it popular among tourists who prefer a clothing-optional beach experience.
