St. Martin St Maarten , an island with 36 beaches...

With over 70km of coastline, St. Martin - St. Marten is a magical island with 36 beaches of all sizes and all kinds, from the smaller, "Lovers Beach", at the North of Marigot, the largest, "Long Bay" in the Lowlands, the quieter, "Petites Cayes" between Anse Marcel and Cul-de-Sac, to the most famous "Orient Bay ".

On St. Martin - St Maarten Island, you're sure to find the beach of your dreams...

Click on the beaches to go directly to the information

1 - long bay
As its name implies, Long Bay is the largest beach of the island. First beach of the French side, Bay Long Beach is located in the Lowlands, west of the island. Long Bay is partly bordered by La Samanna Hotel and ends with the Pointe des Canonniers. This beach, one of the most peaceful, with turquoise sea, white sand, flight of pelicans, is a real postcard...
At the other end, a pleasant walk reaches another beautiful beach, Plum Bay.

2 - plum bay
Also located in Terres Basses, Plum Bay beach beach bestows a feeling of calm and contentment. This magnificent beach is quite wild and not much frequented. When the swell is rolling, well informed surfers gather to ride the waves.

3 - baie rouge
A beach of the Terres Basses, Baie Rouge beach Rouge is one of the most popular of the island of Saint Martin. It is possible to eat feet in the sand in one of two small beach restaurants. Passing under a small arch, the swimmers will reach a small deserted beach at the foot of cliffs.

4 - petite baie
This beach is not much frequented, as it is very exposed in rough weather. Petite Bay beach faces Marigot Bay.

5-6 - Nettle Bay
On the seaside: : The western part of Marigot Bay is made up of a long stretch of sand. Hotel complexes along this site maintain the successive beaches. This rarely visited beach is very pleasant, as it is swept by the prevailing trade winds.
On the lagoon side : Some lovely shady, coconut lined beaches ,maintained by the hotels (Hotel Mercure Simpson Bay, Hotel le Flamboyant and so forth...) line the water's edge of the Simpson Bay lagoon. Numerous watersports can be practiced here.

7 - grand ilet (explorer island)
Located in the middle of Simpson Bay lagoon, Explorer Island has a pretty little beach, the perfect beach for a picnic venue... This beach is only accessible by boat.

8 - galisbay beach
Fort Louis dominates Baie de la Potence otherwise known as Galisbay beach, which comprises the northern part of Marigot Bay. Located in Marigot, this beach offers little interest compared to the variety of other beaches on the island. A cruise ship lays wrecked in the bay here since hurricane Lenny (1999).

9 - lovers beach
Nestling in the rocky outcrop at Arago Point, the northern extremity of Marigot Bay, Lovers beach is the tiniest beach on the island. It's called Lovers beach as it is a mere 2 sqm and can accommodate no more than two people at a time!

10 - Friar's Bay - anse des pères
A very beautiful beach has been formed in this magnificent bay on the North West coast of the island. It is sheltered from the swell and so is ideal for families. Two nice beach side restaurants have added to its reputation: Friars Bay Beach Café and Kali's Beach Bar.
Do not miss the Full Moon Party every month.

11 - happy bay
Truly a heavenly setting, Happy Bay Beach, on the north western coast of the island of St. Martin, is only accessible after a ten minute walk in the mountains. It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and has maintained its pristine and untamed quality. Lined with coconut palms, Happy Bay Beach is ideal for picnics.

12 - grand case bay
Grand-Case Bay, located on the northwest coast, encompasses a picturesque fishing village with a long sandy beach, which is overlooked by gourmet restaurants and traditional restaurants called "Lolos". The beach is facing the neighbouring island of Anguilla. Grand-Case Beach is sheltered from the swell.

13 - petite plage
Facing Creole Rock, Petite Plage is the continuation of Grand-Case Bay to the north. Until very recently, one could relax here peacefully in the shade of the trees.

14 - anse marcel
At the northern end of the island, Anse Marcel is a well-appointed and sheltered beach, sets in the heart of a magnificent bay called Port Lonvilliers. Diving centers and water sports are at hand...

15 - petites cayes
At the northern tip of the island lays one of the most pristine & beautiful beaches of St. Martin - St. Maarten that has remained untouched and is rarely visited. Starting from Cul de Sac, a pleasant half hour's ramble along an easy path leads to this delightful beach of Petites Cayes. The perfect beach for whom who likes nature and for surfers when there is swell.

16 - grandes cayes
Traditionally, Grandes Cayes has always been the favorite family place for barbecues.

17 - tintamarre island
Tintamarre Island, a greenery and peaceful haven in the middle of the ocean, is located 4km off the northeast coast of St. Martin. No one lives there but walking inland you can find the remains of an airstrip, a small railway track and a former cotton plantation. The most accessible beach, Baie Blanche, located on the west coast facing Saint Martin, is a delightful beach for swimming. Tintamarre belongs to the Nature Reserve of St. Martin. There's no chance of finding food or water there, so be equipped!

18-19 - pinel island
Pinel Island, a tiny piece of paradise in the middle of the Nature Reserve, is located on the east coast of St. Martin. Two gorgeous beaches await you at Pinel Island:
• the first one, facing Saint Martin, is a much protected stretch of sand and the sea is shallow ...an ideal spot for children. You can find two beachfront restaurants on this beach. This is also a fabulous place for shallow water diving.
• The second beach, wild and rocky, is on the other side of the island and accessible by a short ten minute walk.
A frequent daily service leaves from the landing stage at Cul-de-Sac.

20 - orient bay beach
Orient Bay beach is one of the largest and most famous and popular beaches. Orient Bay beach offers the whole range of tourist attractions: beachfront restaurants, hotels, boutiques and water sports.
At the extreme western end of Orient Bay you can find a naturist beach.
Orient Bay is also known as the" Saint Tropez of the Caribbean".

21 - green cay
A few hundred metres from the activity of Orient Bay, the small islet of Green Cay offers a deserted site for those who prefer solitude.

22 - le galion
Le Galion, an idyllic beach for families, is also a favorite spot for Saint Martiners on public holidays. Located to the East and open to the seas, the bay is nevertheless very well protected from the swell by a coral reef, which also makes for an excellent surfing spot.

23 - baie de l'embouchure
The Baie de l'Embouchure is a long strip of sand lined with mangroves. It has been placed under the protection of the Nature Reserve.
Swept by the trade winds and protected from the sea swell by a coral reef and the rocky islands of Coconut Grove, the bay's lagoon offers ideal condition all year round for windsurfing and kite surfing.

24 - baie lucas
Baie Lucas is the last beach on the French side before crossing the eastern border to the Dutch side. This is a very famous beach for diving and snorkelling. However this beach is rarely frequented because it is very exposed to the Atlantic swells and winds from the east.

25 - dawn beach
To the east of Oyster Pond Marina, you'll find Dawn beach, a white sandy beach lined with coconut palms.
For a long time it remained pristine but recently a few hotels has been built along this beautiful little beach. You’ll also find there some beachfront restaurants.

26 - guana bay
This magnificent beach still remains unspoiled and is very rarely visited. Guana Bay faces towards St Barts. However it is a very popular spot for sports. Note the current is strong in deep water.

27 - geneve bay
Geneve Bay, a superb natural swimming pool, protected from the Atlantic swells, is located about an hour's pleasant walk along a coastal pathway from Guana Bay.

28 - great bay
Great Bay Beach is situated right in the centre of Philipsburg and is lined with well-established bars and restaurants on Front Street. The beach has been greatly fitted with a boardwalk, which extends along the length of the bay.
At the end of the boardwalk, you can find a popular port of call for some of the largest and most illustrious cruise ships.

29 - little bay
Little Bay beach is separated from Great Bay by a peninsula, dominated by Fort Amsterdam. The beach is well protected.
Recently, since the Nature Foundation Association replanted the site, it has become a real bird sanctuary!

30 - cay bay
Between Cole Bay and Little Bay lies a pretty little beach called Cay Bay, which is deserted very often, as access is difficult: it needs a twenty-minute walk from Cole Bay Hill. Cay Bay is very much enjoyed by hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. It has a very beautiful sea bed.

31 - pelican cay
Pelican Cay is a very pleasant little man-made beach in front of hotel resorts, facing Simpson Bay.

32 - simpson bay
Simpson Bay beach extends along the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport and the picturesque fishing village of Simpson Bay.
Simpson Bay Beach is a long stretch of fine sand that has not equipped, and stretches to the foot of the rocks of Pointe Burgeaux.

33 - burgeaux beach
Just after the long beach of Simpson Bay and the Pointe Burgeaux, Burgeaux beach is a tiny rocky beach formed by a cove. There are a lot of shells and sea urchins here.
Another hot spot for surfers!.

34 - maho beach
Maho Beach has become famous for its unique location in the world, at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. It is an absolute centre of attraction when the largest planes take off and land. Be careful not to leave anything on the beach in line with the runway. It could be blown away by the jet blast...

35 - mullet bay
Further along the south west coast is a beautiful fine sandy beach located on the edge of a golf course. Mullet Bay is a very popular beach for both tourists and local population. When the swell rolls from the north, this beach is a perfect spot for surfers. You can find there local beachfront restaurants.

36 - cupecoy
At the foot of some splendid ochre colored cliffs, you will find a series of tiny secluded beaches, each swept by waves of varying strength. This is a perfect location to enjoy magnificent sunsets. Cupecoy beaches are the last beaches on the Dutch side before crossing the border and heading north to the French side.