Orient Bay Beach, the French side's favorite
About two kilometers of white sand on the island's east coast, with turquoise water, beach clubs, water sports and Pinel Island just up the coast. Here is how to pick your spot and get there and back on time.
Orient Bay at a glance
The island's most popular beach
Orient Bay, Baie Orientale in French, faces the Atlantic trade winds on the French side's east coast. That breeze keeps it cooler than the west-coast beaches and makes it the island's water sports hub.
- Where
- East coast of the French side (Saint-Martin)
- Beach
- About 2 km of white sand, free and public
- From Philipsburg
- About 20–25 minutes by car in normal traffic
- Money
- Prices in euros; US dollars widely accepted
- Facilities
- Beach clubs with loungers, umbrellas, bars and restaurants
- Behind the beach
- Orient Village: about 30 restaurants and bars, shops and a small supermarket
- On a Sunita tour
- Orient Bay is a stop on Two Islands Twice the Fun and on the sample route of the Best of St. Martin private tour. For a full beach day, our 24/7 taxi drops you off and picks you up.
Where to sit
Pick your stretch of sand
Orient Bay is long enough to feel different from one end to the other. Walk a few minutes and the mood changes.
Beach clubs and lunch
The busy heart of the beach: rows of loungers and umbrellas, beach bars with music and restaurants serving grilled fish, Creole dishes and French classics. The best choice for a long, easy lunch.
Quieter sand, island views
Fewer people and more room to spread out, with views of the small offshore islands. A good pick if you want to read, nap and swim.
Clothing-optional
The far southern end has a long naturist tradition and is clothing-optional. Topless sunbathing is common on French-side beaches, so families usually settle in the middle of the bay.
Things to do
More than a sun lounger
Water sports. Steady trade winds and open water make Orient Bay one of the island's best spots for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Operators along the beach also rent out other water toys.
Long lunches. Beach restaurants serve everything from grilled catch of the day to French bistro plates. Most beach bars open from around 9 AM until sunset.
Orient Village. Just behind the sand, about 50 meters from the water, the village plaza has cafés, boutiques, bars and evening entertainment.
Pinel Island. A short drive north, small ferries leave Cul-de-Sac for Pinel Island, with calm, clear water and snorkeling. In high season they cross about every 30 minutes.
The nature reserve. The sea off this coast is part of Saint-Martin's protected nature reserve. Look after the sea grass and reef, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Local tips
Before you go
- Go in the morning. Front-row loungers go first, and the beach clubs fill up by lunchtime in high season.
- Bring small bills. Prices are in euros. US dollars and cards are widely accepted, but check the exchange rate you are charged.
- Ask about seaweed. Like other east-facing Caribbean beaches, Orient Bay sometimes gets sargassum seaweed. Ask us on the day and we'll point you to calmer, cleaner west-side beaches if needed.
- Mind your all-aboard time. Orient Bay is on the far side of the island from the cruise port. Leave a buffer for traffic, or book a ride that is planned around your ship.
Orient Bay questions
Quick answers before you go
Is Orient Bay a clothing-optional beach?
Only the far southern end, which has a long naturist tradition. The rest of the beach is a regular beach with beach clubs and restaurants, although topless sunbathing is common on the French side. Families usually settle in the middle of the bay.
How far is Orient Bay from the cruise port?
About 20 to 25 minutes by car from Philipsburg in normal traffic, longer on busy cruise days. Leave a buffer before your all-aboard time, or book a Sunita Tours ride that is planned around your ship.
Do they take US dollars at Orient Bay?
Yes, US dollars and cards are widely accepted, but prices on the French side are in euros, so check the exchange rate you are charged.
Is Orient Bay good for families?
Yes. The middle of the bay has beach clubs with loungers, shade and food, and Orient Village is right behind the sand. Keep to the middle or north of the beach, away from the clothing-optional southern end.
Can I go to Pinel Island from Orient Bay?
Yes. Pinel Island ferries leave from Cul-de-Sac, a short drive north of Orient Bay. In high season they cross about every 30 minutes.
Does the Sunita island tour stop at Orient Bay?
Yes. Orient Bay is one of the eight stops on the $50 Two Islands Twice the Fun shared tour, and it is on the sample route of the Best of St. Martin private tour. For a full beach day, book the 24/7 taxi.
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- Best of St. Martin Private TourPrivate vehicle for your group only · $450 for up to 4 passengers, +$50 each extra
- Two Islands Twice the FunShared bus with other travelers · $50 per person · full 360° island loop