The best beaches in St. Maarten and St. Martin
Every beach on the island is public, and no two are alike: jets overhead at Maho, glassy water at Mullet Bay, beach clubs on Orient Bay and empty sand at the far west end. Here is how we match our guests to the right one.
Quick picks
The right beach for your day
Calm, easy water
Mullet Bay on the Dutch side, Le Galion and Grand Case Beach on the French side, and the sheltered water around Pinel Island.
Fish and reefs
Little Bay below Fort Amsterdam, Dawn Beach on the east coast, the rocks at Baie Rouge and the snorkeling area at Pinel Island.
Beach bars and music
Orient Bay's beach clubs, the Boardwalk on Great Bay in Philipsburg and the bars at Maho Beach, with jets landing overhead.
Maho Beach guideClose to the pier
Great Bay is right on the Philipsburg waterfront, and Little Bay is just past it. Short on time? Stay close and swim more.
Philipsburg guideEmpty sand
Baie Longue at the island's west end, Happy Bay down a footpath from Friar's Bay, and the coves under the cliffs at Cupecoy.
West-facing views
The west-end beaches face the sunset: Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Cupecoy and Mullet Bay. Book your taxi back for after dark.
All beaches
18 beaches, side by side
Conditions change with the wind and the season, so ask your driver on the day. That is what we're here for.
| Beach | Side | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maho Beach | Dutch | Planes landing overhead, beach bars | Narrow beach; stay away from the airport fence (jet blast) |
| Mullet Bay | Dutch | Calm turquoise water, a local favorite | Next to Maho; chair rentals on the sand |
| Cupecoy | Dutch | Coves under sandstone cliffs, sunsets | The sand comes and goes with the tide and swell |
| Simpson Bay Beach | Dutch | Long walks, a quiet swim | Close to the airport and Simpson Bay hotels |
| Kim Sha Beach | Dutch | Beach bars in Simpson Bay | Easy to reach from Simpson Bay hotels |
| Great Bay | Dutch | Cruise guests, the Boardwalk | Walking distance from the cruise port |
| Little Bay | Dutch | Calm water, snorkeling | Below Fort Amsterdam, just past Philipsburg |
| Dawn Beach | Dutch | Sunrise, snorkeling | East coast, near Oyster Pond |
| Guana Bay | Dutch | Surf and bodysurfing | Strong waves and currents; for confident swimmers |
| Orient Bay | French | Beach clubs, water sports | About 2 km long; the far south end is clothing-optional |
| Le Galion | French | Shallow, calm water for kids | South of Orient Bay |
| Pinel Island | French | Snorkeling, calm clear water | Small ferry from Cul-de-Sac |
| Anse Marcel | French | A sheltered cove | Tucked into the north coast |
| Grand Case Beach | French | A swim before dinner | Right below the restaurant boulevard |
| Friar's Bay | French | Relaxed beach bars | Between Marigot and Grand Case |
| Happy Bay | French | Seclusion | Reached by a footpath from Friar's Bay; no facilities |
| Baie Rouge | French | Snorkeling at the rocks, sunsets | Quieter west-end beach framed by headlands |
| Baie Longue | French | A long, empty stretch of sand | Few facilities; bring water and shade |
Beach tips
What locals know
- Every beach is public. You only pay for loungers, umbrellas, food and drinks.
- Lifeguards are rare. Swim within your limits, especially at Maho and Guana Bay, and watch children closely.
- Ask about seaweed. East-facing beaches sometimes get sargassum. We'll steer you to the west side if it has washed in.
- Protect the reef. Use reef-safe sunscreen; the waters around Pinel Island, Orient Bay and Creole Rock are part of Saint-Martin's nature reserve.
- Leave valuables behind. Take only what you need to the sand.
- French-side customs. Topless sunbathing is common on French beaches, and the far end of Orient Bay is clothing-optional.
Beach questions
Quick answers
What is the best beach in St. Maarten?
It depends on your day. Maho Beach is the most famous for planes landing overhead, Mullet Bay has the calmest turquoise water on the Dutch side, and Orient Bay on the French side is the island's most popular beach, with beach clubs and water sports.
Which beach is closest to the St. Maarten cruise port?
Great Bay, right on the Philipsburg waterfront along the Boardwalk, within walking distance of the cruise port. Little Bay, below Fort Amsterdam, is just past it.
Which St. Maarten beaches are best for families?
For calm, easy water: Mullet Bay on the Dutch side, Le Galion and Grand Case Beach on the French side, and Pinel Island, a short ferry ride from Cul-de-Sac.
Are the beaches in St. Maarten free?
Yes. Every beach on St. Maarten and St. Martin is public. You only pay for loungers, umbrellas, food and drinks.
Where is the best snorkeling in St. Maarten?
Little Bay below Fort Amsterdam, Dawn Beach on the east coast, the rocks at Baie Rouge and the snorkeling area at Pinel Island are our guests' favorites.
Can I go to the beach on a Sunita Tours island tour?
Yes. The shared tour stops at Orient Bay and Maho Beach, and on the private tour you can build in a swim stop: bring swimwear and a towel. For a full beach day, book the 24/7 taxi to drop you off and pick you up.
Book in two minutes
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Pick your tour and number of passengers to see your price. Your request goes straight to our inbox and a real person on the island replies by email or WhatsApp.
- 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