Long stretches of fine sand follow one another along sheltered bays and secret coves. Come and listen to the murmur of the crystal-clear water lapping and gazing between azure and turquoise.
Sometimes wild and windswept, sometimes paradisiacal with their rows of coconut palms and shimmering sand, the beaches of Saint-Martin are quintessentially Caribbean.
To the north of the island, close to the rolling hills, the bay of Anse Marcel offers a magnificent beach set in a wide inlet and surrounded by dense vegetation.
By the sea, the village of Anse Marcel extends around the port of Lonvilliers with hotels, restaurants, residences and sumptuous villas nestled on the heights. In this isolated bay protected from the winds, the sea is often as calm as a lake and the shallow waters are a delight.
The beach of Anse Marcel offers an idyllic setting for dining and relaxing on the deckchairs of the hotels and fine restaurants. There is also a club for water activities where you can explore the sea by jet-ski, kayak or paddle and perhaps discover, nestled among the hills, a small nearby beach, completely deserted and wild, frequented mainly by a few cows.
With its calm waters in Caribbean colours, Friar’s Bay offers postcard-perfect scenery just minutes from the city centre. Popular with families, the beach is the ideal place for a leisurely lunch with your feet in the sand and a quiet day of relaxation in front of the sparkling bay.
North-west of Saint-Martin, Friar’s Bay is a beautiful family beach with a magnificent inlet surrounded by fine sand and well protected from the waves. With its turquoise pool facing the island of Anguilla, it can be accessed by two routes: the path along the Guichard pond between Grand Case and La Savane, which can be travelled by car, or the Friar’s Bay road not far from Marigot.
With its shallow waters, the beach is popular with children and is very popular at weekends. The beach is also home to a sailing club.
This beautiful beach dotted with waves can be discovered after crossing the most chic district of Saint-Martin, in a maze of streets dotted with sumptuous residences.
Bordered by a few villas offering a view of the horizon, Baie aux Prunes offers crystal-clear waters and rare shady corners. With its palette mixing the gold of the sand with the shades of the sea, this beautiful beach offers all the fullness of Caribbean landscapes.
Rather wild and without infrastructure, it has two faces. In calm weather, one can easily swim and discover the extraordinary seabed with fins, mask and snorkel. When the wind picks up, the waves hit the shore and Baie aux Prunes becomes a favourite spot for surfers.
At the edge of a picturesque fishing village stretches the long beach of Grand Case, lined with gourmet tables and the famous traditional restaurants called lolos.
In this bright bay, protected from the waves, the sea is calm and the water laps against the white sand in shades of blue and green, inviting you to swim. Family-friendly, friendly, romantic, the Grand Case beach is the beating heart of the French shore.
During the day, many establishments provide deckchairs and parasols for sipping cocktails and dining by the sea. At dusk, it is one of the best places to admire the sunset over the water, before discovering the pretty boutiques of Grand Case and dining along the promenade full of restaurants. In high season, during Grand Case’s unmissable Tuesdays, the atmosphere becomes festive with local orchestras and carnival groups leading the crowds in jubilation.
You may know it from the many videos circulating on the net. Saint-Martin’s most famous beach is known because it is located at the end of the Princess Juliana International Airport runway.
It offers an incredible spectacle, much appreciated by tourists: plane landings and take-offs have become a real attraction. At Maho Beach you can spread out your towel and swim in the shimmering turquoise waters, but above all you can look for the big thrill, waiting for the next plane to pass overhead, sometimes causing a gust of sand. Safety instructions must be strictly observed and a responsible attitude is required to enjoy this experience without putting yourself in danger.
Maho Beach is also in the heart of a very lively area: restaurants, beach bars, casinos and party places attract crowds after dark.
This long stretch of fine sand stretches at the foot of La Samanna and offers a bubble of tranquillity sought by the residents of the 5-star hotel.
In the heart of the Terres Basses, to the west of the island, Baie Longue beach is the first beach on the French side of the island heading north, leaving the Dutch side to the south. It stretches from the prestigious 5-star hotel La Samanna on the left to Pointe des Canonniers on the right.
As its name suggests, it is one of the largest fine sand beaches in Saint-Martin, which allows it to preserve privacy for those seeking tranquillity. Its calm lulled by the whisper of the waves and its crystal-clear turquoise waters make Baie Longue one of the most beautiful beaches in Saint-Martin and an essential stop during your stay.
From La Samanna restaurant, overlooking the sea, the dazzling spectacle of the sunset plunging into the bay provides magical moments and a picture of pure romance.
Five minutes from Marigot, Baie Nettle is a pleasant surprise. On each side of the peninsula, the bay unfolds on the sea side and the lagoon side with two distinct atmospheres. Hotels, restaurants and nautical centres have chosen this paradisiacal setting to offer a concentration of sensations in a single day.
From the sea side, the Nettlé bay appears as a long strip of sand. Bathing spots are easily reached by parking along the road: it offers a breathtaking view of Marigot and the hills, amidst lush vegetation and Creole habitats. This uncrowded beach, lulled by the trade winds, is ideal for kitesurfing lessons.
On the other side of the lagoon, across the road, Nettlé Bay opens onto beautiful sandy beaches populated by coconut palms and equipped with hotels and residences. The place is perfect for enjoying cocktails with your feet in the sand in a very intimate Caribbean atmosphere. The calm waters of the lagoon favour the practice of water sports in complete safety, such as jet skiing or water skiing.
It is known the world over for its chic and trendy restaurants, located on the sand in front of turquoise hues.
Orient Bay offers a multitude of experiences between relaxing on a deckchair and tasting cocktails, long romantic walks by the sea or water activities.
Nicknamed The Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean, the legendary Orient Bay beach, located in the north-east of the island, is one of the largest beaches in Saint-Martin. The two kilometres of white sand lapping against the turquoise water offer beautiful walks along the shore.
Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and caressed by powerful trade winds, Orient Bay is popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers. The western end of Orient Bay is a naturist beach. By the sea, the charming village offers multicoloured Creole architecture and beautiful tropical gardens. With its restaurants and theatre, the village square always comes alive after sunset.
Just a few minutes away from Marigot is this welcoming and easily accessible beach.
Baie Rouge has shades of deep blue and creates a beautiful inlet that is very popular with the locals. Like all the beaches of Saint-Martin, this beach takes its name from its characteristics, in this case the fiery colour of the sand at sunset.
Bordered on the east by majestic ochre-coloured cliffs flanked at the top by splendid villas, Baie Rouge is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and very popular, popular with the inhabitants of Saint-Martin and with families at weekends. But with its generous surface area, the beach is never crowded, especially since it offers small corners of intimacy.
This cove, chosen by beautiful residences to have a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea, consists of a narrow tongue of sand, bordered by rocks that do not facilitate access for bathing. The sometimes choppy swell often attracts surfers.
Immediately after the long beach of Simpson Bay and Pointe Burgeaux lies this stony beach accessible by a small path that winds through the residential complex built at the edge. The opulent villas have direct access to the beach, which, however, remains public.
Burgeaux beach is particularly popular with surfboarders when the sea is rough. When the water is calm, the site is very interesting for snorkelling enthusiasts and is home to numerous shells and sea urchins.
South of the Dutch side, between Philipsburg and Simpson Bay, discover a beautiful white sandy cove that is well worth a diversion.
Cay Bay, more often referred to as Indigo Bay, following the development of a real estate project of the same name, and in homage to its intense colours, is a quiet jewel off the beaten track, offering you a day away from the crowds, facing the Caribbean Sea.
Indigo Bay is a brightly coloured postcard with sand so fine it is a treat for the feet. On the heights of Indigo Bay, residences and sumptuous villas offer breathtaking views of the islands of Saba, Saint-Eustache and Saint-Kitts. On the beach, a few coconut trees grace the landscape and the crystal-clear waters make swimming irresistible, with beautiful seabed to explore with mask and snorkel.
Be careful of rocky areas when entering or leaving the water. In front of the beach, a restaurant located high up offers some sun loungers and the possibility of dining in front of the view of the bay. Situated at the crossroads of paths, the beach is sometimes used by hikers and horse riders, as well as mountain bikers.
By kayak or paddle, it is possible to cross the arm of the sea separating Orient Bay from this small island under the protection of the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve.
A small carpet of sand allows you to rest after exploring the wealth of underwater life. A few hundred metres from the lively Orient Bay beach, the small islet of Caye Verte offers a deserted spot for lovers of solitude.
Caye Verte is also renowned for its beautiful coral reefs populated with colourful fish, accessible with mask and snorkel: many turtles can also be encountered.
A legendary place to watch the sunset that illuminates the ochre-coloured reefs at the end of the day is in the paradisiacal coves of Cupecoy, which are also popular with naturism enthusiasts. Don’t hesitate to come in the morning to enjoy the place before 11am, when it is still deserted.
Not far from Terres Basses but still partly Dutch, Cupecoy Beach is made up of a series of coves nestled between the cliffs, beautiful settings that offer total privacy to the naturists who habitually frequent the site.
The main beach can be reached via a flight of steps from the car park. To discover the other coves, it is necessary to stay at the top of the cliff and follow the path, enjoying the incredible view of the variations of blue and green shimmering between the cliffs.
A second flight of steps leads to another sandy beach, and venturing with your feet in the water, you discover small cave-like coves embedded in the rock. At the end of the day, land, sky and sea come together in an extraordinary scenario and offer visitors to Cupecoy Beach a majestic sunset.
An expanse of fine sand, where one can relax amidst the rustle of coconut palms, Dawn Beach welcomes hotel residents who have chosen the privacy of Oyster Pond for their stay. However, it is also possible to access it without staying at the hotel by renting a deck chair.
Situated on the Dutch side of the east coast, near the Oyster Pond marina, this beach surrounded by green hills is a real delight with its particularly fine sand. Coconut palms provide a picture-postcard backdrop for a relaxing day in front of the island of Saint-Barthélemy, whose reliefs can be glimpsed in the distance.
Remaining wild for a long time, this beautiful beach has been modified by the residence and mainly welcomes holidaymakers staying nearby. Although it is extremely well-equipped, it remains little known to other travellers because its geographical location makes it somewhat out of touch with the rest of Saint-Martin life.
With its easily accessible coral reefs, Dawn Beach offers fantastic snorkelling discoveries.
This beach colours the waterfront of Marigot with its turquoise waters and offers the residences that line it a dazzling backdrop.
Located in the heart of Marigot, capital of the French part, the Baie de la Potence or Galisbay beach is the urban beach of Saint-Martin. Dominated by Fort Louis, it forms the northern part of the large bay of Marigot.
Bathed by sparkling blue waters, it inevitably draws the eye and you will walk along it, taking the seafront road to reach the shops, restaurants and ferry terminal in the city centre. This small roadside beach remains almost deserted during the week but sometimes fills up on holidays.
A treasure fashioned by nature lurks in this wild and preserved place, where one mostly encounters goats. In the rock, the sea has carved natural pools with water so clear that they invite you to take a dip after a hike along the coast. Caution: site not accessible to small children.
Departing from the south of Guana Bay, the coastal path offers a walk through the coastal heath that provides access to Geneve Bay, a wild and rocky beach, an hour’s walk from Guana Bay .
After Hurricane Irma in 2017, however, the path was damaged by the onslaught of the sea and this short hike requires extreme caution. After encountering a few goats and iguanas, and admiring the breathtaking panorama of the island of Saint-Barthélemy, you will discover, embedded in the rock, magnificent pools with clear seawater where you can swim before drying out in the sun on a rock.
In this peaceful and paradisiacal environment, far from the world, it is not uncommon to come across other outdoor enthusiasts. Do not hesitate to arrive early in the morning to avoid embarking on the hike in scorching sunshine.
Grandes Cayes is adorned with vine trees and takes on a wild appearance near the last houses of the Cul-de-Sac. For swimming, it is best to favour days without waves. Its clear waters allow you to admire the superb seabed.
A little further to the west, below Petites Cayes, the beach of Grandes Cayes is a magnificent setting within the perimeter of the Nature Reserve, ideal for spending a relaxing moment admiring the islet of Tintamare just in front, or starting a hike on the Froussards path leading to Anse Marcel.
Grandes Cayes is, as its name suggests, a wide strip of sand with no amenities. It is therefore rare to meet people there, except on public holidays, when the families of Saint-Martin gather around the traditional barbecues.
The clear waters of Grandes Cayes make it a nice diving spot on the reef and it is not uncommon to come across some sea turtles.
The city of Philipsburg, a temple of shopping in the Caribbean, is bordered by a long stretch of sand: a succession of shops, bars and restaurants invite you to relax in front of the turquoise water in the bustling atmosphere of the Dutch capital, which is very popular with the many cruise passengers stopping over.
In the south of the island, Great Bay Beach is a long strip of coastline stretching 3 km along the town. An urban beach par excellence, it is bordered by the Boardwalk on the seafront, often bustling with restaurants, bars, hotels and shops, as well as many casinos.
The calm, turquoise sea of Great Bay provides the ideal environment to relax on a deckchair with a cool drink after a shopping trip to Frontstreet. The beach is very popular with cruise passengers who choose to spend the day in the capital of Sint Maarten before setting off again.
Clusters of coconut palms providing shade, a pure blue lagoon, velvety sand, a few rocks, seashells: Happy Bay is a little wild jewel that reveals itself after travelling along the steep coastline and offers the Caribbean in all its splendour.
Free of any urbanisation and difficult to access, Happy Bay offers an idyllic setting for wilderness lovers in search of peace and tranquillity. Located just above the more touristy beach of Friar’s Bay, this heavenly stretch of sand is worth a short walk of about ten minutes.
Happy Bay hosts the SXM Festival, the largest electronic music festival in the Caribbean, which takes place every March in various locations around Saint-Martin. Happy Bay beach in April also hosts the Holi or ‘Festival of Colours’, according to Hindu tradition.
Sip a cocktail, enjoy grilled lobster with your feet in the water, daydream in the shade of a coconut tree, splash around in the crystal-clear water.
In Saint-Martin, the small island of Pinel is a jewel of fine sand offering unforgettable days in the heart of the Nature Reserve. Accessed by boat, kayak or paddleboard, you will find a small piece of paradise land located on the east coast of Saint-Martin, opposite the bay of Cul-de-Sac.
From the pier, the large car park makes it easy to park and shuttles run every 30 minutes. Pinel is the backdrop to Saint-Martin’s most beautiful postcards, with its sheltered tongue of sand offering shallow waters of absolute calm, ideal for exploring the seabed with mask and snorkel.
You will also find two restaurants that will delight you with their Caribbean specialities, local fish and the inevitable lobster. A short walk along the coast provides access in 10 minutes to the second beach, wild and rocky, offered to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. As night falls, Pinel empties of its visitors except for its official inhabitants, the iguanas and hermit crab that proliferate thanks to the careful protection of the site.
With its shallow waters and coconut palms, Galion beach is popular with parents who can let their children swim without danger. It is also the stronghold of local surfers as a beautiful wave breaks offshore, a popular spot all year round.
The ultimate family beach, Galion Bay, or Coconut Grove, is a natural gem regulated by the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve. Located after Orient Bay, to the south, it is sheltered from the waves by a large coral reef. Its warm, crystal-clear waters are shallow and provide an ideal pool for teaching young children to swim among the sandbars.
On the beach, coconut palms provide ideal shade to protect you from the Caribbean sun. Le Galion is also a favourite place for locals to gather around barbecues during religious and popular festivals.
This picture-postcard beach is a little paradise for resorts that offer their visitors an idyllic setting. At this tranquil spot, you can choose to sit under an umbrella, enjoy the hotel’s restaurants and activities or explore the seabed by snorkelling.
Little Bay Beach, to the southwest, is separated from Great Bay by the peninsula dominated by Fort Amsterdam. Beneath this peninsula, the beach is well protected and offers, with its clear waters and golden sand, heavenly bathing conditions for families. It is by far one of the most beautiful beaches in Saint-Martin.
Surrounded by hotel complexes, Little Bay is mainly frequented by holidaymakers who appreciate its tranquillity and Caribbean beach landscape. The beach remains public, however, and visitors who wish to do so can make use of the resort’s facilities, restaurants, deckchairs and water activities.
Little Bay also offers a beautiful snorkelling site to discover the underwater life along the rocks. From the beach, it is not uncommon to observe pelicans flying over the sea in search of fish.
It is a long, wide strip of fine sand that is very popular and where you will always find a place. The beautiful Mullet Bay has all the makings of a paradise beach with its intense turquoise hues and clear waters.
Located in the south-west, just outside the Maho district, this beautiful beach with pristine sand borders the golf course. Bordered by vegetation that provides shade in places, Mullet Bay creates a magnificent backdrop and is one of the most popular beaches on the island, both for tourists and locals who like to enjoy it on weekends. On one side of the beach you will find a bar/restaurant, deck chairs and umbrellas. On the other hand, the long sand cordon offers plenty of space to spread your towel without disturbing the neighbours.
North of Mullet Bay, a huge rock plunging into the crystal-clear water provides the perfect setting for photo shoots. In good weather Mullet Bay receives visits from many surfers. When the sea is as calm as a lake, do not hesitate to approach the rocks with mask and snorkel: great discoveries await you.
The crystal-clear water and bright sand enchant the resort dwellers who have chosen this magnificent cove to treat themselves to a dream holiday. The site escapes the whims of the sea and offers holiday families a calm sea, ideal for safe swimming.
Lined with resorts, holiday homes and beautiful villas, this enchanting beach offers a magnificent view of Saba Island and the wide beach of Simpson Bay. Pelican is popular with tourists who stay in the resorts and can enjoy the bars and restaurants with their feet in the water. The calm, turquoise and crystal-clear sea, protected from the waves by the rocks, provides a very pleasant setting for families to take advantage of all the facilities.
A small hidden corner is ideal for those seeking tranquillity away from the crowds. This beach, which offers a beautiful view of Marigot Bay, seems to admire Saint-Martin from afar and immerses its visitors in intimacy.
Situated on the tip between Baie Rouge and Baie Nettlé, the Petite Baie can be discovered by ascending from Terres Basses towards the north. Wild and devoid of any urbanisation, it offers, in clear weather, a perfect view of Marigot Bay. Very little frequented, the beach offers ample space for lovers of nature and authenticity.
Located at the crossroads of the winds, it is also ideal for trying your hand at board sports. To its left, between Baie Rouge and Pointe du Bluff, you can discover Trou David or Devil’s Hole, a natural cavity 24 metres deep that holds an extraordinary natural spectacle. This geological wonder, which looks like a natural pool carved out of the sea, is revealed after a short walk between Baie Rouge and Pointe du Bluff, taking the path located at the junction of the Terres Basses and Baie Rouge roads.
As its name suggests, this stretch of fine sand never welcomes many people and this is the reason why it is loved by its regular visitors. Its calm waters form a real lake where bathing is very pleasant. Beautiful sea beds can be discovered by snorkelling in the rocky areas.
Opposite Creole Rock, Petite Plage is the northern extension of Grand Case beach. From the airport road, take the road to the right, where you can park your vehicle on the quay: the beach is at the end on the left after a few steps.
Petite Plage is bordered by a hotel and its restaurant, which offers an exceptional view of the bay, as well as beautiful villas built on the edge. Apart from the hotel’s few sun loungers, the thin strip of sand remains free of any other structures, making it easy to enjoy. Scarcely frequented, Petite Plage offers a real bubble of tranquillity in which to appreciate its transparent waters and white sand.
Sneakers on your feet and a bottle of water are essential to conquer Saint-Martin’s northernmost beach. Petites Cayes is one of Saint-Martin’s secret beaches, offering an end-of-the-world atmosphere and total privacy to those who wish to get off the beaten track.
On the other side of Anse Marcel, in the north of the island, Petites Cayes is a beautiful deserted beach frequented by nature lovers and surfers. This wild paradise can only be conquered and discovered on foot, via the Froussards path, which allows you to admire the island’s last intact coastal forest.
The beach can be reached in about 30 minutes from Anse Marcel or Cul-de-Sac: the site is within the perimeter of the Nature Reserve, and it is therefore forbidden to take samples of the fauna and flora. Along the way, you can admire the famous red-headed cacti. On the section of the path coming from Cul-de-Sac, before reaching Petites Cayes, you will also come across a beach of corals polished by the sea.
This miniature beach is hard to find, which makes it even more fascinating. Hidden behind a steep coastline, the small patch of fine sand can accommodate a little more than two people and guarantees that you will quickly forget the rest of the world in total privacy.
Between Marigot and Friar’s Bay, the coast seems to jut out into the sea, nestled between two rocky outcrops of Pointe Arago, where this little sandy enclave, the Plage des Amoureux, is hidden. Located on the Chemin des Douaniers, however, it remains difficult to find and it is best to have good shoes: you have to go up the Galisbay Port road to the highest point and take the small path.
Bathed by the purest Caribbean Sea, this beauty owes its fame to its long ribbon of sand, sparkling blue waters and the movement that surrounds Juliana Airport. It is a lively beach, thanks to its bars and restaurants that offer beautiful days for lounging on a deckchair.
With its 2 km of fine sand stretching along the runway of Princess Juliana Airport, Simpson Bay is one of the longest beaches in Saint-Martin with a party atmosphere.
At the beach, it is also possible to rent a jet ski, kayak or paddle board to escape into the calm waters of the bay. To the west, before the rocky shoreline of Pointe Burgeaux, a narrow flight of steps leads to the residential area and at the same time provides access to the beach for residents. The sunsets are superb.
An extension of Galion beach, the long strip of sand and mangroves is protected by the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve.
This natural space, free of any human activity, offers an exceptional habitat for local fauna. South of Galion Bay, the Atlantic Ocean communicates with the mangroves where numerous bird species come to nest. With the tides, the water enters the dense vegetation through a natural estuary of pristine sand. This forms a remote beach bordered by crystal-clear waters.
With its wild and natural appearance, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding enthusiasts can take refuge in this quiet corner of Galion Bay. If you look to the horizon, you can see the island of Saint-Barthélemy in the distance.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel