Top Beaches in St Martin & St Maarten: From Orient Bay to Great Bay
St Martin / St Maarten is one island with two vibes – French flair on one side, Dutch energy on the other – and a beach for every mood. Think calm coves, long sandy bays, clear snorkeling spots, and easy boardwalk days with a cocktail in reach. This local guide covers the headline names you’re already hearing—Orient Beach St Martin, Grand Case St Martin, Marigot St Martin, and Great Bay Beach St Maarten—plus a few quieter favorites for when you want space and serenity. You’ll find practical tips on getting around, the best season for beach time, and how to dodge the crowds on cruise-heavy days. Ready to beach-hop like a local? Let’s go.
Orient Beach, St Martin (Baie Orientale)
If the island had a poster child, Orient would be it—a long arc of soft white sand on the Atlantic side with turquoise water, steady breeze, and lots going on. It’s the most active of the St Martin beaches: think kitesurfing, windsurfing, parasailing, and a string of casual beach clubs renting loungers by the day. The bay runs for roughly two kilometers, so you can choose your scene—lively near the clubs or quieter as you wander north.
Good to know: most of the beach is standard swimwear. The clothing-optional tradition sits at the southern end near the former Club Orient, and it’s well signposted—easy to avoid or embrace depending on your vibe.
Why go: a “do-it-all” day—water sports, people-watching, and easy lunches on the sand. Families love the shallow entry in calm conditions; adrenaline fans love the wind. If you’re choosing just one of the beaches in St Maarten/St Martin island beaches for a full day, Orient is a safe first pick.
Grand Case, St Martin
Grand Case is where a mellow beach meets an A+ food scene. The bay is calm and swimmable, with views across to Anguilla, and the village behind it is famous for lolos—open-air Creole grills serving ribs, chicken, and fresh fish right by the water. Arrive mid-afternoon, float awhile, then slip into a lolo for sunset. It’s the perfect “swim + feast” combo and a softer alternative to busier stretches of St Martin beaches.
Pro tip: Tuesdays in high season often bring a lively evening market/festival—fun if you’re around. Parking is roadside; arrive earlier for the easiest spots.
Marigot, St Martin (Market, Fort & Ferry)
Marigot isn’t the island’s top swimming spot, but it is a great beach-day add-on: breakfast at a French bakery, a wander through the waterfront market (busiest Wednesday and Saturday mornings), and a quick climb to Fort Louis for sweeping views over the harbor and Anguilla. If you’re island-hopping, the public ferry to Anguilla departs from here; bring your passport and buy tickets on site.
Why go: culture + views + logistics in one stop. Pair Marigot with a nearby bay (Friar’s, Happy Bay) or hit it on your driving loop before a late swim.
Great Bay Beach, St Maarten (Philipsburg)
Big, easy, central. Great Bay Beach St Maarten fronts the whole of Philipsburg with a wide boardwalk lined with bars, cafés, and chair rentals. The water is typically calm—excellent for a lazy swim between shopping runs on Front Street, the heart of duty-free. On heavy cruise ship days it’s buzzing by late morning; on ship-free days you might have huge stretches almost to yourself.
Why go: maximum convenience—sun, a swim, a cold drink, and shops within flip-flop distance. If you’re time-poor, this is the “one-hour beach day” that still feels like a vacation.
Other Not-to-Miss Beaches (Quick Hits)
Friar’s Bay → Happy Bay trail
Friar’s is a friendly cove with three easygoing beach cafés. From its north end, a 10–15 minute footpath (about 0.4–0.5 miles) leads to Happy Bay, an undeveloped, palm-ringed cove that feels worlds away. Bring water; there are no facilities at Happy Bay. This duo is perfect for a half-day of “lunch at Friar’s, swim at Happy.”
Mullet Bay (Dutch side)
A classic: bright white sand, Caribbean-blue water, and snorkeling along the rocky north end. Weekends draw locals and grills; weekdays are calmer. It’s a short hop from Maho (the plane-landing beach), making it an easy pairing.
Practical Tips for Better Beach Days
Getting around
No Uber/Lyft. Although there is a startup offering Taxis via an app. Taxis run on fixed zone fares; confirm price before you ride and carry small cash.
Minibuses (shared vans) are cheap and frequent along main routes (Philipsburg–Maho, Philipsburg–Marigot, Marigot–Grand Case). Wave them down; pay the driver when you hop off.
Driving is the easiest way to string beaches together—just don’t leave valuables visible in the car.
When to go
Dec–Apr: drier, breezier, “golden” beach weather (peak season).
May–Jun & November: great shoulder months with fewer crowds.
Jul–Oct: hotter, chance of showers (hurricane season)—but quieter beaches and deals abound.
Crowds
Philipsburg/Great Bay fills fast on heavy cruise days. Check port schedules; swap days if multiple ships are in.
Safety & etiquette
Swim within your comfort, watch for rip currents on rough days (swim parallel to shore if pulled). Reef-safe sunscreen, please. On the French side, topless is common; full nudity is limited to the old Orient’s Club area in the far corner of Orient Bay and very secluded coves—be respectful with cameras.
Planning Your Beach-Forward Trip
Want to add a little adventure to the sand time? Browse and book trusted tours on our Activities page—snorkel boats to Creole Rock, Pinel Island days, sunset sails, and more. If you prefer a boat to yourselves, check our Private Charters—perfect for custom stops (Happy Bay by sea, Tintamarre turtles…).
Map: The Beaches Mentioned (& more)
Quick FAQs
Yes—most of it is classic beachwear with rentals and casual restaurants. The clothing-optional area is limited to the far south.
Mullet Bay’s north end is a great, easy pick. For boat-access reefs, look at Creole Rock and Tintamarre (bookable here).
Great Bay Beach St Maarten is walkable from the ship. On busy days, consider a taxi to Mullet Bay or Orient Beach.
Wrapping Up Your Beach Days in St Martin & St Maarten
Whether you’re chasing the lively vibe of Orient Beach, the foodie sunsets of Grand Case, or the convenience of Great Bay Beach in Philipsburg, the island really does have a shoreline for every mood. The smaller coves like Friar’s Bay, Happy Bay, and Mullet remind you that some of the best St Martin beaches are still the simplest ones.
If you want to go beyond the sand, a private boat charter or guided snorkel trip can add that “off-the-map” touch—think turtles at Tintamarre, or a lazy swim at Pinel Island.
Ready to plan your perfect day? Check out our EXPLR.SX Activities and Private Charters to make your beach-hopping even easier.