Some beaches are made for swimming. Others are better for lunch, sunset, snorkeling, families, beach clubs or quiet escape. Before you pick a spot on the map, here’s how to choose the St Martin beach that actually fits your day.
Editor’s note
St Martin has a beach for every kind of day. And after living here for more than 25 years, I still haven’t grown tired of discovering new corners of this coastline.
That’s probably what makes this island different from so many others in the Caribbean. The variety feels almost disproportionate to its size. In less than thirty minutes, you can leave behind the music and beach bars of Orient Bay and find yourself alone at Happy Bay, with nothing around you except the sound of the waves and a few pelicans gliding overhead.
Some beaches are made for long lunches and rosé by the water. Others are better early in the morning, before the island fully wakes up. Some are perfect for families, some for snorkeling, some for watching planes land impossibly low over the ocean… and some are simply places you keep to yourself for as long as possible.
I didn’t put this guide together after a quick vacation here. These are the beaches I genuinely return to, season after season — the ones I recommend to friends when they visit, and the ones travelers keep talking about long after they’ve gone home.
So whether you’re looking for calm turquoise water, hidden coves, lively beach clubs, sunset views, snorkeling spots, or just a beautiful stretch of sand to spend the afternoon doing absolutely nothing, this guide will help you find the right beach for your version of St Martin.
French side beaches
The French side is where St Martin slows down into long beach days, clear water, seaside lunches and small villages with a very different rhythm. From lively Orient Beach to the quieter coves of Anse Marcel, Friar’s Bay and Baie Rouge, these are the beaches visitors remember long after the trip.
The island’s most famous beach village, with white sand, restaurants, water sports and that unmistakable French-side energy.
Explore Orient Beach
A calm beach village where sunset, restaurants and local flavor make the evening feel almost effortless.
Discover Grand Case
A tiny island escape reached by ferry, with shallow turquoise water and a softer, slower beach day.
Plan Pinel Island
A sheltered bay with calm water, a marina atmosphere and one of the most peaceful beach settings on the island.
Explore Anse Marcel
Easygoing, local and family-friendly, with soft sand, calm water and a relaxed French-side beach mood.
See Friar’s Bay
A dramatic west-side beach with deeper blue water, red cliffs and one of the island’s most striking shorelines.
Discover Baie RougeDutch side beaches
The Dutch side has a different energy: brighter, busier, easier to combine with shopping, nightlife, plane spotting or a cruise stop. From the boardwalk in Philipsburg to the spectacle of Maho, the long curve of Simpson Bay and the dramatic cliffs of Cupecoy, these beaches show another side of the island.
The easiest beach for cruise visitors, with duty-free shopping, restaurants, beach bars and the lively boardwalk just behind the sand.
Explore Philipsburg
The famous plane-spotting beach where jets pass low over the sand and the whole beach turns into a show.
See Maho Beach
A long, open stretch of sand with calmer corners, beach bars nearby and easy access to the Dutch side’s restaurants and nightlife.
Discover Simpson Bay
Golden cliffs, hidden coves, changing sand and one of the most dramatic sunset moods on the Dutch side.
Explore CupecoyOne of St Maarten’s most loved beaches, with calm turquoise water, soft sand and a classic Dutch side beach-day feeling.
Guide coming soonGetting around
Honestly? Yes — if you really want to experience the best beaches in St Martin, renting a car makes a huge difference.
Some places like Philipsburg, Maho, or Orient Beach are relatively easy to reach by taxi or local bus. But many of the island’s most beautiful beaches — especially on the French side — are tucked away behind hills, residential areas, or small coastal roads that public transportation simply doesn’t cover well.
Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Baie aux Prunes, Happy Bay, Anse Marcel, Cupecoy, and Dawn Beach all become much easier and far more enjoyable with your own vehicle.
And beyond practicality, having a car completely changes the rhythm of your trip here. St Martin works best when you can move around freely depending on the weather, the wind, the mood of the day, or simply that sudden urge to stop at a beach bar you noticed while driving past.
Rental prices usually range somewhere between $40 and $70 per day depending on the season and vehicle type. During high season — especially between December and April — cars book out surprisingly early, so reserving in advance is strongly recommended.
If you’re planning to rent a car during your stay, I also put together a complete guide explaining how driving works in St Martin, what prices to expect, and where most travelers usually book their rental cars.
Good to know before you go
Practical answers to help you choose the right beach, understand the French side and Dutch side differences, and plan your beach days around the island.
Most people would say Pinel Island — a small uninhabited island off the French side with shallow turquoise water and no cars. Orient Beach is the most iconic and complete. For dramatic scenery, Baie Rouge and Cupecoy are in a category of their own.
Yes — all beaches in St Martin and Sint Maarten are public and free of charge. Beach clubs at Orient Beach charge for lounger rental, but access to the sand and water is always free.
The French side, Saint-Martin, has Orient Beach, Pinel Island, Grand Case Beach, Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Baie aux Prunes, Happy Bay, Friar's Bay, and Anse Marcel. The Dutch side, Sint Maarten, has Maho Beach, Simpson Bay, Great Bay in Philipsburg, Kim Sha, Indigo Bay, Cupecoy, and Dawn Beach. There's no border control — you can drive freely between both sides.
For most beaches, yes. Orient Beach and Philipsburg are accessible by public transport, but Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Anse Marcel, Happy Bay, Cupecoy, and Dawn Beach all require a car. Renting a car for at least a few days is strongly recommended if you want to explore beyond the main tourist areas.
Friar's Bay is the top pick — sheltered, calm water, good shade, and three beach restaurants. Pinel Island is another excellent option for families: shallow water, no current, and a relaxed atmosphere. Grand Case Beach has a roped-off swimming area for young children.
Pinel Island has good snorkeling around the rocks on its exposed side. Creole Rock near Grand Case is the best dedicated snorkeling spot on the island — accessible only by boat tour. Dawn Beach on the Dutch side also has solid snorkeling around the northern rocks.
December through April is high season — dry, sunny, and reliably calm. January and February are the peak busy months. May through August is quieter and still excellent beach weather. September and October bring the highest hurricane risk and are best avoided for beach-focused travel.