While it is always smart to plan on spending time exploring any destinations you visit, you don’t want to end up wasting your precious holiday hours searching for the best spots to relax and rejuvenate. Never is this truer than when it comes to beaches, and if you are planning a visit to stunning St. Martin, you don’t want to find yourself driving around for a day or two to locate a beach that fits your wishes, wants and needs.
So, allow us to help you cut to the chase, or even avoid the chase altogether by offering you this straight to the beach guide for the many idyllic beaches in St. Martin.
The Most Famous
If you want to head to the beach that is often described as the most famous on the island, it has to be Orient Beach. Loaded with great restaurants, bars, beach shacks and water sports, it is the place to see and be seen.
Naturally, this means it can be crowded, but it does have excellent services and amenities. You can, quite literally, find or do anything you had imagined. Whether it is learning a non-motor water sport, sunbathing on sugary white sands, or enjoying good surf (though it can be a bit rough for swimming during certain times of year), this is the place to be.
Note: it is also a good day to evening beach, allowing you to spend a day along the sands and enjoy the activities before heading out for the nightlife that surrounds it.
The Alternative to Busier Spots
If Orient Bay is the most famous, and Maho Bay Beach a close second, then Mullet Bay Beach is for those who want surf-friendly waves, safe swimming, silken sands and an unprecedented level of peace and quiet. True beachgoers pick this one repeatedly, though there are no restrooms nearby, there are two “lolos” noted for their amazing food and their services.
The Romantic and Quiet Beach
If your wish is to find a secluded little beach with good sands, good water and no crowds, then it has to be Plum Bay Beach. It is close to Long Bay and well known to surfers, but during the weekdays it is nearly empty. It is truly one of the most peaceful places to relax on the sands, but if you wish to take in some scenery, just follow this beach to its northern end where you then reach “Falais des Oiseaux.” This is Bird Cliff and from here you head to the French side of the island.
Because it is so peaceful and remote, there are no chair rentals or other suppliers. This means you should be prepared to tote in and tote out, but it is well worth it, especially at sunset. With its western orientation, this beach offers a truly unprecedented place to savor a Caribbean sunset and views of Saba Island in the distance.
The Beach Even More Remote
If you are thinking along the lines of your own private island oasis of peace and tranquility, then it should be Happy Bay Beach. Set in the northwestern area of the island, you must reach this on foot or by boat. Some of the upscale villas nearby have private paths to the sands, but you should not use them. Instead, stick to the path that is located alongside the last beach bar at the far end of Friars’ Bay and remember to bring some snorkel gear as the waters here are idyllic.
The Destination
Lastly, if you want to experience an unforgettable day at the beach, why not make it one that is reached only by boat or paddle boat offshore from the island of St. Martin itself? Pinel Island is a treasure with its gorgeous snorkeling, its charming Caribbean restaurant and its little beaches and paths that provide an unforgettable day.