GREAT ST. MAARTEN BEACHES YOU JUST MUST VISIT!

If you’re visiting St. Maarten, even just for a day, these are some of the St. Maarten beaches you shouldn’t miss!

We’ve been to St. Maarten a few times now, always visiting for a day during a cruise stop. Even though we’re only there for a short time, we always try to make the most of it. That usually means spending the day enjoying one of the island’s stunning beaches. This blog post is all about four must-visit beaches in St. Maarten, perfect for first-time visitors or anyone looking to experience the island’s best beaches!

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WHERE IS ST. MAARTEN?

St. Maarten is a small but beautiful island in the Caribbean that combines both Dutch and French cultures. It’s close to Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Puerto Rico. The island is actually split into two parts – Sint Maarten, which belongs to the Netherlands, and Saint Martin, which belongs to France.

Even though it’s owned by two different countries, the island works perfectly as one, and there are no borders you have to cross. You can explore the whole island easily, either by tour or on your own, or just spend the day relaxing on one of its beaches. The first time we visited, we did a full island tour and loved it. Since then, we’ve just enjoyed the beautiful beaches and that’s exactly what this blog post is all about!

4 GREAT ST. MAARTEN BEACHES YOU SHOULD VISIT WHILE ON THE ISLAND

ORIENT BAY BEACH

Orient Bay Beach is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in St. Maarten, located on the French side of the island. We visited it on our first trip during an island tour and were absolutely blown away. The beach stretches for about 3 km, and with soft white sand and clear blue water it’s truly stunning.

Besides its natural beauty, the beach is lined with restaurants, beach bars, and water sports centers, so there’s always something to do. Some of the most popular spots are the stylish beach clubs and restaurants like Coco Beach, Kontiki, and Bikini Beach, where you can enjoy delicious French and Caribbean dishes. They also offer lounge chairs, umbrellas, and full food-and-drink service right on the sand. We personally visited Kontiki, and it was fantastic. They offer great drinks, clean restrooms, and a really beautiful setup.

Do keep in mind that parts of the beach are clothing-optional, which is common on the French side, but most areas are family-friendly. The southern end near Club Orient is known as a naturist resort, while the rest of the beach is perfect for all visitors.

MAHO BEACH

Maho Beach is one of the most famous and thrilling beaches in the world, but not because of typical beach activities. It’s located on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, right next to Princess Juliana International Airport, which is exactly why it’s so popular. What makes Maho Beach so unique is that planes fly incredibly low overhead as they come in for landing.

They pass so close that you can actually feel the jet blast and hear the engines roar right above you. It’s a favorite spot for aviation lovers, photographers, and anyone looking for an unforgettable experience. We always stop by Maho Beach when visiting the island, not so much for swimming, but for the excitement of watching the planes. The beach itself is quite small, the water gets deep quickly, and it can be rough, especially when planes take off.

Right by the beach, you’ll find bars and restaurants like Sunset Bar & Grill and Driftwood Boat Bar, where you can grab a drink, enjoy local food, and watch everything from small private planes to massive international jets fly overhead. We had a drink and snack at Sunset Bar, and it was amazing. Great food, great views, and such a fun experience overall!

MULLET BAY BEACH

Mullet Bay Beach is one of the most beautiful and relaxing beaches on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, and it’s one that locals often recommend. It’s located just a short drive from Maho Beach, and you can even walk there like we did. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes. Although it’s close to Maho, it offers a completely different atmosphere. It’s calm, natural, and perfect for a relaxing beach day. It can get busy during high season, but it’s nowhere near as crowded as Maho Beach.

Mullet Bay Beach has soft white sand, clear blue water, and beautiful scenic views. The water is usually calm and great for swimming, snorkeling, or paddleboarding, though it can get a bit wavy when the wind picks up. It was quite wavy when we visited, but people seemed to enjoy it anyway.

There are a few local vendors renting out chairs and umbrellas. When we visited, two chairs with an umbrella were $30 for the day, or you could pay $10 per hour if you’re staying for a shorter time. You’ll also find Da Waterhole Bar and Restaurant, a popular beach bar where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat. We stopped there for a drink. It was nice, though a bit pricey. They also offer Wi-Fi, restrooms, and showers for $10 a day if you need them.

GREAT BAY BEACH

Great Bay Beach is right in the heart of Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten, and it’s one of the island’s most accessible and lively beaches. It’s over a mile long and it goes along the waterfront, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and more right nearby.

The beach has soft, wide sand and calm, clear waters perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or paddleboarding. It’s a great spot and I highly recommend it. Since it’s so close to the cruise ship port, it’s a favorite for cruisers who don’t want to travel far. If you just want to relax, this beach is ideal.

You can walk here from the cruise port in under 15 minutes. Sunbeds are affordable, the water is amazing, and the atmosphere is fun and friendly, with music playing and people strolling between the beach and shops. It’s a great place to spend a full day by the sea with a view of your ship!

CONCLUSION: GREAT ST. MAARTEN BEACHES

These are the four St. Maarten beaches I’d highly recommend. We loved all of them, but if you only have one day, take a taxi to Maho Beach ($18 return per person) to see the incredible plane landings. After that, head back to Philipsburg and spend a few hours at Great Bay Beach. Next time, we’ll explore more of the island, but I can safely say each of these beaches is amazing in its own way.