There are no border controls and it’s easy to cross between the two territories. The bay is popular with both tourists and locals. Travelers favorites include #1 Sailing, Yachting and Boat Tours, #2 Orient Bay (St. Martin) and more. The Dutch side is all about fun and entertainment. The currents are strong at times, so take care. Accommodation here includes lovely villas perched on cliffs that provide wonderful views. The Southern 40% of the island is owned by the Dutch. The amenities here are fairly good, supporting a lovely white sandy beach which attracts holidaymakers who want to relax or get involved in water sports. St Maarten, St Maarten & St Martin. The beach itself is around three kilometers long and the west beach is generally fairly quiet; an ideal place to relax for families wanting to avoid significant crowds. It is an easy drive from Philipsburg and well sign-posted. This remote cove is tranquil due to its remoteness. You can sunbathe, snorkel and dive, with caves to explore as well. French Side - Caribbean Sea It takes a little driving and an adventurous spirit to find this little Bay/Beach. A causeway was built a few years ago, which increased the attractiveness of the lagoon. It is just a short distance from Simpson Bay, behind the bridge close to the lagoon. Code: F=French Side D=Dutch Side W=Windward (East) Side L=Leeward (West) Side. The sand is strikingly black and the beach is deliciously secluded; it is certainly a place where you will be able to relax. Saint Martin, the French side, has closed its borders to the Dutch side — meaning U.S. visitors are not able to visit the French side of the island right now. It is never too crowded – even though it is fairly close to urban development – but does tend to get a little more busy at weekends. 4 4 . These are the most romantic places for beaches in St Martin / St Maarten: Popular St Martin / St Maarten Categories, Commonly searched for in St Martin / St Maarten, "Mullet bay has a great clean beach Beach chairs and umberellas, "Had a lovely day swimming in the Caribbean waters, lounging on, "... waiting for a new owner to tear them down and rebuild.The south end of the bay is where you'll find the, "The white sand, water temperature and surf are always perfect! They are all easily accessible and if you have a holiday on St. Maarten, you should give as many as possible a try. There are resort hotels, condos, and small houses. 25 Most Beautiful Medieval Castles in the World, 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up, 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 13 Things to Do in Rancho Santa Margarita (CA), 15 Best Things to Do in Cathedral City (CA), Cupecoy: BlueOrange Studio / shutterstock, Mullet Bay: Photostravellers / shutterstock, Simpson Bay West: Travel Bug / shutterstock. This Bay looks across to St. Barths Island – another in the Leewards. The waves are gentle and sunsets especially impressive. https://www.thecrazytourist.com/14-best-beaches-in-st-maarten The northerly winds make this a good spot for surfers. The Northern 60% of the island is owned by the French. There are bars and restaurants close to the beach. What are the best places for beaches in St Martin / St Maarten? On the south-west tip of St. Martin, vacationers will find a series of three smaller beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs known collectively as Cupecoy Beach. As the name suggests, sunrise is a lovely time here looking across to St. Barths. While reaching Maho Beach, Mullet Bay and Cupecoy from Philipsburg is easy and convenient with local transport, the best beaches on the French side of the island are most easily accessed by renting a car. Juliana Airport, Things to do near (SFG) Esperance Airport, See more beaches in St Martin / St Maarten on Tripadvisor, See more beaches for kids in St Martin / St Maarten on Tripadvisor, See more beaches for couples in St Martin / St Maarten on Tripadvisor, See more beaches for groups in St Martin / St Maarten on Tripadvisor, See more budget-friendly beaches in St Martin / St Maarten on Tripadvisor, See more romantic beaches in St Martin / St Maarten on Tripadvisor. Cupecoy Beach. Our January 2021 property listings offer a selection of 22 vacation rentals near St Martin French Side. Nestled amongst the islands of the Caribbean, this half French half Dutch island is full of amazing beaches for all tastes and interests. There are also a couple of shipwrecks to investigate. The local snack bar serves cold drinks and sometimes there are additional mobile vendors. There are no restrooms at the beach but there may be facilities at nearby businesses. Read on and learn more about the Best Beaches in St. Maarten. The French part covering the north is called St. Martin, while the south called St. Maarten belongs to the Netherlands. These are the best places for kid-friendly beaches in St Martin / St Maarten: Which places provide the best beaches in St Martin / St Maarten for couples? The currents and undertow are fairly strong, so swimmers should take care; the waters become more dangerous later in the day. There is a lovely island in the Leewards in the Caribbean that is divided largely east by west; it belongs to two countries. These are the best places for budget-friendly beaches in St Martin / St Maarten: Mullet Bay; Tintamarre Island; Grand Case Beach; Little Bay Beach; Happy Bay Beach; See more budget-friendly beaches in St Martin / St Maarten … It’s a lovely little beach close to Oyster Pond Marina. Orient Bay beach is most probably the most busy beach on the French side of St. Maarten / St. Martin. Maarten is a small island, roughly 5 x 8 miles, St. Martin can be traversed in an hour or two by car, but getting through Marigot on the French side or … The island of St. Martin is divided between Dutch Sint Maarten and French St. Martin. Search our St Maarten real estate listings and discover the finest property for sale in Dutch St Maarten and French St ... 2.5 acres of land for sale in St Martin located a stroll from the beach within the exclusive residential enclave of Terres Basses. Swimming is fine because a small reef offshore results in fairly calm water. It is party time at Kim Sha – day and night, there will always be action. The Family Beach (Dutch Side): Maho Beach It takes an hour’s hike to reach Geneve Bay but swimmers are rewarded with excellent waves for surfing and decent waters for swimming – when shelter is afforded against the Atlantic. On St. Martin/St. You will find bars and restaurants nearby, a playground for kids and water sports equipment for hire. Safe 'nude' spots besides Orient Beach are Baie Rouge and Happy Bay next to Friars Bay. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf961axjJ4Y/?tagged=burgeauxbeach. Located in the heart of Terres Basses on the western coast of the island, Long Bay is the first beach you come across on St. Martin’s French side when coming north from the Dutch side. There has yet to be any hotel development, with the beach largely used by locals. The facilities are excellent and there are usually few people to enjoy them. Cruise passengers also appear here at times, as well as locals at weekends. This is the first sand after heading south across the border from Saint Martin. The best places to stay near St Martin French Side for a holiday or a weekend are on Find Rentals. THE BEST BEACHES OF FRENCH ST MARTIN. Snorkelers explore under the water, while jet skiers, paddle boats and parasailers all add to the activities available here. One of the longest beaches on the island, Long Bay stretches from the resort at La Samanna on the left to Pointe du Canonnier on the right. Simpson Bay runs along the side of Princess Juliana International Airport and a small fishing village. More than just a Caribbean beach bar, it’s a daytime resort. The lush vegetation provides a lovely contrast with the hues of the sand, sea and the marine life below. It is also one of St. Martin’s quietest beaches—only the gentle lapping of the … The real night-life is on the Dutch side. Leeward side beaches … There are some laws that differ (casinos are allowed on the Dutch side, but not the French… Hurricane Irma last autumn had an impact on the beach, with a lot of seaweed needing to be cleared. https://www.instagram.com/p/BnRw_hbAeu7/?tagged=dawnbeach. The French side of Saint Martin is what island life is all about: a laid-back attitude, fine food, pristine beaches, unspoiled nature, and an appreciation for the finer things in life. Right at the end of the Simpson Bay Village, you'll find two beach bars: The Boon as part of the Mary's Boon Resort but open to the public and Karakter, an active beach bar with great drinks and food. Below are our best beaches in St Maarten for Couples, Families and the naturalist! Make sure you enjoy the lovely seafood when you visit one of the local restaurants. It is off the main road to Grand Case driving North from Marigot. Those in search of calm waters and soft, white sand should head to the south of St. Maarten in search of this beach. Snorkelers and scuba divers happily search under the waves for marine life in the numerous coral reefs. It uses the Euro, and its capital city is Marigot 3. "Orient Beach, literally has something for everyone... "While this was once a tourist attraction with all the, "Great location if you are looking for a quiet relaxing, "... bay every time we go to St Martin, really a beautiful place with friendly people and a couple of nice places to grab a drink and take in the beauty or get a kayak, paddleboard, sailboat or just, "Kim Sha was cleared out and cleaned up after Irma and now, "Found this little outdoor bar hidden treasure spot for beauty, great surf and amazing waterside rocks to sit on an enjoy an adult beverage while one with, "Clothing optional is accepted here so don’t be surprised if you look down from the cliffs and find, "There are chairs and umbrellas available to rent, water sports for the kids when they want more than to play in the ocean, and there are several restaurants (and bathrooms) right on the, "Although it may be getting busier and I haven't been there for over a year, Dawn, Last Minute Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Romantic Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Diamond Resorts in St Martin / St Maarten, Sonesta Hotels And Resorts in St Martin / St Maarten, St Martin / St Maarten Hotels with Free Parking, Pet Friendly Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Oceanfront Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Honeymoon Resorts in St Martin / St Maarten, All Inclusive Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, All Inclusive Resorts in St Martin / St Maarten, St Martin / St Maarten Hot Tub Suite Hotels, St Martin / St Maarten All Inclusive Honeymoon Resorts, St Martin / St Maarten Cheap Pet Friendly Hotels, St Martin / St Maarten Cheap Beach Hotels, All things to do in St Martin / St Maarten, Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, Boat Tours & Water Sports in St Martin / St Maarten, Bodies of Water in St Martin / St Maarten, Spas & Wellness in St Martin / St Maarten, Sights & Landmarks in St Martin / St Maarten, Classes & Workshops in St Martin / St Maarten, Casinos & Gambling in St Martin / St Maarten, Concerts & Shows in St Martin / St Maarten, Things to do near (SXM) Princ. The lovely beach and the clear blue sea make Maho a great place to spend the day. A stand-out amongst all the choices is Kakao Beach Bar. While the waters are rough, they are shallow, so perfectly safe. Take note that there are no restrooms on site. The beach is almost perfect, with powdery white sand, but at high tide the shore becomes narrow. There is little doubt that the beaches in St. Maarten compare favorably with anything found in the whole of the Caribbean. Maho Beach, St Martin / St Maarten: "Is Maho beach on the Dutch side, or the French..." | Check out answers, plus see 5,423 reviews, articles, and 4,143 photos of Maho Beach, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 16 attractions in St Martin / St Maarten. Hurricane Irma had little effect on the area and there is accommodation available locally. Orient Bay Beach: Orient Beach French side - See 5,026 traveler reviews, 1,988 candid photos, and great deals for Orient Bay, St Martin / St Maarten, at Tripadvisor. Our tiny, 37 square miles of island includes 37 beaches — some of them are “clothing optional” (on the French side). These places are best for beaches in St Martin / St Maarten: Which places provide the best beaches in St Martin / St Maarten for kids and families? Great Bay is separated from Little Bay by Fort Amsterdam Peninsula, which is becoming an important haven for birdlife thanks to replanting by the Nature Foundation. St. Martin/St. To reach the beach, just walk down any of the small paths between the villas and cottages. Access to the beach is fairly easy but please note there are no restrooms. The lovely sands in this bay run close to a golf course, which is an added attraction for tourists. Enjoy a stroll, take in the sunset and then enjoy fine dining. There has been a fair amount of development in this lovely bay which faces across to Simpson Bay. Happily, things have now largely returned to normal. With nearby fitness centers and sports facilities, it is difficult to do absolutely nothing, but the option is always there. This beach is right in the heart of Philipsburg. It is rarely crowded and is a great hit for those interested in water sports. It is popular with horse trekkers, mountain bikers and walkers, while the underwater landscape is enjoyed by snorkelers and divers. 4. https://www.instagram.com/p/BUnVvZDAALG/?tagged=genevebay. Yachts got access and tourist accommodation and infrastructure developed. Guana has no shade, so it is advisable to bring umbrellas for shade and a picnic. The nature park on the eastern edge of the bay is certainly worth exploring. These are the best places for couples seeking beaches in St Martin / St Maarten: Which places provide the best beaches in St Martin / St Maarten for groups? The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable stay with your family and friends. On the French side, there are many empty beaches and visitors can dress or undress as they please - again, nobody really cares - no matter what official publications state. As a result, it is close to numerous bars and restaurants. Check current conditions through these three SXM beach cams: Club Orient Beach Cam Sunset Bar & Grill Webcam at Maho Beach (SXM Airport) Great Bay Beach Cam (SXM Harbor) Windward side beaches face easterly tradewinds and tend to be windier. St. Maarten’s beaches are abundant on the French Side just as much on the Dutch side. While enjoying an evening in one of the beach’s bars is tempting, at least wait until after the sunset, which is said to be one of the best on the entire island. By day, visitors to this beach can enjoy the sun’s rays, swim in the lovely water and try out a range of water sports. Kali’s Beach Bar and Restaurant is the main attraction with a … This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The French wanted to colonize this island and the rest that lay between the British owned island of … A promenade runs along its whole length and at the eastern end there are cruise ship berths. The whole island has developed as a popular tourist island, with lovely beaches, warm blue waters, and at the end of the day, a vibrant nightlife. Situated on the Windward side of the island with a great view of Tintamarre island. These are the best places for budget-friendly beaches in St Martin / St Maarten: Which places provide the most romantic beaches in St Martin / St Maarten? Be careful not to leave anything lying around, because it could blow away! Detailed Info on St. Martin / St. Maarten Beaches. Beach parties are just part of what is going on when the sun goes down. Maho is right at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport; crowds gather here to watch planes take off. This beach resembles the French Riviera with its many restaurants and bars all on the beach showcasing fine French cuisine, grill styled food to local cuisine. Those wanting a nice beach that is close to urban development should head to Burgeaux. St Martin / Sint Maarten Island is actually two countries: St Martin is French, and Sint Maarten is Dutch. Strände in St Martin / St Maarten: Schauen Sie sich Bewertungen und Fotos von 10 strände in St Martin / St Maarten, Karibik auf Tripadvisor an. When Hurricane Irma struck in autumn 2017, there was considerable damage to the beach and the Sunset Beach Bar behind it. You will see plenty of places to shop and have fun along the length of the promenade. The coral reef offshore attracts divers and snorkelers, but the waters are a challenge to young children or poor swimmers. St Maarten - what an amazing little Island! The French side of Saint Martin is what island life is all about: excellent island food, pristine beaches, unspoiled nature, and an appreciation for the fine things in life. It is fun to look for shells and sea urchins in this little stony cove, which is just a small strip of sand with palm trees and villas surrounding it. more, #45 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #48 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #52 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #53 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #54 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #59 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #63 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #65 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #66 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #67 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #69 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #71 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #77 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #85 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #96 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #97 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #113 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #158 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #163 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten, #194 of 248 Outdoor Activities in St Martin / St Maarten. Ranking of the top 13 things to do in St. Martin - St. Maarten. Water sports are particularly in demand here. Turn left at the sign on the main road and drive through a residential area of fairly new houses for a mile or so. Once on the beach, you will see how clean and well-maintained the sands are. The water is fairly calm, making it good for swimmers. The road goes over a little bridge and then heads straight to the beach. It is popular, but not to the extent that it detracts from your enjoyment. Sint Maarten/Saint Martin is such a unique jewel of the planet: 1. $1,200,000 . Cupecoy has a series of small beaches located below ochre-colored cliffs. Around the bend from Great Bay, you will come across Little Bay. Generally speaking, the eastern Windward side of the island, since it is exposed to the blowing trade winds, is more suitable for body surfing and windsurfing. The environment is fairly rugged, with hills behind the coastline. 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