Best Beaches in Sint Maarten
With 37 beaches packed onto one small island, Sint Maarten / Saint Martin has a stretch of sand for every mood — from buzzing beach bars to quiet, calm swimming coves. Here are the ones worth planning your days around.
The must-visit beaches
- Maho Beach — The famous one, where planes pass low overhead on approach to the airport. Lively, with bars right on the sand.
- Orient Bay — The French side's beach-bar capital — long, golden and full of energy, with water sports on offer.
- Mullet Bay — Locals' favourite for calm, clear swimming and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Grand Case — A postcard-perfect bay backed by the island's best restaurants.
Choosing the right beach for the day
If you want atmosphere and people-watching, head to Maho or Orient Bay. For calm, family-friendly swimming, Mullet Bay and Grand Case are hard to beat. Many visitors hire a car for a few days to hop between the Dutch and French sides and find their own favourite.
Beyond the beach
Several of the best beaches are also jumping-off points for the water — snorkel sails, the Anguilla day trip and sunset cruises all start from the coast. It's easy to pair a morning on the sand with an afternoon on the water.
Frequently asked questions
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