Saint-Martin is said to have thirty-seven beaches. You can’t do them all in one trip — and you don’t need to. Here are the ones worth the drive, split between the French and Dutch sides, each with the part that matters most: where to park and what to expect on the ground.

How to read this pick

  • Families: Orient Bay (south end), Pinel Island, Mullet Bay, Le Galion (a very calm lagoon, ideal for small children).
  • Lively scene: Orient Bay (centre), Maho, Kim Sha.
  • Wild beaches: Happy Bay, Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Petites Cayes.
  • Quiet swim near a village: Grand Case, Friar’s Bay, Anse Marcel.

A slightly raised vehicle from our fleet handles the dirt access tracks with no trouble; a compact is fine for beaches on a paved road.

Orient Bay, the most complete

The island’s big beach, on the east coast: nearly two kilometres of pale sand, turquoise water, a reef that cuts the swell, beach restaurants, water sports, and a clothing-optional south end. This is the “spend the day here” beach: loungers, showers, food, monitored parking.

Access: the Baie Orientale road off the D38, between Cul-de-Sac and Le Galion. Several paid private lots behind the beach clubs; more limited free parking toward the north end. Arrive before 10am in high season.

Good to know: wind and chop in the afternoon on some days; the south end of the bay is more sheltered.

Baie Rouge, wild and photogenic

On the Lowlands peninsula in the west: a beach of pale, faintly pink sand framed by low cliffs, with a rock arch at the western tip you can reach on foot at low tide. Two beach shacks, little natural shade, good waves on some days (mind the currents).

Access: the Terres Basses road, “Baie Rouge” sign, a short dirt track to a free lot. Nothing visible in the car: the lot is isolated.

Baie Longue, the largest and calmest

Still in the Lowlands, right next door: over a kilometre of sand, almost no facilities, often crystal-clear water. This is the beach for long walks and sunsets facing Anguilla. The one large hotel at one end doesn’t crowd the rest.

Access: a small public roadside lot; otherwise, park along the road.

Grand Case, beach and food

The village beach in the north: calm, sheltered, pale sand — perfect for a swim before or after lunch on the boulevard. Grand Case is the island’s food capital — well-known restaurants on one side, lolos (Creole barbecue served at long shared tables) on the other. Colourful fishing boats are pulled up on the sand.

Access: parking along the Grand Case boulevard, often full at lunchtime; park at the village entrance and walk.

Friar’s Bay and Happy Bay, the quiet pair

Friar’s Bay is a small family cove above Grand Case, with two beach bars, loungers and calm water. From the north end of the beach, a 15-minute trail (a little rocky, shoes advised) leads to Happy Bay: a hideaway with no facilities, coconut palms and superb water. Bring water and a parasol.

Access: the Friar’s Bay road from Colombier, free dirt lot at the end.

Anse Marcel and Petites Cayes, in the north

Anse Marcel is a sheltered bay with a marina, a few hotels and very calm water — pleasant with children. For hikers, a coastal trail links Anse Marcel to Petites Cayes and Grandes Cayes, deserted beaches on the northern point (30–45 minutes’ walk over rough ground).

Access: the Anse Marcel road off the D38; park near the marina.

Pinel Island, the easy excursion

An uninhabited islet a five-minute boat ride from the Cul-de-Sac jetty, with a shallow lagoon — warm and clear, ideal for kids and snorkelling. Two beach restaurants on the island, loungers and kayaks for hire. Ferries roughly every 30 minutes during the day.

Access: drive to the Cul-de-Sac jetty (park there), then take the return shuttle boat.

Dutch side: Mullet Bay, Kim Sha and Maho

  • Mullet Bay: the finest beach on the Dutch side, white sand and clear water, backed by a former golf course. Few services, free parking along the road. Swell can be strong.
  • Kim Sha (Simpson Bay): a lively beach with bars and restaurants, handy if you’re staying in the area.
  • Maho Beach: a small beach right at the airport runway threshold, where planes pass a few metres overhead. More a curiosity than a swimming beach — all the details in Maho Beach Plane Spotting.

Tips for a good beach day

  • Set off early: the popular lots fill before 11am in high season.
  • Leave nothing visible in the car; boot closed, windows up. Isolated beach lots are targeted for break-ins.
  • Bring shade and water for the wild beaches (Happy Bay, Baie Rouge, Baie Longue, Petites Cayes).
  • Water shoes are useful where there’s coral or rock (Baie Rouge, some spots at Pinel).
  • Check the marine forecast: on days with big swell, choose the sheltered bays (Grand Case, Anse Marcel, Le Galion, south Orient Bay).
  • Bring cash (euros on the French side, a few dollars on the Dutch side): beach shacks and lots don’t always take cards.

Stringing several beaches together

Our one-day island tour deliberately runs through Orient Bay, Pinel and the Lowlands. And for some height between swims, Pic Paradis has the best panorama on the island.

When you’re ready, book your car and find all our pointers in the local island guide.

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