Best things to do in St. Maarten: From sightseeing to excursions

Orient Beach is St. Martin’s most famous beach, stretching for nearly two miles along the island’s northeastern coast. Known for its soft white sand, turquoise water, watersports, beach clubs, and lively atmosphere, it attracts everyone from families to adventure seekers. The southern end is also home to the island’s well-known clothing-optional section, while the rest of the beach offers one of the widest selections of restaurants, bars, and activities on St. Martin.

Long Bay Beach is one of St. Martin’s most beautiful stretches of sand, running for nearly a mile along the exclusive Terres Basses peninsula. Known for its wide shoreline, soft white sand, and spectacular sunsets, it feels far more spacious and tranquil than the island’s busier beaches. While the water is often calm enough for swimming, occasional surf and strong currents can develop, especially during windy conditions.

Grand Case Beach stretches along the waterfront of St. Martin’s culinary capital, combining calm Caribbean waters with a lively village atmosphere. Unlike the island’s more secluded beaches, restaurants, bars, boutiques, and colorful creole houses line the shore, creating one of the most walkable beach experiences on St. Martin. It's an excellent spot for swimming, sunset strolls, and pairing a beach day with some of the island's best dining.

Friar's Bay is a laid-back, family-friendly beach on St. Martin's north coast, just west of Grand Case. Protected from strong waves, its calm waters are ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and families with children. With a handful of popular beach bars, soft sand, and a relaxed local atmosphere, Friar's Bay offers a quieter alternative to some of the island's busier beaches.

Great Bay Beach is the heart of Philipsburg, stretching along the island’s capital with a lively mix of beach bars, restaurants, shops, and cruise ship visitors. Despite its central location, the beach offers calm, clear water and a wide sandy shoreline ideal for swimming. If you want to combine a beach day with dining, shopping, and people-watching, Great Bay Beach is one of the most convenient beaches on St. Maarten.

Little Bay Beach is a sheltered crescent of sand between Philipsburg and Simpson Bay, backed by the historic ruins of Fort Amsterdam and the Divi Little Bay Resort. Its calm, clear water makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling, while the nearby UnderSXM Underwater Sculpture Park adds a unique attraction for divers and snorkelers. With history, marine life, and modern amenities in one location, Little Bay offers one of St. Maarten’s most well-rounded beach experiences.

Guana Bay is one of St. Maarten’s longest and most scenic beaches, stretching along the island’s exposed southeastern coast. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, it offers dramatic views, rolling waves, and a much wilder atmosphere than the calm beaches around Simpson Bay. Swimming can be challenging when the surf is up, but for long walks, solitude, and sunrise views, Guana Bay is hard to beat.

Dawn Beach is one of St. Maarten’s best-known snorkeling beaches, located on the island’s eastern coast near Oyster Pond. Facing the Atlantic, it often sees stronger waves than the beaches on the Caribbean side, but the clear water and offshore reef attract snorkelers from across the island. With resorts, beach bars, and beautiful sunrise views, Dawn Beach offers a quieter alternative to the busy beaches around Simpson Bay and Maho.

Simpson Bay Beach is one of the longest beaches on St. Maarten, stretching for nearly two miles along the island’s southwest coast. Lined with resorts, beach bars, and restaurants, it offers a more laid-back atmosphere than nearby Maho while still providing plenty of amenities. The wide sandy shoreline, calm water, and spectacular sunset views make Simpson Bay Beach a favorite for long walks, swimming, and beachfront dining.

Le Galion Beach is one of the best family beaches on St. Martin, thanks to its shallow, protected lagoon and consistently calm water. Located on the French side near Orient Bay, it’s a favorite for young children, beginner windsurfers, and anyone looking for a relaxed beach day away from stronger waves. With soft sand, warm water, and a laid-back atmosphere, Le Galion is often considered one of the safest swimming beaches on the island.

Kim Sha Beach is the social hub of Simpson Bay, known for its calm water, beachfront restaurants, and lively atmosphere. Popular with both locals and visitors, it’s a great spot for swimming, paddleboarding, and watching planes approach Princess Juliana Airport in the distance. With beach bars, events, and sunsets over Simpson Bay, Kim Sha offers a more energetic beach experience than many of St. Maarten’s quieter shores.

Pinel Island is one of St. Martin’s most popular day-trip destinations, located just offshore from Cul-de-Sac on the island’s northeastern coast. A short ferry ride brings visitors to calm, shallow waters, beach restaurants, and excellent snorkeling with sea turtles often spotted nearby. Despite its popularity, the island has a laid-back, car-free atmosphere that makes it feel like a world away from the busy roads and resorts of the mainland.

Tintamarre Island is a remote, uninhabited island about two miles off the coast of St. Martin, known for its pristine beaches, sea turtles, and untouched natural beauty. Accessible only by boat, it feels worlds away from the resorts and crowds of the mainland. Most visitors come on snorkeling or sailing excursions, drawn by the crystal-clear water, wildlife, and the chance to experience one of the most unspoiled corners of the Caribbean.

Baie de l'Emouchure is one of the most secluded beaches in St. Maarten, tucked away on the island’s remote eastern coast near Oyster Pond. Unlike the island’s popular resort beaches, this rugged stretch of shoreline offers dramatic ocean views, strong surf, and a true off-the-beaten-path feel. It’s not suitable for swimming, but if you enjoy solitude, coastal scenery, and exploring St. Maarten’s wilder side, Baie de l'Emouchure is worth the detour.

Cay Bay (Indigo Bay) is a picturesque beach on St. Maarten’s southwest coast, known for its clear water, offshore reef, and hillside setting. Luxury condos, a beachfront restaurant, and good snorkeling give it a different feel from the island’s busier resort beaches. If you're looking for a relaxed beach day with easy access to marine life, Indigo Bay is a solid choice.

Cole Bay Beach (Back Bay) is a quiet, local beach behind St. Maarten’s energy plant, best known as the shoreline access point for Seaside Nature Park. It’s not one of the island’s prettiest beaches, but it has a practical charm: calm water, horseback rides and animals nearby. It’s more of a family-friendly activity stop than a classic beach-day destination.

Galisbay Beach is a quiet stretch of coastline on the outskirts of Marigot, known more for its local character than for traditional beach activities. Located near the island's commercial harbor and cemetery, it offers views of passing boats and nearby Anguilla. While it's not a typical swimming or resort beach, Galisbay provides a glimpse into everyday life on the French side of St. Martin, away from the tourist crowds. There is also a shipwreck worth discovering.

Geneve Bay is one of the most remote and rugged beaches on St. Martin, located along the island’s undeveloped eastern coast. Reached only by hiking trails or boat, this isolated bay is framed by steep hills, rocky shoreline, and powerful Atlantic waves. Swimming is often difficult, but for hikers, nature lovers, and those seeking untouched scenery, Geneve Bay showcases a wild side of St. Martin few visitors ever see.

Gibbs Bay is a quiet beach on St. Martin’s southeastern coast, located between Oyster Pond and Guana Bay near the island’s famous Red Pond. Unlike many of the island’s busier beaches, Gibbs Bay remains largely undeveloped, with golden sand, scenic coastal views, and plenty of space to spread out. The Atlantic-facing location can bring rougher water, but the peaceful setting makes it a favorite for visitors seeking a less crowded beach experience.

Grand Ilet, also called Great Key or Explorer’s Island, is a small island inside Simpson Bay Lagoon on the French side of St. Martin. It’s accessible only by boat, kayak, or paddleboard, with a few small sandy spots rather than a classic open-sea beach. The water is lagoon water, so don’t expect turquoise surf, but it works as a quiet picnic stop for boaters exploring the lagoon.

Green Cay is a tiny uninhabited island just off the coast of Orient Beach, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. Protected as a nature reserve, it is best known for its birdlife, rugged scenery, and untouched coastline rather than traditional beach activities. While visitors occasionally kayak or paddle around the island, Green Cay remains one of the least developed and most natural corners of St. Martin.

Lover's Beach is the smallest beach on St. Maarten, tucked beneath the cliffs of Point Blanche near the entrance to Great Bay. The strip of sand is so tiny that there’s barely enough room for two people to share a single towel — hence the romantic name. Accessible only by boat, kayak, or a challenging hike, it remains one of the island’s most secluded and least-visited beaches.

Lucas Bay (Coralita Beach) is a broad bay on the eastern edge of Oyster Pond, known for its rocky shoreline, clear water, and views toward the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike the sandy beaches elsewhere on St. Martin, much of the coastline here is rocky, attracting snorkelers, anglers, and residents rather than sunbathers. Its convenient location and scenic waterfront setting make it a popular stop for those exploring Oyster Pond while still remaining quite.

Nettle Bay Beach is a long stretch of sand on the French side of St. Martin, running along the shores of Baie Nettlé between Marigot and Terres Basses. The calm water, beach bars, and west-facing sunsets make it appealing, but the surrounding neighborhood has a reputation for higher crime than most tourist areas on the island. For that reason, many visitors choose to visit during busy hours and avoid lingering after dark.

Pelican Cay Beach is a popular resort beach on the Pelican Key peninsula, home to resorts such as Flamingo Beach Resort and a base for Aqua Mania’s watersports and dive operations. The calm, clear water and nearby reefs make it one of the better snorkeling spots on the Dutch side of the island, while its west-facing location delivers excellent sunset views. Despite being close to Simpson Bay, it feels more relaxed than the island's busiest beaches.

Petite Baie is a small beach on the La Belle Créole peninsula, best known for the abandoned La Belle Créole Hotel that overlooks the bay. Once one of the island’s most luxurious resorts, the hurricane-damaged complex remains a striking landmark above the shoreline. With clear water, few visitors, and a quiet setting between Baie Rouge and Nettle Bay, Petite Baie offers a different side of St. Martin away from the main tourist beaches.

Petites Cayes is one of the most remote and untouched beaches on St. Martin, hidden within the protected landscape of Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Martin. Reached by a hiking trail from Anse Marcel, this wild beach rewards visitors with golden sand, dramatic scenery, and complete solitude. Strong currents and Atlantic swells often make swimming challenging, but for hikers and nature lovers, Petites Cayes is one of the island’s most spectacular coastal escapes.

Plum Bay is one of the quietest beaches on St. Martin’s exclusive Terres Basses peninsula. Known for its wide stretch of sand, clear water, and lack of commercial development, it attracts visitors looking to escape the crowds of Orient Beach and Maho. Conditions are often excellent for swimming, although stronger waves can appear during periods of high surf.

Duck's Beach is a small, secluded beach tucked into the western corner of Anse Marcel Bay. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and overlooking the calm waters of the bay, it feels far removed from the resort area on the opposite shore. There are no facilities and little shade, but the peaceful setting and beautiful views make it a worthwhile stop for those exploring the quieter side of Anse Marcel.

Red Pond Bay is one of the least rewarding beaches on St. Martin. Reached by a hike from Oyster Pond, it offers little more than a narrow stretch of sand exposed to the Atlantic. There is no shade, no facilities, and often plenty of sargassum. Unless you're already hiking the area, there are far better beaches elsewhere on the island.

Pointe des Fleurs is one of the least-known beaches on St. Martin, hidden beyond Baie Rouge on the exclusive Terres Basses peninsula. Divided into two small beaches by a rocky point, it offers calm, clear water and surprisingly good snorkeling along the reefs offshore. With no facilities, no beach bars, and very few visitors, Pointe des Fleurs feels like a private escape far removed from the island’s more popular beaches.

Lay Bay is a small beach tucked below the cliffs of Pelican Key, hidden between Simpson Bay Resort and the upscale villas that line the peninsula. Far quieter than nearby Kim Sha Beach, it offers calm Caribbean waters, rocky shoreline sections, and excellent sunset views. The beach is popular with residents and guests staying in Pelican Key, but remains largely overlooked by most visitors exploring St. Maarten.

Emilio Wilson Park is located in Saunders on the grounds of what was once a sugar plantation that used slaves. In 1954, Emilio Wilson, the grandson of a former slave, bought the property and turned it into a public park in memory of the slaves who made St. Martin what it is today. Today, the property is controversial, but it remains open for recreational use.

Rockland Estate is an eco–adventure park that preserves the native eco-system while ensuring the sustainability of the estate’s physical and intangible attributes. You can take a sky lift up to Sentry Hill for picturesque panoramic views and then fly, ride and slide down to the bottom by zipline, schooner or the famous flying Dutchman!