Grand Ilet
St. Maarten

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.