Little Bay Beach
St. Maarten

Just a stone's throw away from the bustling streets of Philipsburg, Little Bay Beach offers a serene escape for locals and cruise ship visitors alike. Little Bay Beach is probably one of the calmest beaches in St. Maarten, perfect for families with small kids, providing all the necessary amenities for a perfect day out. 

This private peninsula is home to three hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, restrooms, and a watersports center. One can easily spend a full day here, especially if they are staying at one of the all-inclusive hotels of Little Bay.

The area offers some easy hiking and jaw-dropping views over Great Bay, Philipsburg, and the cruise port in the distance. You can also journey back to the island’s colonial era by visiting Fort Amsterdam at the edge of the peninsula.

However, snorkeling and diving stand out as the premier activities in Little Bay Beach. The cove has two underwater snorkeling parks with man-made structures that are home to a myriad of marine life. Let’s dive into it below in more detail!

Little Bay Beach is a fantastic place to spend a day, especially for families with children. The protected bay and shallow water make it ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun. But this protected cove offers many more activities to keep everyone entertained.

Snorkeling

Hands down, Little Bay Beach has some of the best snorkeling in St. Maarten. You can easily spend hours snorkeling at two fantastic artificial reefs that were built in the bay.

First, there is the floating platform called Tiki Hut. You have to swim out along the coastline to reach it, so it is recommended for good swimmers only (or take a kayak). It’s like a mini playground on the water with a small pool, snack bar, and chairs.

Under the Tiki Hut, there is a complete snorkeling trail with statues, cannons, boat wrecks, and even a sunken submarine and helicopter. You are almost certain to see cuttlefish, trunkfish, barracuda, puffer fish, and - hiding under the rocks - lobsters.

The other fantastic snorkeling spot in Little Bay Beach is the newly developed underwater sculpture park of St. Maarten. The site consists of over 300 statues which have quickly become home to a variety of marine life.

You can rent snorkeling gear in Little Bay on the beach at the watersports center. There is supposed to be an entrance fee to the Tiki Hut and the sculpture park. However, I have been there several times, but it was always abandoned, and no one asked for money.

The water at the sculpture park and the Tiki Hut is between 10-25 feet (3-8 meters) deep, so reaching the bottom might be difficult for snorkelers, but this might be an excellent dive site for beginner divers. Aqua Mania Adventures offers shore diving in Little Bay. Ask their representative on the beach for more information.

Kayaking

You can rent a kayak in Little Bay Beach, which you can either use to explore the area or just paddle over to the Tiki Hut for a cold drink.

Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboard rental in Little Bay Beach is available at the watersports center on the beach.

Jet Ski

For the more adventurous ones, rent a jet ski (non-guided) and skip and splash through the Caribbean Sea! Don’t disturb the families in Little Bay though, head over to Great Bay instead.

Swimming

As I had explained before, the calm and shallow waters of Little Bay Beach make it an ideal place for swimming.

Hiking

The historical Fort Amsterdam, which was built in 1631, offers a glimpse into the island’s past. It’s well worth the short hike as you will have amazing views of Great Bay and the gigantic cruise ships at the Philipsburg cruise terminal. You will also get to witness brown pelicans nesting on the cliffs.

Spa

Indulge in a variety of spa treatments available at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort or Oceans at Divi Little Bay. You can book your appointment at Indulgence by the Sea.

Shopping

There is not much shopping in Little Bay Beach, but there is a Shipwreck store to stock up on souvenirs, a beachwear store to buy some essentials, and a grocery store.

After a day of sun and sea, satisfy your hunger at one of the many restaurants near Little Bay Beach. Whether you're in the mood for fresh seafood, local Caribbean flavors, or international cuisine, you'll find something to ease your hunger.

Gingerbread Cafe

Start your day at the Gingerbread Cafe in Little Bay, located near the pool at Belair Beach Hotel. They are open the whole day, serving lunch and dinner too.

Gizmos Bar and Grill

Gizmos serves your usual fast food like pizzas, burgers and chicken fingers. The best thing about Gizmos is that they offer beach chair service between 10 AM and 5 PM, so you never have to stop working on your tan.

Pureocean Beachside Dining

Finish the day in style at Pureocean, serving a wide variety of seafood. Based on its reviews on Google, this restaurant is a bit of a hit or miss. Good luck with it!

Mix

Specializing in International Barstronomy, this upscale rooftop bar is the perfect place to watch the sunset with a delicious hand-crafted cocktail in your hand.

The Shack

Craving some Mexican food? This restaurant serves salads, tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, and more, which you can enjoy on the Pureocean terrace, on the beach, by the pool, or on your balcony!

Slice Pizzeria

This new restaurant serves slice and whole pizzas fresh from the oven. They also have classic pies, assorted drinks and tasty desserts.

Candlelit dinner for couples

If you have a special anniversary coming up or you are ready to pop the big question, you can ask Divi Little Bay to arrange a private, romantic dinner on the beach just for the two of you.

Given the small size of the peninsula where Little Bay Beach is located, your accommodation options are limited to a few resorts. You can either stay at the standard Divi Little Bay Beach Resort or at its luxury section, called Oceans at Divi Little Bay, for VIP check-in, more room accessories, and an overall higher level of service.

Located on the other end of Little Bay, you will find Belair Beach Hotel, which is somewhat of a more budget option. It had a well-deserved, complete overhaul after Hurricane Irma damaged it in 2017. 

Outside of the peninsula, you can find a few villas for rent on Airbnb and Vrbo, within walking distance to Little Bay Beach.

Finding Little Bay could not be easier whether you drive, take a taxi, or use local public transport. You can even walk over to Little Bay from Philipsburg and the cruise ship terminal in about 30-45 minutes.

Driving to Little Bay Beach

As I always say, there is one main road that goes around St. Maarten / Saint Martin. No matter which direction you go, eventually, you will circumnavigate the island.

If coming from Oyster Pond, drive to Philipsburg first, then continue towards Cole Bay. After leaving Great Bay and climbing up the hill, slow down and prepare to take a left at Divi Little Bay Resort.

If you are staying on the French side and coming from Marigot, Grand Case, or Orient Beach, I would suggest taking the longer road towards Oyster Bay and then to Philipsburg because the other direction is prone to traffic jams.

If you stay around Cupecoy, Maho Beach, Simpson Bay, or Cole Bay, drive to Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, and before reaching Great Bay, look for the sign of Divi Little Bay. Note that you cannot take a right (it is not allowed and too sharp anyway), you need to drive a bit further down the road and turn back wherever you can.

Public Transport to Little Bay Beach

If you arrive by cruise ship, the best way to get to Little Bay Beach from the Philipsburg cruise port is by taking a local bus that’s heading towards Maho, Mullet, Cole Bay, or Marigot. You will see the bus’s destination on a sign behind the windshield and it will only cost you like $1-2 USD.

You can also take a bus to Little Bay Beach from Mullet Bay, Maho Beach, Simpson Bay, Cole Bay, and Marigot. Look for a bus that’s heading to Philipsburg.

There are no bus stops on the island. Just tell the driver you are going to Little Bay, and he will know where to drop you off. 

There is no public transport to Little Bay Beach from Grand Case, Orient Beach, or Oyster Pond.

Taxi to Little Bay Beach

The cost varies by several factors but I want to give a rough estimate on the taxi rate to Little Bay Beach:

From Philipsburg: $15-20

From the cruise port: $20

From Princess Juliana International Airport: $35

From Simpson Bay and Cole Bay: $30

From Maho Beach and Mullet Bay: $40

From Marigot: $35

From Grand Case: $50

From Orient Beach: $50

From Oyster Pond: $40

Parking in Little Bay Beach

If you are not a hotel guest, you are not allowed to park inside, but there is always ample parking in front of Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Entering the property is free for non-hotel guests as all beaches in St. Maarten are public.

If you are looking for the best snorkeling in St. Maarten, then Little Bay Beach is your perfect destination. Its proximity to Philipsburg and the cruise ship terminal, the always calm Caribbean Sea and the wide range of activities made me include it in my list of Top 10 Beaches in SXM.