Top 10 St Maarten Beaches(with Downloadable Map)

St. Maarten is home to some of the Caribbean’s most stunning beaches, and each one has its own unique scene. Whether you’re looking for calm waters, beach bars, plane watching, or total seclusion, there’s a beach for you here!

St Maarten has a total of 37 beaches, and they are all open to the public! After visiting the island and exploring the Dutch and French sides, I narrowed it down to my top 10 favorite St Maarten beaches. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know, like where they’re located, how to rent loungers, and which nearby spots are worth stopping for food and drinks.

Renting a car is the best way to explore St Maarten. You could hit all these beaches in one day if you wanted, however, it would be best to spread it out over a few days. Rentalcars.com is going to have options for all the top rental car companies and give you the best price!

To make your trip easier, I’ve included an interactive map you can use to map out all your beach days!

Mullet Bay Beach

Mullet Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It’s located near Maho and the golf course on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. The water is calm on most days, making it perfect for swimming, floating, or just unwinding!

There are a couple of beach bars right on the sand. Rosie’s is a local favorite for grilled ribs and beer buckets. You can grab a cold beverage, rent a lounger, and stay all afternoon. Da Waterhole is another restaurant and bar offering similar options.

Loungers and umbrellas are available to rent from vendors along the beach. Expect to pay around $30 for two chairs and an umbrella, though prices can vary slightly depending on the season and how crowded it is.

Maho Beach

Maho Beach is famous for one thing, which is watching planes fly overhead as they land at Princess Juliana Airport. It’s loud, wild, and very popular! The beach itself is smaller and not ideal for a quiet day, but it’s a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Two popular spots right on the beach are Sunset Bar & Grill and Driftwood Boat Bar. Sunset Bar is popular and has music, good food, and a great view of the runway, while Driftwood also has great views, it will be more laid back and probably be less busy!

Loungers are available, but this beach really isn’t for relaxing like the others. If you want a chair, head to Sunset Bar early in the day, especially if you want front-row views of the runway. You can rent an umbrella and chair for only $10 a day!

Orient Bay Beach

Orient Beach is on the French side and has a long stretch of sand with a lively atmosphere. It used to be home to large resorts before Hurricane Irma, but it’s bounced back with boutique-style restaurants and beach clubs.

There are several great places to eat and drink here. Aloha Beach Bar, Orange Fever, and Bikini Beach offer sit-down service, good food, and plenty of cocktail options. Some also have water sports, rentals, and live music. We spent the day at Orange Fever and the food was so good, along with the service!

If you’re looking for a lounger, this is one of the most organized spots. Each beach club offers loungers, umbrellas, and service. Expect to pay about $25 to $35 for a pair of loungers with food and drink service included. Some clubs will waive the rental fee if you spend a minimum amount on food.

Just a heads-up: At the end of Orient Bay, you’ll reach a nude beach area near Club Orient. It’s totally optional, but good to know if you’re planning a walk or just want to be aware of the scene. It’s part of what makes Orient Bay such a unique and diverse spot!

Mary’s Boon Beach

Mary’s Boon is a lesser-known beach between Mullet and Kim Sha. It’s not on most tourist maps, but it’s a hidden gem!

What makes this spot stand out is the beachfront restaurant and bar connected to the hotel. You can grab lunch, sip on a drink, and enjoy a low-key afternoon without crowds. If you order food or drinks, you can use the loungers for free, which is a great perk compared to other beaches that charge a rental fee.

It’s also worth mentioning that their service was top-notch! Our waiter was Juan, and he was always checking on us and bringing us drinks. He made a reservation for us for lunch inside, and the menu includes unique appetizers, fresh seafood, and creative drinks. Whether you’re spending the whole day lounging or just stopping by for a meal with a view, Mary’s Boon is a must-visit.

Pinel Island Beach

Pinel Island is just off the northeast coast of St Martin and feels like a getaway within a getaway. You’ll take a short ferry ride (about 5 minutes) from Cul-de-Sac. It’s ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, and spending a peaceful beach day.

There are two restaurants on the island—Karibuni and Yellow Beach. Both serve fresh seafood and have full bars. Reservations are recommended during high season. If you stay at Karibuni, you will get a private boat service to Pinel Island and beach chairs included in your stay.

Loungers are offered by both restaurants. If you dine with them, you’ll often get a discount or free use of their beach setup. Otherwise, expect to pay around $25 to $30 for a pair of loungers with an umbrella. The ferry costs $12 round-trip per person and runs frequently during the day.

Great Bay Beach

Great Bay Beach is in the heart of Philipsburg, just steps from the cruise port. The beach stretches along the boardwalk, so it’s one of the most accessible beaches on the island. It’s perfect if you’re stopping on a cruise ship and want to mix in some shopping and dining.

The boardwalk is packed with bars, restaurants, and shops. Popular spots include The Greenhouse, Lazy Lizard, and Dirty Sanchez Crew Bar. You’ll find everything from cocktails to casual Caribbean food just a few feet from the sand. The Greenhouse has really good bang bang shrimp, and for the best margarita, head to Dirty Sanchez!

Loungers are available to rent all along the beach. Expect to pay about $20 to $25 for two chairs and an umbrella, and many vendors include Wi-Fi and a bucket of beers in the package.

Lay Bay Beach

Lay Bay Beach is a small, quiet stretch of sand tucked between Simpson Bay and Maho on the Dutch side of the island. It’s not as well-known as the bigger beaches nearby, which makes it a great choice if you want to avoid crowds. The waves can be a little rougher here on windy days, but it’s still a nice spot for sunbathing or a short swim.

No public loungers are available here, so if you plan to stay a while, bring your own towel or beach chair. It’s a simple, low-key beach that’s best for travelers who prefer a quiet, natural vibe.

There isn’t any beach clubs directly on Lay Bay, but it’s close enough to Pelican Key neighborhood if you want food or drinks during your visit. This is also a great beach to bring your own food and beverages to save money.

La Vista Resort is really close to this beach and is a great option to stay close to Lay Bay and Simpson Bay. They also have a restaurant, Hideaway, which has great breakfast and dinner!

Kim Sha Beach

Kim Sha Beach is located at the start of Simpson Bay and has a laid-back atmosphere with easy access to beach bars and water sports. It’s one of the most social beaches, especially around sunset.

There are lots of options for food and drinks here! The Greenhouse Simpson Bay, Buccaneer Beach Bar, and Roxxy Beach line the waterfront. This area gets lively at night, too, so it’s great if you want a beach day that transitions into happy hour. We really enjoyed Buccaneer Beach Bar with their daily happy hours and all-you-can-eat ribs and chicken!

Loungers are available to rent from several vendors and bars. Prices are typically $20 to $30 for two chairs and an umbrella, especially if you’re using one of the more upscale beach clubs like Roxxy.

Little Bay Beach

Little Bay is a calm, family-friendly beach just south of Philipsburg. It’s tucked between the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and Fort Amsterdam, so it’s protected from big waves and wind.

Even if you’re not staying at the resort, you can use the beach and facilities. There are bars and restaurants at the Divi property, like Seabreeze Restaurant and Pure Ocean, offering casual meals with ocean views. I will put the Divi Beach Day Pass you can purchase in advance below, which will include loungers, snorkel gear, and a sun umbrella.

Tintamarre Island

Tintamarre Island is an uninhabited island off the northeast coast of Sint Martin and is only accessible by boat. It’s part of the French nature reserve, and it’s a great day-trip destination for snorkeling, beachcombing, and swimming with sea turtles.

I highly recommend going with an organized tour to visit this island. There are no restaurants or beach clubs on the island, so you will not be able to rent a lounger anywhere. Tours will often include drinks, snacks or lunch, and snorkeling equipment. I will put a few of the tours I recommend below. Most of them will hit a few different beaches!

Final Thoughts

Each of these St Maarten beaches has its own unique qualities.

• For scenic beauty and easy amenities, go to Mullet Bay
• For action and a bucket-list experience, visit Maho
• For beach clubs and great food, try Orient
• For seclusion, head to Mary Boone’s
• And for a full-day escape, take the ferry to Pinel Island

You can’t go wrong with any of them, but I recommend planning to visit at least two or three if you have time. A tour is a great way to get this done and not have to worry about transportation. They each show a different side of what makes St Maarten such a special island.