Oh, the lure of powdery sand under your feet and an inviting turquoise sea in front of you. So hard to resist.
If I stroke a chord right there you’ll want to take a few minutes to learn about Sint Maarten, an island in the Caribbean where an imaginary line divides the Dutch side from the French side and where beaches are nothing short of fantastic.
In this post I’m going to tell you about the best beaches in St. Maarten Dutch Side (Saint Martin is the French side).
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing experience in calm waters or for some wave action, for a secluded less visited spot or to mingle with crowds flocking to bars, there’s something for everyone.
Is there sargassum in Sint Maarten? Yes. The island hasn’t escaped the problem affecting the rest of the Caribbean. But it comes and goes in waves and the beaches located on the west side are little to no affected by it.
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These are the top eight beaches that are on the Dutch side of St. Maarten
Table of Contents
Best Beaches in St Maarten for Families
Mullet Bay Beach
To me, this is the best beach overall in St Maarten. A long, spectacular sandy beach with gorgeous turquoise hues, gentle waves (depending on the weather) and a small reef area to the left for snorkeling.
Even during a sargassum surge you don’t see much of the smelly stuff because It’s located on the west side.
You’ll find beach chairs and umbrellas for rent and a few food vendors. For a less crowded experience go during weekdays or in the morning.
How to Get to Mullet Bay Beach
From the cruise port or Philipsburg area: walk to Back Street in Philipsburg (a 10-minute walk) and hop on the bus/van that says “Mullet Beach/Maho Beach”. You can also take a taxi, but it’s way more expensive.
Traffic in Sint Maarten can be crazy at times so plan your return accordingly.
If you’re in Maho Beach, you can walk for 15 minutes to Mullet Bay Beach (if you don’t mind walking along the road).
Simpson Bay Beach
This one-mile long, sandy beach with calm waters and mountain views runs parallel to the airport landing strip and it’s perfect for long walks. You’ll encounter spots that look like the typical postcard with clean soft sand, spots that are rocky, and spots where beach erosion from storms (especially if you visit right after one) are more evident.
A nice spot I enjoyed is the stretch around Karakter Beach Bar. It has lounge chairs with shade and the food and drinks are good.
Simpson Bay Beach is a popular place; expect crowds.
Best Beaches in St Maarten Near Cruise Port
Great Bay Beach
This is the cruise ship beach. If Sint Maarten is a stop on your cruise you only have to walk a few minutes to dip your toes in the soft sand of this long and beyond busy beach that has an endless selection of bars, restaurants and shops along a wide boardwalk.
Some places offer good packages that include a locker, beach chairs, umbrella, table and selected drinks for a fixed fee. It’s a good beach for families as the water is calm, with an easy entry.
If you’re staying in St. Maarten for a few days aim for a day with fewer ships (or no ships) to avoid the crowds.
If you want to stay right in front of Great Bay Beach, close to Philipsburg’s shopping area, check out the Holland House Beach Hotel.
You’ll also be within minutes from the docks from where many tours of Sint Maarten depart.
Little Bay Beach
This beautiful beach is a 5-minute taxi ride or, if you’re up to it, a 45-minute scenic walk from the cruise port along the Great Bay Beach boardwalk and then up along a road with great views of the bay. Better do it in the morning rather than under the midday sun.
We rented an umbrella and two beach chairs at the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort (there’s no entrance fee) and spent an entire day floating in crystal clear waters with gentle waves and walking on powdery sand. We munched on some snacks we brought with us and sipped guavaberry coladas from the bar. Try one, or two!
Within the resort property you can visit Fort Amsterdam for a fantastic view of Great Bay and Little Bay, and to see a large colony of brown pelicans.
A perfect, relaxing day.
Maho Beach
Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Sint Maarten, not so much for the beach per se, but for what happens above.
It’s only a few feet away from Sint Maarten airport’s landing strip, making it hard to find any other place in the world where you can stand so close under a landing plane without getting in trouble for it (as long as you stay away from the airport fence).
Maho Beach is on the small side, with a narrow stretch of sand that can cover most of the beach or can be barely there depending on the weather as sands shift with storms.
Some people swim in the turquoise waters, but most people stand on the sand (or rocks) with their phones up in the air hoping to snap the perfect picture of planes landing so close that you feel you can almost grab the wheels if you stretch your arms long enough.
For the most exhilarating experience (and cool photos), check the Princess Juliana International Airport arrival schedule online and look out for the landing of big birds like the Airbus A330-200 from KLM (the direct flight from Amsterdam) or the Air France flight from Paris.
Most big planes arrive between late morning and mid-afternoon so plan your trip accordingly to avoid disappointment.
Of course you can always enjoy the beach even if there are no flights, but the main attraction here is the landing.
Since it’s such a big thing, you can expect crowds. Tons. The small beach is normally packed, with crowds overflowing into the road. If you’re going only for the beach, there are better options such as Mullet Bay Beach, a mere 15-minute walk away.
You can also grab some drinks at the nearby Sunset Bar & Grill from where you’ll have an awesome view of the planes and the blue sea.
How to Get to Maho Beach
If you’re on the cruise port (or in the Philipsburg area) walk to Back Street and take public transportation to Maho Beach (you’ll see the signs on the units’ windshield), at a fraction of what you would pay for a taxi (buses cost around US$2).
If you’re at the Sint Maarten’s airport for a long layover, sitting at one of the bars at Maho Beach is a much better alternative than waiting at the airport and it’s only a 10-minute walk.
Best Scenic Beaches in Sint Maarten
Cupecoy Beach
The huge rocks sticking out of the bright blue water and the waves crashing against the rugged cliffs create a beautiful scenery in Cupecoy beach.
The beach is interspersed along the shore in the form of several small pockets -including sandy and rocky mini beaches and small caves- that are accessible from different points.
This is not the best beach for long walks or for swimming as it can be rough, but it’s somewhat secluded, quite scenic, popular with surfers and clothing-optional fanatics, and those looking for a great spot to watch the sunset.
There’s only one bar in the immediate area, located on the northern section of the beach.
You can catch a van/bus to Cupecoy Beach from Philipsburg.
Pelican Key Beach
This small, sandy beach is great for watching Sint Maarten’s amazing sunsets and the silhouettes of boats rocking against the violet and orange hues.
It’s also a great beach for swimming as the clear water is on the calmer side (with a steep grade) and it’s less crowded than other popular nearby beaches.
The area of Pelican Key is a lively place to stay in Sint Maarten, with easy access to the beach, supermarkets, and with many choices of bars, restaurants, and bakeries.
You’ll also be close to the Simpson Bay Lagoon, the departure point of many boats offering different water activities in Sint Maarten like this catamaran sail to Anguilla beaches including snorkeling or this highly rated sunset cruise of Sint Maarten.
La Vista Resort is a great option to stay this area.
A hotel with beautifully landscaped common areas, an outdoor pool overlooking the sea, on-site bar and restaurant, and rooms and cottages with seating areas and equipped with kitchenette, fridge, and microwave. Some rooms have sea views.
If you’re looking for a nice property with 2-bedroom suites and full kitchens check out the Hilton Vacation Club Royal Palm, close to La Vista.
Best Secluded Beach in Sint Maarten
Indigo Bay Beach (Cay Bay)
Indigo Bay Beach is less visited than other beaches in Sint Maarten as it’s a little bit more out of the main highway, with no commercial developments around.
At the end of the serpentine road going downhill you’ll find a long sandy stretch in the shape of a demilune, flanked by hills populated with big houses.
It’s a beautiful beach that can be affected when the sargassum invasion is at its worst.
There is a restaurant on site serving good food, with chairs available.
To reach Indigo Bay you’ll need to take a taxi or rent a car in Sint Maarten. But taxis are so expensive in Sint Maarten that it’s much better to go for the second option.
Sint Maarten is a dream destination for beach lovers, catering for every taste. Do you know someone who is planning a beach escape? Share this post with them. Their sandy adventure may start right here.
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BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Book your flight without losing your shirt
We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
To find a place to stay for less
Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.
Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.
To get travel insurance
SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
These are so pretty beaches and can’t wait for summer to enjoy some time at the beach. I will write this list down to remember. Thank you for sharing!
These beaches look so beautiful! Thanks for highlighting them and sharing pictures! This is helpful to know the differences.
In Sint Maarten there’s a beach for everyone. 🙂
Absolutely stunning…always wanted to go there!
Thank you for these useful advices and photos!