Split between the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) and French side (Saint Martin), this small Caribbean island packs an outsized variety of experiences into its 37 square miles — world-famous plane-watching, pink-sand coves, French-Caribbean dining, and a cosmopolitan cruise port all within a short drive of each other.
Maho Beach
Maho Beach is world-famous for its thrilling proximity to the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport, and videos of massive airplanes and luxury private jets landing and taking off just above the beach have gone viral repeatedly. Planes fly so closely overhead that you can feel the hot air from the propellers and sand blowing around, with touchdown occurring roughly 40 to 100 yards behind the beach. Once you’ve had your fill of planes and sunshine, the aptly named “Lay Over Pizza” at the nearby Sunset Beach Bar offers an airplane-themed menu.
Orient Bay Beach
The white sands of Orient Bay Beach are no secret in St. Maarten — this is a top attraction where sun worshippers come for views of the bay, clear water, and snorkeling. The main draw for many is its nudist beach area, popular with naturist travelers, with Club Orient right around the corner. The beach is generally suitable for families, though the presence of nude sections toward the southern end is worth noting for those traveling with younger children. While Orient Beach itself doesn’t have extensive nightlife, nearby Grand Case offers spots like the Blue Martini for a relaxed evening with drinks and music.
Dawn Beach
If you’re an early riser, Dawn Beach on the eastern coast of Sint Maarten is your paradise, true to its name — offering some of the island’s most spectacular sunrises as the sky fills with brilliant oranges and pinks over the Atlantic. The beach is a crescent of powdery white sand with calm, crystal-clear waters perfect for families with young children, and the snorkeling here is exceptional, especially around the rocks on the southern end.
Baie Rouge
For a quieter, more dramatic stretch of coastline, this beach stands out. Secluded Baie Rouge Beach, set between two rocky bluffs along the west coast, is one of the island’s most beautiful beaches — its name hints at what makes it special, with sparkling pink sands and red-hued rock formations, plus a beach bar and a seawater-flooded cave called Devil’s Hole nearby.
Pinel Island
For a genuine island-hopping experience, Pinel is a favorite short excursion. Pinel Island’s beach was recently named one of the top 20 must-visit Caribbean beaches, and the small fare for the 10-minute boat ride is essentially two beaches for the price of one — behind the hill near the Pinel Island restaurants sits a pristine Atlantic beach as well.
Fort St. Louis
For history and views over the French capital, this hilltop fort delivers both. Built on the orders of Louis XVI in 1767, Fort St. Louis sits atop a cliff overlooking Marigot, the capital of the French side, and though long decommissioned, it still flies the French flag with its walls and cannons in excellent shape today.
Philipsburg and Great Bay Beach
The Philipsburg area has earned many accolades as the most popular Caribbean port for cruise visitors, thanks to its cosmopolitan vibe, activities, shopping, and dining options, all set along scenic Great Bay Beach.
Grand Case
Food lovers should make a point of visiting this charming town on the French side. Known internationally for its many high-end restaurants, Grand Case is a true Caribbean foodie paradise, with a pristine beach running alongside its main dining street. The Sunset Café, set on a bluff dividing Grand Case Beach and Petit Plage, is one of the island’s best spots to watch the sunset, with sweeping views of the beach, the Caribbean Sea, and Creole Rock in the distance — order mussels and fries or fresh local seafood served French-Caribbean style.
On-the-Water Activities
Beyond the beaches themselves, the island offers plenty of ways to get out on the water.
- Beach hopping by boat — seeing the coast by charter boat is one of the more scenic and laid-back ways to explore the island’s various beaches.
- Jet-skiing at Maho — jet-skiing around Maho Beach offers a unique way to watch planes land and take off from the water.
- Snorkeling — while the island isn’t known for exceptional underwater visibility overall, popular snorkeling spots include Orient Beach, Mullet, Friars, Great Bay, Maho, Anse Marcel, Kimsha Beach, and Pinel.
Practical Notes
St. Maarten is known for crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches, along with casinos, duty-free shopping — especially for jewelry — and a lively dining and nightlife scene. Its lush, mountainous interior also offers hiking opportunities beyond the coastline.
Join The Discussion
St. Maarten’s split identity — laid-back French charm on one side, cosmopolitan Dutch energy on the other — means the “best” spot really depends on what kind of trip you’re after. Have you experienced the thrill of Maho Beach’s plane-watching in person, or do you gravitate more toward the quieter coves like Baie Rouge or Dawn Beach? For those planning a visit, are you leaning French side, Dutch side, or trying to fit in a bit of both?
