Moderate sargassum is present today. Resort frontages may be cleaned, but independent beaches can have visible wrack. Ask locally which areas are clearest.
The island's dual nationality creates an interesting contrast. Orient Beach on the French Atlantic-facing coast offers 2km of beach with beach clubs. Maho Beach is on the sheltered western Dutch side near the airport. Great Bay Beach is the main Dutch-side beach near Philipsburg.
St. Maarten has mixed sargassum exposure by geography. Atlantic-facing zones and some down-current shorelines can see accumulation during the active season (May–October), while more sheltered Dutch-side beaches like Mullet Bay and Simpson Bay typically stay cleaner. Check the live badge above for today's call — conditions vary and the island's two coastlines can look very different on the same day.
St. Maarten / Saint-Martin has 37 named beaches split between the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) and French side (Saint-Martin). The key geographic rule: the Caribbean-facing west and northwest beaches are calmer and cleaner; the Atlantic-facing east coast beaches (like Orient Bay) have more wave energy and higher sargassum exposure during summer.
Mullet Bay: The top family pick on the Dutch side. Calm turquoise water, soft fine sand, natural shade, snorkeling, umbrella and chair rentals, cold drinks, BBQ daily. North winds create offshore surf conditions on the outer edge. Consistently rated the best all-around Dutch-side beach. Spectacular sunsets.
Maho Beach: World-famous for planes landing directly overhead from Princess Juliana Airport. Swimmers get splashed by the jet wash. A must-see spectacle, but not a swimming beach: the jet blast is genuinely dangerous. Bar at each end. Don't leave anything unattended on the sand under the flight path.
Simpson Bay: Long sandy beach south of the airport on the west end. Soft sand, generally calm waves, never overcrowded. Great for sunsets. Once a fishing village: still has a relaxed local character compared to the tourist beaches.
Great Bay (Philipsburg): The main beach in the Dutch capital, lined with bars and restaurants spilling onto Front Street. Cruise ship views from the eastern end. Accessible via a long promenade. Good for an afternoon beach bar session combined with shopping on Front Street.
Cupecoy Beach: Dramatic sandstone cliffs divide the coastline into secluded coves. Clothing optional. Access requires a short walk down. The Cliffhanger Bar offers food and chairs. Breathtaking sunset spot. More for adventurous adults than families.
Little Bay: Family beach separated from Great Bay by the Fort Amsterdam peninsula. Located within Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Water sports available. Quieter than Philipsburg's main beach.
Dawn Beach: Fine sand and coconut trees near Oyster Pond Marina. One of the best snorkeling spots on the island with an inshore coral reef. Mr. Busby's Beach Bar for food and drinks. Spectacular sunrises: the best on the island.
Guana Bay: Rugged, secluded, faces towards St. Barths. Popular with water sports enthusiasts. Warning: strong undertow and currents in deep water: not ideal for casual swimmers or children.
Grand Case Beach: One of the top three family picks. Right in the heart of the picturesque fishing village of Grand Case, which is the culinary capital of the island. Gentle slope into calm northwest-facing water, easy for children. World-class gourmet restaurants and local "Lolos" (Creole BBQ shacks) steps from the sand. Glass-bottom submarine trips to Creole Rock available.
Friar's Bay (Anse des Pères): Sheltered family-friendly cove on the northwest French side. Famous for Kali's Beach Bar (full moon parties are legendary) and Friars Bay Beach Café. Good snorkeling, calm Caribbean water, rock and reggae after sunset. One of the top three family picks alongside Mullet Bay and Grand Case.
Orient Bay (Baie Orientale): The "Saint Tropez of the Caribbean." Largest and most famous beach on the island, 2km of white sand with full resort amenities, beach clubs, restaurants, watersports. Faces the Atlantic: higher sargassum risk during May–October and more wave action than the west-facing beaches. Naturist section at the southern end.
Anse Marcel: Very calm, sheltered horseshoe cove in the north of the island. Protected on both sides, great for families and swimming. Marina with yachts, restaurants and shops. Quieter and more exclusive feel than Orient Bay.
Baie Rouge (Red Bay): One of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Named for its slightly reddish-tinged sand. Lively atmosphere, small beach restaurants, competent swimmers can swim through a rock arch to a small secluded cove. North end of Terres Basses on the French side.
Baie Longue (Long Bay): One of the island's longest and quietest beaches. Turquoise water, white sand, resident pelicans. La Samanna's bar for sunset views. A peaceful escape from the busier spots.
Pinel Island: Small paradise island in a nature preserve, 10 minutes by boat from French Cul-de-Sac (~$6 fare). Two beaches: a postcard-perfect sheltered sandy strip with shallow water (ideal for children and snorkeling) and a wilder rocky beach on the far side. Two beachside restaurants. Superb shallow-water diving.
Le Galion Beach: 5 minutes from Orient Bay. The ultimate local family beach, sheltered by a coral reef that protects it from ocean swells: ideal for children and calm swimming. Windsurfers and surfers use the reef break. Sea kayaking, stand-up paddle, Hawaiian canoe available. Restaurant on the beach. Popular with locals during island celebrations.
Happy Bay: Accessible only by a 10-minute hike through the hills from Friar's Bay. Quintessential secluded tropical beach, completely unspoiled, with views of Anguilla. Perfect for a picnic. No services: bring everything you need.
Tintamarre Island: Uninhabited island 4km off the northeast coast, reachable by day sail. Walk around to find ruins of an old airstrip and cotton plantation. Main beach "Baie Blanche" on the west coast faces St. Martin: excellent for swimming and sunbathing. No food or water available: come prepared. Famous for natural mud baths.
St. Maarten / Saint-Martin has 37 named beaches ranging from busy and developed to completely secluded, from soft white sand to dramatic rugged coastline. The key distinction for swimmers and families is which side of the island you're on: the Atlantic-facing east coast (Orient Beach side) has more wave energy and higher sargassum exposure, while the Caribbean-facing west and northwest beaches are calmer, clearer, and more protected.
St. Maarten/Saint-Martin holds the record for the smallest territory in the world shared by two sovereign nations: the Dutch and French have divided the island since 1648, with the boundary running informally across hills and salt ponds with no fence or border control to this day. The island's Great Salt Pond was one of the Caribbean's most valuable salt sources in the 17th century, fueling the Dutch fish-preservation and herring industries across northern Europe, and the first settlers came not for sugar or spice but for salt. Orient Bay's waters have been a trading anchorage since the first European settlers arrived, and the island's position between the Eastern and Northern Caribbean made it a crossroads for ships of every flag.
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