Our Favorite Beaches on French St Martin

French St Martin has so many amazing beaches and creating a list of our favorite beaches in St Martin was an incredibly difficult job. So, we also reached out to our Facebook community of Travelers who love St Maarten. These beaches are all surrounded by turquoise blue waters and sandy shores, and each truly has something for every kind of beach lover. In no particular order, these are some of our favorite beaches on French St Martin.

Anse Marcel

Anse Marcel is the perfect tropical beach, secluded with breathtaking views on the way to it. Home to the new Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa, it faces Anguilla and is a great beach for both couples and families in a quiet locale with its white sands and calm blue sea. Here, the waters are ideal for small children and parents will enjoy shopping at the tiny boutiques and shops found around the resort area.

Baie Longue

One of the most stunning of St Martin beaches, Baie Longue or Long Bay beach is in the French Lowlands just across the border on the island’s Leeward side. Bordered by high end St Martin luxury villas and one of the most finest resorts in St Martin, the 5 star Belmond La Samanna Resort, this protected bay has crystal clear turquoise water, and a long stretch of secluded sand perfect for chilling out.

Baie Rouge

Red Bay derives its name from its tinted sand which places Baie Rouge among the most beautiful of St Martin’s beaches. A semi nude beach, it is also one of the more popular with a vibrant atmosphere. There are a number of stylish vacation rental villas at Baie Rouge and you can also swim through a small rock arch to a secluded beach which is located at the cliff base. There is a small parking lot on site but the beach currently offers no additional services.

Friar’s Bay

Friar’s Bay is a beach on the French side with thick grain sand, good snorkeling and beach bar restaurants. The far end has a trail leading to a walk through the bushes to the secluded Happy Bay beach. The beach has ample parking and beautiful seashells, and a view of Anguilla. This St Maarten speedboat island tour makes a stop here!

Grand Case Beach

Grand Case Beach is located in a picturesque and charming fishing village bearing the same name. It is lined by the better known gourmet restaurants and some of our favorite local eateries known as “lolos”. This sheltered beach has calm, clear blue waters perfect for diving off Creole Rock with beautiful Grand Case villa rentals and home to the popular Grand Case Beach Club Resort.

Happy Bay

Not many people who visit St Martin know about Happy Bay (Anse Heureuse). This stretch of beach is a romantic and hidden gem located on French part of St Martin. The beach boasts powdery sand and stunning views of nearby Anguilla with good snorkeling. Located in the hillside, these gorgeous Happy Bay beach villas offer plenty of privacy and easy access to the beach below. The beach is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the last beach bar at Friars Bay.

Orient Bay

Next to Maho Beach, Orient Bay Beach is perhaps the island’s 2^nd most popular beach for its nudist atmosphere and trendy beach bars and restaurants. Unfortunately the 2017 hurricanes severely impacted the beach and the businesses here – almost all the restaurants and beach bars were gone, but since then, maybe have been able to reopen. People still come here for the nudist atmosphere with vendors offering beach chairs and umbrellas and Orient Bay is still a paradise destination for kite surfing, windsurfing and many other watersport adventures. If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay here, don’t miss these Orient Bay villa rentals with amazing sea views of nearby Tintamarre Island and St Barts or the 4 star boutique hotel – La Playa Orient Bay.

Pinel Island

Pinel Island is charming and tiny island 5 minutes from the French Cul de Sac, and from Orient Bay. It’s a beautiful beach for a relaxed day, with a wide sandy beach and pristine waters perfect for kayak and snorkeling adventures. A short ferry ride will you get here in under 5 minutes or book an exciting island tour by speedboat with stops at Pinel. The Santino also offers a scenic island cruise to Pinel. Whichever you choose, take a picnic to this tropical idyll, or enjoy its great restaurants.

What’s your favorite beach?

If you have a favorite beach on French St Martin, be sure to let us know in the comments below and check out our list of favorite beaches on Dutch St Maarten!