Saint Martin is a laid-back Caribbean island with a distinctly French-meets-Dutch feel, known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise water and lively little towns. Spend your days swimming, snorkelling, sailing or beach hopping, then head out for French food, delicious rum cocktails and sunset views. And yes, you can even watch planes land right over the beach at Maho. In this article, we are focusing our attention on the French side of the island, its northern half.
Saint Martin packs plenty into a small island, from beautiful beaches and bays to lively beach bars, water sports and excellent restaurants. Grand Case is the go-to for foodies and beach lovers, with a long sandy beach, calm swimming water and some of the island’s best restaurants, plus colourful beach bars and sunset views. There’s a good selection of small boutique hotels here too. Orient Bay is more energetic, centred around one of Saint Martin’s most famous beaches. Spend the day swimming, kitesurfing or lounging at a beach club, then stay for drinks and dinner as the beach winds down. It’s particularly good for couples and anyone who likes a bit of atmosphere, with plenty of apartments and relaxed hotels. For something quieter, Anse Marcel sits around a sheltered bay on the island’s northern coast. Its calm turquoise water is ideal for swimming and kayaking, while walking trails lead into the surrounding hills. The marina is handy for boat trips, and the area has a handful of upscale resorts and villas. Terres Basses is the choice for getting away from it all, with secluded beaches including Baie Rouge and Baie Longue, excellent snorkelling and some of the island’s most impressive villas. It’s peaceful and car-friendly rather than walkable, making it best for a private, laid-back escape.
Ideal for: Beach days, foodies, snorkelling, beach bars, sunsets
Grand Case is the ideal destination for first-time visitors who want a classic Caribbean beach holiday with a strong food scene. The long sandy beach is the star of the show, with calm water for swimming and plenty of spots for snorkelling, while the waterfront is lined with restaurants and laid-back beach bars. It’s particularly good for foodies, with a reputation for excellent French and Caribbean cooking. Spend the day on the beach, wander the colourful streets, then settle in for sunset and dinner by the sea.
Did you know? Grand Case is known as the “Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean” thanks to its concentration of French restaurants and famous local lolos — casual roadside eateries serving grilled meats, seafood and Creole dishes.
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Ideal for: Beach clubs, water sports, sunbathing, kitesurfing
Did you know? Orient Bay was once known for its windsurfing scene, thanks to the steady trade winds that sweep across the bay. Today, those same breezes make it one of Saint Martin’s top spots for kitesurfing and other water sports.
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Ideal for: Luxury escapes, secluded beaches, kayaking, swimming, boat trips
Anse Marcel is the perfect spot for couples, families and anyone looking for a quieter side of Saint Martin. The sheltered bay has calm, clear water that’s great for swimming and kayaking, while the surrounding hills offer scenic walks and views across the coast. The marina is handy for boat trips, and there are a few upscale resorts and villas around the beach. It’s peaceful, polished and nicely removed from the island’s busier beach areas.
Did you know? Anse Marcel sits in a sheltered bay on Saint Martin’s northern coast, and its protected waters were once used as a hideaway by pirates.
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Ideal for: Privacy, beach hopping, luxury villas, snorkelling, secluded beaches
Terres Basses is the place to go if you want to escape the crowds. This leafy corner of western Saint Martin is home to several beautiful beaches, including Baie Rouge, Baie Longue and Baie aux Prunes, where you can swim, snorkel and spend the day with not much more than the sound of the sea. It’s also one of the island’s best areas for luxury villas, with plenty of space and privacy. A car is useful here, as the beaches and villas are spread out.
Did you know? Terres Basses was developed as an exclusive residential area in the 1960's, and today it’s known for some of the most expensive and private villas on the French side of Saint Martin.
