French: Saint Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten

Another stunning East Caribbean port is St Maarten. The island is half Dutch/half French. Their cruise terminal is uniquely located close to the Dutch Side capital, Philipsburg. You can walk from the port to the town center in 10 minutes along the main road outside the port gates. Great Bay Beach is one of the closest beaches to the cruise port terminal in Philipsburg. This mile-long stretch of soft, white-sandy beach runs parallel to a long promenade stretching its entire length. If you aren’t up to a walk or it’s too hot for $7 for the day you can grab a water taxi at the port to the beach.

 Saint Martin comprises the northern French part, it is famous for its barefoot beaches and genuine French cuisine. It is the smallest area with a compact population that two countries share, the French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, each controlling a segment of the island. Marigot, the island’s capital, is its largest city. At the market of Marigot, the largest outdoor market of the Caribbean, you will fall in love with the perfumes of the Creole terroir. And in the many restaurants, you can savor the best of Caribbean cuisine inspired by the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a chameleon island.

Top 5 beaches on French side:

Orient Bay Beach – The Most Famous Beach on the Island (or “Baie Orientale” in French) beach is a must see while you’re staying on the island of St. Martin. This beach is one of the biggest and most popular. It has been given the name “Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean”, and sports fanatics often come here for surfing and other water sports. Orient Bay beach in St. Martin is on the Atlantic Ocean side of the island, and the white sand, swept by the trade winds. This is a very French area so be ready for topless.

The seaside village is spread out and there are some excellent restaurants and hotels with a fantastic view of the turquoise-blue ocean. These establishments will provide you with some intensely relaxing moments and new discoveries.

Baie Rouge Beach – Uncrowded & Beautiful, only a few minutes from Marigot, it’s tempting to come and bask in the sun on this easy to access and fun beach. Locals love Red Bay’s intense blue hues and beautiful cove. Much like all the beaches in St. Martin, you will always find a cozy spot here.

Happy Bay Beach – A Secluded Piece of Paradise with shady coconut palm trees, an azure lagoon, velvety sand, rocks, and shells, Happy Bay is a wonderful hidden gem that can only be reached after crossing the craggy coast, but it’s worth it for the picture-perfect Caribbean landscape. Happy Bay is devoid of any kind of land planning, and is a little bit difficult to get to, making it a fantastic challenge for nature lovers looking for a bit of peace. Visiting this stretch of sandy beach, just above the more touristy beach of Friar’s Bay, needs to be earned with a short 10-minute hike from Friar’s Bay. 

Anse Marcel – Calm, Family-Friendly Waters Ideal for Swimming, relaxation, water sports and good food await you on this chic and charming beach that stretches out at the foot of the hills in front of the hotel. Anse Marcel is a charming little protected enclave with a peaceful and friendly village vibe and a lovely beach. Anse Marcel in the north of the island is a beautiful beach nestled in a cove surrounded by lush green hills. This remote bay is protected from the wind, so why not take a dip in the calm and shallow lake-like waters? It’s a great place for families with children. Anse Marcel Beach is an idyllic spot to laze about on a hotel beach chair and to grab lunch at one of the area’s sophisticated restaurants. There’s also a water sports club if you want to go jet skiing, kayaking or paddling in the sea. 

For something different and fun take a taxi over to the most famous beach on the Island, I didn’t know what to expect and it was wild. Moho Beach is what you’ll see on postcards and in millions of videos! The most famous beach on the island of St. Martin has been seen by millions, since this is where planes landing at Princess Juliana Airport’s runway blow watchers away, barely grazing he sea as they land. It’s a must see during your stay! Maho Beach. On the beach, you can unroll your beach towel and take a dip in the sparkling turquoise waters, but the main attraction is the thrill you feel waiting for the next jet to fly over your head as the sand flurries around you and your towel disappears. It’s important to follow the safety instructions and be responsible in order to be able to enjoy this experience without putting yourself in danger. is a breathtaking destination that offers a unique experience for tourists who love aviation.

The beach, renowned for its low-flying airliners, sits right outside the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport, providing an unforgettable spot to watch planes take off and land. Daily airline timetables are displayed in most bars and restaurants on the beach to ensure visitors don’t miss a single aircraft passing overhead. Although aircrafts fly so close that the jet blast could potentially blow tourists into the water, thrill seekers can’t get enough of this spectacle. The local government has even put up warning signs to ensure everyone’s safety. Interestingly, the airport boasts an unusually short landing strip of just 7,150 feet ,prompting aircrafts to fly as close to the beginning of Runway 10 as possible for a smooth landing. This inevitably leads to the planes flying directly over the heads of excited beachgoers, who excitedly capture the moment with their cameras. For the non brave people there is a bar there to sit at and watch.

One of the draws for tourism to this area is that Maho Beach is under an active runway, boasting commercial jets, private aircrafts, and everything in between. This beach is beautiful, located on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. Specifically, one could find Maho Beach on the Dutch side on the island’s western shore. Its proximity to the Princess Juliana International Airport is another bonus, as tourists don’t have a long commute to the beach once they arrive in St. Martin.

There are various hotels, restaurants, and other attractions in the Maho Beach area, so there will be plenty to do here. Because this beach put the island of Saint Martin on the map, it’s no surprise many destinations are within driving distance.

If you have a long cruise day you can experience both the vibes on the Dutch and French side during your fun day on this beautiful island paradise.