| Anyone who visits the Caribbean islands undoubtedly | | | | Island. Close to Orient Beach, on the same road as the |
| does so to sample the climate and the magnificent | | | | Butterfly Farm, Le Galion is very much a family beach. |
| beaches. On the island of St Martin/St Maarten there | | | | The water is calm and the beach bar/restaurant is |
| are many stunning beaches and resorts. In this article | | | | very pleasant. The road is poor and drivers should |
| we take a brief glimpse at twenty of our most | | | | take care. A stone's throw from the airport, Maho is |
| favourite resorts on the island. | | | | particularly popular at take-off and landing time. As the |
| The home of Le Domaine de Lonvilliers and the | | | | picture shows, the planes almost touch the hats of |
| Radisson Hotels, Anse Marcel is a quiet and sheltered | | | | those brave enough to greet their arrival. |
| beach, with calm waters and a peaceful ambience. It is | | | | It is not uncommon for hats, towels, beach chairs and |
| accessible by road via Cul de Sac and free car | | | | hand bags to end up in the sea, in the wake of the |
| parking is available. Situated on the Dutch side of the | | | | giant jet engines! Mullet Bay is another very popular |
| island, close to the airport, Simpson Bay Lagoon is the | | | | beach, situated on the Dutch side of the island |
| location of some of the more exotic cruise yachts and | | | | between Cupecoy and Maho Bay. Surfers enjoy the |
| popular hotels, bars and restaurants. Neighbouring | | | | beach and for those who want a break from the sea |
| resorts, Oyster Pond being on the French side and | | | | the island's 18-hole golf course is close at hand. This |
| Dawn Beach on the Dutch side. | | | | famous white sand beach, also known as the St |
| Oyster Pond has a protected harbour, housing many | | | | Tropez of the Caribbean, is one and a half miles long. |
| motorboats and yachts whilst Dawn Beach is one of | | | | Scattered with beach bars, boutiques and restaurants |
| the most popular island resorts. Prune Bay is a beach | | | | and numerous water sports Orient Beach deserves its |
| that is secluded and particularly popular with surfers | | | | popularity. Bay Lucas is situated on the Dutch side of |
| and snorkellers who are able to get out towards Point | | | | the island, also between Cupecoy and Maho Bay. |
| Plum. Pinel is a small island and nature reserve across | | | | Surfers enjoy the beach and for those who want a |
| the bay from Orient Beach. Accessible from Cul de | | | | break from the sea the island's 18-hole golf course is |
| Sac by regular ferry crossings Pinel is a resort that is | | | | close at hand. |
| not to be missed, for its tranquil atmosphere and its | | | | The capital of the Dutch side, Philipsburg has an |
| calm waters. The restaurants serve excellent cuisine. | | | | oceanside boardwalk, on which there are numerous |
| Cupecoy is a series of beaches divided by rocks, | | | | bars and restaurants, and a long stretch of white |
| which was frequented by many of the island's naturist | | | | powdery sand. Situated just to the south of Marigot, |
| visitors. The limestone cliffs supply a striking contrast | | | | the French capital, Nettle Bay houses various small |
| with the aqua-green sea, although the beach has been | | | | sections of Beach that are associated with the hotels |
| much eroded by the strong ocean waves. | | | | and restaurants that run its length. It is very popular |
| Situated approximately half way between Marigot and | | | | with those who want to relax in the warm sun and |
| Grand Case, Friar's Bay has plenty of amenities and | | | | sea. Baie Longue, as its name suggests, is the longest |
| provides a close-up view across the water to the | | | | beach on the island. Situated in the French Lowlands, it |
| island of Anguilla. Popular with locals and holidaymakers | | | | is the site of the well-known La Samanna Hotel. |
| but not often overcrowded. World famous for its high | | | | On the northern side of the French Lowlands, |
| quality cuisine, Grand Case is just a ten minute drive | | | | separated from Marigot by Bay Nettle, Baie Rouge is |
| from Orient Bay, on the road to Marigot. Grand Case | | | | a popular beach, particularly with swimmers. Last but |
| is also the location of the small French airport, | | | | certainly not least is the beach at Plum Bay, a small, |
| Esperance. One of the most popular tourist resorts on | | | | clean and quiet beach situated in the French Lowlands |
| the island. Grand Ilét is a beach with a difference, | | | | between Baie Longue and Baie Rouge. |
| situated in the middle of Simpson Bay Lagoon. A great | | | | These twenty beaches on the island of St Martin/St |
| place from which to watch the world, the boats and | | | | Maarten differ in size, popularity and tranquility. What |
| the planes go by. | | | | they all have in common, however, is a wonderful |
| Happy Bay is a wonderful beach, which is accessible | | | | climate, a welcoming ocean and all the joys of |
| only be foot. The ten-minute walk from Friar's Bay is | | | | Caribbean beach life. If you can't visit them all on your |
| well worth the effort. This secluded beach is deserving | | | | next trip to St Martin don't worry - just visit the island |
| of its reputation as one of the most beautiful on the | | | | again! |