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Orient Beach on the French side. It's the famous clothing optional beach. Beautiful beach with plenty of places to have something to eat and drink. You can rent chairs and umbrellas. Don't forget your towels

On the Dutch side, I do like Mullet Bay. Food, drink, chair and umbrella rental on this beach also. If you have time check out the Sunset Beach bar on Maho Beach, you can see the low landing planes. Bring your camera, it's quite a sight to see.

Enjoy)

P.S. don't know how much time you have to shop, the duty free prices are excellent for liquor, watches, jewelry and perfume.

Update:

I just found out the Sunset Beach Bar is currently closed. Not sure when it will open. However, there is another place to watch the planes land, The DriftWood Boat Bar. You can't miss the place, it looks like a boat. Beers only $2.00 .This bar is also located on Maho Bay beach.

The one at Great Bay is closest. It's OK, you can take a water taxi or just walk. Look around for the $1 beers on Front St.

The beach at Maho is right at the end of the Princess Juliana airport's runway. The planes come in really low. The Sunset Bar at one end of the beach is closed right now but is scheduled to reopen soon. Great views. Under the previous owners, topless women drank free. If it's not open when you go, check out the nearby Driftwood.

Orient Beach is easiest on a cruise ship. Happy hour at the Perch Bar at Club O starts at 12:30, 2-4-1 drinks. Lots of water sports. If you are offended by naked people stay away from the Club O resort at the south end of the beach.

My personal beach favorites are Baie Rouge and Happy Bay. Both are far enough out of the way that you may not want to try them on a cruise stop. If you do, make arrangements with a cab driver for a pickup and allow plenty of time to get back to the ship.

Orient Beach all the way, Its on the french side. Very soft sand and warm clean water, a lot of vendors and places to eat on the beach. Its rated the best beach in st-maarten/st.martin. If you want to have a new experience then go to Maho Beach in the dutch side. The beach is 1km, small, but you can watch the planes land over your head since the beginning of the runway is a few feet away from the sand.

You'll find all of the usual activities you'd expect on a Caribbean Island: parasailing, kayaking, jet-skiing, hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling, and diving (although honestly the scuba diving isn't as world-class as what you'll find around nearby Saba). I enjoyed visiting Marigot, the capitol of the French side. It's a very European-style town, with the French influence clearly visible in the architecture, the bakeries, and the sidewalk cafes. It's a nice place for dining, sightseeing, and souvenir shopping.

Go to Orient Beach on the French side and go au naturel!