The Nude Beaches of Saint Martin
Saint Martin’s French nude coastline
One officially designated nude beach and three unofficial spots across French side of Saint Martin.
snapshot
Saint Martin has one officially designated nude beach, Orient Beach, plus three more spots that are known but not formally sanctioned. Orient is on the French side and easy to reach, with beach bars and sunbeds. Happy Bay and Baie Longue are also on the French side but reached only on foot or through a gated community. Cupecoy is on the Dutch side, where nudity is technically illegal but tolerated in a handful of hidden coves.
season
December to April
LEGAL STATUS
Tolerated
GETTING THERE
car recommended
Vibe
Social to secluded
where we are
REGIONAL orientation
Saint Martin is split between French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten, and the divide matters for nude beach access. French law permits nudity on officially designated beaches, which is why Orient Beach carries a prefectural decree naming its northern end a clothes-free zone. Happy Bay and Baie Longue are also on the French side, but neither has that formal status, so both operate as accepted rather than legally protected spaces.
The Dutch side takes a different approach. Public nudity is technically a fineable offence under Sint Maarten law, but police and local government treat Cupecoy as a long-standing zone of tolerance, provided it stays within a few specific coves away from the main road.
The island is compact enough that distance is rarely the deciding factor. A full loop of all four beaches, including stops, can be done comfortably in a single day.
the nude beaches
ONE BY ONE
Orient Beach
18.084104, -63.015456
Orient Beach is the only officially designated nude beach on Saint Martin and the most established, historically anchored by Club Orient Resort until Hurricane Irma destroyed it in September 2017. The resort is being rebuilt, with reconstruction under way since June 2026, but the beach itself never stopped operating as a clothes-free zone. Sunbeds with yellow umbrellas mark the main nude area, and a clothing-optional bar serves reasonably priced food and drinks even when it rains.
LivelyAccessibleUrban/developedSandyWith facilities
Happy Bay
18.099264, -63.073348
Happy Bay is the quiet counterpart to Orient Beach, reachable only on foot, which keeps the crowds down. Reports place the nude sections at the ends of the beach, though in practice sunbathers spread out however the day’s crowd allows. A small shack sells chicken, ribs, beer, and water, but there are no other facilities. The setting is about nature and quiet rather than social atmosphere.
QuietRemoteNatural settingSandy
Baie Longue
18.059058, -63.143969
Baie Longue sits within the gated community around the Belmond La Samanna resort, and reaching the beach means driving through Terres Basses and asking security to lift the barrier at the resort entrance. Once inside, the beach often has very few people, nude or others. Nude sections are reported to be at the ends of the beach, so newcomers should look there first rather than settling in the middle.
QuietRemoteNatural settingSandyNo facilities
Cupecoy
18.050048, -63.135543
Cupecoy is the one Dutch-side entry on this list, made up of several small coves separated by sandstone outcrops where sand levels shift throughout the year. One cove can be wide and sandy for weeks, then lose its sand overnight as it reappears elsewhere along the same stretch. The clothes-free-friendly stretch is set apart from the main tourist beach nearer the resorts, and the area around Dany’s Bar is consistently clothes-free-friendly regardless of which cove currently has the best sand.
QuietRemoteNatural settingSandyRocky
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ Travellers who want one easy, officially sanctioned beach with bars and facilities
- ✓ Couples looking for a quiet, walk-in beach away from crowds.
- ✓ Anyone who want to visit several nude beaches in one day
not ideal if
- ✕ You want guaranteed facilities at every beach, since three of the four have none
- ✕ You want nude beaches connected to resorts
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side is the main gateway, with Cupecoy just a short drive away. The French side beaches, Orient Beach, Happy Bay, and Baie Longue, are all within a 30 to 45 minute drive from the airport, since the island is small and rarely congested. A car is recommended for reaching all four beaches in a single trip.
best time to go
December through April is the Caribbean dry season and the most comfortable time to visit, with lower humidity and calmer seas. Hurricane season runs from June to November and can bring heavy rain and rough surf, as well as occasional closures. Orient Beach stays lively year-round because of its bars, while Happy Bay, Cupecoy and Baie Longue are quieter regardless of season.
legal status
Orient Beach is the only beach with formal legal protection, designated a clothes-free zone by prefectural decree on French Saint-Martin. Happy Bay and Baie Longue are informally tolerated on the same French side, while Cupecoy on Dutch Sint Maarten is technically against the law but treated by police as a long-standing exception.
what to bring
Only Orient Beach has bars and rentals, so bring water and snacks for Happy Bay, Baie Longue, and Cupecoy. Sturdy footwear matters for the trail into Happy Bay and the rocky stairs down to Cupecoy’s coves. Cash is useful at Orient’s beach bars and at Dany’s Bar near Cupecoy. Sunscreen is essential everywhere, since shade is limited outside Orient’s umbrella rentals.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY
virtual visit
SEE FOR yourself
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video shows you what the beaches in this overview actually look like.
FAQ
most asked questions
Is nudity mandatory, or can I keep some clothes on?
Clothing is optional at all four beaches, and clothed and unclothed visitors mix freely. Orient Beach has the most established nude culture because of its official status. At Happy Bay, Baie Longue, and Cupecoy, nudity is common but not universal, especially outside the specific nude sections.
Are the nude beaches of Saint Martin good for first-timers?
Orient Beach is by far the easiest introduction, with clear parking, bars, and an established clothes-free crowd. Happy Bay is a good second stop once you're comfortable, since it's quieter but still straightforward to reach. Baie Longue and Cupecoy both require more effort and local knowledge, so they suit visitors who already feel at ease.
Are these beaches family-friendly?
Orient Beach has a broader family-friendly reputation on its textile sections, alongside its clothes-free zone. Happy Bay and Baie Longue are quiet enough for families willing to walk in, though neither offers facilities suited to young children. Cupecoy's rocky coves and hidden access make it the least practical option for families.
Do I need a car to visit?
Yes. A car is the only realistic way to reach all four beaches, since public transport on Saint Martin is limited and none of these beaches are walkable from most accommodation. Even Happy Bay, which requires a walk-in, needs a car to reach the trailhead or the Rue Happy Bay parking.
What time of year are the beaches at their best?
December through April is the Caribbean dry season and generally the most comfortable window, with calmer seas and lower humidity. Hurricane season runs from June to November and can bring storms and rough surf. Orient Beach's bars keep it lively throughout the year regardless of season.
Are there toilets or food available at the beaches?
Orient Beach has full facilities, including a clothing-optional bar with food and drink. Happy Bay has a small shack selling chicken, ribs, beer, and water, but nothing else. Baie Longue and Cupecoy have no facilities at all, though Dany's Bar is located near the Cupecoy access point for those who need a drink afterward.
Why do some people visit the wrong beach at Cupecoy?
Cupecoy is made up of several small coves, and the most clothes-free-friendly one is not the first beach most visitors find. Following the dirt road past the first set of stairs, rather than stopping there, leads to a better and more consistently nude-friendly cove further along.
