Orient Bay
Orient Bay is a beach area on Saint-Martin’s northeast coast, known for its long sandy shore, water sports and beachfront restaurants.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Orient Bay is a beach area on the northeast coast of Saint-Martin, the French side of the island shared with Sint Maarten. The long sandy beach faces the Atlantic, with Green Cay just offshore. Visitors come to swim, spend time on the beach and take part in water sports. Restaurants along the shore provide places to eat beside the beach. The area suits travelers planning a beach day or a stay near the coast, with places to eat close to the sand.
A section at the southern end is clothing optional. Check the signs before choosing where to settle, since the naturist area is designated and the rest of the beach is not. The drier months are roughly December through April. Bring sun protection, and check local conditions before swimming or booking water activities. If you plan to explore beyond the beach, check transport options for your dates before setting out.
Orient Bay in five
- Carry euros for small purchasesOrient Bay is on the French side of St-Martin, where the euro is the local currency. Carry cash for businesses that do not take cards.
- Check entry rules for your passportEntry requirements depend on your nationality and trip. Check the French government’s France-Visas guidance before you travel.Visas and entry
- Save 112 for emergenciesCall 112 for emergency help in the French part of St-Martin.
- Ask before choosing a beach sectionOrient Bay has a designated naturist section. Check the signs at the beach entrance to identify the area.
- Arrange transport beyond the beachCheck current transport options before relying on taxis or buses to get around Orient Bay.
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Entry rules depend on nationality; check France-Visas Read more
- Emergency
- 112
- Tipping
- Not expected; rounding up is optional
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryDry season
- FebruaryDry season
- MarchDry season
- AprilDry season
- MayWarm, drier
- JuneWet season
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHurricane risk
- SeptemberHurricane risk
- OctoberHurricane risk
- NovemberHurricane risk
- DecemberDry season
Right now in Orient Bay
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 28 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 37%
Orient Bay
04:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°29°37%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 29°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Tue29°28°51%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Wed29°28°30%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Thu29°27°27%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Fri29°26°69%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sat28°26°75%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sun29°27°63%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 63%.
Updated 01:30 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Grand Caseabout 15 to 20 min by carVisit the village for its restaurants and waterfront.
- Marigotabout 30 min by carVisit the French-side capital for its market, shops and harbor.
- Philipsburgabout 40 to 60 min by carCross to the Dutch side for the capital’s shops and waterfront.
Before you go to Orient Bay
Rules for Orient Bay, checked
- Check entry requirements for your passport on France-Visas before travelling to the French side of St-Martin.Source
- Orient Bay has a designated naturist beach section. Follow the signs and choose the area that suits you.
- Use 112 for emergencies on the French side of the island.
Plan around Orient Bay
Plan a trip across the French and Dutch sides of the island
Read the guideGetting aroundCompare transport options for getting around the island
Read the guideMoney and costsPlan for cash, cards and trip spending
Read the guideVisas and entryCheck entry requirements for your passport
Read the guideWhere to stayPlan where to base yourself during your trip
Read the guideOrient Bay FAQ
Where is Orient Bay?
Orient Bay is on the northeastern coast of the French side of St-Martin, in the Caribbean.
Is Orient Bay on the French or Dutch side?
Orient Bay is on the French side of St-Martin. The island is shared with the Dutch side, Sint Maarten.
Is Orient Bay beach clothing optional?
Part of the beach is designated for naturists. Follow the signs to identify that section; the rest of the beach is not designated for naturists.
What currency is used in Orient Bay?
The local currency is the euro (EUR). Carry cash for small purchases, as card acceptance differs between businesses.
How do you get around Orient Bay?
Check transport options for your dates before setting out. Do not assume every service or destination is within walking distance.