7 Best Sights in St. Maarten, St. Martin and St. Maarten

Despite some "no nudity" signs at the neighboring Shore Pointe condos, this beach has been "clothing optional" for decades—but wait until you're on the beach itself before disrobing. Friendly Dany's Beach Bar near the stairs to the beach serves all kinds of drinks and snacks (sometimes including fresh Caribbean spiny lobster) to a clientele that hails from around the world. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available. Note that it's a steep walk down to parts of the beach, and the surf here can be rough.

Despite its occasional use by snorkelers, divers, kayakers, and boating enthusiasts, Little Bay isn't usually crowded. It does boast panoramic views of neighboring islands St. Eustatius (Statia) and Saba, and arriving and departing cruise ships. As it's accessible via the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, most beachgoers are hotel guests.

Many believe that this mile-long, powdery-white-sand beach behind the Mullet Bay Golf Course is the island's best. Though the undertow can make swimming a challenge at times, there's a cove at the south end that's calm enough for kids, and it's a good spot for snorkeling. Listen for the "whispering pebbles" as the waves wash up. Beach bars serve lunch and cold drinks, and you can rent chairs and umbrellas.

This half-moon stretch of white sand on the island's Caribbean side is a gem, despite occasional noise from planes at the airport in the nearby Maho area. It's surrounded mostly by private residences, with no big resorts or crowds and few Jet Skiers, so it's just you, the sand, and the water. One funky beach bar, Karakter, at the northern end provides chairs and nourishment. To find the beach, follow the signs southeast of the airport to Mary's Boon and the Horny Toad guesthouses.

True to its name, this stretch of sand is a great place to be at sunrise, preferably with your camera. Located on the Atlantic side of Oyster Pond, just south of the French border, it's a first-class beach for sunning and snorkeling (at its northern end), but the winds and rough water mean only strong swimmers should attempt to take a dip. Locals often fish here in early mornings or evenings—as do brown pelicans. It's not usually crowded, and there are some good restaurants in the area. To find the beach, follow the signs to Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Big Fish Restaurant, or Coral Beach Club.

This bustling white-sand beach curves around Philipsburg just behind Front Street. Here you'll find boutiques, eateries, and a pleasant boardwalk, as well as places to rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Often busy with cruise-ship passengers, the beach is best west of Captain Hodge Pier or around Antoine Restaurant.

Here, planes at Princess Juliana International Airport seem to pass just above your head, causing strong winds that can stir up the sand; a great place to windsurf or watch people windsurf. Alternatively, you can watch the thrilling spectacle from a more comfortable distance at the Sandbar or the Sunset Bar and Grill.