5 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.

A must-see for movie buffs, especially Star Wars fans, this nonprofit museum is run by Nick Maley, a film-industry artist who was involved in the creation of Yoda and other iconic characters. You'll learn how he worked while enjoying displays of models and memorabilia, and Maley is often on-hand to answer questions and autograph souvenirs that are for sale.