Great Bay Beach
 

Vacationers can find Great Bay Beach strategically placed on the Caribbean's southeastern coast. French St. Martin is home to many great activities and attractions, and, while the French flavor of the island may be an attractive thought, some travelers may not be as comfortable on the clothing-optional beaches.

If you're seeking a pretty stretch of sand in a secluded setting should consider visiting Great Bay Beach.

Great Bay Beach is sandy, but these shores are a little more grungy than some of the more remote beach locations because it is near the island's busy capital city. This long beach, which curves around the city of Philipsburg, does feature picturesque views, and on a clear day you can spot the neighboring island of Saba.

While the Caribbean has some beaches that are more secluded than Great Bay Beach the mix of natural setting and other special features offered by this location might be just right for you.

Many of the beaches in the Caribbean are quiet and secluded, and this sedate vacation style can be had at Great Bay Beach without taking you too far away. Neither too close nor too far from cities you'll have everything you need.

You'll easily find beautiful scenery on the beaches of the Caribbean, helping them to become a popular destination for vacationers. And, while many travelers visit these beautiful spots, some are less popular than others. The nature of each beach is different, and some will find that Great Bay Beach's nature suits them just right.

If you are comparing beaches, location is a key factor to consider. The Caribbean is known for its beaches, so Great Bay Beach is not your only choice. By studying the information that follows, you can make up your mind if this one fits your dream.

Food

If you start getting hungry during your afternoon at the shore, you have some dining options, and you don't have to go far away.

The following table provides some nearby dining options.

Restaurants Near Great Bay Beach
Restaurant NameCuisine TypeMeals ServedDistanceDirection
Da Livio Ristorante Italian lunch & dinner 0.3 mi. NE
Wajang Doll Pan Asian/ Pacific Rim lunch & dinner 0.4 mi. NE
Antoine French dinner 0.5 mi. NE
Shivsagar Restaurant Indian dinner 0.7 mi. NE
Chesterfields International lunch & dinner 0.7 mi. NE
Kangaroo Court Coffeehouse breakfast, lunch, dinner 0.7 mi. NE
The French Corner Coffeehouse lunch 0.8 mi. NE
Shiv Sagar Indian dinner 0.9 mi. NE
The Green House Eclectic lunch 1.0 mi. SE
Spartaco Italian dinner 1.8 mi. SW
Top Carrot Vegetarian breakfast, lunch, dinner 2.6 mi. W
Hot Tomatoes Caribbean dinner 2.7 mi. W
The Boathouse Seafood dinner 3.1 mi. W
Saratoga Eclectic dinner 3.2 mi. W
Indiana Beach Eclectic lunch & dinner 3.2 mi. W
Le Perroquet Contemporary dinner 3.3 mi. W
Ristorante Laguna Italian dinner 3.3 mi. W
Turtle Pier Bar & Restaurant Caribbean breakfast, lunch, dinner 3.4 mi. W

Every location in the world has its very own culinary style, and the Caribbean is no different. One of the best places to delve into local specialties is directly on the beach. Hence, you might want to have your hotel pack a picnic lunch for you, or you can pick up food from local vendors en route to the beach.

Amenities and Ambience

One of the best reasons to visit the shores of Great Bay Beach has to be the shopping. The sands are so close to Philipsburg, which is a shopping mecca, that your sure to find plenty of great deals while out soaking up some sun. For the best swimming and sunbathing head west on the beach past the Captain Hodges pier.

How crowded the beach is depends on several things, like the time of year and day of the week. A few of the Caribbean's beaches may hardly ever be crowded, while others are frequently crowded particularly during the high tourism season. An important element to consider when planning a day at the beach may be the size of the crowd you'll be joining, which is important to some vacationers. While some beach goers prefer a crowded beach with lots of activity, many would prefer to just relax in a quiet area.

Like many other aspects of the Caribbean this beach has a distinctive personality which will be particularly appealing to some visitors. The personality of this beach is somewhat different from what you'll discover at the other beaches in the Caribbean. If you plan on staying in Philipsburg then a visit to Great Bay Beach is a must.

Attractions

If you're like many vacationers, you want to experience plenty of incredible sights during your trip-- and also relax a little bit. An afternoon at the beach can be relaxing, but natural wonders, like Proselyte Reef (located 1.9 miles to the south of Great Bay Beach) can be a great part of your vacation.

If you want to learn more about the history of the Caribbean there are opportunities nearby. For instance, Fort Amsterdam is located 0.7 miles to the south of Great Bay Beach.

If you're looking for plenty of activities for your vacation, this beach isn't far from any of the items in the following table.

Attractions Near Great Bay Beach
Attraction NameDistanceDirectionType
Captain Hodge Pier 0.7 mi. NE
Fort Amsterdam 0.7 mi. S Historical Site
AMA Diamonds International 0.7 mi. NE Shopping
Wathey Square 0.7 mi. NE
Greenwith Galleries 0.8 mi. NE Shopping
Sint Maarten Museum 0.9 mi. E Museum
Proselyte Reef 1.9 mi. S Natural Attraction
Antillean Liquors 4.0 mi. W Shopping

Location

Visitors will find this beach on the southeastern coast of the Caribbean. It is located next to the Great Bay Beach Hotel. Great Bay Beach is near Phillipsburg, so travelers staying in this area won't have far to go.

Nearby Hotels

The number of other vacationers sharing the beach can vary widely, depending upon when you visit. So if you're looking for a place to stay in this vicinity you shouldn't have much difficulty.

Other Beaches

Travelers looking for a great beach can choose from more than Great Bay Beach when they visit the Caribbean. Another location you might enjoy is Cupecoy Bay Beach; it's situated 5.8 miles to the west. Cupecoy Bay Beach is an unspoiled landscape with pure white sands, towering cliffs, and shoreline caves perfect for exploration.

But, if you're interested in a more active beach, you might find that Little Bay Beach is just right. You'll find it 0.7 miles to the southwest.

Another location you may want to try is Dawn Beach, which is located 3.2 miles away from Great Bay Beach. Visit Dawn Beach on St. Martin to witness some of the most gorgeous sunrises you can imagine.

Great Bay Beach may not be right for you, and if this beach doesn't strike your fancy, the Caribbean is home to many other options.

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