Beach-lover’s guide to St. Martin

Where to Play: The island-flavored outpost Kontiki ($$; 011-590-590-87-43-27) stylishly serves sushi, jerk chicken and a host of other favorites. Get Thai food, paella or a good ol’ burger at Bikini Beach ($$; 011-590-590-87-43-25; www.bikinibeach.net), which is open for dinner well after everything else shuts down. Try a massage at Waikiki Beach ($$; 011-590-590-87-43-19) or a pizza and champagne at Kakao ($$; 011-590-590-87-43-26). If you’re too lazy to brave the waves, take a dip in La Playa’s pool ($$; 011-590-590-77-20-90). CNS Watersports (011-590-590-29-41-57; www.cnsorientbay.com) will hook you up with kiteboards, windsurfers and Hobies — and teach you how to use them. Strap in with Kontiki Watersports (011-590-590-87-46-89) for a bird’s-eye view of the bay by parasail. Try on a new top or sterling silver jewelry at Sexy Fruits Boutique (011-590-590-87-27-99).

Hot Stuff: Sunday night is prime time at Kontiki, where you’ll find the island’s top partiers jammin’ until sunrise.

Baie de l’Embouchure

An oasis of calm just minutes south of Orient Bay, Baie de l’Embouchure is actually two beaches: Coconut Grove and Le Galion. The peaceful water belies the area’s contentious past, which includes tales of Euro-mob shenanigans (see sidebar “To Protect and Serve”). Today, though, the beach is a shining star with a stretch of soft sand and a marine reserve protecting coral reefs.

Recently voted the best beach for kids by St. Martin’s residents, the gently sloping bottom and a cool beach bar make it a great choice for the whole family.

Onshore winds are ideal for windsurfers.

Where to Play: Tropical Wave and Chez Pat ($; 011-590-590-87-37-25; www.sxm-info.com) offer a full menu of windsurfing, water sports, burgers and rum punch. They’re open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week in high season. You can also mosey down Coconut Grove’s sandy strand on a one- or two-hour horseback tour, or ride off into the sunset with Bayside Riding Club ($45 to 70; 011-590-590-87-36-64; www.bay sideridingclub.com).

Hot Stuff: The reef that protects the bay from rough waters pulls double duty as a surfing spot and snorkeling haven.

Coralita Beach

A small border of white sand trims the quiet coast of Baie Lucas just outside Oyster Pond. The only maintained stretch is behind the Coralita Beach Apartments, which offer no public access. Get to the beach via the abandoned hotel south of the apartments. The bay isn’t protected and can have some rough water, but there are coral heads for snorkeling and a constant breeze for windsurfing.

Zach Stovall is Caribbean Travel & Life’s Photo Services Director.

Caribbean Travel & Life is the magazine for anyone in search of the perfect tropical getaway. Each issue presents expert insider’s advice on where to find the Caribbean’s best beaches and attractions, its finest resorts and spas, liveliest beach bars and activities, and its friendliest people.   

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