St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Title: St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach
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Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：03/06/2023 03:16:39Copy HTML

Rickl454 is 100% correct... that beach is hypnotic... they maintain it very well.... the only problem with that beach is the biting sandflies so make sure you remedy those little pests....I thought the tanning oil would keep them away but I was mistaken..... but even with the flies that beach is worth getting bit a few times....I don't know if your hotel or rental has a kitchen but if so you can go to the super U grocery store and stock up on everything....we brought a little beer to the beach we bought from there....idk what other helpful tips I can think of

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：03/06/2023 04:54:29Copy HTML

GuestGuest - On all our past trips to SXM we never had a problem with sandflys but Deep Woods Off works with most beach bugs (at least it does with New England bugs) so on your advice we’ll be taking a bottle along. Our villa (pretty much right in the middle of The Village) is fully equipped – with a private pool even – that should come in handy if we suddenly become too lazy to make the two block walk to the beach.  Hey, it happens, you’ve been there you know.  We’re going with a couple from the next state over who we met on SXM on the Tiko Tiko cruise way back in 2005.  They stayed at the same villa last year so we’ll follow their lead.  The Super U has got to be new (we never heard of it until you mentioned it – thanks again) but a stop on the way to the villa will definitely be in order – we finished our stash of Ma DouDou last summer so …….

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：04/01/2023 11:32:12Copy HTML

We have just returned from a glorious 2 week stay in St Martin. We stayed in the Orient village and spent most of our time on Orient beach.
 I would  say that close to half the men are wearing bottoms with a 3" inseam or less. There were lots of square cut suits and Bikini style suits on the men and Yes, Thongs. I was never the only man in a thong on the beach. 
 As for the women. Thongs and Cheeky bottoms out numbered full cut bottoms. There seemed to be topless women at every beach bar every day as well.
 We spent our time on the nude end of the beach but would walk the textile side a few times a day, with both my wife and I only wearing a thong bottom. 
 It is easy to be comfortable there.
 we spent a couple of hours on Simpson beach Infront of Mary Boons. There were several men in Bikini cut bottoms there, and it was easier to count the women not in thongs then the one wearing them. There were even a couple of topless women tanning further away from the crowd.
 It was a very relaxing time, with no hesitation to wear a thong.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：04/01/2023 06:26:25Copy HTML

Welcome to the club, Spark!!!  Hey, that’s good stuff to know.  We’re going in late May with another couple and staying at a villa in the village.  This will be our 'dozenth' or so visit to SXM but we always stayed at Club Orient.  Every day we’d walk from the nude beach to the beachside restaurants for lunch.  My wife would usually wear a half pareo while I usually wore a string bikini or a g-string.  Never any problems.  It does sound like Orient Beach has become a little more liberal than in years past.  Thanks for the information and it’s good to know you had an excellent time – when are you going back?

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：04/01/2023 10:42:47Copy HTML

The room is already booked for next March !! Enjoy your time . As good as everything is there , the best part was the amazing people we met on the beach . It is a special place

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：04/02/2023 11:28:25Copy HTML

Hey Spark - All along I though you were new at this SXM stuff  I read a few of your old posts under this title and come to find out you're a veteran!!  I'm not telling you anything that you haven't already experienced - good for you.  Glad to know that your trip want well.  This May will be our first SXM trip since 2017 (pre hurricane) unless you count cruise ship day visits - but they don't count.  Anyway best wishes and welcome home.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：04/02/2023 05:41:11Copy HTML

That was trip 8 for us . We found The island is getting back to normal after Erma and COVID . Safe travels

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/30/2023 12:01:33Copy HTML

If you really want to be envious, guess where I am now:  Orient Beach on St. Martin where if you are wearing a g-string or a thong you are definitely way over dressed!  Unfortunately it is not the paradise it used to be.  Still a nice place to  visit but I wouldn't want to live here.  We'll be back to New England later this week.  

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：06/12/2023 06:53:32Copy HTML

Tell us more about the trip to St. Martin!  I wanted to go there long before the storm wiped so much of it off the island and never had the chance.  How is Orient Beach these days?

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：06/14/2023 12:10:55Copy HTML

Orient is pretty much the same, dress-wise.  Nude is fine in the southern end of the beach.  Thongs, g-strings are OK for the rest of the beach.  It's a French beach so topless is more or less routine.  The only real difference is that Club Orient still lies in ruins - I don't think it will ever be rebuilt.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：06/15/2023 03:08:17Copy HTML

Spent 10 amazing days on St. Martin 6/2-6/12.  First vacation where I wore exclusively thongs the entire time.  We stayed in Mont Vernon and would walk the length of Orient beach to the nude section to snorkel and swim every day.  Snorkeling nude or in a thong is amazing.  My wife wore her wicked weasels and I wore Rick majors thongs at friars bay, happy bay, pinel island, petites cay, and cupecoy.  Didn’t see as many other guys as thongs as I expected but there were 5-6 or so.  Quite a few women walked Orient tnt in the early mornings.  

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：06/20/2023 02:12:05Copy HTML

How was the snorkeling there? nice reefs? How far out from shore? Wife and I are big time snorkelers. 

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：06/22/2023 08:30:32Copy HTML

The reef off of orient beach was amazing.  About 100 yds off shore, hundreds of fish, a few turtles and stingrays.  We would snorkel it multiple times a day.  Pinel island was also good with a lot of beautiful coral off of the north side.  We didn’t take any guided snorkel tours but heard from some people that they were great.  

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：04/28/2024 11:27:28Copy HTML

My wife and I enjoyed 2 glorious weeks on orient beach at the end of march. we stayed right in the orient village, just a short walk to the beach. 
 As soon as we got to our room, we changed into thongs and went right to the beach. Coming out of our apartment entrance, the first sight we see is a man walking by in a thong heading toward his apartment, no coverup. That set the tone for the holiday. several time over the two weeks  saw men and women walking off of the beach in a thong with no cover up.   Both my wife and I wear a sarong as a cover up to get from the room to the beach, on the way back to the room we didn't bother covering up this trip. 
 On the beach, I was never the only male in a thong. everyday there were several others. As far as women, I would say at least half were wearing a thong or cheeky. If every section of beach chairs, there was always a couple of topfree women as  well.
  We spent most of our time in the nude section, but wore a thong to get there and back and go for walks and to go for lunch. 
 There were lots of men wearing bikinis and squarecuts as well. 
 St Martin is still a wonderful place to be comfortable in your own skin. We met so many wonderful people. This is what keeps us going back every year. 
 the island had a vibrance to it this trip that I haven't seen since before the big hurricane in 1995. 
 we are looking forward to next year already.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：04/28/2024 09:09:53Copy HTML

Spark - where did you stay?  We were there about a year ago and rented a villa up on the hill - not walking distance to the beach.  Next time we want to get a lot closer.  Maybe next year about this time.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：09/08/2024 07:22:19Copy HTML

Just booked a week in december. This will be my 6th or so time visiting. At this point we’ve hit all the bests or most obvious places to thong: happy bay, orient, pinel, bay rouge, bay long, petit caye, cupecoy, etc. 

Has anyone had exceptional experiences thonging elsewhere on the island?

Worth noting, we don’t have kids and like to avoid them / families.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：09/09/2024 01:22:38Copy HTML

You all inspired me to book a trip next year.  Love being around thongers at the beach.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：09/09/2024 01:26:06Copy HTML

The island is laid back. I have driven around in a jeep convertable and walked around town in a gstring. No one cares.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：12/04/2024 08:00:09Copy HTML

Staying at Orient bay now. Never seen so many guys in thongs before. Probably about 10 a day.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：12/05/2024 11:52:46Copy HTML

Hey wears - I just got up here in southern new england.  We've got a covering of show here.  You have a good time down there and be sure to keep us posted!

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：12/06/2024 01:36:46Copy HTML

St Martin is a wonderful place . I will be one of those many men thronging there this March , can’t wait !!

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：01/23/2025 11:04:39Copy HTML

Here's a full trip report from the beginning of December.  This would be my 6th time visiting the island.
- Stayed at a B&B with a CO pool (I will not name for privacy reasons) the first couple days and wore our thongs by the pool.  Female guests went topless, half the men nude, half just wore shorts.  My thong garnered no comments. 
- Walked the length of Bay Rouge in a thong.  I wore some cover up short shorts from the car to the beach, probably didn't matter, but near the parking lot was mostly American tourists.  After 50ft to the left there was hardly anyone, I left my shorts hanging on a bush and we walked the full length.  Unfortunately, no spots that looked safe to swim that day.  Was quite hot by the end, and no shade.  But very few people and a nice experience none the less.
- Happy Bay was great as usual.  Good amount of people, about half naked.  Wore a thong from the car to the beach.  Path was VERY overgrown from the heavy rains they had prior to our arrival, like taller than us.
- We stayed at an AirBnB at Orient.  Great crowd. I work a thong half the days there.  No issues.  Saw 3-5 thongs on other men each day, most I've seen in any visit.  Swim briefs common too, but shorts on overweight tourists still the majority.
- Daytime and early evening bar scene was deader than I'd ever seen it.  The beach bars would stay open until there was no more business, which was never later than 6.  People really are drinking much less these days.  I can remember it being lively at Bikini until midnight.  We had almost no luck making friendly conversation with other vacationers.  That was a first.
- Went to Pinel two days in a row, hung out on the backside in our thongs both times and went snorkeling.  We took the ferry one day, never again.   Much more fun to Kayak and come and go as you want, waiting for the boat seemed like a waste of vacation time and the line at the end of the day can be long or two boats wait.
- Went to Coupecoy after chechout on our last day.  Really cool spot.  We wore out thongs.  Crowd was mostly nude men, about half single.  None of them acted creepy or stared.  Curious if anyone's ever thonged at the beach bar Dany's?
- Walked Maho in some very small briefs, no issues.  Crowd was much younger and more American, vs. Orient which was mostly French this trip.  Thongs were the most popular swimwear for women but myself and one other guy were the only ones in anything other than shorts.  Probably fine to wear the thong I just didn't feel like sticking out too much.

All in all a great trip.  We are going to make visiting this time of year an annual thing, mostly due to the climate and shortness of days back home during this time.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：03/06/2025 04:55:04Copy HTML

Just returned from a weeklong trip to SXM.  Stayed at a resort on Orient Beach.

Overall, the experience was great.  The first half of the trip I did see about 3-5 male beach walkers each day in a thong/g-string, but it did become less frequent towards the end of my trip.  There were plenty of women sunbathing topless each day.  No one batted an eye on choice of swimwear.

Early mornings you could see at least 5 walkers completely nude during the sunrise walk.  However, after around 8-9 AM, everyone was pretty much covered up unless you stayed in the nude section at the end of the beach.

I felt comfortable laying out, getting drink service, and walking the full length of Orient in a thong.  On my last full day, I even switched it up to a g-string.  I felt like I just blended into the crowd.  I look forward to returning soon.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：03/06/2025 08:37:51Copy HTML

I can’t wait to visit this place in the future! Sounds like a great place for thongers! How is it walking up to the bars and beach restaurant areas? Do you still feel comfortable wearing a thong around everyone there?

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：03/09/2025 12:27:25Copy HTML

Yes, it would be fine to walk up to a beach bar in a thong to order a drink. 

In fact, I went in and browsed one of the swimsuit shops on the beach during one of my walks.  The shop worker was friendly and helpful.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：03/09/2025 12:18:53Copy HTML

I was in St. Maarten in 2000 and was set up on nude side. I would walk up to the bar nude to get a beer with no problem. There was a store at the nude resort so I walked across the resort ground and went into the store totally nude, walked around , bought a few beers then went to check out and stood in line totally nude. It was pretty cool to be standing there nude giving the girl clerk my money. Would love to go back again. Scary airport to land on but a nice place to visit.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：03/30/2025 09:14:11Copy HTML

We recently returned home from a wonderful 2 week vacation in st Martin . We stayed in the orient village and spent most of our beach time in the nude section  at the former Club O. 
 I would get up early and walk down to secure chairs for the day wearing a thong . 
Then after breakfast we would both walk back down , both of us only wearing thongs . 
There was never any issues . I was never the only guy on the beach in a thong . I saw many men in the chairs on the textile side as well as some on the nude side . 
Women in thongs and cheekys out numbered full bottom coverage .
There were lots of men in bikini and square cut suits as well . 
 We took a jet ski excursion one day , we left from Simpson bay and rode up to grand case , where we stopped at the floating bar in the bay for a break. Then we rode back into the lagoon at sandy ground and did an extensive tour of the lagoon and all the yachts before going back to home base . Both my wife and I wore a thong for the journey . The trip was over 2 hours in length . 
I was not expecting the stop at the floating bar , when we got there , we had to tie the jet skis up on a buoy away from the bar and get transferred in on our guides machine . There were several others at the bar .I just acted normally and everything was fine . 
When we got back to the starting point we had to get off in the ocean right beside a busy beach bar and climb up some rocks to get to the booth where our belongings were . There was a shower there to rise the salt off , all very visible  to the public . 
Overall , St Martin is very thong friendly , just as it has been for years .

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/15/2025 03:51:29Copy HTML

I've been planning a trip here for years, it sounds like heaven. My ultimate goal is to have the smallest suitcase of luggage that only has sandals and a variety of G strings and thongs. Can anyone tell me from first hand experience how many places you can walk around in a tiny thong? From what I gather it's basically seen at every beach on the island. As well as most of the beachside restaurants and shops. Can I walk the streets of the town in a thong going to and from wherever I am lodging? maybe pop in a town shop? Grocery shop? Can I drive around in a thong from beach to beach and place to place?

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/15/2025 05:51:58Copy HTML

Thongs are commonplace amongst the beaches of St. Martin/Marten... you may be able to wear thongs at the beach restaurants but to preserve decency i wouldn't unless it's absolute open air and you see others.   I definitely would not at the grocery store. Definitely get a rental car so you can beach hop but the nude section at Orient is mecca. I was there 5 years ago over July 4th weekend. I got the best tan ever. Enjoy your trip.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/16/2025 11:23:00Copy HTML

We’ve worn thongs and g-strings up and down Orient Beach for years with absolutely no problems.  If you want to go to one of the restaurants I would recommend carrying a dish towel, easy to carry and just enough to sit on (sitting on a towel is basic nudist etiquette but is always a good idea).  Any of the beachside shops welcome anyone regardless of their attire.  I have walked all over Orient Village in a very small bikini, almost a thong but not quite, with no problems at all.  Remember Orient is a French beach community so just about anything goes - long as it’s something and not nothing.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/17/2025 12:45:58Copy HTML

From your hotel or airbnb to the beach it's no problem, similarly the beach bars its fine but keep it out of the restaurants and stores, that's just bad taste no matter where you are.  If you want more of the feel of walking around you can go to happy bay and do the hike from your car to the beach.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/18/2025 09:16:16Copy HTML

Is it true you can rock a thong on basically any beach or swimming pool on the island?

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/20/2025 02:56:10Copy HTML

Yes

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/25/2025 10:48:43Copy HTML

How welcoming are the beachside shops and bars of minimal swimwear around the rest of the island outside of orient? Has anyone ever rented or ridden a jet ski or windsurfed or went on a boat or catamaran tour in a thong? Snorkeling?

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：05/25/2025 11:20:58Copy HTML

I have been on both a catamaran tour and snorkeling and scuba diving tours several times in St. Maarten/St. Martin. I have always worn a thong on the boats and in the water with no issues, negativity or concerns. Once off the boat, and the beaches as well, I pull on short shorts and a shirt for walking around towns, shopping and the restaurants. In general people have always been friendly.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：10/05/2025 03:21:27Copy HTML

Booked for our annual stay at orient december this year. At least that week I can guarantee you won’t be the only thonger.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：01/05/2026 06:59:59Copy HTML

Trip report, basically the last weeks of 2025.  For one, it was the busiest I've ever seen the island.  It should have been more obvious to me given the proximity to the holiday when I booked but there were many more families / kids than I had ever seen there before, which translated in to much fewer couples wearing minimal attire.  It was also the first time we ever had to be serious about restaurant and beach chair reservations, every other trip we never did this once.  It was also the first time I didn't see a single other male thonger, usually I see a handful.  On women however nearly everyone that was a teenager or older was wearing a thong, fuller coverage seemed only common on the women that were 50+, significantly overweight, or both.

In all the island was still great.  Coupecoy, Happy Bay, Bay Rouge, Long Bay and Plum Bay remained our favorites and were fine for thonging.  Orient beach required a bit more confidence than past trips with all the families but was fine.  I want to visit more destinations but I think st martin will continue to be hard to beat.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：01/06/2026 08:29:34Copy HTML

I just returned from a cruise that stopped at St. Martin (St. Maarten).  We visited Maho beach for the airport experience. While I can confirm that it was extremely crowded with families, I (M) wore a thong along with my wife and teenage daughters. I'm sure I got looks, however the only comments that I heard were complements from others on my 'tiny swimsuit' or my 'speedo'.  Those commenting all said it looked great and wish they had the confidence to wear one. My wife to her credit told everyone who commented to just do it and wear the thong. 

The worry about what others think is all in your head. Just do it.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：06/19/2026 06:10:40Copy HTML

On June 16, 2026, there was an groundbreaking ceremony for a new luxury naturist resort where the old Club Orient Resort had been. They estimate that it will cost 3 million euros just to remove the ruins of the old resort, and it will take at least 2 to 3 years before the new (not yet named) resort will open.

Link to full article below:

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/groundbreaking-ceremony-held-for-new-hotel-on-the-former-club-orient-property

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：07/10/2026 05:09:34Copy HTML

Those are great reports from you guys! Me and wifey are going to St Martin for two weeks (Air BnB at Orient beach) for the first time this december.

Are there any places/boat trips/excursions you can recommend for first-timers? Are there places or activities (day trips) that we should pass on that is not worth it? I guess we will spend most of our time at the French side. Can't wait to spend most of our vaccation in thongs and g-strings!

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：07/10/2026 10:33:26Copy HTML

From Orient Bay you can get a cab or drive your rental car to cul-de-sac where you can get kayaks or paddleboards for the day (https://www.caribbeanpaddling.com/ ) and go over to Pinel Island which is thong / g-string and topless friendly.  There's two places on this small island with restaurants and beach chairs / umbrellas.  The beach is nice with calm waters because it is facing away from the Atlantic.

You can walk/ drive to the south end of Orient Bay beach where you can be nude.  There's a small bar where you can get drinks.  There's beach chairs for rental.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：07/11/2026 11:50:50Copy HTML

Max – We’ve been to SXM more times than we can count, always staying at ClubO before it was destroyed. 

 On our first trip back in 1990 someone advised us to sign up for the nude catamaran cruise as early in our stay as possible.  This is because the acquaintances formed that day (sometimes) tend to last for the entire stay.  About 15 years later we finally took that advice and found it to be true.  That was 2004 and to this day we still keep in touch with three couples we met that day.  In fact, one of those couples is visiting us at our Connecticut campground next weekend – 22 years after we first met! 

   The cruise we took is long gone but there are others.  I think Residence Adam & Eve runs one and there have to be others.  You might post inquiries on orientbeach.com and/or ttol.com – someone on one of those two boards always knows the answer to any question you might have.  You could always contact your AirBnB, they might know.  The cruises are not cheap because they often include a gourmet lunch on board as well as an open bar, but its definitely worth it – at least it was for us.  Good luck and have a good trip.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：07/11/2026 11:51:47Copy HTML

string_theory, thanks for the info! Are there any places not worth visiting, that newbees like us should avoid?

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：07/30/2026 01:17:56Copy HTML

Thanks for the input rickl454, sorry I didn´t include you in my previous thank-you-post!
"ttol.com" seems to be down, same with the forum section on "orientbeach.com", it doesen´t seem to have been updated for a long time . . .

Another question. Is it a good choice to rent bicycles to get around the island? Is it cheap, and do you have to worry about them being stolen all the time?
Are there taxis available around Orient beach, or do you have to call and book them? What is the price level?

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：07/31/2026 12:01:39Copy HTML

No problem at all, Max.  Try this link: https://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/1/1/st-maarten-st-martin.html ou might have to register but it's free and uncomplicated.  I'd forget using bikes.  There are a lot of hills all over the island and it can get really hot especially away from the water.  You're better off just renting a car.  Although taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive - fares are government regulated.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：08/01/2026 12:32:56Copy HTML

The island is pretty light on activities.  Really it's all just about relaxing on the beach and good food.  We enjoy bringing some cheap snorkeling gear but, while you'll see a couple fish, its not like your going to see any colorful reefs.  There is the usual beach fare of jetski, hobicat and kayak rentals.  The more adventurous can seek out lessons and outfits for surfing and kite surfing.  There's a few companies that do daytrip group catamaran cruises around the island, a booze cruise more or less with lunch served usually.

But yea 99% of people there to set up at some beach chairs for the day then going to a good dinner.  Slightly older crowd in general.

Plan to rent a car. Every other option for getting around is stupid on that island. The taxis are NOT cheap and it's not worth your wasted vacation time trying to arrange for them when you want it's not like they are everywhere.  A car rental for a week is around $300 and you'll spend more than that on taxis for sure if you go somewhere most days.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：08/01/2026 12:42:25Copy HTML

As a long time visitor to SXM (St. Martin airport code) I can attest to wearsthongs posts (Spark2100 has some good ones too).  He gets it exactly right: “Really it's all just about relaxing on the beach and good food”.  That’s it. Newbies arrive on the island with a litany of stuff to do besides go to the beach.  Visit the Butterfly Farm, go to the casino, the open air market in Marigot, visit the fort, drink a lot of MaDouDou ...  Once you get settled on the beach the first day all that goes out the window.  “Sand gravity” hits in full force.  The realization that all that tourist stuff can be put off until tomorrow, then the next day until all the days have all gone.  You have accomplished nothing and its time to get back on the plane.  Perfect.  You can get to all that stuff on the next visit – and there will be a next visit.  We’ve been to SXM at least a dozen times and still have no idea where the Butterfly Farm is.  We missed out on the Coffee Plantation, never made it to the fort, we did make it to the Marigot market (once was enough for a lifetime) and whatever other tourist crap they have.  Next time, maybe.  You’ll see.  

Wearsthongs advice about renting a car is right on – especially if you are going to be there a week or so and $300 is about right.  Good advice: if you have a chance to rent a Hyundai Atos pick something else.  And drink MaDouDou – that’s important – although Rum Jumbie is a good alternative.  

The important thing is to go.  Then you’ll be calling it SXM, will be a connoisseur of cheap rum and will be a qualified veteran of intense beach loafing like the rest of us.

Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach

Date Posted：08/03/2026 09:15:58Copy HTML

Thanks for all your inputs!
We will definitely hire a car for a week, since we are staying two weeks and like to get around and explore the island.
Are there any bus companies that operates on St Martin? Where you can hop-on/hop-off from Orient beach to Grand Case, Marigot or Philipsburg?

GuestGuest	#351
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：03/06/2023 03:16:39Copy HTML Rickl454 is 100% correct... that beach is hypnotic... they maintain it very well.... the only problem with that beach is the biting sandflies so make sure you remedy those little pests....I thought the tanning oil would keep them away but I was mistaken..... but even with the flies that beach is worth getting bit a few times....I don't know if your hotel or rental has a kitchen but if so you can go to the super U grocery store and stock up on everything....we brought a little beer to the beach we bought from there....idk what other helpful tips I can think of
rickl454	#352
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：03/06/2023 04:54:29Copy HTML GuestGuest - On all our past trips to SXM we never had a problem with sandflys but Deep Woods Off works with most beach bugs (at least it does with New England bugs) so on your advice we’ll be taking a bottle along. Our villa (pretty much right in the middle of The Village) is fully equipped – with a private pool even – that should come in handy if we suddenly become too lazy to make the two block walk to the beach. Hey, it happens, you’ve been there you know. We’re going with a couple from the next state over who we met on SXM on the Tiko Tiko cruise way back in 2005. They stayed at the same villa last year so we’ll follow their lead. The Super U has got to be new (we never heard of it until you mentioned it – thanks again) but a stop on the way to the villa will definitely be in order – we finished our stash of Ma DouDou last summer so …….
spark2100	#353
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：04/01/2023 11:32:12Copy HTML We have just returned from a glorious 2 week stay in St Martin. We stayed in the Orient village and spent most of our time on Orient beach. I would say that close to half the men are wearing bottoms with a 3" inseam or less. There were lots of square cut suits and Bikini style suits on the men and Yes, Thongs. I was never the only man in a thong on the beach. As for the women. Thongs and Cheeky bottoms out numbered full cut bottoms. There seemed to be topless women at every beach bar every day as well. We spent our time on the nude end of the beach but would walk the textile side a few times a day, with both my wife and I only wearing a thong bottom. It is easy to be comfortable there. we spent a couple of hours on Simpson beach Infront of Mary Boons. There were several men in Bikini cut bottoms there, and it was easier to count the women not in thongs then the one wearing them. There were even a couple of topless women tanning further away from the crowd. It was a very relaxing time, with no hesitation to wear a thong.
rickl454	#354
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：04/01/2023 06:26:25Copy HTML Welcome to the club, Spark!!! Hey, that’s good stuff to know. We’re going in late May with another couple and staying at a villa in the village. This will be our 'dozenth' or so visit to SXM but we always stayed at Club Orient. Every day we’d walk from the nude beach to the beachside restaurants for lunch. My wife would usually wear a half pareo while I usually wore a string bikini or a g-string. Never any problems. It does sound like Orient Beach has become a little more liberal than in years past. Thanks for the information and it’s good to know you had an excellent time – when are you going back?
spark2100	#355
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：04/01/2023 10:42:47Copy HTML The room is already booked for next March !! Enjoy your time . As good as everything is there , the best part was the amazing people we met on the beach . It is a special place
rickl454	#356
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：04/02/2023 11:28:25Copy HTML Hey Spark - All along I though you were new at this SXM stuff I read a few of your old posts under this title and come to find out you're a veteran!! I'm not telling you anything that you haven't already experienced - good for you. Glad to know that your trip want well. This May will be our first SXM trip since 2017 (pre hurricane) unless you count cruise ship day visits - but they don't count. Anyway best wishes and welcome home.
spark2100	#357
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：04/02/2023 05:41:11Copy HTML That was trip 8 for us . We found The island is getting back to normal after Erma and COVID . Safe travels
rickl454	#358
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/30/2023 12:01:33Copy HTML If you really want to be envious, guess where I am now: Orient Beach on St. Martin where if you are wearing a g-string or a thong you are definitely way over dressed! Unfortunately it is not the paradise it used to be. Still a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live here. We'll be back to New England later this week.
DCThonglover	#359
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：06/12/2023 06:53:32Copy HTML Tell us more about the trip to St. Martin! I wanted to go there long before the storm wiped so much of it off the island and never had the chance. How is Orient Beach these days?
rickl454	#360
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：06/14/2023 12:10:55Copy HTML Orient is pretty much the same, dress-wise. Nude is fine in the southern end of the beach. Thongs, g-strings are OK for the rest of the beach. It's a French beach so topless is more or less routine. The only real difference is that Club Orient still lies in ruins - I don't think it will ever be rebuilt.
Mtnthonger	#361
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：06/15/2023 03:08:17Copy HTML Spent 10 amazing days on St. Martin 6/2-6/12. First vacation where I wore exclusively thongs the entire time. We stayed in Mont Vernon and would walk the length of Orient beach to the nude section to snorkel and swim every day. Snorkeling nude or in a thong is amazing. My wife wore her wicked weasels and I wore Rick majors thongs at friars bay, happy bay, pinel island, petites cay, and cupecoy. Didn’t see as many other guys as thongs as I expected but there were 5-6 or so. Quite a few women walked Orient tnt in the early mornings.
1Monte	#362
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：06/20/2023 02:12:05Copy HTML How was the snorkeling there? nice reefs? How far out from shore? Wife and I are big time snorkelers.
Mtnthonger	#363
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：06/22/2023 08:30:32Copy HTML The reef off of orient beach was amazing. About 100 yds off shore, hundreds of fish, a few turtles and stingrays. We would snorkel it multiple times a day. Pinel island was also good with a lot of beautiful coral off of the north side. We didn’t take any guided snorkel tours but heard from some people that they were great.
spark2100	#364
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：04/28/2024 11:27:28Copy HTML My wife and I enjoyed 2 glorious weeks on orient beach at the end of march. we stayed right in the orient village, just a short walk to the beach. As soon as we got to our room, we changed into thongs and went right to the beach. Coming out of our apartment entrance, the first sight we see is a man walking by in a thong heading toward his apartment, no coverup. That set the tone for the holiday. several time over the two weeks saw men and women walking off of the beach in a thong with no cover up. Both my wife and I wear a sarong as a cover up to get from the room to the beach, on the way back to the room we didn't bother covering up this trip. On the beach, I was never the only male in a thong. everyday there were several others. As far as women, I would say at least half were wearing a thong or cheeky. If every section of beach chairs, there was always a couple of topfree women as well. We spent most of our time in the nude section, but wore a thong to get there and back and go for walks and to go for lunch. There were lots of men wearing bikinis and squarecuts as well. St Martin is still a wonderful place to be comfortable in your own skin. We met so many wonderful people. This is what keeps us going back every year. the island had a vibrance to it this trip that I haven't seen since before the big hurricane in 1995. we are looking forward to next year already.
rickl454	#365
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：04/28/2024 09:09:53Copy HTML Spark - where did you stay? We were there about a year ago and rented a villa up on the hill - not walking distance to the beach. Next time we want to get a lot closer. Maybe next year about this time.
wearsthongs	#366
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：09/08/2024 07:22:19Copy HTML Just booked a week in december. This will be my 6th or so time visiting. At this point we’ve hit all the bests or most obvious places to thong: happy bay, orient, pinel, bay rouge, bay long, petit caye, cupecoy, etc. Has anyone had exceptional experiences thonging elsewhere on the island? Worth noting, we don’t have kids and like to avoid them / families.
GregTomo	#367
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：09/09/2024 01:22:38Copy HTML You all inspired me to book a trip next year. Love being around thongers at the beach.
abczyxabczyx	#368
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：09/09/2024 01:26:06Copy HTML The island is laid back. I have driven around in a jeep convertable and walked around town in a gstring. No one cares.
wearsthongs	#369
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：12/04/2024 08:00:09Copy HTML Staying at Orient bay now. Never seen so many guys in thongs before. Probably about 10 a day.
rickl454	#370
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：12/05/2024 11:52:46Copy HTML Hey wears - I just got up here in southern new england. We've got a covering of show here. You have a good time down there and be sure to keep us posted!
spark2100	#371
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：12/06/2024 01:36:46Copy HTML St Martin is a wonderful place . I will be one of those many men thronging there this March , can’t wait !!
wearsthongs	#372
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：01/23/2025 11:04:39Copy HTML Here's a full trip report from the beginning of December. This would be my 6th time visiting the island. - Stayed at a B&B with a CO pool (I will not name for privacy reasons) the first couple days and wore our thongs by the pool. Female guests went topless, half the men nude, half just wore shorts. My thong garnered no comments. - Walked the length of Bay Rouge in a thong. I wore some cover up short shorts from the car to the beach, probably didn't matter, but near the parking lot was mostly American tourists. After 50ft to the left there was hardly anyone, I left my shorts hanging on a bush and we walked the full length. Unfortunately, no spots that looked safe to swim that day. Was quite hot by the end, and no shade. But very few people and a nice experience none the less. - Happy Bay was great as usual. Good amount of people, about half naked. Wore a thong from the car to the beach. Path was VERY overgrown from the heavy rains they had prior to our arrival, like taller than us. - We stayed at an AirBnB at Orient. Great crowd. I work a thong half the days there. No issues. Saw 3-5 thongs on other men each day, most I've seen in any visit. Swim briefs common too, but shorts on overweight tourists still the majority. - Daytime and early evening bar scene was deader than I'd ever seen it. The beach bars would stay open until there was no more business, which was never later than 6. People really are drinking much less these days. I can remember it being lively at Bikini until midnight. We had almost no luck making friendly conversation with other vacationers. That was a first. - Went to Pinel two days in a row, hung out on the backside in our thongs both times and went snorkeling. We took the ferry one day, never again. Much more fun to Kayak and come and go as you want, waiting for the boat seemed like a waste of vacation time and the line at the end of the day can be long or two boats wait. - Went to Coupecoy after chechout on our last day. Really cool spot. We wore out thongs. Crowd was mostly nude men, about half single. None of them acted creepy or stared. Curious if anyone's ever thonged at the beach bar Dany's? - Walked Maho in some very small briefs, no issues. Crowd was much younger and more American, vs. Orient which was mostly French this trip. Thongs were the most popular swimwear for women but myself and one other guy were the only ones in anything other than shorts. Probably fine to wear the thong I just didn't feel like sticking out too much. All in all a great trip. We are going to make visiting this time of year an annual thing, mostly due to the climate and shortness of days back home during this time.
Acecard222	#373
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：03/06/2025 04:55:04Copy HTML Just returned from a weeklong trip to SXM. Stayed at a resort on Orient Beach. Overall, the experience was great. The first half of the trip I did see about 3-5 male beach walkers each day in a thong/g-string, but it did become less frequent towards the end of my trip. There were plenty of women sunbathing topless each day. No one batted an eye on choice of swimwear. Early mornings you could see at least 5 walkers completely nude during the sunrise walk. However, after around 8-9 AM, everyone was pretty much covered up unless you stayed in the nude section at the end of the beach. I felt comfortable laying out, getting drink service, and walking the full length of Orient in a thong. On my last full day, I even switched it up to a g-string. I felt like I just blended into the crowd. I look forward to returning soon.
Blackthong_23	#374
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：03/06/2025 08:37:51Copy HTML I can’t wait to visit this place in the future! Sounds like a great place for thongers! How is it walking up to the bars and beach restaurant areas? Do you still feel comfortable wearing a thong around everyone there?
Acecard222	#375
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：03/09/2025 12:27:25Copy HTML Yes, it would be fine to walk up to a beach bar in a thong to order a drink. In fact, I went in and browsed one of the swimsuit shops on the beach during one of my walks. The shop worker was friendly and helpful.
Poimbeach	#376
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：03/09/2025 12:18:53Copy HTML I was in St. Maarten in 2000 and was set up on nude side. I would walk up to the bar nude to get a beer with no problem. There was a store at the nude resort so I walked across the resort ground and went into the store totally nude, walked around , bought a few beers then went to check out and stood in line totally nude. It was pretty cool to be standing there nude giving the girl clerk my money. Would love to go back again. Scary airport to land on but a nice place to visit.
spark2100	#377
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：03/30/2025 09:14:11Copy HTML We recently returned home from a wonderful 2 week vacation in st Martin . We stayed in the orient village and spent most of our beach time in the nude section at the former Club O. I would get up early and walk down to secure chairs for the day wearing a thong . Then after breakfast we would both walk back down , both of us only wearing thongs . There was never any issues . I was never the only guy on the beach in a thong . I saw many men in the chairs on the textile side as well as some on the nude side . Women in thongs and cheekys out numbered full bottom coverage . There were lots of men in bikini and square cut suits as well . We took a jet ski excursion one day , we left from Simpson bay and rode up to grand case , where we stopped at the floating bar in the bay for a break. Then we rode back into the lagoon at sandy ground and did an extensive tour of the lagoon and all the yachts before going back to home base . Both my wife and I wore a thong for the journey . The trip was over 2 hours in length . I was not expecting the stop at the floating bar , when we got there , we had to tie the jet skis up on a buoy away from the bar and get transferred in on our guides machine . There were several others at the bar .I just acted normally and everything was fine . When we got back to the starting point we had to get off in the ocean right beside a busy beach bar and climb up some rocks to get to the booth where our belongings were . There was a shower there to rise the salt off , all very visible to the public . Overall , St Martin is very thong friendly , just as it has been for years .
Thongs24-7	#378
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/15/2025 03:51:29Copy HTML I've been planning a trip here for years, it sounds like heaven. My ultimate goal is to have the smallest suitcase of luggage that only has sandals and a variety of G strings and thongs. Can anyone tell me from first hand experience how many places you can walk around in a tiny thong? From what I gather it's basically seen at every beach on the island. As well as most of the beachside restaurants and shops. Can I walk the streets of the town in a thong going to and from wherever I am lodging? maybe pop in a town shop? Grocery shop? Can I drive around in a thong from beach to beach and place to place?
GuestGuest	#379
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/15/2025 05:51:58Copy HTML Thongs are commonplace amongst the beaches of St. Martin/Marten... you may be able to wear thongs at the beach restaurants but to preserve decency i wouldn't unless it's absolute open air and you see others. I definitely would not at the grocery store. Definitely get a rental car so you can beach hop but the nude section at Orient is mecca. I was there 5 years ago over July 4th weekend. I got the best tan ever. Enjoy your trip.
rickl454	#380
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/16/2025 11:23:00Copy HTML We’ve worn thongs and g-strings up and down Orient Beach for years with absolutely no problems. If you want to go to one of the restaurants I would recommend carrying a dish towel, easy to carry and just enough to sit on (sitting on a towel is basic nudist etiquette but is always a good idea). Any of the beachside shops welcome anyone regardless of their attire. I have walked all over Orient Village in a very small bikini, almost a thong but not quite, with no problems at all. Remember Orient is a French beach community so just about anything goes - long as it’s something and not nothing.
wearsthongs	#381
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/17/2025 12:45:58Copy HTML From your hotel or airbnb to the beach it's no problem, similarly the beach bars its fine but keep it out of the restaurants and stores, that's just bad taste no matter where you are. If you want more of the feel of walking around you can go to happy bay and do the hike from your car to the beach.
Thongs24-7	#382
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/18/2025 09:16:16Copy HTML Is it true you can rock a thong on basically any beach or swimming pool on the island?
007KWOK	#383
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/20/2025 02:56:10Copy HTML Yes
Thongs24-7	#384
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/25/2025 10:48:43Copy HTML How welcoming are the beachside shops and bars of minimal swimwear around the rest of the island outside of orient? Has anyone ever rented or ridden a jet ski or windsurfed or went on a boat or catamaran tour in a thong? Snorkeling?
RapidBlue	#385
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：05/25/2025 11:20:58Copy HTML I have been on both a catamaran tour and snorkeling and scuba diving tours several times in St. Maarten/St. Martin. I have always worn a thong on the boats and in the water with no issues, negativity or concerns. Once off the boat, and the beaches as well, I pull on short shorts and a shirt for walking around towns, shopping and the restaurants. In general people have always been friendly.
wearsthongs	#386
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：10/05/2025 03:21:27Copy HTML Booked for our annual stay at orient december this year. At least that week I can guarantee you won’t be the only thonger.
wearsthongs	#387
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：01/05/2026 06:59:59Copy HTML Trip report, basically the last weeks of 2025. For one, it was the busiest I've ever seen the island. It should have been more obvious to me given the proximity to the holiday when I booked but there were many more families / kids than I had ever seen there before, which translated in to much fewer couples wearing minimal attire. It was also the first time we ever had to be serious about restaurant and beach chair reservations, every other trip we never did this once. It was also the first time I didn't see a single other male thonger, usually I see a handful. On women however nearly everyone that was a teenager or older was wearing a thong, fuller coverage seemed only common on the women that were 50+, significantly overweight, or both. In all the island was still great. Coupecoy, Happy Bay, Bay Rouge, Long Bay and Plum Bay remained our favorites and were fine for thonging. Orient beach required a bit more confidence than past trips with all the families but was fine. I want to visit more destinations but I think st martin will continue to be hard to beat.
Diaval	#388
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：01/06/2026 08:29:34Copy HTML I just returned from a cruise that stopped at St. Martin (St. Maarten). We visited Maho beach for the airport experience. While I can confirm that it was extremely crowded with families, I (M) wore a thong along with my wife and teenage daughters. I'm sure I got looks, however the only comments that I heard were complements from others on my 'tiny swimsuit' or my 'speedo'. Those commenting all said it looked great and wish they had the confidence to wear one. My wife to her credit told everyone who commented to just do it and wear the thong. The worry about what others think is all in your head. Just do it.
Muero	#389
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：06/19/2026 06:10:40Copy HTML On June 16, 2026, there was an groundbreaking ceremony for a new luxury naturist resort where the old Club Orient Resort had been. They estimate that it will cost 3 million euros just to remove the ruins of the old resort, and it will take at least 2 to 3 years before the new (not yet named) resort will open. Link to full article below: https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/groundbreaking-ceremony-held-for-new-hotel-on-the-former-club-orient-property
Maxthong12	#390
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：07/10/2026 05:09:34Copy HTML Those are great reports from you guys! Me and wifey are going to St Martin for two weeks (Air BnB at Orient beach) for the first time this december. Are there any places/boat trips/excursions you can recommend for first-timers? Are there places or activities (day trips) that we should pass on that is not worth it? I guess we will spend most of our time at the French side. Can't wait to spend most of our vaccation in thongs and g-strings!
string_theory	#391
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：07/10/2026 10:33:26Copy HTML From Orient Bay you can get a cab or drive your rental car to cul-de-sac where you can get kayaks or paddleboards for the day (https://www.caribbeanpaddling.com/ ) and go over to Pinel Island which is thong / g-string and topless friendly. There's two places on this small island with restaurants and beach chairs / umbrellas. The beach is nice with calm waters because it is facing away from the Atlantic. You can walk/ drive to the south end of Orient Bay beach where you can be nude. There's a small bar where you can get drinks. There's beach chairs for rental.
rickl454	#392
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：07/11/2026 11:50:50Copy HTML Max – We’ve been to SXM more times than we can count, always staying at ClubO before it was destroyed. On our first trip back in 1990 someone advised us to sign up for the nude catamaran cruise as early in our stay as possible. This is because the acquaintances formed that day (sometimes) tend to last for the entire stay. About 15 years later we finally took that advice and found it to be true. That was 2004 and to this day we still keep in touch with three couples we met that day. In fact, one of those couples is visiting us at our Connecticut campground next weekend – 22 years after we first met! The cruise we took is long gone but there are others. I think Residence Adam & Eve runs one and there have to be others. You might post inquiries on orientbeach.com and/or ttol.com – someone on one of those two boards always knows the answer to any question you might have. You could always contact your AirBnB, they might know. The cruises are not cheap because they often include a gourmet lunch on board as well as an open bar, but its definitely worth it – at least it was for us. Good luck and have a good trip.
Maxthong12	#393
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：07/11/2026 11:51:47Copy HTML string_theory, thanks for the info! Are there any places not worth visiting, that newbees like us should avoid?
Maxthong12	#394
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：07/30/2026 01:17:56Copy HTML Thanks for the input rickl454, sorry I didn´t include you in my previous thank-you-post! "ttol.com" seems to be down, same with the forum section on "orientbeach.com", it doesen´t seem to have been updated for a long time . . . Another question. Is it a good choice to rent bicycles to get around the island? Is it cheap, and do you have to worry about them being stolen all the time? Are there taxis available around Orient beach, or do you have to call and book them? What is the price level?
rickl454	#395
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：07/31/2026 12:01:39Copy HTML No problem at all, Max. Try this link: https://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/1/1/st-maarten-st-martin.html ou might have to register but it's free and uncomplicated. I'd forget using bikes. There are a lot of hills all over the island and it can get really hot especially away from the water. You're better off just renting a car. Although taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive - fares are government regulated.
wearsthongs	#396
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：08/01/2026 12:32:56Copy HTML The island is pretty light on activities. Really it's all just about relaxing on the beach and good food. We enjoy bringing some cheap snorkeling gear but, while you'll see a couple fish, its not like your going to see any colorful reefs. There is the usual beach fare of jetski, hobicat and kayak rentals. The more adventurous can seek out lessons and outfits for surfing and kite surfing. There's a few companies that do daytrip group catamaran cruises around the island, a booze cruise more or less with lunch served usually. But yea 99% of people there to set up at some beach chairs for the day then going to a good dinner. Slightly older crowd in general. Plan to rent a car. Every other option for getting around is stupid on that island. The taxis are NOT cheap and it's not worth your wasted vacation time trying to arrange for them when you want it's not like they are everywhere. A car rental for a week is around $300 and you'll spend more than that on taxis for sure if you go somewhere most days.
rickl454	#397
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：08/01/2026 12:42:25Copy HTML As a long time visitor to SXM (St. Martin airport code) I can attest to wearsthongs posts (Spark2100 has some good ones too). He gets it exactly right: “Really it's all just about relaxing on the beach and good food”. That’s it. Newbies arrive on the island with a litany of stuff to do besides go to the beach. Visit the Butterfly Farm, go to the casino, the open air market in Marigot, visit the fort, drink a lot of MaDouDou ... Once you get settled on the beach the first day all that goes out the window. “Sand gravity” hits in full force. The realization that all that tourist stuff can be put off until tomorrow, then the next day until all the days have all gone. You have accomplished nothing and its time to get back on the plane. Perfect. You can get to all that stuff on the next visit – and there will be a next visit. We’ve been to SXM at least a dozen times and still have no idea where the Butterfly Farm is. We missed out on the Coffee Plantation, never made it to the fort, we did make it to the Marigot market (once was enough for a lifetime) and whatever other tourist crap they have. Next time, maybe. You’ll see. Wearsthongs advice about renting a car is right on – especially if you are going to be there a week or so and $300 is about right. Good advice: if you have a chance to rent a Hyundai Atos pick something else. And drink MaDouDou – that’s important – although Rum Jumbie is a good alternative. The important thing is to go. Then you’ll be calling it SXM, will be a connoisseur of cheap rum and will be a qualified veteran of intense beach loafing like the rest of us.
Maxthong12	#398
	Re：St Martin (St.Maarten) & Orient Beach Date Posted：08/03/2026 09:15:58Copy HTML Thanks for all your inputs! We will definitely hire a car for a week, since we are staying two weeks and like to get around and explore the island. Are there any bus companies that operates on St Martin? Where you can hop-on/hop-off from Orient beach to Grand Case, Marigot or Philipsburg?