You'll find there are some advantages to visiting a beach that's located away from any major metropolitan areas, like having a bit more space to spread out and Great Bay Beach offers just those advantages.

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.

Although some of the beaches in St. Martin are more secluded than Great Bay Beach the mix of natural setting, atmosphere and personality available at this beach could be just what the doctor ordered.

Many of the beaches in St. Martin are quiet and secluded, and this sedate vacation style can be had at Great Bay Beach though you'll never be too far away, either. Neither too close nor too far from cities you won't lack for anything.

You'll easily find beautiful scenery on the beaches of St. Martin, which helps make them popular vacation spots. Despite the fact that many of these beaches attract a large number of travelers, a few draw smaller crowds than others. The nature of each beach is different, and you'll find that Great Bay Beach may have the perfect personality for you.

Location

This beach can be found on the southeastern coast of St. Martin; it is located near the Great Bay Beach Hotel, just next door. Great Bay Beach is near Phillipsburg, so a trip into town is a definite option.

Nearby Hotels

The number of other vacationers sharing the beach can vary widely, depending on the time of day and season of the year. So if you're interested in staying in this vicinity you won't have much difficulty.

Additional hotels are listed in the following table.

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.

The amount of people on the beach depends on several things, like the time of day and the season. Some of St. Martin's beaches may rarely be crowded, while others are often crowded especially during the high tourism season. When considering a day at the beach, an important thing to keep in mind can be, for some beach goers, the possibility of crowds. While some beach goers prefer a crowded beach with lots of activity, others would just like to relax in a quiet spot.

Like everything else about St. Martin this beach has its own personality which will attract certain visitors. The atmosphere of this beach is somewhat different from what you'll experience at other beach locations in St. Martin. If you plan on staying in Philipsburg then a visit to Great Bay Beach is a must.

Attractions

Visiting the beach is a great way to see some of nature's most beautiful works, but vacationers can also check out other natural attractions that are worth exploring. For instance, Proselyte Reef, (located 1.9 miles to the south of Great Bay Beach) can provide a nice addition to your day at the seaside.

If you want more information on the history of St. Martin you'll discover some opportunities close by. For instance, Fort Amsterdam is located 0.7 miles to the south of Great Bay Beach.

Plenty of nearby activities will ensure that you never run out of diversions. The attractions closest to this beach are listed in the following table.

Food

If you start feeling hungry while on the beach, not to worry, you'll have your pick of nearby fine dining.

The following table provides some nearby eateries.

Beachgoers will find plenty of nice restaurants in St. Martin, but not every meal needs to eaten in a formal setting. Many vacationers enjoy eating a meal right at the beach. Many hotels will be happy to pack a picnic lunch for their guests, or you can pick up food from local vendors en route to the beach.

Other Beaches

You'll find plenty of beaches to choose from in St. Martin,, so Great Bay Beach is not your only option. Another location you might enjoy is Cupecoy Bay Beach; it is located 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.

Still, if you're searching for something a little more active, you might enjoy people watching at Little Bay Beach. It is located 0.7 miles to the southwest.

Vacationers may also want to visit Dawn Beach, which you'll find 3.2 miles from Great Bay Beach. Visit Dawn Beach on St. Martin to witness some of the most gorgeous sunrises you can imagine.

It's possible that Great Bay Beach won't be your top beach, but St. Martin has plenty of other options for travelers who don't wish to visit this beach.