Category: Saint Martin

Maho Beach is easily the most famous beach in St. Maarten, if not one of the most famous in the world! If you haven’t heard of Maho Beach before, you’ve surely seen the photos of huge passenger airplanes landing just above a beach full of packed sun bathers! This is Maho Beach in St. Maarten, where you can get an amazing up close experience with landing airplanes.

We spent a full day at Maho Beach in order to put together this ultimate guide for Maho Beach One Day in St. Maarten with everything you need to know for your trip.

Disclaimer:  All opinions on what to do at Maho Beach are our own. Please note that some of the links in the below article are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. Click here for the full disclosure statement. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support us!

Maho Beach One Day: The Ultimate Up-Close Airplane Experience

We’ve got answers to all of your questions on visiting the famous Maho Airplane Beach on Saint Martin. It’s a definite bucket list item for any aviation lover, but is also highly exciting for anyone to spend one day at Maho Beach. If you have more time in Saint Martin and would like to check out some of the best beaches and views on the island, we’ve compiled the top 10 most instagrammable spots in Saint Martin.

What is Maho Beach St. Maarten?

Maho Beach is widely known worldwide for being THE place to go to watch giant airplanes land just feet above your head. Maho Beach is popular as a one day destination for cruise ship passengers while in port in St. Martin as well as all kinds of other tourists visiting the island. At Maho Beach for One Day or many more, you can relax in the sand, swim in the ocean, have a drink at the nearby bars, all while watching planes plan at the airport just above your head!

Where is Maho Beach St. Maarten?

If you’ve ever been wondering where airplanes land close to the beach, this is it. Located in the Caribbean on the island of Saint Martin, which is comprised of the French side, Saint-Martin, and the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, Maho Beach is a stretch of white sand just before the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. Maho Beach is on the southern end of the island on the Dutch side, and the beach is only separated from the edge of the airport by a small two-lane road. This makes Maho Beach the famous airplane beach known around the world.

How to Get to Maho Beach St. Maarten

Fortunately, Maho Beach is easy to get to from nearly anywhere on the island of Saint Martin due to the island being relatively small. Whether you want to do Maho Beach for one day or every day of your vacation, it will surely be an unforgettable experience.

How to Get to Maho Beach from the Cruise Ship Port?

Maho Beach for one day is one of the most popular shore excursions for visitors arriving by cruise ship. The main cruise ship port of St Martin is located near Philipsburg and is too far to walk to Maho Beach.

The easiest option is to take a shore excursion from the St. Martin cruise port to Maho Beach. The most popular Maho Beach tour includes round-trip transfer, refreshments, and also an opportunity to visit Orient Bay Beach. Another option is to simply book a direct roundtrip transfer to Maho Beach to get straight to the airplane action!

Find the best Maho Beach Excursion for my trip!

A self-guided option is to take a taxi from the cruise ship port or from Philipsburg to Maho Beach for one day. The drive will take approximately 25 to 30 minutes with the cost of a taxi from the St. Martin cruise ship port to Maho Beach starting at $20 USD for up to 2 passengers. You will also have no problem finding a taxi, or sharing a taxi, when it is time to return to the ship from Maho Beach. Be sure not to get too carried away with plane spotting, and

How to Get to Maho Beach from a Saint Martin Resort?

If you’re staying on the island of Saint Martin at a hotel, resort, or apartment that is not within walking distance to Maho Beach, you’ll have to either take a taxi, hire a driver, or drive yourself via rental car. Finding a taxi shouldn’t be a problem at any major hotel or resort, and the bellman can also help you understand what an appropriate fare is from your hotel. The cost of hiring a driver can also vary substantially, depending on your location, how much time you would like, and how large your group is.

If you have your own rental car, there is street parking very close to Maho Beach, but it is most likely going to be very full as this is such a popular destination. One more dependable option is to drive towards the Sunset Bar and Grill and The Morgan Resort to their paid parking lot. If you are visiting the Sunset Bar and Grill at Maho Beach you are eligible to park here, and it costs $5 USD for the day.

What it Costs to Visit Maho Beach St Maarten

The best part about visiting Maho Beach for one day is that once you are here, it is completely free! There is no cost to visit the beach, and you can easily bring your own beach towels and snacks and refreshments to enjoy this incredible beach.

Can You Swim at Maho Beach St Maarten?

Yes! The water here is amazingly clear and a lovely warm temperature. The waves are reasonably strong, but Maho Beach is still a great place to go swimming while spending an afternoon watching the airplanes land over the beach.

Where Can I Eat and Drink at Maho Beach St Maarten

If you would prefer more service and amenities, you are also in luck because The Sunset Bar and Grill is located immediately on the edge of Maho Beach on the southern side, and features a large outdoor deck for eating and drinking, specifically designed to allow for views of the approaching planes. They also have lounge chairs in the sand for rent so that you have a place to sit, which also includes service.

On the northern end of the beach is the Driftwood Boat Bar which also serves snacks and drinks with a view from the other side.

An additional option is to consider staying at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort which has incredible pool views of the beach and airport runway. If you only have one day at Maho Beach, this resort also offers a Day Pass for $89 USD per adult and $45 USD per child.

When you purchase a Sonesta Maho Beach Day Pass, you get all of the following items included:

• Resort Access from 9:00AM to 5:00 PM, including:
  • Large pool with swim-up bar
  • Children’s AQUA PARK
  • Complimentary chairs and towels
  • Unlimited WiFi
• Unlimited dining at on-site restaurants
• Unlimited alcoholic and other beverages

If you plan to spend the full day at Maho Beach, a day pass can really make sense if you’re able to take full advantage of the dining and drinking options here.

What to Expect When at Maho Beach St. Maarten for One Day

Depending on when you arrive at Maho Beach, it might be quite empty, or already extremely full! During the busy afternoon, planes land here approximately every 15 minutes, however this varies greatly each day and the planes are also predominantly smaller prop planes from nearby islands. You’ll know when the big jumbo jets are arriving as everyone from the nearby beach bars will spill out onto the beach to take in these amazing landings.

Princess Juliana International Airport only has a single runway, so once the planes land, they have to turn around and taxi back along the runway to reach the terminal. Departing planes are just as exciting as the arrivals. The large jets will taxi to the end of the runway immediately before Maho Beach. When they spool up the jet engines to take off the jet blast covers Maho Beach, and some adventurous vacationers will try to stand in the blowing air. Be aware, the jet blast is extreme, especially on the larger planes, and there are signs everywhere saying how dangerous it is. Approach at your own risk!

To gain an understanding of what Maho Beach looks like before you go you can check out the Maho Beach Cam with a live feed of the airport.

Maho Beach is a great place to take some unforgettable photos and videos of your trip to St. Maarten! If you’re looking for more great Saint Martin photo spots, check out our blog post on the top 10 best photo locations in Saint Martin!

What is the Best Time to go to Maho Beach St. Maarten?

There are planes landing at Maho Beach throughout the day, however you’re here for the big ones. The best time to visit Maho Beach is when the larger airplanes from the United States, Canada, and Europe are arriving.

This is generally between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Check the schedule of arriving flights at SXM on Flightradar24 beforehand to know which planes are arriving each day and when. If you have flexibility in your travel schedule, aim to visit Maho Beach on a day when no cruise ships are in port, or when fewer cruise ships are in port, as there will be noticeably fewer people. You can check the cruise ship schedule on the Port St. Maarten website.

The most popular daily arrivals are from Europe, specifically the Air France and KLM flights with their jumbo jets. Unfortunately, Air France and KLM have both long retired their iconic Boeing 747’s that used to fly to St. Martin, however their Airbus A330’s are still mighty impressive when they come in to land!

Maho Beach St. Maarten: The Ultimate Up-Close Airplane Experience

Have you watched the airplanes at Maho Beach St. Martin? Let us know in the comments how you enjoyed the experience!

Pin this post to your Caribbean Pinterest board so you are fully prepared to visit Maho Beach when visiting the beautiful island of Saint Martin.

The Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa is located in the secluded bay of Anse Marcel on the northern side of Saint Martin. The Secrets St. Martin Resort is the perfect choice for someone looking to kick back and relax at an adults only all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean. Whether you prefer the pool or the beach, Secrets St. Martin has you covered with a drink at hand.

We spent 5 days here and put together this Secrets St. Martin review to help you decide where to stay when visiting beautiful St. Martin! If you’re looking to perfect your Instagram game while in Saint Martin, we drove all over the island during our stay to find the Top 10 Instagrammable Spots in Saint Martin, just for you.

Disclaimer:  Our stay at the Secrets St. Martin Resort was provided courtesy of CheapCaribbean.com. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and as always, all our opinions on this Secrets St. Martin review and what to do are our own. Please note that some of the links in the below article are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. Click here for the full disclosure statement. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support us!

Secrets St. Martin Location

The Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa is located on the French side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. The island is divided between the northern French side, Saint-Martin, and the southern Dutch side, Sint Maarten. The resort is a 30 to 45 minute drive from Princess Juliana International Airport, located on the Dutch side, which most guests will arrive at. Alternatively, there is the regional Grand Case Airport with regional flight connections, which is only a 10 minute drive from the Secrets St. Martin.

The Secrets St. Martin Resort is a popular option with those booking vacation packages to St. Martin, and oftentimes transportation to and from the airport is included or is an optional extra.

Taxis are also available at Princess Juliana Airport for a set rate of $35 USD to the Secrets Resort, although there are additional charges for more than 2 passengers and for overnight hours. If you don’t have a private transportation organized, a rental car is a great option. All major brands are located at Princess Juliana International Airport, and having a rental car in St. Martin is a great way to explore the whole island.  RentalCars.com is a great site to use to compare all of the different rental cars available to find the best deal. Private self-parking is complimentary at the Secrets St. Martin Resort.

Secrets St. Martin Arrival

When arriving at the Secrets St. Martin, you will first have a glimpse of the resort and the stunning bay of Anse Marcel from the top of the hill before you make the steep drive down to the small village of the same name. The Secrets St. Martin has a large wrap-around driveway and tropical gardens.

The open-air lobby is beautifully designed with bright colors and a distinctly Caribbean feel. No doubt you’ll already feel like you’re on vacation before you even reach your room. You’ll be greeted and checked-in with a welcome drink, and provided with an explanation of the features of the resort, daily activities, and available restaurants.

As we arrived during COVID-19 times, safety precautions were in place such as hand sanitizers and staff were wearing face masks throughout our entire stay, as were most guests except when at the pool or dining at a restaurant.

Check-in was completed quickly and easily, and we were shortly accompanied to our room with our luggage.

Secrets St. Martin Rooms

The Secrets St. Martin Resort has a large number of types of suites available, depending on your wants and needs. There are two larger 3-story buildings that stretch from either side of the lobby towards to the ocean. Additionally, there are a handful of smaller 2-story buildings further on the right-hand side of the resort. Depending on which area and type of suite you are in, you might have a garden view, mountain view, or swim out suite.

During our time at the Secrets St. Martin, we stayed in a Preferred Club Junior Suite Marina Swim Out, which was located at the quieter far right-hand side of the resort. The room has a fresh Caribbean design with clean lines and modern touches. The entrance area had a large sitting area, table and chairs, and a desk to work at.

Further back was the mini-bar and bathroom, before reaching the bedroom with a large glass sliding door and private terrace with a swim out pool. Behind the pool was a mountain view, which we enjoyed each morning while sipping our morning coffee.

As the Secrets St. Martin Resort is all-inclusive, the minibar is restocked daily with cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a few snacks, water, and coffee for the in-room Nespresso machine.

Secrets St. Martin Amenities

The Secrets St. Martin Resort is the perfect size of not being too big, but big enough that you don’t feel cramped, and can always find an area of the resort to yourself.

In the main lobby you will find a small gift shop and convenience store, as well as agents to help you book various activities, a rental car agent, and the Club Lounge. Just outside the lobby you’ll be greeted with a large open area with seating and the Rendezvous Lobby Bar. To the left-hand side you will find the CoCo Café, and the left wing of suites.

Heading towards the water is a palm-tree lined pathway which will pass a number of other restaurants on the right, including the main restaurant Market Café, before reaching the main pool area. The main pool is huge, so large in fact that it is the largest infinity pool in the Western Caribbean!

There pool area has plenty of lounge chairs spread out with umbrellas. Additionally, there is the Manatees swim-up bar Barefoot Grill for snacks during the day. The pool features a number of activities throughout the day such as pool volleyball games, exercise bikes in the water, and a full size chess board!

Near the pool area is a covered area for table tennis, which was extremely popular during our stay. Last but not least, is the beautiful beach of Anse Marcel. As the resort is located in a secluded bay, the beach area does not stretch on for miles, but it spans the full resort and more, and also has beautiful views of the hills on both sides of the bay. The water is clear and great for swimming, and if you’re patient you are likely to spot some turtles swimming in the bay.

Near the beach you will find more restaurants, as well as the exercise gym for those looking to stay in shape while on vacation. There is also a spa onsite if you you’re looking for a little bit of extra pampering during your stay at the Secrets St. Martin Resort.

Secrets St. Martin Dining

The Secrets St. Martin Resort features an all-inclusive plan for all guests, meaning that you can eat and drink as much as you like at all of the bars and restaurants on property. For an additional cost, they also offer their Private Wine Cellar or their Romantic Dining Experience.

The main restaurant which is open every day for breakfast and lunch buffet is the Market Café. The breakfast buffet offered a variety of international cuisine options, some local Caribbean choices, and also included a fresh omelet station. The lunch buffet had even more choices, featuring rotating items.

For dinner, there are multiple dining options, though not all restaurants are open each night. Sometimes the Market Café is open for dinner, but you also have the option of Himitsu for Pan-Asian cuisine. Additionally, located right on the beach with fantastic views, Olio features Mediterranean-Caribbean cuisine and Portofino contemporary Italian cuisine. Dining here was our favorite, due to the impressive views towards the ocean.

The Coco Café is the place to go for small snacks, pastries, and coffee or tea anytime of day. We frequented the CoCo Café for our coffee fix, and also enjoyed the French pastries, which were deliciously reheated each time. The Rendezvous Lobby Bar was a popular place every night before and after dinner, and is a great place to meet other guests staying at the resort.

Secrets St. Martin Conclusion

The Secrets St. Martin Resort is a popular adults-only resort in Saint Martin, perfect for anyone looking for the all-inclusive experience on this beautiful Caribbean island. The resort offers swim out suites, a huge infinity pool, and multiple bars and restaurants. Check out the Secrets St. Martin for your next vacation to Saint Martin.

Check availability at the Secrets St. Martin Resort for your vacation!

Pin this post to your Caribbean travel Pinterest board to save one of the best places to stay in Saint Martin!

Saint Martin is one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean for those looking to experience stunning turquoise waters, incredible beaches, and to find some of the most instagrammable photo spots in the Caribbean! This unique island is comprised of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten and French side of Saint-Martin, matched with the friendly Caribbean hospitality, you’re sure to have an unforgettable trip to Saint Martin.

We spent 4 nights and 5 days exploring all of the best Instagram photo spots in Saint Martin in order put this top 10 list together for you. If you’re looking to get started on booking your perfect Saint Martin vacation, CheapCaribbean.com offers vacation package deals to Saint Martin and many other popular warm weather destinations – perfect for saving you time and money!

Disclaimer: Our trip to Saint Martin was provided by CheapCaribbean.com. Please note that some of the links in the below article are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. All opinions on the most Instagrammable spots in Saint Martin are our own. Click here for the full disclosure statement.

Map of the Best Saint Martin / Sint Maarten Instagram Spots

Saint Martin is a relatively small Caribbean Island, that packs a lot into its small size. With the top 10 most instagrammable spots in Saint Martin you will be transported from stunning white-sand beaches with turquoise waters, to mountain-top views, bustling streets in colorful towns, and to one of the most popular Instagram photo locations in the Caribbean, the world famous Maho Beach.

This map includes all the most instagrammable places in Saint Martin and Sint Maarten. Make sure to use it to plan your trip to visit all the best Saint Martin Instagram and photo spots.

10 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saint Martin

We’ve compiled the top 10 Instagrammable spots in Saint Martin for every instagrammer and photography lover out there. These Saint Martin photo spots will help you capture the beauty of this wonderful Caribbean Island and make all of your friends at home jealous of your amazing vacation to paradise!

Maho Beach

When thinking of the most Instagrammable spots in Saint Martin, Maho Beach is without a doubt the most famous of all. The world-renowned beach is known for its location right next to Princess Juliana International Airport. Maho Beach is immediately next to the runway of the airport, which means that the airplanes landing here have a very low-altitude when approaching the runway.

The rush of having huge airplanes fly just overhead is exhilarating and can help you create some amazing Instagram photos here. There are so many different angles that you can try, however there is a limited number of large airplanes that arrive each day, so be sure to plan ahead to know what photograph you would like to take beforehand.

Additionally, as the planes are arriving at extremely high speeds, you only have a few seconds to take that perfect Sint Maarten Instagram photo. It helps to practice taking photos and videos of the smaller planes which land more frequently at the airport, so that when the large ones arrive you will be ready!

Location: Maho Beach

Hours: The best time to visit Maho Beach is when the larger airplanes from the United States, Canada, and Europe are arriving. This is generally between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Best Time for Photos: This is an extremely popular location for vacationers to take photos in Saint Martin. On weekends and when cruise ships are in port, the beach can be almost completely full in the afternoon. To get the most instagrammable photo in Saint Martin, you need to be there in the afternoon when the large airplanes are arriving, however the best light for photos is in the morning or evening.

Tips: Check the schedule of arriving flights at SXM on Flightradar24 beforehand to know which planes are arriving each day and when. If you have flexibility in your travel schedule, aim to visit Maho Beach on a day when no cruise ships are in port, or when fewer cruise ships are in port, as there will be noticeably fewer people. You can check the cruise ship schedule on the Port St. Maarten website.

Mullet Bay Beach

Mullet Bay Beach is frequently listed as one of the best beaches on the island of Saint Martin. This makes it perfect for another epic Saint Martin Instagram spot! Mullet Bay Beach is conveniently located very close to Maho Beach and Princess Juliana International Airport.

During the day, Mullet Bay is a popular place for catamaran snorkel tours to visit due to the beautiful clear water. You can get some great Caribbean vibes Instagram photos here with the turquoise water and catamarans in the background. If you choose to stay later in the afternoon, the sunsets at Mullet Bay Beach are definitely worth staying for!

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Location: Mullet Bay Beach

Hours: The beach is open all-day.

Best Time for Photos: Mullet Bay Beach is best in the late afternoon and for sunset. Here you can watch the sun set directly in front of you, over the water; perfect for an amazing Saint Martin Instagram photo.

Tips: Mullet Bay Beach is so beautiful you will want to spend some time here, and not just stop by for a photo. There is a large parking lot, huge beach area, nice swimming area, and a few beach bars. This area is sure to be one of the most unforgettable areas on your trip to Saint Martin.

Cupecoy Beach

Cupecoy Beach is one of the most stunning beaches and instagrammable spots in Saint Martin. It’s unique rock formations along the shore provide dramatic locations to take some amazing Saint Martin Instagram photos. While stunning to view from the cliff, and to walk along the beach, areas of Cupecoy Beach are not best for swimming due to the force of the waves and large rock formations in the water.

When you arrive at the cliff edge at Cupecoy Beach, you will immediately see why Cupecoy Beach is one of the most instagrammable spots in Saint Martin. You can take some beautiful photos from the top of the cliff, but if you choose to venture further along the pathway, you can find steps down to the beach. There are multiple sandy areas along the beach, separated by rock formations and cliffs that push out into the ocean. You will also find that Cupecoy Beach is relatively lesser known than nearby Maho and Mullet Bay Beaches, and so there should be significantly less people than those other Saint Martin photo locations.

You can also find the odd sea cave when the tide is low. Due to the rock formations, there are so many great angles to take Instagram photos here. Be sure to bring your best swimsuit and a photographer who doesn’t mind getting their feet wet!

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Location: Cupecoy Beach

Hours: The beach is open all-day.

Best Time for Photos: The best time for photos at Cupecoy Beach is in the late afternoon and for sunset. The beach faces a southwest direction, perfect for viewing the setting sun and creating some dramatic light against the cliff.

Tips: If you plan to take in the sunset here, be sure to stop by the popular Dany’s Beach Bar for a drink and delicious local food, all with a great atmosphere.

Trou de David (David’s Hole)

If you’re looking for one of the most unknown and unique Instagrammable photo spots in Saint Martin, this is it. David’s Hole is a large open crater-like hole in the cliffs on the western side of the island. Finding David’s Hole can be a bit difficult, but if you know where to go, it is quite easy. See the detailed explanation below on how to get here and where to park.

Justin Gown / Justin Gown in Black

Location: David’s Hole When you use Google Maps to drive here, the route says to take ‘Rue David Holef’, however this is a private road is not appropriate. From the intersection of ‘Rue David Holef’ and ‘Rue des Terres Basses’ drive east towards Sandy Ground. After about 2,000 feet (600 m) there is an unmarked turnoff on the left, driving north. Take this road, which is quite narrow and overgrown, to the end where you will find a small parking area. Once parked, you can walk along the beach on public land to reach David’s Hole.

Hours: There are no specific hours for this Saint Martin photo location.

Best Time for Photos: Taking photos of David’s Hole is quite easy anytime of day as there is usually no one else here.

Tips: If you visit this Saint Martin Instagram location at high tide, you might have to walk through shallow water to access David’s Hole. The rocks are quite sharp, so be sure to bring good footwear for the short walk, which will take about 5 minutes.

Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the colorful capital of Sint Maarten, and is also the largest and busiest town on the island. The town was founded in 1763 by a Dutch sailor, and it maintains many of its historical buildings among its very walkable downtown area.

The best way to explore Philipsburg is to explore the small streets by foot. Here you will find many colorful buildings, some beautiful historical buildings, and also a number of wall murals where you can take some of the most instagrammable photos in Sint Maarten.

One of our favorite instagrammable locations in Sint Maarten in Philipsburg is in front of the Sint Maarten Courthouse on Front Street. The best street to explore for Instagram photo locations is along Front Street, but don’t forget to walk the Boardwalk as well, to take in all that the town has to offer.

Location: Philipsburg

Hours: Philipsburg is open all day.

Best Time for Photos: Taking an Instagram photo in Philipsburg is not hard, and nearly anytime of day should work well.

Tips: As the Port of Sint Maarten is within walking distance of Philipsburg, the town is very popular with cruise ship passengers. The number of people in town varies greatly depending on the number of ships that are in port. You can check the cruise ship schedule on the Port St. Maarten website and determine if you’d like to take your photos during a quieter time, or when multiple cruise ships are in port for a more lively atmosphere.

Fort St. Louis

Fort St. Louis is an old French fort perched on top of a hill that overlooks Marigot, the French capital city, and Marigot Bay. The fort was built in 1789 during the reign of King Louis XVI of France. Nowadays, the remains of the fort are a few walls and canons. This location is one of the best Instagrammable spots in Saint Martin due to the view, and not the fort itself.

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The view from the fort out over Marigot Bay is beautiful, especially when the sun is shining. Feel free to get creative as you can find unique angles and photo spots all over the fort, which is free to walk all around.

Location: Fort St. Louis

Hours: The fort is open all day.

Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos at this Saint Martin Instagram photo spot is anytime of the day. This is a beautiful area for photos throughout the day as the shining sun will turn the color of the surrounding water bright blue.

Tips: When driving here, finding the parking lot is not clearly labeled. Follow the directions from Google Maps, and keep driving past the Red Cross Hospital up Rue du Fort St Louis. The road takes a sharp turn uphill to the right, and you will find the parking lot just after the turn.

Pic Paradis

Pic Paradis, or Paradise Peak, is the highest point on the island of Saint Martin. As a result, it has some stunning views of the whole island! The peak of the hill is 1,391 feet (424 m) above sea level. Luckily, you can drive almost all of the way to the top, so you only have to complete a short hike of about 20 minutes to reach the viewpoint. The drive up is on a paved road, although it is quite steep and bumpy in places. The last portion is a gravel road, with a small area to park your car.

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The viewpoint has a small clearing where you can have a beautiful eastward view of the island. There is also a sign that provides helpful information of everything you can see on the island of Saint Martin, as well as the other Caribbean islands in the distance.

Location: Pic Paradis

Hours: There are no specific hours to visit this Saint Martin photo location.

Best Time for Photos: There’s no bad time to take photos at Pic Paradis. Given it’s unobstructed view of the island, nearly anytime of day is great to create some of the most instagrammable photos of Saint Martin.

Tips: As you follow the Google Maps route to Pic Paradis, you will reach a sign that says there is no more public parking past this point. Park your car just before this sign and then walk up the quickly deteriorating road to the top. At the first fork, take the left route to continue on the path. When you get near the top, there is a sign directing you to the left for the view. Take this route, as even though it is not the official ‘top’ of Pic Paradis, this area has the best views.

Friar’s Bay Beach

Friar’s Bay Beach is one of the more popular beaches on the French side of Saint Martin. The beach has a few small restaurants and bars, and is a popular place with locals and tourists alike. What makes Friar’s Bay Beach unique, is that there is a nice small walking path to reach the next Saint Martin Instagrammable Photo spot on this list.

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If you take the small walking path from the northern end of Friar’s Bay Beach, in 15 minutes you will reach Happy Bay Beach. Along this path, you will have some beautiful views back towards Friar’s Bay Beach. You can create some beautiful photos here, using the growing cacti to frame your photos.

Location: Friar’s Bay Beach

Hours: There are no specific hours to visit this Saint Martin Instagram spot.

Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos here is during the day or later afternoon. The sun may not be shining strongly on the water early in the morning, which would mean that you don’t get to see some of the beautiful water colors.

Tips: There is plenty of parking at Friar’s Bay Beach, although the road to get there ‘Rue de Friar’s Bay Voie 2’ is a bit rough, it’s not very long.

Happy Bay Beach

As noted in the description of Friar’s Bay Beach, above, to reach Happy Bay Beach, you must first park your car at Friar’s Bay Beach. You can then take a walking path from the northern end of Friar’s Bay Beach along the coast to reach Happy Bay Beach. The walk is on a clearly defined path, and should only take about 10 to 15 minutes.

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Once at Happy Bay Beach, the best photos are taken along the beach, showcasing the curved beach area which is surrounded by beautiful rock formations. If you’re a fan of electronic music, you may already know that the boutique SXM Festival takes place here at Happy Bay Beach every year.

Location: Happy Bay Beach

Hours: This photoshoot location is open all day.

Best Time for Photos: The best time to take photos here is in the afternoon.

Tips: If you’re looking for a quiet beach to spend the day, this is a great location. You’ll find a few others enjoying this serene beach, perfect for relaxing.

Anse Marcel Viewpoint

And finally, the last location in the list of the top 10 Instagrammable spots in Saint Martin! This location provides a stunning view of the protected Anse Marcel cove on the northern tip of the island. From the viewpoint you can see the full cove, as well as the resorts and marina below. The island in the distance is the nearby country of Anguilla.

Location: Anse Marcel Viewpoint

Hours: There are no specific hours for this photo location.

Best Time for Photos: The best time for photos at this relatively unknown Saint Martin Instagram spot is during the afternoon. Photos early or late in the day will have shadows from the surrounding hills.

Tips: The Google Maps location is not exactly where the parking area or photo spot are. When driving on ‘Rue de l’anse Marcel’ towards the north, you will reach a guardpost and gate (which is open) along the road, and immediately before this is a parking lot to the right. Park your car here and you can choose to take photos here or continue to walk along the road to the highest point for an additional photo angle.

Where to Stay in Saint Martin

When visiting Saint Martin, there are a number of available choices on where to stay, however the easiest and quickest way to get your vacation started is to book a vacation package with CheapCaribbean. By using Cheap Caribbean, you can purchase your airfare, hotel, transfer, and excursions as one package – saving you money.

We used CheapCaribbean to book our trip, including transfer to and from the airport, and stayed at the beautiful Secrets St. Martin Resort and Spa. The Secrets St. Martin Resort is located in the beautiful secluded Anse Marcel cove on the French side of the island. The resort features a large pool area with more than enough lounge chairs, a huge beach area, all-inclusive dining at multiple on-site restaurants, and even offers some beautiful swim out suites with direct pool access from your private terrace.

Read our full review of the Secrets St. Martin Resort and Spa!

Top 10 Instagrammable Spots in Saint Martin and Sint Maarten

Hopefully you found this list of the top 10 Instagrammable spots in Saint Martin perfect for planning your next trip! Did we miss any of your favorite Instagram photo locations on the Caribbean Island of Saint Martin? Let us know in the comments!