Orient Beach (French Side) split into 5 sm beaches- Which is best?

[pattycake08]

Been to St Maarten (Dutch) 3-4 times, never to St Martin (French). Wanted to try French side for a change. Did research & found that Orient Bay Beach is split up into 5 small beaches named after each bar (Kontiki, Kakao, Bikini, Waikiki, Coco) (Each have chairs &umbrellas different colors to represent each bar/beach), all bars appear next to each other.  It appears that 2 loungers/Umbrella are approx $20.00, no matter the bar you sit at. 3 questions, 1) Are you able to go to any of the 5 beach bars and just pay for the chairs/umbrella without ordering any drinks/food or will they only rent to you if you start a tab. We typically just want to sit by the beach & relax & usually do not order food/drinks?   2) Being that the beach bars are next to each other & share the same beach is one location/beach/bar better than another? 3). If unable to sit by one of the 5 beach/bars, then how would one rent chairs/umbrella on Orient Beach?

 

[TTEllis]

I can answer this question for you.

You'll be able to sit pretty much wherever you want. The further you go down the beach the more "birthday suits" you'll see. If you have a issue with that then just stay up towards the (West end) of the beach.

There's plenty of beach bars renting pretty much anything you want as far as chairs, umbrella's go. 

One of the best things about Orient Beach because it's on the other(French side) of St. Maarten there can be 3-4 ships in port and it's still not busy. 

Many of cruisers relate French to nudity and stay away, that's why it's so nice up there and that's why I keep going back going on 25 years now. 

Orient one of the nicest bays in the Caribbean. Go have fun.😎

Edited May 14 by TTEllis

[PORT ROYAL]

2 hours ago, pattycake08 said:

Been to St Maarten (Dutch) 3-4 times, never to St Martin (French). Wanted to try French side for a change. Did research & found that Orient Bay Beach is split up into 5 small beaches named after each bar (Kontiki, Kakao, Bikini, Waikiki, Coco) (Each have chairs &umbrellas different colors to represent each bar/beach), all bars appear next to each other.  It appears that 2 loungers/Umbrella are approx $20.00, no matter the bar you sit at. 3 questions, 1) Are you able to go to any of the 5 beach bars and just pay for the chairs/umbrella without ordering any drinks/food or will they only rent to you if you start a tab. We typically just want to sit by the beach & relax & usually do not order food/drinks?   2) Being that the beach bars are next to each other & share the same beach is one location/beach/bar better than another? 3). If unable to sit by one of the 5 beach/bars, then how would one rent chairs/umbrella on Orient Beach?

 

One has never just rented beds without taking food/drinks etc., so unable to comment.

 

Suggest one starts at the most southerly bar, asking if they will allow a bed rental without any form of consumables patronage, then working north on receipt of a rejection.

 

Feel one is missing out on the joy of a total beach experience, which must include the ambiance, food, drinks and service. To exclude these aspects is one’s loss.

 

[negn]

Can definitely rent chair and umbrella without purchasing food or drink

[peanutzmom]

Orient Beach isn’t that long - you can easily walk down till you find an area that appeals to you, then purchase chairs and umbrella in that spot. There is no expectation that you’ll also purchase food and beverages from that particular bar/restaurant. We often get chairs in our favorite location, then wander up an get lunch at whatever restaurant strikes our fancy on that particular day.

Edited May 16 by peanutzmom