White sand that gets blazing
hot during the midday with crystal clear water that just gently laps onto
the beach, that is Mullet Bay in Sint Maarten. There is snorkeling along the
southern edge of the beach where the coral cliff meets the sea. The
snorkeling reveals mainly small fish but with the pretty colours that
tropical fish are known for. As you move away from the cliffs the visibility
improves and there are rocky coral outcrops in the water where the young
fish gather.
On the shore, beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rental and you
can haggle on the price but they are a must during the middle of the day
unless you are a sun worshiper who wants the full rays of the sun on your
body.
There are two beach bars directly on the beach. One of these, Rosie's, makes
some of the best grilled ribs that you can find anywhere and certainly the
best rice and peas I have ever tasted.
Mullet Beach is the site of a former hotel that was destroyed by Hurricane
Luis so this beach has an undeveloped tropical feel. Contributing to this
undeveloped feel is the fact that the beach is backed by the golf course.
Mullet Beach is just north of Maho and is close enough so that those staying
in Maho can walk to this beach. It is frequented by the locals and those
return visitors in the know.
The beach has a sharp drop from the top of the sand berm to the water's edge
but in the water it is very shallow.
Friar's Bay is another of the
beautiful beaches in St Martin and this beach comes with the added plus that
from the beach you can get a clear view of the island of Anguilla. Friar's
Bay is located on the French side of the island and is a pocket shaped bay
with crystal clear water almost like a salt water swimming pool. A short
distance away is Happy Bay and there is a track at the south western end
that leading over a small hill to Happy Bay.
There is reasonable snorkeling along the south western side of the bay,
against the cliffs, and you can snorkel following the rocks along the coast
line into Happy Bay. The Bay has fine white powdery sand with small black
rocks along the shoreline but not in the water. As with many of the beaches
in St Martin there is a beach bar plus beach chairs and umbrellas are
available for rental.
As Friar's Bay is on the French side of the island, topless bathing is
allowed.
To learn more about Sint Maarten/St Martin, visit our other St Martin pages:
