If you look online, you’ll quickly see that Saint Martin’s Orient Beach is often described as world-famous and for good reason. It really is a beautiful beach and for many couples, it’s the place where they experience social nudity for the very first time.
Orient Beach is actually made up of several beaches along Orient Bay, together stretching more than a mile of sand and surf. The yellow umbrellas, blue water and a mix of tan bodies — breasts, bottoms, and everything in between — are a clear sign you’ve arrived.
What Orient Beach Is Really Like
By midday, Orient Beach can feel crowded. Cruise ship visitors often walk the shoreline and hundreds of nude sunbathers including couples, families and longtime naturists fill the sand. Ironically, the only time you truly stand out on Orient Beach is when you’re wearing a bathing suit.
That said, some couples new to social nudity may find the sheer number of people overwhelming. While many visitors challenge themselves to walk the entire beach nude (something a lot of experienced nudists try at least once), it’s best done early in the morning before the crowds arrive.
On our last trip, I walked the full length of Orient Bay in my birthday suit. That’s more than two miles naked. It’s a fun milestone, but it’s not something everyone needs to do especially on their first visit.
Even so, Orient Beach absolutely belongs on your nude beach bucket list. There’s nothing quite like it. But it’s not the only option on the island and for many couples, it’s not the best place to start.
A Quieter Alternative: Happy Bay Beach
If you’re curious about social nudity but want something calmer and more private, Happy Bay Beach is one of our favorite spots in Saint Martin.
Located between Friar’s Bay and Grand Case, Happy Bay is reached by a short walk and feels a world away from Orient Beach’s energy. It’s the site of a former resort that was destroyed by a hurricane and never rebuilt. Nature has slowly reclaimed the property, leaving behind a peaceful, undeveloped beach.
The result is a relaxed, welcoming place used by:
- Couples of all ages
- Families
- Gay and straight couples
- Locals and visitors alike
You’ll see a mix of conservative swimsuits, skimpy bikinis topless sunbathers, and especially toward the north end, mostly nude couples enjoying the quiet.
While Orient Beach is loud and flashy, Happy Bay is intimate and unhurried. For couples unsure about trying social nudity, it’s an ideal place to ease in.
Where to Go on Happy Bay Beach
When you arrive, head to the right, walking north toward the rocks and away from the snack shack. Once you pass the large tree near the middle of the beach, you’ll find plenty of space where nudity feels natural and unremarkable.
You can set up close to the water or nearer the trees — there’s no wrong spot. The choice is entirely yours.
That First Moment (Everyone Remembers It)
Before you take off your swimsuit, know this: everyone who has ever gone nude on a beach remembers the mix of anxiety and excitement you’re feeling right now.
It can feel like you’re breaking every rule you’ve ever learned — and yet, taking your suit off also feels strangely natural. That moment is exhilarating. I still feel it every time I step onto a nude beach.
The difference now is that I also know what comes next: relaxation, freedom, and a deep sense of connection, especially when sharing the experience with my wife.
Once the anticipation passes and you settle in, you’ll probably laugh at how much anxiety you felt over something so simple. In an hour, it can feel like you’ve done this your entire life. By the end of the day, you may find yourselves walking the beach naked, holding hands, and playing in the water like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
Why Happy Bay Works So Well for Couples
Happy Bay Beach has:
- Soft sand and gentle water
- Very little wave action
- Sailboats that anchor offshore (many guests come ashore nude)
- Jet ski tours that pass by without paying much attention
Don’t worry about covering up. Most people keep to themselves and many tourists end up skinny dipping too.
We usually bring lunch, snacks and wine, though there is a small snack bar for drinks and BBQ. We always pack out our trash and often pick up a little extra, preserving this beach matters.
A Few Important Things to Know
Technically, nudity is only officially permitted on Orient Beach, though topless sunbathing is legal everywhere. Beaches like Happy Bay are unofficially clothing-optional. If someone ever asks you to cover up, do so out of respect.
On weekends, locals use Happy Bay more heavily and on Sundays police may patrol. Sundays are better spent at Orient Beach.
Most importantly: nudity does not mean sex. Happy Bay is not a place for sexual behavior. Enjoy being naked together, enjoy the connection, but keep intimacy for private spaces. Trust me — after a full day of relaxed social nudity, your time alone later will feel even more special.
How to Find Happy Bay Beach
From Grand Case heading toward Friar’s Bay:
- Look for a basketball court on your right
- Take the first right turn after the court (Rue Happy Bay)
- Park near the gate if possible
- Walk 10–15 minutes along a well-marked, easy path to the beach
The walk is straightforward and part of the experience.
Final Thoughts
Orient Beach and Happy Bay offer two very different ways to experience social nudity in Saint Martin. One is iconic and bustling; the other is quiet and deeply relaxing.
For couples curious about trying social nudity together, Happy Bay remains one of the most welcoming, gentle introductions we’ve found anywhere.
This is the second of three posts from our Saint Martin trip. Look for upcoming posts about Petite Cayes and about taking a nude vacation with friends.
Have you been to Saint Martin? We’d love to hear what stood out to you — and why the island is such a perfect place for couples to explore social nudity.
Clothing Optional Trips 
How packed does Orient beach get? Can you compare it to Playalinda or Black’s Beach?
Great question. We haven’t been to Playalinda yet. It’s on our list but comparing it to Black’s Beach, the south end of Orient Beach is not nearly as wide. There is plenty of space but you will be next to your neighbors. They also set up chairs and umbrella’s closely together.
On cruise ship days it will get crowded. If you head north there are two more attached beaches. Not nude but topless.
We’ve never had an issue finding spots on Orient. It’s lively and a lot of fun. A lot of first time nudies.