Baie Longue

Baie Longue on the Terres Basses is the longest beach on Saint Martin, a run of pale sand with almost nothing built along it beyond one hotel at the far end, backed by scrub and private land. It faces west so it takes the sunset directly, and because there are no facilities it stays quiet even in high season. The swell is bigger than on the sheltered northern beaches. The beach runs for well over a kilometre, which on an island of this size is a substantial stretch.

What you actually see

• The length - the longest continuous beach on the island.
• The emptiness - almost nothing built along the whole stretch.
• The sunset - the western aspect over open water.
• The Terres Basses - the low western peninsula the beach runs along.

When to go

December to April is the dry season. Hurricane season runs June to November. Winter swell makes the water lively.

Honest expectations

There are no facilities at all and no shade. Currents and shore break can be strong. Parking is limited and access crosses private land in places.

Nearby

Baie aux Prunes is north, and Baie Rouge is east.