Little Bay Beach
{aka Divi Little Bay} - By A. Jamil
Sit back, watch the stunning sunsets and cruise ships majestically entering and departing Philipsburg; sip on cold resort quality cocktails as you enjoy life on Little Bay Beach! The calm, quiet waters lap your ankles while you eye snorkelers and divers exploring the corner peninsula’s rock formations.
Located on the southern coast of Dutch St Maarten between Great Bay and Indigo Bay is Little Bay, situated centrally between Philipsburg and Simpson Bay and only minutes away from fine dining and shopping in both. Also known as “Divi” Little Bay, (the beautiful resort which lies on its beach edge), Little Bay Beach is a favorite amongst snorkelers, divers and swimmers for it’s calm clear waters and perfect white sand.
Well protected by the land formation, Little Bay is the home to Fort Amsterdam (on hilltop adjacent to Philipsburg). The bay is secretly tucked away so few non-resort guests make their way here; making it ideal for young children with it’s safe sheltered waters and easy currents.
The View:
Turn Eastward and scan the Resort’s terra cotta rooftops and pastel buildings which contact the wide arc of sand wrapping around the private peninsula. Up on the hill you can survey Fort Amsterdam, Philipsburg and Great Bay off in the distance. Span Southward and you’ll see the islands of St. Eustatia, St. Kitts and Saba.
Little Bay offers one of the rare beach dive locations on the island with a solid rocky beach break, keeping waters generally calm and ‘cove like’ which make for high underwater visibility. And if the kids enjoy snorkeling, there are a plethora of beautiful empty shells and fragmented coral about ten feed out from the shoreline.
Several hundred yards off the beach sits The Tiki Hut, anchored above an underwater reef perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, PADI lessons and swimming. In the vicinity, you’ll find and old sunken submarine and helicopter. Snorkelers and divers also love the beach's shipwrecks and aquatic marine life surrounding the peninsula's edge.
Fort Amsterdam:
Fort Amsterdam, positioned on the hilltop of Little Bay to watch over Philipsburg harbor, was erected in the late 1630s by the Dutch to fight Spanish 'occupiers' at the time. The winding cobblestone trail to the fort begins at the far end of the Divi Resort, and although a short hike to the top, Fort Amsterdam boasts some of the best and most worthwhile views on the island.
Great things:
Cocktails are served right on the beach and there is plenty of parking behind belonging to the resort. This intimate little beach has the advantage of being in close proximity to Philipsburg yet far enough away from the tourists and cruise ship shoppers arriving in Great Bay daily.
Getting there:
Take the link road towards Divi Resort, make the sharp right into Divi and pass the Divi’s gate down the hill.
Little Bay Road, Simpson Bay
Restaurants / Food at Divi Little Bay Resort:
Toucan's: offers both indoor and beachside dining, serving breakfast and dinner daily.
Bayview Café: a charming sidewalk cafe specializing in gourmet coffees, pastries and sandwiches perfect for breakfast and lunch on the go.
Seabreeze: serves casual lunch poolside with a lively bar serving frozen tropical cocktails.
The Water Sports Center:
Located directly on Little Bay Beach for both guests and visitors, you can rent: Hobie Cat sailboats, snorkel equipment, umbrellas and chairs, tennis rackets, noodles, water toys, beach floats and belts or ask about shore guided snorkel trips, kayak tours, Scuba diving and Jet Ski rentals and tours.
7 Welgelegen Road, Cay Hill, Simpson Bay
The Belair Beach Hotel boasts Dutch St. Maarten’s only all suite oceanfront resort as a unique combination of hotel, timeshare and condominium facilities with amenities like complimentary beach towels, umbrellas and chairs, 24-hour security, babysitting, laundromat, video rental, book exchange, water sports, car rental and activity desks, restaurant and bar, oceanfront fresh water swimming pool & tennis court.
Restaurants / Food at Belair Beach Club:
Gingerbread Cafe: located right on the beach serves delicious international and local cuisine and frozen drinks in a relaxed atmosphere with a magnificent ocean view from 7AM until closing.
Jody's Place: is the on-site convenience store and gift with room provisioning services; open daily from 8-8.
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