With 37 sublime beaches to choose from, it's difficult to narrow it down to just five favourites, but we'll try our best - Saint Martin/Sint Maarten has vast, glistening beaches at every corner. Bring your paddle-board, kiteboard or just a beach towel and some lotion. Whatever you have planned for a day spent on the shore, in St. Martin, it's bound to be a brilliant one.

1. Baie Long

One of the longest beaches on the island, Baie Long lies beneath the stunning Belmond La Samanna Hotel. Peaceful, private and with a never-ending strip of golden sand, this beach is one of our favourites on the island. Hit the beach bar at La Samanna for a sundowner and watch the gorgeous St. Martin sunset.

2. Maho Beach

Famous for those 'close-call' photos with jets soaring over tourists heads, no trip to St. Martin is complete without spending the morning at the lively Maho Beach. Watch jumbo jets glide in from around 11am-3pm and fly straight over the sand to land on the Juliana Airport Runway. Once you're over the excitement, grab lunch at one of the nearby beach bars and watch revellers get blown away by the jetblasts.

3. Tintamarre & Pinel Island

Just 4Km off the Coast of Saint Martin, these pretty islets are home to spectacular beaches. Sail over to Tintamarre and snorkel with wild turtles with the gorgeous, sparse St. Martin hills as the backdrop. Bring food and water as there's nothing on this rocky, uninhabited island, except you, your sailboat and the turtles.

At Pinel Island you'll find two popular restaurants, usually packed with tourists tucking into fresh seafood and indulging in cocktails by the shore.

4. Orient Bay

One of the most popular beaches on the island, this gorgeous coastline is lined with snazzy restaurants, shops and watersport activities. It's where you'll find celebrities hanging out , tanning in the sun and hiding from the paparazzi. Keep walking south and you'll run into a nudist beach, where just about anything goes.

5. Grand-Case Beach

A vast, white-sand beach in the charming, French fishing village of Grand-Case. Close to gourmet restaurants and petite eateries and cafes, this beach is close to the well-known dive spot, Creole Rock. Crystal clear, blue waters and tons of marine life, this beach is one not to miss out on. Grab some Caribbean eats at Villa Royale and then slump out on this gorgeous stretch of sand and get your tan on.