Orient Bay
Orient Bay is St Martin's most popular surf spot—a beach break on the French side that picks up NE swells and draws the island's surf community. The wave is consistent and the scene is social.
Orient Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Direction range
- 20° - 80°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 240° - 300°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 2.5m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: French side St Martin. Main surf beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Orient Bay?
Orient Bay is a beach break in St Martin (FR), St Martin, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Orient Bay?
Orient Bay picks up swell from the NNE round to the E, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NE. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Orient Bay?
A W wind is dead offshore at Orient Bay, and anything from the WSW round to the WNW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Orient Bay?
Orient Bay has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.2m to 2.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Orient Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Orient Bay comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Sep to Oct too. Most popular St Martin spot.
How cold is the water at Orient Bay?
The water at Orient Bay averages around 27°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Orient Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Most popular St Martin spot.
How do I get to Orient Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is SXM, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. French side St Martin. Main surf beach.
What other surf spots are near Orient Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Galion Bay (0.7 km), handy when Orient Bay isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep, Oct
Most popular St Martin spot.
Getting There
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