The "The Five Stars Of Orient Beach ... Revisited" Story

Current day Orient Beach in St. Martin

It was an ordinary day.  Walking on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Orient Beach, which is located on the French side of the island known as Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  Many compare Orient Beach to the French Riviera which is known as the St. Tropez of the Caribbean.  

The same stretch of beach in 1980. 

Located on the 1.32 mile long beach, which runs from north to south, is what are known as "The Five Stars Of Orient Beach."  They are an affiliation of the most established Beach Restaurants & Clubs on Baie Oriental; Bikini Beach, Waikiki Beach, Kontiki, Kakao Beach and Coco Beach.

Another view of beach before being developed.

Six years ago I wrote a story about the Five Stars on Orient and described each beach bar.  Times have changed, as has Orient Beach and "The Five Stars of Orient Beach."  A few of the beach bars are much larger with better food and drink while a few have neither changed or have gotten worst.  And, the 1.32 mile beach has added quite a few new beach bars as well as water sports.  I will allow my photos from the past as well as the present tell the story for me.  Follow along to see what one can expect if they would venture today to Orient Beach, the St. Tropez of the Caribbean.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - years ago Ed and Sandra visited Orient Beach and captured an aerial view of the beach.  It, along with identification of the beach bars, can be seen here as you scroll from left to right:  https://web.archive.org/web/20150403064116/http://edsandra.com/photos2005/largeorientpanorama.htm

Also, check out this YouTube video on the best beach bars on Orient Beach, St. Martin.

An early photo I took of Bikini Beach Bar.

An early photo I took of la Playa Beach Bar.

An early photo I took of Kon Tiki Beach Bar.

The new Coco Beach Bar.

The new Bikini Beach Bar.

The new Kakao Beach Bar.

The new La Playa Beach Bar.

The new Waikiki Beach Bar.

This beach bar is at the far north end of the beach and wasn't in existence when The Five Stars of Orient were popular.  This bar is known as Palm Beach Bar.

At the far south end of Orient Beach is Club Orient which is a Naturist Resort and one of the most popular beaches on Orient Beach. 

A very early photo of Club Orient.

At the opposite end of the beach is the Mont Vernon which at one time was a first class resort.  It now houses condo units that are privately owned.