If you’ve spent any time looking into clothing-optional travel, you’ve heard the name. Club Orient St Martin isn't just a resort; it’s a vibe, a landmark, and for some, a semi-religious experience on the French side of Saint Martin. It sits—or sat, depending on who you ask today—on the southern end of Orient Bay. It was the only "true" clothing-optional resort on the island. People loved it. They loved the yellow chalets. They loved the fact that you could wake up, skip the swimsuit, and walk straight into the turquoise water of the Caribbean.
But then came 2017.
Hurricane Irma didn't just "damage" the property. It basically erased it. Honestly, seeing the photos from right after the storm was heartbreaking for the community that called this place home every winter. Since then, the story of Club Orient has been a messy, complicated mix of rebuilding hopes, legal hurdles, and a beach that refused to stay closed. If you go there today, you aren't going to find the sprawling, full-service resort of 2016. It's different now. It's leaner. Some might say it's more authentic, while others miss the luxury of the old days.
What is actually happening at Club Orient St Martin right now?
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around TripAdvisor and old travel forums. Some people say it’s gone. Others say it’s fully open. The reality is somewhere in the middle. The "resort" as a hotel entity has struggled to fully resurrect the iconic wooden chalets that once lined the sand. However, the Club Orient Beach—the actual stretch of sand—remains the designated naturist zone.
You can still go there. You should still go there.
The Papagayo beach club is the heart of the operation these days. You can rent a chair, grab a drink, and enjoy the sun without a tan line in sight. It’s a strange juxtaposition. To your left, you have the bustling, "textile" (clothed) sections of Orient Bay with jet skis and loud music. But once you cross that invisible line toward the southern end, things get quiet. People respect the vibe. It’s one of the few places in the world where nudism feels completely normalized and unpretentious.
The legal and physical hurdles
Why hasn't it just been rebuilt? Money is part of it, sure. But the French government has strict "Loi Littoral" regulations. These are coastal laws that dictate how close you can build to the high-water mark. Since Irma literally shifted the shoreline, the original footprint of the chalets became a legal nightmare. You can't just drop a concrete foundation wherever you want in 2026.
The ownership structure of the land and the buildings is also famously fragmented. Imagine trying to get dozens of different owners to agree on a single rebuilding plan while navigating French bureaucracy. It’s a headache. That’s why the progress feels like it’s moving at a snail’s pace.
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The Orient Bay experience: Beyond the nakedness
Look, even if you aren't a hardcore naturist, this end of the beach is objectively the best part of Orient Bay. It’s sheltered. The water is generally calmer here because of the way the bay curves and the proximity to Caye Verte.
Most people don't realize that Orient Bay is over a mile long. If you start at the north end near the village, it’s all boutiques and high-end French dining. As you walk south, the crowds thin out. By the time you reach the Club Orient St Martin section, the energy shifts. It’s less about "seeing and being seen" and more about just existing in nature.
- The Sand: Soft, white, and surprisingly clean.
- The Water: Crystal clear on calm days, though sea grass can be an issue depending on the season.
- The Crowd: Mostly Europeans and North Americans. It’s an older demographic, usually 40s to 70s, but you’ll see all types.
Why people are still obsessed with this spot
You might wonder why people keep talking about a place that isn't even "technically" a full resort anymore. It’s the history. For decades, Club Orient St Martin was the gold standard. It wasn't seedy. It wasn't a "lifestyle" (swinger) club. It was a family-friendly, respectful naturist environment. That reputation carries a lot of weight.
There is a specific feeling of freedom there. You can walk from the beach to the Perch Lite (the beach bar) for a burger and a Carib beer without having to find your shorts. For many, that’s the ultimate vacation. No ego. No judging bodies. Just the sun and the salt.
Honestly, the "resort" part almost matters less than the community. Even now, fans of the club organize "meetups" at nearby villas. They rent houses in the Orient Bay village—which is totally rebuilt and beautiful, by the way—and then commute to the Club O beach every morning. They’ve adapted.
The Perch Lite: A survival story
If you want a real taste of the spirit of this place, look at the Perch. It was the original beach bar. Irma leveled it. They brought it back as "Perch Lite." It’s basically a shack, but it serves the purpose. It represents the refusal of the Club Orient community to let the location die.
You’ll hear the best stories at the bar. Talk to the bartenders. They’ve been there through the storms, the closures, and the slow trickle of returning guests. They know the gossip. They know who’s planning to build what and which government official is currently blocking progress.
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Practicalities: What you need to know before you go
If you're planning a trip to St Martin and want to spend time at the Club Orient end, don't just wing it. Things work differently on the French side.
First off, the sun is brutal. If you aren't used to full-body exposure, you will burn in places you didn't know could burn. Use reef-safe sunscreen. The island is moving toward more eco-friendly practices, and the local marine life around Caye Verte will thank you.
Secondly, parking can be a bit of a trek. You used to be able to drive right up to the club. Now, most people park in the main Orient Bay lots and walk down the beach. It’s a nice walk, maybe 10 or 15 minutes, but keep that in mind if you're hauling a lot of gear.
- Bring Cash: While the bigger beach clubs take cards, the smaller vendors and the occasional beach massage therapist usually prefer Euros or Dollars.
- Respect the Rules: No cameras. This is the big one. Even if you're just taking a selfie, be mindful of who is in the background. People come here for privacy.
- Check the Seaweed: Like much of the Caribbean, St Martin gets hit with Sargassum seaweed. Some weeks the beach is pristine; other weeks it’s a brown mess. Check the "Saint Martin Sargassum" groups on social media for real-time updates.
Is it worth staying nearby?
Since the on-site chalets aren't fully operational in the way they used to be, you have to look elsewhere. The Orient Bay Village (Parc de la Baie Orientale) is your best bet. It’s a gated community right behind the beach. It’s full of stunning villas and smaller apartments.
Staying in the village gives you the best of both worlds. You have access to incredible French bakeries like Good Morning and high-end dinners at places like L'Atelier. Then, every morning, you just grab your towel and head south to the naturist beach. It’s a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.
Some regulars have moved their loyalty to the Dutch side or other islands, but they usually end up coming back to St Martin. There’s something about the "Friendly Island" that’s hard to replicate. The blend of French sophistication and Caribbean chill is unique.
Dealing with the "Is it open?" confusion
If you try to book a room at Club Orient St Martin on a major travel site, you’ll probably find it listed as "unavailable" or "permanently closed." This is technically true for the hotel operation. But don't let that fool you into thinking the beach experience is gone.
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The beach is a public entity in France. While the resort provided the amenities, the sand belongs to everyone. The naturist designation for that specific stretch of beach is still recognized. You can't just go nude anywhere on the island—try that on the Dutch side and you'll have a bad time—but here, it’s protected by long-standing tradition.
What most people get wrong about Club Orient
People think it’s a "party" beach. It’s really not. If you want loud music and "champagne showers," you head to the middle of the bay to places like Bikini Beach or Kontiki. The Club Orient end is for reading books, taking long swims, and having quiet conversations.
Another misconception is that it’s strictly for "couples only." While it is very popular with couples, solo travelers often find it to be one of the safest and most welcoming places on the island. Because everyone is in the same "exposed" boat, the social barriers tend to drop.
The future of the site
Will it ever return to its former glory? Honestly, it’s doubtful it will ever look exactly like it did in 1990. The climate is changing, the laws are tighter, and the cost of construction is astronomical. But that doesn't mean it’s dead.
There are always rumors of a new boutique hotel being built slightly further back from the water. There are talks of eco-tents or "glamping" setups that wouldn't require permanent foundations. The demand is clearly there. Every year, thousands of people descend on this tiny corner of the French West Indies just to spend a few hours at the site of the old Club O.
Actionable steps for your visit
If you're ready to see what the fuss is about, here is how you handle it like a pro.
- Book an Airbnb in Orient Bay Village: Look for properties near the "Place du Village." It puts you within walking distance of the beach and the best restaurants.
- Rent a Car: Don't rely on taxis. St Martin is small, and you'll want to explore Grand Case for dinner or Hope Estate for grocery shopping (Super U is the best supermarket on the island).
- Time your Beach Day: Get to the southern end by 9:30 AM if you want a front-row chair at Papagayo or the Perch. They fill up fast, especially when cruise ships are in port at Philipsburg.
- Verify Current Status: Before you fly, join the "Club Orient Enthusiasts" groups on Facebook. The members there are on the ground and will tell you exactly what the seaweed situation is and if any new amenities have popped up.
Club Orient St Martin might be a ghost of its former self in terms of architecture, but the spirit of the place is surprisingly resilient. It’s a testament to the fact that you can’t really destroy a destination that lives in the hearts of its visitors. The chalets might be gone, but the sun, the sand, and the sense of total freedom haven't gone anywhere.
Go for the day. Rent the chair. Forget your suit. You'll quickly realize why this remains the most talked-about beach in the Caribbean.