Mullet Bay Beach (St. Maarten)

In 1995 a hurricane decimated St. Maarten's flagship Mullet Bay Resort, which still sits in ruins on the island's southwestern coast. But the storm didn't dampen the adjacent beach's beauty, and travelers are still generally pleased with Mullet Bay's soft sand and surfer-ready waves. Many call calm and quiet Mullet a decent alternative to the noise and sand blasts of Maho Bay, or to the crowds of the French side's Orient Bay. One traveler tells IgoUgo.com: "There's a restaurant on the premises -- a grill and a bar. They made the best ribs we had on the island (and this is after four tries at other places)! And the cheapest … $7.00 for a rack of ribs, fries and a salad."

But some vacationers staying nearby had an unpleasant surprise. A TripAdvisor user recalls "aquarium like water and lots of STINGING JELLYFISH, size of quarters and 50 cent coins." Try Friar's Bay on St. Martin if you don't want to risk swimming here.

You'll find Mullet Bay near the airport, just south of scenic Cupecoy Beach.