Baie Nettle — Between the Lagoon and the Sea

Baie Nettle (or in English Nettle Bay) is one of the more unusual pieces of geography on the French side — a narrow strip of land squeezed between Simpson Bay Lagoon to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west, on the road between Simpson Bay and Marigot. Hotels and condominiums line both sides. The lagoon is on one side of the road, the ocean on the other, and in some places the strip is barely wide enough for both.

The area was hit hard by Hurricane Irma in 2017. It has since been completely rebuilt and is in excellent shape — with new restaurants, a rebranded anchor hotel, brand-new commercial buildings, and a level of activity that bears no resemblance to the post-Irma placeholder description in older guides. The editor of this text lives in the area.

The Two Waterfronts

The lagoon side is the better swimming option by a considerable margin. The water is calm, shallow, and warm — no waves, no current, and safe for children. Watersports operators are active along the lagoon shore. The setting, with the lagoon stretching toward Simpson Bay in one direction and the hills of the French side in the other, is genuinely attractive.

The ocean beach on the Caribbean side is a different matter. The water is shallow, rocky, and not suitable for swimming. The beach itself is visually pleasant — and Mezza Luna restaurant makes excellent use of the setting — but visitors looking for a proper swimming beach should use the lagoon side.

Where to Eat

Baie Nettle has quietly become a serious dining destination.

Boat'On Yacht Club sits right on the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon. The food quality is exceptional, and the setting — waterfront, with the lagoon spread out before you — is among the better dining environments on the French side. This is not a casual beach bar; it is a proper restaurant that happens to have one of the best views on the island.

Mezza Luna on the ocean side is one of the finest Italian restaurants on the island. The beach setting elevates an already strong kitchen. A deliberate dinner trip to Baie Nettle for either of these two restaurants is fully justified.

Kalos Beach Lounge Restaurant opened recently and has added another fine dining option to the strip — early reports are promising.

For something more casual, L'Express is the coffee shop of choice — perfect pastries and sandwiches in a setting that works equally well for breakfast, a quick lunch, or an afternoon break.

Several more restaurants have opened recently along the strip. The area is expanding faster than any guide can keep pace with.

Practical

Baie Nettle now has everything a visitor needs without leaving the area. Cadisco operates a gas station and a full-featured supermarket. A pharmacy and a medical clinic are both housed in brand-new buildings on the strip. The combination of dining, groceries, fuel, healthcare, and coffee makes Baie Nettle more self-sufficient than many areas that attract far more visitor attention.

The Hotel

The anchor hotel, formerly the Mercure, has reopened as Hommage Hotel & Residences — a complete rebuild that serves as both a hotel and a residences complex. The lagoon-facing rooms and the condominiums along the strip offer an attractive alternative to the busier resort areas further west, particularly for visitors who prefer the French side's quieter character.

Location

Baie Nettle sits directly on the road between Cupecoy and Marigot, making it a natural stopping point between the Dutch side's entertainment and the French capital. Marigot is about five minutes by car. Simpson Bay is about fifteen minutes. It is not a destination that most visitors plan around — but with the infrastructure now in place, it deserves to be.