Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, and Porto Cupecoy — The Western Strip
The stretch of Sint Maarten's western coast running from Mullet Bay through Cupecoy to Porto Cupecoy has undergone more residential and commercial development in recent years than almost any other area on the island. What was once a relatively quiet strip between Maho and the French border is now a substantial neighborhood with high-rise residential towers, a functioning commercial village, a busy marina complex, and some of the island's better beaches — all within a few minutes of each other by car.
Mullet Bay Beach
Mullet Bay is the quintessential Dutch side Caribbean beach — wide, white sand, calm water, popular with residents and visitors alike. It runs alongside the island's only 18-hole golf course, which gives the area a backdrop unusual for a Caribbean beach.
Hotel guests from the Sonesta and the Royal Islander in Maho walk here for their swimming, which says something about the beach's quality relative to Maho's own sand situation. Mullet Bay is consistently one of the better beaches on the Dutch side.
Fourteen
The name is not a coincidence — the development stands at the 14th hole of the golf course, and the two 22-story residential towers that rise from that location represent the largest high-rise residential development on the island. Both towers are fully occupied with a mix of permanent residents and vacation rental units. For visitors looking for apartment-style accommodation with views over the Caribbean, Fourteen offers a level of scale and amenity that the island's older condominium stock cannot match.
Cupecoy Beach
At the western end of the strip, Cupecoy Beach sits at the base of dramatic sandstone cliffs — the island's semi-official clothing-optional beach on the Dutch side, with a character entirely different from the more organized beaches further east. The cliffs give it a visual drama that photographs well and rewards the short walk down from the parking area.
The American University of the Caribbean
The American University of the Caribbean is one of the island's most significant economic anchors. Its medical school draws students from across the Americas and the Caribbean basin. The campus is consistently active and has shaped the commercial development of the surrounding area.
Jordan Village
Around the university campus, Jordan Village has grown into a complete neighborhood in its own right — not merely a student services strip, but a functioning residential and commercial area with a supermarket, apartments, and several restaurants covering a range of budgets. The student population gives it an energy that distinguishes it from the more resort-oriented commercial areas elsewhere on the Dutch side.
The Starz Casino
The original Starz Casino building was completely destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. It has since been rebuilt to new standards and is once again operating — one of the more complete post-Irma reconstruction stories on the Dutch side.
Porto Cupecoy
Porto Cupecoy is a first-rate marina development with a central plaza overlooking the yacht harbor. The residential units surrounding the marina are high-quality condominiums, many available as vacation rentals. Several restaurants and shops occupy the plaza — a quieter, more upscale alternative to the busier entertainment strips of Simpson Bay and Maho. The marina itself accommodates serious yachts and operates as a proper port of entry.
Getting There — by Car
The Mullet Bay to Porto Cupecoy strip runs directly west of Maho, accessible from the main road. Approximately 10 minutes from the airport, 15 minutes from Philipsburg, 5 minutes from Maho. The French border at Cupecoy is immediately adjacent — Terres Basses and the French side's western beaches are a short drive further.
