TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Cupecoy Beach

Is cupecoy Beach still there and access from the road? Did the hurricane wipe it out? We are planning to go there next month.

Yes, it's recovered beautifully.

Can you still buy drinks on the beach?

Yes, Dany has a lovely set up there.

Is cupecoy beach still C/O?

Is cupecoy beach still C/O?

Never has been officially or legally but people do it anyway.

Yes it is.

Legal? Who knows? Is it technically ‘legal’ anywhere on the island?

My first trip to SXM was in November 1973. Cupecoy was the ONLY Dutch side beach that was widely accepted as being a clothing optional beach then and there has been no change in that status to this day. With lots of development in the area many have tried to change this but still nothing to effect the C.O. status to this time.

Thank you...we are heading there next month.

I believe Club O was designated a legal CO beach before Irma. Not sure of status now since there is no operating Club O anymore.

With reference to Orient, the applicable Arrêté enacted in January 2006 refers to the beach, known as the "Club O" beach, as a place "where in fact nudism has been tolerated for dozens of years." (Original in french.) The Arrêté bans nudism on Orient Beach north of where the access road is (just south of where Pedro's was), but Sophie got a limited exemption for a part of beach at Coco's from the then préfet, years ago. Under the European approach, the question usually is not whether a beach has been declared nude or co, but whether nudity is "tolerated" officially or unofficially. I think it quite clear that nudism on both the "Club O beach" and Cupecoy are officially tolerated. Irma has not changed that.

With a light chuckle, is this where somebody states "illegal is illegal" ? It is my favorite phrase if only to see when and where it is applied and when and where it is ignored based on personal preference and beliefs.

I am a big time supporter of Dany, all those that enjoy Cupecoy, and I hope that Club O for all those that enjoy that area of Orient get it back as good or better than before. This from a "textile" that has a lot of CO friends. But then again, I was rooting for Gus at Baie Rouge as well so......

Cheers!

I think the legality of nudity is the least of worry now for the island government. Naked people are usually very friendly and do not carry any weapons...They should worry more about illigal guns and gangs and especially the idiots who are preying on visitors...

Yes, definitely many more serious problems to worry about for sure.

We were there last week - Cupecoy beach is C/O. Wife and I pulled up to Cupecoy beach by bar with chairs and umbrellas... we saw all the boulders/rocks at beach and showed our dissatisfaction. Guy told us "I have another spot". Drive a bit further down and there were more seats and umbrellas setup - no rocks in water; lots of waves. We decide to stay hear, first chair when we go down the stairs is occupied - woman sunbathing nude with her man there.

We were under the impression orient beach was only nude beach on island. So we go to buccaneer beach bar one day around 2:30PM or so. Bunch of people there - couples, families... A couple walks in and sits on a chair. Woman takes off her top and walks the beach, sunbathing topless, etc. Wife and I were a bit confused as were several others. Someone else at beach told us "it is actually accepted on the whole island". Who knew?

Just because it happens does not mean it is "accepted" or "legal".

Only official c/o beach was club orient. All French beaches are ok for topless. No Dutch side beaches are c/o or topless but some people do it anyway.

We had never gone to this beach until this past January. Can you ever go in the water just down from the beach bar? The rocks were huge. We keep hearing about people loving it there. Is there somewhere else near that is accessible to go in? Also there is no bathroom there, correct? It is a beautiful area & less windy than orient side.
Thanks

Been topless for a women is accepted pretty much everywhere, even here in Canada, lol! On the island of SXM, all beaches are totally ok with a lady been topless. Been nude is different. Only a few beaches like Cupecoy, Orient and a far part of Baie Ruge will be ok for going naked.
And don’t be surprised seen topless ladies on the island. And don’t be surprised if your wife will surprise you one day by taking her top off!

Thank you KGB & Elizabeth. Well stated - there are much worse things on the island to fret over than a nude person on the beach.

Mullet Bay Beach -- the last time we visited there in March -- was top free for those ladies who decided to go that route. Probably less than ten total, but absolutely no problem the day we were there. And, Happy Bay Beach is sort of considered clothing optional, as well. Very secluded and beautiful.

There are actually 4 beaches at Cupecoy that Dany services, but the sand shifts about between them. I assume the beach with the rocks you speak of is the one closest to Dany's bar. I was able to swim there a just couple of times this last winter. The most sand was at the other end in front of what usde to be Ocean Club. There is a port-a-potty near the bar.

Just because it happens does not mean it is "accepted" or "legal".

I'm just sharing what we were told - it was our first trip to the island. Can't wait to go back!!!!

No problem.

It is always humorous to see someone who tries this "accepted/legal" topless stuff on Anguilla. It is usually addressed posthaste and is not tolerated, at least in public.

Oh, Anguilla is a whole different story. It is a British island. My husband learned the hard way. We were on what seemed to be a deserted beach. Within 5 minutes two officers were walking up to us with the admonition that he could be arrested on Anguilla for nudity on the beach. You never saw anyone get dressed so fast!