Divi Little Bay Beach Resort Review: Our All-Inclusive Family Stay in St. Maarten

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June 30, 2026

We moved from India to Canada in 2019 and now travel from our base in Toronto. We booked a week at Divi to see if one resort could anchor a whole St. Maarten trip.

When planning a Caribbean vacation, many travelers face the same question: Should we spend all our time exploring the island or simply relax at the resort?

After spending a week at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort in St. Maarten, we can confidently say, you don’t have to choose.

Nestled on a private peninsula between Philipsburg and Little Bay, this all-inclusive resort offers the perfect balance of relaxation, entertainment, and easy access to some of the island’s most iconic attractions. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or as a family with young children like we were, Divi makes an excellent home base for exploring the “Friendly Island.” This Divi Little Bay Beach Resort review covers our full week as a family, why it works as one of the better St. Maarten all inclusive family resorts, and the best things to do in St. Maarten just beyond the gates.

If you would rather follow a ready made plan, you can browse our Canada travel itineraries and adapt the same day-by-day format for your own island trip.

Why We Chose Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Divi is its location. While many resorts are tucked away in one corner of the island, Divi sits in a central location that makes it easy to explore both the Dutch and French sides without spending hours on the road.

But what truly impressed us was how much there was to do without ever leaving the property.

A Resort That Feels Like a Destination

Unlike many all-inclusive resorts where everything revolves around one pool and one buffet, Divi Little Bay Beach Resort feels like its own little village.

During our stay, we found ourselves constantly discovering something new.

Five Pools for Every Mood

Whether you prefer lounging with a cocktail, letting the kids splash around, or simply soaking up the Caribbean sun, the resort’s five swimming pools mean you’ll never feel overcrowded.

During our stay, we found ourselves constantly discovering something new.

There’s also a hot tub that’s perfect for winding down after a day of sightseeing.

We rotated pools by mood through the week, and the quiet pool near the far end of the property became our early morning spot before the kids were ready for the beach.

Your Own Private Beach

One of the biggest highlights of our stay was the resort’s private beach.

The water here is exactly what you’d imagine when dreaming about the Caribbean, calm, crystal clear, and beautifully turquoise. Since the beach is tucked inside Little Bay, the waves are gentle, making it an excellent spot for families with young children.

We spent countless hours simply floating in the warm water, watching boats pass by, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

If you’re someone who loves waking up and walking straight onto the beach, this resort delivers.

When people ask us about the best beaches in St. Maarten for small kids, the sheltered Little Bay sand right outside our room is the first one we mention.

Dining That Never Gets Repetitive

One concern many travelers have about all-inclusive resorts is eating the same food every day.

That definitely wasn’t the case here.

Divi offers five different restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, so every meal feels different.

What we especially loved was the themed dinner nights at the main restaurant. Each evening featured a different cuisine, giving guests the opportunity to sample flavors from around the world without leaving the resort.

It was a great way to keep dinner exciting throughout the week.

We learned quickly to ask the front desk which theme night was on, since the seafood evening filled up fastest with families.

Entertainment Every Evening

Once the sun goes down, the resort comes alive.

Throughout our stay, there was always something happening after dinner.

Some evenings featured live DJs, while others had karaoke nights, live music, and interactive games that encouraged guests to join in.

During the day, the activities team also organized games around the pools, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere without feeling overwhelming.

It struck a nice balance between being lively and still relaxing.

Our kids still talk about the karaoke night, and we appreciated that the entertainment wrapped up early enough for an easy bedtime.

Everything You Need Without Leaving the Resort

Another thing we appreciated was how self-contained the property is.

Need snacks or drinks for your room? There’s a mini mart.

Looking for souvenirs before flying home? Visit the Shipwreck Market located right on-site.

Want to treat yourself? Book a relaxing massage at the resort’s spa.

It’s these little conveniences that make the overall experience so much easier, especially when traveling with kids.

We used the mini mart most mornings for water and snacks before heading out, which saved us from buying overpriced drinks on the road.

A Piece of History Inside the Resort

One feature that really sets Divi apart is that it’s home to Fort Amsterdam, one of the island’s oldest historical landmarks.

Instead of driving across the island to visit a historic site, you can simply walk up from the resort and enjoy panoramic views overlooking both Little Bay and Great Bay.

It’s one of the best places on the property to catch sunrise or sunset and offers a glimpse into St. Maarten’s fascinating colonial history.

We walked up just before sunset on our second night, and having a 17th century fort a few minutes from our room still feels like the most unexpected perk of the whole stay. For a similar mix of waterfront views and colonial history closer to home, we felt the same way wandering the old streets of Quebec.

Address: Little Bay peninsula, on the Divi Little Bay grounds, Sint Maarten
Admission: Free to walk up from the resort
confirm walking access with the resort front desk before visiting.

Best Things to Do Around St. Maarten

While the resort itself could easily keep you entertained for several days, St. Maarten has plenty to offer beyond its beaches.

Here are some experiences we highly recommend during your stay.

Explore Grand Case

Often referred to as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, Grand Case is filled with colorful streets, charming French bakeries, waterfront restaurants, and boutique shops.

It’s a wonderful place for a leisurely morning, family photos, and one of the best meals you’ll have on the island.

We went for an early dinner so the kids could still enjoy it, and the lolos, the casual roadside grills at the end of the strip, ended up being our favourite value meal of the trip. If you love planning a trip around food the way we do, you will enjoy our guide to the best things to do in Belize too.

Address: Grand Case, French side of Saint-Martin
Admission: Not applicable, public village
confirm individual restaurant opening days before visiting, since some close between seasons.

Spend an Afternoon in Marigot

The French capital offers a completely different vibe.

Browse local markets, enjoy fresh pastries, stroll along the marina, or hike up to Fort Louis for panoramic views over the harbour.

We climbed to Fort Louis in the late afternoon when it was cooler, and the walk up was short enough that our kids managed it with a few snack breaks. The European feel reminded us a little of our 2 days in Madrid, just with a Caribbean backdrop.

Address: Marigot, capital of French Saint-Martin
Admission: Not applicable, public town. Fort Louis is free to walk up
confirm the local market days before visiting, as they vary through the week.

Watch the Planes at Maho Beach

No visit to St. Maarten is complete without experiencing the famous plane landings at Maho Beach.

Watching aircraft descend just overhead is an unforgettable experience and one of the island’s most iconic attractions.

We checked the day’s arrival times before heading over so we were not standing in the sun for hours, and we kept the little ones well back from the fence line because the jet blast is genuinely strong. If you are comparing Caribbean beach bases, our all-inclusive stay in Punta Cana is a useful contrast.

Address: Maho, Sint Maarten, beside Princess Juliana International Airport
Admission: Not applicable, public beach
confirm the day’s flight arrival schedule before visiting.

Visit Orient Bay

If you’re looking for soft white sand and crystal-clear water, Orient Bay should be on your list.

With beach clubs, restaurants, and plenty of space to relax, it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon here.

We rented two loungers at one of the calmer family ends rather than the lively middle stretch, and that small choice made the whole afternoon more relaxed with kids. For another laid-back Caribbean beach day, our Curacao itinerary covers a similar style of trip.

Address: Orient Bay, Baie Orientale, French side of the island
Admission: Beach access is free. Beach clubs charge for loungers and service
confirm beach club lounger fees before visiting.

Take a Day Trip to St. Barts

If time allows, hop on a ferry or catamaran and explore the nearby island of St. Barts.

From luxury boutiques and beautiful beaches to charming European-style streets, it makes for a fantastic day excursion.

We treated this as our one big splurge day, and booking the ferry the evening before meant we got the morning crossing and a full day on the island rather than a rushed afternoon. If a St. Barts overnight tempts you, compare island stays before you commit.

The polished streets reminded us of our walk through the best things to do in Barcelona, scaled down to a single harbour town.

Address: Gustavia, St. Barthelemy, reached by ferry or catamaran from St. Maarten
Admission: Ferry or catamaran ticket required
confirm the ferry schedule and return times before visiting.

Discover Pinel Island

Traveling with young children?

Pinel Island was one of our favourite discoveries.

A short ferry ride takes you to a calm, shallow beach with laid-back restaurants and clear water that’s ideal for families.

The crossing is only a few minutes, and the shallow water meant our youngest could wade safely while we watched from a shaded table. It was the most stress-free beach day of our week, the kind of slow travel we also chase on our Panama itinerary.

Address: Ilet Pinel, off Cul-de-Sac on the French side
Admission: Short ferry fare required. Island access is free
confirm the ferry operating hours before visiting, as the last boat back leaves mid to late afternoon.

Horseback Riding Along the Beach

For something a little different, book a horseback riding experience with Seaside Nature Park.

Riding along the shoreline, and even into the water if conditions allow, is one of the most unique ways to experience St. Maarten.

We booked ahead because group sizes are limited, and going in the morning meant calmer horses and cooler sand for the ride. If your family enjoys hands-on animal experiences, you will recognise the same appeal in our visit to African Lion Safari in Ontario.

Address: Cay Bay, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten
Admission: Paid guided tour, advance booking required
confirm tour availability and age limits before visiting.

Do You Need to Rent a Car?

If you’re planning to explore several parts of the island like we did, renting a car is highly recommended.

It gives you the flexibility to visit both the French and Dutch sides at your own pace, makes traveling with children much easier, and is often more economical than relying on taxis throughout the week.

The roads are easy to navigate, and most major attractions are within a 20 to 30 minute drive from the resort.

Best Time to Visit

In spring, from March to May, we found the weather warm and settled, with the busy winter crowds thinning out and most restaurants and ferries running their full schedules. It is a comfortable window for families who want lively beaches without peak-season prices.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and humid, and a few smaller restaurants on the French side reduce their hours. We still found the beaches and the resort fully open, and the warm sea was at its calmest for swimming with kids.

Fall, roughly September to November, is the quietest stretch and overlaps with the wetter, more storm-prone part of the season, so we would watch the forecast closely and keep plans flexible. Some independent venues close for a few weeks, though large resorts like Divi stay open.

Winter, from December to February, is the peak season with the most reliable sunshine, every restaurant and excursion operating, and the liveliest evening entertainment. We would book flights, the resort, and any St. Barts day trips well ahead, because this is when the island is busiest.

Things to Do in St. Maarten by Area

Little Bay and Philipsburg: This is where we based ourselves, with the resort’s sheltered beach, Fort Amsterdam, and the shops and boardwalk of Philipsburg close by. It is an easy, central area for families who want a short drive to most attractions.
Maho and the Dutch south: Best known for the plane spotting at Maho Beach and a cluster of bars and casinos, this side has a livelier, busier feel. We treated it as a half-day outing rather than a place to linger with young kids.
Grand Case and the French north: The culinary heart of the island, with the lolos, bakeries, and a relaxed evening stroll along the bay. We came here for food more than beaches.

Orient Bay and the east: A long stretch of sand with beach clubs, watersports, and calmer family ends away from the busier middle. It is an easy spot to fill a whole afternoon.
Marigot and the French capital: Markets, the marina, and the climb up to Fort Louis make this a good morning of light sightseeing. The European feel is a nice change of pace from the beach days.

Free and No-Reservation Options

A lot of what we enjoyed in St. Maarten cost us nothing beyond getting there. Maho Beach, Orient Bay, and the public stretches of sand are all free to access, and Fort Amsterdam on the resort grounds is a free walk up with some of the best views on the island. Wandering Grand Case in the evening or Marigot during the day costs nothing unless you stop to eat or shop.

Most of these spots also need no advance booking. We turned up at Maho Beach, the Philipsburg boardwalk, and Fort Louis on a whim, with no tickets or reservations required. The things that do need planning are the ferries to Pinel Island and St. Barts and any guided activity such as horseback riding, so we left those for set days and kept the rest of our time loose.

If you are planning without booking much ahead, our advice is to build your week around a couple of reserved highlights and fill the gaps with free beaches and towns. Bring cash for the small ferries and the lolos, check flight times before heading to Maho Beach, and start beach mornings early to claim shade and parking before the day-trippers arrive.

Tips for Visiting with Kids or Toddlers

Travelling with young children shaped almost every choice we made, and a calm home base mattered most. The sheltered Little Bay beach and the shallow water at Pinel Island were far easier with toddlers than the open surf elsewhere, so we leaned on those on the days we wanted everyone relaxed. We also kept a flexible nap-friendly rhythm, doing one outing in the morning and returning to the resort pools in the afternoon heat.

A few practical things made the week smoother. We carried water, snacks, sun hats, and reef-safe sunscreen everywhere, kept the little ones well back from the fence at Maho Beach because of the strong jet blast, and chose the quieter family ends of busy beaches rather than the lively centres. Booking a resort with its own beach and multiple pools meant we were never far from a safe swim or a bathroom, which is exactly why an all-inclusive worked for us. For another family-friendly day that our kids loved, see our visit to African Lion Safari in Ontario.

If you want a stay where the pools, beach, and dining are all a short stroll from your room, it is worth comparing family rooms and resorts before you lock anything in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a must do in St. Maarten?

For us the three unmissable experiences were watching the planes come in over Maho Beach, an evening of food in Grand Case, and the short ferry to Pinel Island. Together they capture the island’s mix of spectacle, cuisine, and easy family beach time.

What is St. Maarten best known for?

St. Maarten is famous for being a single island shared by two nations, the Dutch side of Sint Maarten and the French side of Saint-Martin. It is also known for the dramatic plane landings at Maho Beach, its many beaches, and a strong food scene on the French side.

Does Saint Martin have all-inclusive resorts?

Yes, although the island has fewer all-inclusive properties than some larger Caribbean destinations. Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, where we stayed on the Dutch side, is one all-inclusive option that worked well for our family.

What is the best resort in St. Maarten?

The right resort depends on your travel style, so we can only speak to our own stay. We chose Divi Little Bay for its central location, private beach, and five pools, and it suited us as a family with young children.

What is the nicest all inclusive resort for families?

In our experience Divi Little Bay struck a good balance for families, with a sheltered beach, multiple pools, varied dining, and early-evening entertainment. As with any resort, we would read recent reviews and compare room types before booking.

What is the nicest beach in St. Maarten?

Opinions vary, but our favourites were the calm resort beach at Little Bay and the shallow, family-friendly water at Pinel Island. Orient Bay is the most famous for its size and beach clubs if you want a livelier day.

Final Thoughts

What we appreciated most about Divi Little Bay Beach Resort was how effortlessly it balanced relaxation with adventure.

Some mornings were spent floating in the calm Caribbean Sea, afternoons exploring colorful French villages, and evenings enjoying themed dinners followed by live entertainment back at the resort.

For families, couples, and first-time visitors to St. Maarten, it’s hard to ask for a better combination of location, amenities, and value.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive Caribbean escape where you can truly unwind while still experiencing everything the island has to offer, Divi Little Bay Beach Resort deserves a spot at the top of your list.

Looking back on our own Divi Little Bay Beach Resort stay, we would happily book the same home base again for another family week in St. Maarten.

We have done the planning so you do not have to. Browse our tried and tested Canada travel itineraries and start your adventure.

Planning Your Own Trip?

Have questions about St. Maarten, Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, or traveling with kids? Feel free to reach out to us on Instagram @waddupcanada, we’re always happy to help fellow travelers plan their next adventure!

Happy exploring!