Beaches
Best Beach for a Half-Day Visit: Mullet Bay.
Best Beach for the Dedicated Beach Bum: Orient Beach, aka Baie Orientale, technically, is located in St. Martin but it's an easy taxi ride from Philipsburg. The beach has a section for nudists as well as more crowded areas for plain-ol' beach bums. You can rent water gear and beach lounges, and there are numerous bars and food shacks. Windsurfing is good here and you can rent equipment.
Best Beach for Active Types: Dawn Beach for snorkeling and body surfing.
Secluded Beach: Cupecoy Beach, which has caves and rock cliffs, has lots of private nooks and crannies and Dawn Beach for snorkeling.