Cocky Turtle Beach Bar & Restaurant
Kimsha Beach's spirited bar where the sand is your floor.
Why Go
Kimsha Beach in Simpson Bay is one of St. Maarten's most accessible public beaches, and Cocky Turtle Beach Bar & Restaurant has claimed a prime strip of that sand with a venue whose name matches its personality — bold, fun, and completely unapologetic about being a beach bar first and everything else second. This is where toes-in-the-sand drinking meets proper Caribbean food in a setting that makes leaving feel like a punishment.
The Experience
The Kimsha Beach location puts Cocky Turtle on a stretch of sand that draws both locals and visitors throughout the day. The format is open-air beach bar with a restaurant component: order drinks at the bar, food from the kitchen, and consume both while watching the Simpson Bay lagoon entrance and the boats passing through. The beach provides the seating, the ambiance, and the entertainment — you do not need a program when the Caribbean Sea is your backdrop. Ocean Explorers Dive Center and Tri-sport kayak rental are nearby, meaning the beach crowd includes people coming off morning water activities who are ready for cold drinks and hot food. The name attracts attention, the location keeps people, and the combination of beach access with bar service creates the kind of afternoon that you originally planned for an hour but extended to four.
What to Try
Cold rum punch or a frozen cocktail is the beach bar default. If the kitchen offers grilled fish or jerk chicken, those are the Caribbean beach-food standards that pair perfectly with sand and sea air. Kimsha Beach is calm enough for swimming, so alternate between bar and water.
Insider Tip
Kimsha Beach has limited shade, so the Cocky Turtle area provides relief from the midday sun. The beach can get busy on weekends — weekday visits offer more space and faster bar service. Simpson Bay's sunset faces west, so the evening golden hour turns this stretch into one of the island's most photogenic spots.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Kimsha Beach, Simpson Bay, Dutch side. Vibe: casual beach bar and restaurant. Payment: US dollars, check card acceptance. Hours: check locally.
Pair It With
- Ocean Explorers Dive Center Guide — Morning dive, then beach drinks at Cocky Turtle for the afternoon
- Tri-sport kayak rental Guide — Paddle the lagoon, then reward yourself with a cold drink on Kimsha Beach