Kontiki and Aloha on Orient Bay, Balaou in Grand Case, K Beach and Catch 21 in Simpson Bay, Ratafia in Cupecoy: what has reopened since mid-October, with hours and practical info, ahead of La Samanna's return on November 15.
Low season is winding down. Since mid-October, the beach bars and restaurants that closed for the summer have been reopening one after another, from Orient Bay to Cupecoy. Next up is La Samanna on Baie Longue, back on November 15. Here’s what’s open again, with hours and the practical details.
Orient Bay: Kontiki and Aloha are back on the sand
Kontiki reopened on October 15 after a two-month break. The beach restaurant on Orient Bay Beach sticks to what it does best: long lunches with your toes in the sand, sushi, cocktails and fresh fish. Fish and lobster come in daily from a local fisherman, La Cabane du Pêcheur. Bookings on +590 690 66 24 25.
Further along the same beach, Aloha also officially reopened on October 15, and its Sunday tea dance is back, with resident DJ Alex on the decks. You can eat at the restaurant facing the sea or grab a lounger. A lounger with a planter’s punch or fruit punch costs €15 in the front row and €10 further back.
- Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday 9 am to 10 pm; closed Thursday
- Kitchen: 11:30 am to 4 pm
- Contact: +590 690 23 34 84, contact@alohasxm.com
For the rest of the area, see our Orient Bay guide.
Grand Case: Balaou is floating in the bay again
Balaou, the floating bar and restaurant moored in the middle of Grand Case Bay, came back in mid-October, and its Sunday DJ afternoons have returned too. The menu is built for eating on the water: bokits, pizzas and tapas to share, served on shaded floating lounges.
The only way there is by sea. Call, and a shuttle boat picks you up at the Grand Case pier. You can also arrive by boat, jet ski, kayak or paddleboard.
- Hours: 11 am to 5:30 pm
- Reservations: two sittings, 11 am (until 2 pm) and 2 pm (until 5 pm), at balaou-restaurant.com. Walk-ins after 3 pm are first come, first served
- Contact and shuttle: +590 690 22 82 00
Groups of fewer than four may share their float with other guests. For dinner on the boulevard afterwards, see our Grand Case guide.
Simpson Bay and Cole Bay: K Beach and Catch 21
On Simpson Bay Beach, K Beach Club (Karakter) reopened on October 16. It opens every day at 10 am for lunch (no breakfast). Dinner runs Wednesday to Sunday, and on Monday and Tuesday it closes at 6 pm. Loungers are free with a $25 minimum spend per person, and the parking lot is for customers only.
Thursday is Ladies Night with live music, DJs play Friday to Sunday, and the Sunday beach party kicks off at 3 pm. Book tables and loungers on WhatsApp at +590 690 75 33 17.
The same day, Catch 21 reopened at Port de Plaisance in Cole Bay. The marina-side sports bar and grill has more than 15 HD screens and a video wall for NFL, NBA, UFC, Premier League and Formula 1. The kitchen does seafood, grills and stone-oven pizza.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 3 pm (bar bites until 5 pm, full menu 5 to 10:30 pm, bar until 11 pm); closed Monday
- Happy hour: 5 to 7 pm, 2-for-1 on house cocktails, beers and wines by the glass
- Contact: +1 (721) 587-2238, reservations@catch21sxm.com
More on the area: Simpson Bay and Maho.
Cupecoy: Ratafia’s rooftop is back
On the top floor of a building facing the Caribbean Sea, above Cupecoy Beach, Ratafia reopened on October 20. The cocktail bar is known for its house creations, such as the Hot Honey Margarita made with jalapeño-infused tequila and the Ultimate Piña Colada served in a whole pineapple. It also serves sharing plates, champagne and caviar.
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 5:30 pm, Saturday from 9:30 pm, closed Sunday
- Weekly nights: Margarita Mondays (buy one, get one free), Tiki Tuesdays (2-for-1 tiki cocktails) and Saturdance, the Saturday DJ night from 10 pm
- Address: 1 Niger Road, top floor, Cupecoy. Tel. +1 721 556 2406
Terres Basses: La Samanna reopens November 15
Closed for the season, La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel reopens on November 15, 2026 on Baie Longue. Its festive season runs from November 26, 2026 to January 3, 2027. It kicks off with a traditional turkey Thanksgiving dinner on November 26 at 6 pm at L’Oursin.
The season also includes a Christmas Eve brunch and dinner, a beach bonfire with s’mores on December 24, Santa on the beach on Christmas Day, barbecues at La Spiaggia, a New Year’s Eve dinner and tasting menu, a New Year’s Day brunch and a beach volleyball tournament on January 3. Program and bookings at belmond.com.
