With an area smaller than one square mile, St Martin’s is a relatively small island in the archipelago and, as such, had a recorded population of just 136 in 2011.
As such, the Great Bay, found on the northern shore of the island, is usually particularly quiet, meaning tourists will likely have the long stretch of sand to themselves.
Whilst this means that tourists have an opportunity to sunbathe or go paddling in private, the area does have plenty of unique attractions to explore.
One of the very few buildings visible from the Great Bay is the famous Day Mark, identified by its distinctive red and white stripes.
First built in 1683, this lighthouse-style navigation point was used by sailors to avoid steering their ship into land. The Day Mark was originally painted pure white until, in 1830, a sailor mistook the landmark for the St Agnes lighthouse, crashing off the coast of the island.
Whilst the entrance to the building was bricked up during the 1960s, the structure still stands today, being the oldest beacon in the UK that is still being used and the highest point on the whole island.
Nevertheless, Discover Ferries warned tourists that, whilst St Martins is a particularly quiet destination for a staycation, they should be active and well-prepared to avoid struggles.
Whilst there are roads in general on the island, tourists will need to walk a considerable distance over sand dunes in order to reach the Great Bay.
Similarly, the beach itself has no facilities, such as a toilet block or cafe, so it is a good idea for tourists to make sure they use a bathroom before setting off and have snacks and drinks packed.
