St Maarten doesn’t lack for great beaches, but when it comes to that perfect mix of sand, sea and energy, it’s hard to beat Simpson Bay beach.

And while real estate is at a premium on the densely-packed Dutch side of the island, you can still find luxury beachfront real estate — like, for example, this villa directly on the beach in Simpson Bay.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, which comes with a separate three-bedroom apartment, is listed for $2.33 million with Century 21 Island Realty’s Sara Bachan.

The property, whose detached apartment means you can turn it into two income-deriving rental homes when you’re not there, has a total of 6,000 interior square feet.

But it’s the exterior that’s really the story here, where it’s just steps down to one of the island’s most beautiful beaches.

And steps to the beach’s terrific bars and restaurants, too.

In other words, this is how to live on the beach in St Maarten.

— CJ