SnorkelAway

Sailing charter: try Captain Morgan.

Power boat: try Captain Alan's or Soualiga Destinations (Captain Bob)

Suggest googling for basic info, then call and talk to them.

Belair is next to Divi on Little Bay.  Nice resort but do not think snorkeling in front of it is as good as at Divi.  Gingerbread Cafe is nice place for lunch.  If you have never been to Belair or Divi, might want to just get a taxi to Divi and check out both.

I would expect excursions by local operators to be operating.  Not sure about stores.  Touristy stores near pier probably will be open.  Only way to be sure of others (including any particular jewelry stores) is to call them a few weeks ahead of time.

I think the general understanding is that low season is May 1 to November 30, so you will be there in low season.  Schedules for the ferries to Pinel from cul-de-sac are not 100% reliable - you can only be certain of last ferry time from Pinel back to cul-de-sac when you get the ferry over to Pinel. 

Unless something weird is going on, your Royal Caribbean ship will have the same time as the local time on the island.  There will be no difference in ship time and local time no matter the time of year.

If your ship is scheduled for 12:15 arrival, then you may be unable to get off until 12:45 or so - it may be a hour or  more after you disembark before you are on Pinel.  Your time on Pinel might be only 2 hours.

I would recommend you go to Mullet, as opposed to Pinel, on this trip.  It will be easier and less complicated to go to Mullet.  Go to Pinel when you have more time on island.

If you mean relative beginner at snorkeling, I would say yes, although I do not think you should go out too far, unless you have someone to snorkel with and both of you are good swimmers..

$5 was charge from downtown Philipsburg - from port it would be at least $6 per person.

Thanks for posting good informative report of what you did - good pictures. 

First, surprised you were charged only $5 per person, but then noticed that was charge from Philipsburg not from port.

There usually are beach vendors walking beach and soliciting business.  Just state a firm "no thank you," if not interested.

Club Orient is still an ugly ruin - the beach is usually fine.  The Perch on the Club O c/o beach has decent food and drinks.  Just up the beach is Orange Fever which we highly recommend for drinks, lunch, and chairs.  Coco is fine, but is further north up beach than where group taxis normally drop off.

Taxi drivers in SXM are some of the best in Caribbean - in my opinion.  Don't get me started about St. Croix taxi drivers or some other islands.  Could you get a driver on a bad day? Yes, but again, generally, the drivers on SXM are excellent and very reliable.

Just my guess, judging from your question, I think you would like Captain Frenchy best.It would have best chair service.  Food may be a little more expensive than you want.  Beach should be OK - but could it change by late December?  Yes it could.  Divi and Mullet would be cheaper and easier to get to.  Really, just a matter of personal opinion.  We really like Divi but others we know would prefer Captain Frenchy or Mullet.  (BTW: there is no clothing optional at Mullet - at least nothing officially "tolerated.")

I have heard that it is now $25 for two chairs and one umbrella.

Usually no problem at all - although sometimes it can be hard to get someone to help you get set up.  Best way of guaranteeing no problem of any kind is to get there as early as you can.

 Actually, on our February visit to Divi when off a cruise ship (we also have stayed a couple weeks on island last few years), we just put backpacks down, and went into water snorkeling - then had lunch.  Never got loungers or umbrella on beach - but did not notice or hear or any problems for cruisers getting loungers/chairs.

On 10/20/2023 at 4:00 AM, zumbagold said:

Had the seaweed cleared up on Orient Beach?

Generally speaking, no.

Last February, it was $6 per person.  If it has increased, doubt more than $7 per person.

Just tell local operator your ship's time - they will tell you what can be arranged for you.

I would recommend Divi Little Bay.  It is best beach close to ship (we do not swim in Great Bay), usually is about as calm as any beach, has beach bar, can rent chairs and umbrellas, and is family friendly.  Walk to beach from taxi drop off is about as short as any beach.

Yes. 

Impossible to say now what sargassum situation will be next April on Orient - . but could be bad like this year.  Very unlikely to be an issue in Little Bay - and Little Bay is usually calm.  At Divi, you just go to beach and get chairs and umbrellas from beach guys - no need to go to reception.  Very easy to get taxi at Divi - and you could arrange for driver who takes you to pick you up at set time.  You may want to stop in town on way back to ship and look around before going rest of way to port.

I suggest getting taxi to Divi Little Bay for beach time and swimming. 

Yes - I thought it good for people to see a specific warning by a reputable source.

ttps://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/beach-goers-advised-not-to-swim-in-great-bay

Just our one anecdotal experience, but ...  We were on Eurodam for an October 30, 2021, transatlantic sailing and the service was the worst we ever had experienced on HAL - there were staff shortages and lots of new staff.  Our MDR waiter was simply unable to do the job - lots of effort and nice guy, but could not do the job.  Recently returned from 11 night Sunfarer on Eurodam that sailed March 14, 2023.  Our service on the recent cruise  was excellent - back up to what we expect,  Our cabin stewards worked in a two man team and were excellent.  Our MDR waiters all were very good.  Staffing was much better, and training and experience have worked wonders.  Hard for us to believe it was same ship.

Lotterie Farms is doable.  Leave enough time that if taxi that brought you and you arranged with for pickup fails to show, you can get the folks at Lotterie Farms to get you a taxi if one not otherwise there.  I think it a little ambitious for a cruise passenger, but certainly doable.

A number of snorkel excursions go to Creole Rock - but you always need to check on what specific boat is doing on specific day.  Has been excursion you can take from Grand Case Beach Club to Creole Rock - probably is going now.  When we were young and dumb, we swam over to Creole Rock from Grand Case Beach Club - but I do not recommend it because of boat traffic.  If you want to try it, must have a torpedo.  Far-side of Creole Rock does have some excellent (for SXM) snorkeling. 

Not sure if any snorkel excursion normally goes to Baie Rouge.  You can snorkel Baie Rouge off-beach - entry and exit can be rough at times, but doable for experienced open water swimmers.  Usually the visibility is not very good at Baie Rouge - snorkeling just so-so.