MandiesPharm

What about an AirBnB?  We've stayed at one in Simpson Bay that came recommended by friends we have who live in SXM. 

21 hours ago, babyclaytonmom said:

thank you so much... is there a particular place in that area I should tell the taxi to drop us precisely?

Ask the taxi to take you to Karakter Beach Bar.  They should know the area.  Have fun!!  Glad you were able to come up with a plan!  

22 minutes ago, babyclaytonmom said:

roughly how much was the taxi to get there?

$15-$20 for 1-2 people each way - although that is just an estimate.  We haven't used a taxi in SXM in a very long time.  We always take the bus as it costs $2pp each way.   But the buses are harder to find at Karakter/Mary's Boon area.  You would have to walk about out to the main road.  The taxi will pick you up and drop you off right there.  

14 hours ago, babyclaytonmom said:

Do you mind telling me a little about Simpson Bay Beach?

This is the view from behind Turquoise Shell Inn area looking towards the airport.  Simpson Bay area is about 15/20 minute bus/taxi ride from the Phillipsburg (although I would allow an hour to go back just in case!).  From the road side you kind of cut through and there is a beach that runs from the bridge that opens into the bay (Yacht club area) all of the way to the airport.  About 2/3 of the way towards the airport is Mary's Boon and Karakter Beach Bar.  Both have chairs/food/drinks.  Karakter is right at the other end of the runway from Maho/Sunset Beach Bar.  

As the tides flow so goes the sand and comes the seaweed.  Sometimes its worse than others, but we always like it in this area.  It's usually a little bit quieter than Maho/Mullet area.  Good company, good food and you can still experience the airplanes.  

On 1/17/2020 at 10:48 AM, JLDMED said:

I waited too long to sign up for this activity, and now it is $93 each.  Opinions please:  is it worth it?  Seems like a lot to me.

I personally wouldn't spend that much on it.  I've done it and also done the ones at Labadee and two in SXM.  The three lines are fairly underwhelming for that price, especially if you like to go fast.  The lines are aimed more towards being family friendly.  

Maybe head to Pinel island and instead of the ferry - kayak over?

We always like Simpson Bay Beach - the area of Karakter/Mary's Boon.  

5 hours ago, cruiseryder said:

We will be in Saint Maarten in March and would like to go to Maho to watch the large planes land in the afternoon.

 

We have a ship excursion in the morning and our ship doesn’t leave until late evening, we would like to know if it is possible to get a bus from the port to Maho, how long the journey takes and a rough idea of cost please. 

 

I assume it would be evident at Maho where to best see the planes safely. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

Yes you can take the local bus - to Maho from Philipsburg.  Depending on when you are there - peak season vs off season traffic can be very different.  Also the time of day makes a huge difference.  It can take 15-20 minutes or it can take 45-60 minutes. I would allow at least one hour to get back and keep in mind that you will still have to walk back to the ship from where the bus will drop you off, which will take another 15-20 depending on how fast you walk.  

The buses do not leave right from the port area.  They leave from Back street behind the area of Diamonds International.  

On 1/15/2020 at 5:02 PM, judycruiser said:

Am considering ziplining in this port on our April 2020 cruise on the Vision of the Seas

Looking at Pelican Peak through Royal Caribbean and Flying Dutchman Rainforest.

Have anyone done either or both of these excursions?  Comments please.

Regarding transportation --how did you get to/from the zipline?  If taxi, were they readily available and reasonably priced?

Pelican Peak info says tour is one and one half hours long--is this enough time to do tour?

 

Thanks in advance

My husband and I have been on the one at Loterie Farm and Pelican Peak but not done the flying dutchman. 

Pelican Peak is steep and fun.  And it is very convenient to the cruise terminal.  It is very walkable.  You can prebook on their website where they also have the walking directions.  Basically you exit the cruise area and start walking like you are going to go to beach area.  Along the way you look for the large blue landing area to your left.  I'd very much recommend Pelican Peak!  

From doing land visits I know you need transportation to and from the Flying Dutchman and that it takes longer.  It also is more expensive, although you do get more than ride (I think three in total).  

On 11/14/2019 at 8:33 AM, We_like_to_cruise said:

Good morning,

 

I don't see this info posted on their website and a Google search did not help.

 

Does anyone know if the Sunset Bar is open on Christmas Day?

 

Thanks !

 

Andy

I'd message them on FB to double check.  Probably the easiest way to get a hold of them

On 11/7/2019 at 2:02 PM, cooncat said:

I just wonder if the boulders were removed from the beach for the winter season.  It just looks that way to me.  Even if the crews were to put the sand back from the road, the beach wouldn't be that smooth.

No the boulders were not removed

5 hours ago, Ashland said:

Who are the "they" you speak of ????

I think the "they" they speak of is the work crews who have been clearing the sand off the road periodically in the past couple of weeks as the ocean keeps bringing it back.  It's quite amazing the difference a few days can make in the amount of sand back on the beach. 

12 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

Can anyone tell me about the little collection of shops and casino at the far end of Maho Beach? Was it badly affected by the hurricanes? What is there that is worthwhile? Does it make sense to go there in the morning and back to the beach to see the planes after lunch? 

Yes they were affected by the hurricanes.  The casino has re-opened and so have some of the shops and restaurants.  IMO there isn't much there that is worthwhile to do for shopping, better to have lunch, maybe watch JB come in then head back to Philipsburg to shop.  Remember you need at least an hour to get back to Philipsburg from Maho.   

3 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Big planes usually between 2P and 4P.

 

https://www.sxmairport.com/flights-info.php

You beat me to hitting enter 🙂

The majority of the planes do not land until after 12-1230.  You can see the schedule of what is arriving/departing at https://www.sxmairport.com/flights-info.php

For example today - the first big plane a Jet Blue does not arrive until almost 2pm.  

On 10/28/2019 at 5:45 PM, Libbiroed said:

Hi everyone!

We love taking the local bus when we are in port. I saw that there was a bus from Philipsburg to Mullet Bay but I can't seem to find information of where you get on the bus and where you get off. Does anyone have the street you catch the bus from by the Cruise Port? Can you go right to Mullet Bay or does it go to Maho Beach and you can walk to Mullet Bay? Any specific infromation would be great. Otherwise I saw a group taxi is 6pp, which is better than $25 one way that I saw for a private taxi. 

The local buses run from Back Street.  Find the court house/Diamond's International area then head back behind the straw market area and turn left.  There isn't a designated pick up/drop off spot.  You flag them down much like a taxi by a wave.  Some will take you to Mullet Bay - just ask.  Some will stop at Maho.  It is walk able but there are no sidewalks and you are cutting through the golf course from Maho to Mullett.  The trick won't be getting there - its finding a bus to bring you back.  Price is $3 ish per person I believe.  

On 10/9/2019 at 7:28 PM, Benzbuddy87 said:

We are thinking of returning to Orient Beach, and wanted to take the local bus.  Do all of the buses run through Back Street?

Also, a visit to Toppers means we would get on the Maho Bus, is that correct?

Yes they run from Back street.

Yes you need a bus that says Maho for Toppers.

Read through this topic.  It has information on the local bus system....which is not your typical bus system that runs at regular intervals and has regular stops.  The bus system works well but not necessarily to Orient.  Taxi's would probably be your better option and/or a tour through the ship.  

On 9/29/2019 at 12:59 PM, madge57 said:

Do you need to get a temporary drivers license's to drive in St Maartens or St. Kitts. would like to know before we decide to rent a car or scooter!!😊

Not for SXM.  I can't speak for St Kitts.  I would recommend a car over a scooter.   Lots of accidents lately involving motorcycles/scooters/etc.  

14 hours ago, cooncat said:

I was just looking at the Sunset Bar and Grill website and it looks like there are more man place boulders on the beach.  I wonder if the climate change and melting Artic is raising the seas and the beach.  It this beach still a big attraction since there is no beach anymore?  I noticed there are no more beach chairs.  Is the Sunset Bar and Grill still open?

Yes they are open.  It is also the end of "off season" so there won't be that many people there for another month or so.  But if you look at the camera today the chairs are in the corner of the picture.  Where are they going to put them?  Those boulders are showing because of all the sand that was washed away from the most recent TS that brushed by and brought the giant waves in.  The beach was starting to finally fill back in a couple of weeks ago too.  

20 hours ago, bmar808 said:

Thank you for your thoughts and help!!  I am also thinking this could turn into a logistical nightmare.

 

The other challenge we have is that of the 13 people, 8 are sure they want to ride the Flying Dutchman.  The other 5 are unsure and want to decide when we get there.  I really wish they would decide before hand because it would make planning easier lol.

 

I think our best bet is to go to Rainforest and see how long it takes dependent upon who is riding, crowds, lines, etc. When we are done, then we can decide if we have enough time to go to Maho or back towards the port for lunch.

 

If you don’t mind me asking yet another question, what time would you suggest as being the latest we should leave Rockland Estates in order to comfortably go to Maho?  I think that may be the determining factor.

 

Thank you again!!

I do think that if you got to Rainforest right when they opened you could have at least an hour and a half there.  As long as you left by 1230 that would still allow you about 2 hours at Maho for lunch and to watch the planes, assuming that they open at 11 next year also.  They may open earlier - I know they probably won't know their exact hours yet but I would reach out via FB when it gets closer and ask them.  Especially since you may have 13 and 15 looks to be their cut off of "needing a group reservation". 

I wonder if it may be to your benefit to hire a driver to transport you all like Bernard's Tours.  He has group transfers.  That may be the best way so you aren't depending on getting multiple taxis.  That would also save you time, as he would be there waiting for you. 

16 hours ago, bmar808 said:

Hi All,

 

Our family of 13 will be in St. Maarten from 8a-5pm next year.  As this cruise is a gift for son's graduation, the one thing he wants to really do is the Flying Dutchman at Rainforest Adventures.  We will definitely be heading there, but would also like to eat lunch at either Guy's Driftwood or Sunset Beach, while watching the planes fly in.  

 

Carnival offers an excursion that does the Flying Dutchman, a couple of other ziplines, and Maho Beach but we don't think it would be a good fit because 1) the reviews say the excursion goes to Maho beach first (in the morning with no planes) and 2) we do not really want to go on the other ziplines.  

 

Would it be feasible to think we would have enough time to take a taxi to Rainforest Adventures, do the Flying Dutchman, taxi to Maho, have lunch & watch planes, then taxi back to port?

 

Other questions/considerations:

1. Based on their June 2019 schedule, Rainforest Adventures opened from 11a-3p. I am thinking that they would have similar times for next year, which makes timing challenging? - Sounds probable.  You can definitely be off the ship and there when they open at 11.  

2. Using a link someone posted, I see that our ship is the only one in port that day.  Does anyone know if this could change dramatically? - I can't answer this for sure but since most if not all companies already have their sailings out for next year this is most likely correct.  When we were there in July there were days that there was only 1 ship in port and sometimes none.  June is the beginning of "low" season so it would make sense there would be less ships in port.  

3. I read on CC that the traffic back from Maho Beach can be horrendous and we should aim to leave Maho by 3pm at the latest? Yes you would need to leave Maho by 3pm.  

4. Are taxis readily available at the port, Rockland Estates, and Maho? Port - yes.  Rockland Estates - I don't know but they could probably call for one for you.  Maho - yes. 

5. Should we just buy the Carnival excursion?  ???  Having 13 people you are going to need multiple taxis which will add up quickly and may pose difficulty getting from the zip line to Maho.  Getting to the zip line and from Maho back to port shouldn't be too bad, but again you will need multiple.  An alternative would be to just stay at Rain Forest Adventure and just do the multiple zip lines, then head back to Phillipsburg and eat there.  I know not exactly what you want but I think that they logistics of 13 people may make it difficult to do on your own.   Or is everyone going to go to the Zip line? If all 13 do not want to do it (there are height/weight restrictions also) then you may be able to make easier.    

 

Ultimately, if we get to Rainforest Adventures and we can only do The Flying Dutchman, we are absolutely okay with that.  We are just *hoping* that maybe we could squeeze in lunch and plane watching. 

Thanks for any thoughts in advance!

 

12 hours ago, jennk4u said:

From a cruise ship, do you just take a cab to Maho Beach (or to one of the restaurants)?  If so, what is the cost (do they take USD) and are cabs readily available for the return trip? 

 

My husband and I would like to see the planes but are not beach people so we don't want to climb rocks or be in the sand.  Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

This topic has info about the taxi's and local bus service.  Any other questions feel free to ask!

On 9/8/2019 at 5:24 PM, flamingos said:

How are the planes coming in - has the airport been repaired?  We were there last year on the one-year anniversary of Irma, and there were a dozen planes that came in, but most were quite small.  There was only one passenger jet.

The larger planes do not come until the afternoon.  The airport is open and functioning although still not fully.  When we were there in July there were three JB flights in and out, along with AA, Air Carib and many more.  

Guys is usually a little easier to navigate...and the drinks are cheaper!

There was very little around Karakter/Mary's Boon area on Simpson Bay Beach in July.  They have loungers/umbrellas/food.  By October things could change significantly but I would suggest going there.