Need St. Maarten Beach help!

[mjadse]

In St. Maarten- Is it worth signing up for a shore excursion through the cruise ship (Caribbean Princess) to go to Orient Bay Beach or just take a tazi? Or can someone recommend a better beach (for a family with teenagers)?

[dalwhitt]

I did beaches on both sides of the island - French last July, the Dutch side this past January. Beach on the Dutch side, where the ship docks, was calmer, but the French side is more scenic, but rougher seas. Still, no problem jet skiing on either side. And Orient Beach is fine is you don't mind your teens seeing topless and some totally nude people swinging ... I mean walking ... down the beach. We took a taxi to Orient Beach, told the cab driver what time we wanted to return and he came back to get us. Get the price upfront for a round trip, then give him half when he takes you to the beach and the other half when he returns. On the Dutch side, we did some shopping, a few casinos, and then took to the jet skis before returning to the ship. Kinda nice to be on the jet skis looking at the ships in port. But for an adventure, I would do Orient Beach. Its famous.

[cherylandtk]

A taxi is probably cheaper than 4 excursion fares. What kind of activity are you looking for? Water sports? Food and drink? Quiet seclusion? Are you aware that Orient Beach has a tendency for nudity?

 

My personal favorite beach is Great Bay, right in town and on the way to/from the ship and very handy to the shops. Can be crowded, but depends on the number of ships in port. Grab a beach chair, umbrella and enjoy a cold drink from the many beach shacks lining the bay.

[cruzzers]

St. Maarten is and easy place to move around in. Orient beach is partially clothing optional so depending on how you feel about that, you may want to consider a different option. If you decide to go to Orient, you can catch a cab right at the pier. Ask prices before you go and you will find it to be reasonable. Or, if you want to shop and swim, you can catch a water taxi right by the pier. They will give you a wrist band for about $5 and you can get on and off at any location along the beach by the pier all day. We usually go to the little straw market on the ocean and find our little bargains (inexpensive beach bags, jewelry, hats, t-shirts) and then we head back to the ship for lunch.....drop off packages, eat, and back to the water taxi with swim suits and beach towels. There is a free beach right along the coast in sight of the pier. you can rent waverunners if you want or just lay back and relax. This is the least inexpensive way to spend the day and the kids should enjoy it.

[mjadse]

Thank you all so much for this helpful info! This is my first time on these boards and I really appreciate that you all took the time to answer my question.

[kimholland6]

It depends on what you like. But if you like a secluded gorgeous beach, go to the french side and take the ferry over to Anguilla. It is unbelievable. A little pricey though. But the beach on Anguilla is Shoal Bay, there is a tiny restaurant type deal and they sell drinks and have a restaurant and a spa is next door. They also have chairs for $5 and umbrellas.

[betonic]

What was pricey about Anguila? The ferry or the things to do once you arrived on the Island? How often does the ferry run?

 

Also what kind of things were in the French area of the Island? Lots of shopping? Restaurants?

 

Thanks

[stoneharborlady]

We did take the excursion through the ship and would do it again. Orient itself is fabulous, one of the best beaches I have ever been to. The water was the best!!! The excursion included a beach chair, umbrella was extra, a drink, and a very nice lunch. On the bus (airconditioned) ride over we had a very nice talk from the tour leader, who pointed things of interest out along the way. A VERY nice day.

[MizzouMary]

Or, if you want to shop and swim, you can catch a water taxi right by the pier. They will give you a wrist band for about $5 and you can get on and off at any location along the beach by the pier all day.

 

Cruzzers, does the $5 include a ride to Orient Beach?

 

Thanks!

[kimholland6]

the cab to the french side is about $10 pp and the ferry is $12 pp plus the ferry tax of $6.00 pp and those are each way and then when you get to Anguilla you catch a cab, that would probably be pretty cheap since anguilla is so small. So if you went with someone you could spend appx $60 on getting there and back. if you include a small gratuity and then $5 per chair to rent you would add in more, plus food and possibly an umbrella. A lot of people don't want to spend that much to go to the beach. There is no shopping in Anguilla. Research it on the internet. Anguilla is gorgeous though!

[kimholland6]

sorry I forgot to add some stuff it would be about $90 not $60

[Douglase]

little diva beach $45 for ride to beach, a great lunch, and 3 drinks tickets. Very nice beach worth the extra $$

[rmharvey8]

DO go to Orient Beach. as it is one of the most famous beaches in the world and not to be missed. It is flat out gorgeous and the water is fantastic. Yes it is clothing optional - especially on one end. Your ship tour will NOT leave you there. It is very much a family beach as world travellers vacation there. All sorts of activities - restaurants, parasailing, rentals. It is a real good day there. For first timers the ships tour takes the guess work out of it.

[guardhouse]

We have been to St. Marteen a few times. Orient Beach twice. This last trip we decided to try little Pinel Island, which is just off Orient, maybe a mile out. The same taxis that go to Orient can then drop you at the water taxi for Pinel. It was a short ride, $5 per person RT to the island. Lots of chairs, umbrellas, etc. and pretty deserted of people. There are two beach bars / food joints and we had the most WONDERFUL bbq'd lobster! It was an absolute highlight of the whole trip.

 

The lobsters are in traps next to the dock as the taxi lets you off. Ours was pretty large for $50 bucks or so. They had a great mildly hot salsa butter to dip it in. MMmmm.

[stoneharborlady]

The lobster sounds very tempting!! Does Pinel have the same gentle waves that Orient has?

[Aquarian]

If you decide to do the ship's excursion to Orient Beach, have them drop you off on Front St. for shopping after your day at the beach. Lots of good shopping there. If you like rum, there is a Guavaberry Rum store where you can sample and purchase and they will deliver to the ship for you. Also, look on the little side streets for the Belgian Chocolate shop. That's another favorite stop for us and they also deliver to the ship. After shopping, you can take the water taxi back to the ship. We are repeat cruisers but still do the excursion because we like it so much. St. Maarten is a great place to buy Tanzanite but do your homework before leaving home so you can bargain effectively.

[wannasail4ever]

Have been to Orient Beach 3 times. It's very beautiful. The nudity is usually down to the right side of the beach (looking at the ocean); however, occasionally a totally nude person will walk down the beach for all to view. :eek: The mini-van taxis are everywhere. I remember it being about $6.00pp and the driver will arange a time to pick you up. They're very reliable - it's their job. Oh, it's a very long beach to stroll.

 

Dawn Beach is also very good. There is a little bit of snorkeling there too. None at Orient that we noticed. There are food, drinks, chairs and umbrellas there too.

 

As the others said, shop on the Dutch side on Front St. On the French side, there are some excellent restaurants also.

 

Enjoy

 

Macy

[chuckkath]

In early May we took a cab from the peir to Dawn Beach ($6 pp). The south end was almost empty, with a beach bar/restaraunt, and excellent reef snorkeling right off the beach. Chair rentals were available (we brought our own). Plenty of cabs are available to get back.

 

Depending on what you are looking for (crowded/quiet) you may want to consider it. This link is one place to start when considering different beaches

http://www.sxm-info.com/SXM-beaches/

[SeaTrailer]

My vote for Pinel as well. Cost per person was an $8.00 taxi and $ 6.00 (round trip) for the very short boat ride. The water was extremely calm and the restaurant was great. Although be aware they only accept cash, no credit cards.

 

Beleive there was some rental opportunities (kayak, snorkle gear) but not much.

 

It was very uncrowded and a great place for R&R.

[atlcple2]

We have been to St. Martin 3 times and every time gone to Orient Beach. Granted we have only been in January on previous trips, but we found that there were about 10% of the people there topless and only saw maybe 3 or 4 totally nude people on the beach every time we went. The 3 or 4 we did see were old people. If you are offended by nudity and even people toking on the beach, I wouldn't go to Orient Beach. If you do go, take a taxi. I think it was maybe $10 for 2 people or something like that. Reasonable. Have a great trip! We can't wait to go for the first time on the CP and Princess Cruise Lines. We loved the Spirit Class ships on Carnival and hope this ship will be even better! Scarlet