Beaches in Caribbean

[masterson]

Hi we are going on Ventura 1st march - and we are wanting to do DIY visits to beaches. Would be grateful for any info on taxi fares etc to closest/best beaches from the port. We dont want to go to far no more than 20mins from port. We are going to Barbados,St Vincent,Dominica,St lucia,Antigua,St kitts,

Grand turk,Tortola andSt maarten. Grateful for any help. Husband is a bit worried about taxis not picking up from beach.:)

[lake5298]

Grand Turk - there is a pleasant beach right by the cruise ship pier. Go through the terminal and turn left into Margaritaville, then go past the pool and turn left again for a beach bar. 5 minutes walk back to the ship.

 

St Marten - the harbour taxi takes you to the main town, and there is a beach there, with plenty of bars and restaurants, and a nice view of the ship too. The harbour taxis run every few minutes until all the cruise ships have left port.

 

Sorry, can't help about the other ports.

[pne1881]

Just been on exactly same itinerary. You don't say how mobile you are, but here goes.

 

Barbados- can be walked to Carlisle Bay. Takes about 25 minutes to amble. A taxi will take about 5-10 minutes depending on city centre traffic.

St. Vincent- worst island i've been to in the Caribbean. Couldn't find anything good regarding beaches. Even the P&O pamphlet says the island get 80 inchesof rain a year!!

Dominica- black sand beaches, i've only walked around Roseau myself.

St. Lucia- Rodney Bay beach is popular. It is a taxi ride of more than half an hour though. Taxis available in the cruise terminal for about $15 each, and they pick you up at agreed time on ticket.

Antigua- Dickenson Bay is popular, taxi ride about 10 miles? Pretty cheap taxis everywhere for about $6.

St.Kitts- Only beach i've used here is cockleshell Bay. It is about 30 mins, but taxis are arriving all day for returns to ship.

Grand Turk- Beach directly off the ship.

Tortola- Cane Garden Bay is just across the island. Cheap taxis and about 15 mins.

St. Maarten- Great Bay is walkable in about 15-20 minutes. Taxis everywhere, or get the water shuttle. Its a little walk, then $7 for all day use.

 

Hope this helps. Also, try the link for Caribbean specific info.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587

Edited December 30, 2013 by pne1881
new info added

[merseyscouse]

Hi we are going on Ventura 1st march - and we are wanting to do DIY visits to beaches. Would be grateful for any info on taxi fares etc to closest/best beaches from the port. We dont want to go to far no more than 20mins from port. We are going to Barbados,St Vincent,Dominica,St lucia,Antigua,St kitts,

Grand turk,Tortola andSt maarten. Grateful for any help. Husband is a bit worried about taxis not picking up from beach.:)

 

in most places, you don't pay for the taxi until he picks you up again to return you to the ship, make sure you agree a pick up time with the driver.

try to get a group of 4 -6 of you, it will work out much cheaper, as there are lots of 8 seater taxis.

[sthgil]

Hi

 

Re St Kitts - does anybody know how much the taxi fare is to Cockleshell Beach and how much the chairs are? Is it the nearest beach to the port? - or just the best?

 

Thanks

[Marym1]

Hi

 

Re St Kitts - does anybody know how much the taxi fare is to Cockleshell Beach and how much the chairs are? Is it the nearest beach to the port? - or just the best?

 

Thanks

Fare last week was $7.50 each way pp and beds were $5

[annieuk]

Just to point out that the taxi in St. Maarten is a water taxi which takes you from where the ship docks across to the main beach and the shopping area. We have enjoyed having a drink or two on one of the beach bars to the right of where the water taxi drops you.

[sthgil]

Hi - Marym1 thanks for your reply - may consider a trip there!

 

Has anybody been to Vigie beach at St Lucia and did they walk there or go by taxi - looks a lovely beach!

[the owen clan]

Just returned on the 29th of dec on azura. There is a better beach imo in st kitts than cockleshell its on the same stretch its called south friars at the carambalo resort $4 each way per adult half price for kids. Big comfy wooden beds with mattresses for $10 each a lot cleaner beach no one continually asking you for drinks massages or to buy trinkets. A lovely restaurant and bar good price for a bucket of caribs as well. One of our favourite beaches on the cruise

[soobs]

owen clam - that's well worth knowing I was a little disappointed in Cockleshell bay - will add that onto my tips for next time list thank you

[the owen clan]

When we went to st maarten we came off the water taxis and headed left and found beds for $15 for two but was right on the front. Found a good bar right behind happy hour between 12 till 1 half price beers. When we walked around later there is a better offer if you go to the right of the taxis about 30meters further down at a moet champagne bar in front of an hotel a lot better bed's the use of their facilities and a couple of drinks thrown in at around $20 I think. They also do beautiful frozen mojitos.for $4.40 what a bargain. Last watertaxi leaves the beach at 6.00 pm. We had a late sail away so made the most of this island.

would not recommend Rodney bay on st Lucia thought it was no better than average but with people constantly hassling you as well. Spoke to people who went to the pitons and they found a nice quiet beach so it depends on what you want. Your husband needn't worry about getting taxis as they are all waiting at the popular beaches just dont get pressured at the ports in to going to beaches they recommend they dont always tell you the best just the most convenient

[gsjnd]

Did the Caribbean on the Ventura before Christmas. In Antigua we visited Valley Church beach It was the best beach we visited out of any islands. Taxi was £8pp return. You don't pay for taxi until the end so no problem about them picking you up. Grand Turk you dock at the beach and the snorkelling is brilliant so no need to book anything. Dominica beaches are poor so we did a private tour with a company called Bumpiing Tours for $50 best tour of our holiday,

[misscolina]

The Carambola on South Friar's Beach is fabulous, lovely and quiet, safe for children and luxury loungers at $10 each but another $10 for umbrella. St. Marten turn left as you get off the water taxi, and walk a few minutes up the prom. 2 padded loungers first line to the sea, umbrella and a choice of 6 drinks either beers, sodas or water or any combo, with free wifi and restrooms at the restaurant all for $25, the name of the restaurant slips my mind but it begins with A and the umbrellas and lounge cushions are bright blue, cannot miss them.

[weliketocruise86]

Anyone been to Maho Beach (the one with the runway) :D

Planning this on our next trip

[soobs]

We went the week before last, picked one of the worst days to go there were 8 ships in and around port so it was mega busy and took nearly 3/4 hour to get there and over an hour to get back. The beach was packed like sardines we saw a few smallish planes come in and left to find some peace and quiet on the beach and do a bit of shopping. We shared a taxi $10 each out and $8 back I wouldn't bother if there was a lot of ships in port but probably worth it if not, I believe early afternoon is best to see the big planes or maybe Google for schedule.

[hammers]

Anyone been to Maho Beach (the one with the runway) :D

Planning this on our next trip

 

Hi, we visited Maho beach in December. We jumped on a bus(white mini van with Maho shown in front window) from Back Street. It only cost $2 each. The weather on the day we visited was terrible, it rained most of the day. Thankfully it eased off when the big jets arrived allowing for me to take some great video footage.

Edited January 1, 2014 by hammers