Great Bay Beach-Crowded?

[NHNEV2003]

We will be stopping at St. Maarten Tuesday, November 27th, on the Carnival Conquest. There will be two other ships there with us for a total passenger count of about 9400 people.

 

We were thinking about just going to Great Bay Beach and maybe stopping after at one of the bars near there.

 

For anyone that's been there, will the beach be overly crowded with that many people in port?

[satbeachbill]

It's a very large beach, plenty room

[NHNEV2003]

Thanks

[HS2BS]

This beach gets crowed about noontime. Still, it's very large, long and close to all the shops and restaurants.

Get there early and it's your beach! That's Holland House in the background.

 

 

[NHNEV2003]

On 11/10/2018 at 3:58 PM, HS2BS said:

This beach gets crowed about noontime. Still, it's very large, long and close to all the shops and restaurants.

Get there early and it's your beach! That's Holland House in the background.

 

 

Thanks!

[satbeachbill]

3 ships that day. Shouldn't be too bad.

[hladygirl]

We were in st Maarten on 10/31/18. Got off the ship and took the ferry right off the pier to great bay. $7 pp round trip. Walked a short distance and got 2 lounge chairs and umbrella for $20 right on the water line. Swam for a few hours. Water was clear, calm and clean. Perfect for us. Back on the ship for lunch and cocktails. Easy relaxing day.

 

[eggnoodle]

On 11/16/2018 at 8:15 PM, hladygirl said:

We were in st Maarten on 10/31/18. Got off the ship and took the ferry right off the pier to great bay. $7 pp round trip. Walked a short distance and got 2 lounge chairs and umbrella for $20 right on the water line. Swam for a few hours. Water was clear, calm and clean. Perfect for us. Back on the ship for lunch and cocktails. Easy relaxing day.

 

Hi - were they signs for the ferry at the port? 

[Russ Lomas]

From a tour we took there with Bernard's before, I believe they said they once had 11 ships in at once.  With only three ships in, you will be OK.  Do not expect a deserted beach, but the crowds will disperse around the island.

 

[hladygirl]

On 11/27/2018 at 1:37 PM, eggnoodle said:

Hi - were they signs for the ferry at the port? 

Yes. You can not miss them.

[shipgeeks]

You can also walk to the beach and town from the port; about 20 minutes.  You can see the water taxi and the beach from the ship.  Have a look from an upper deck before you leave the ship, and all will be revealed.

We've never found it to be uncomfortably crowded, even with multiple ships in port.

[SeaWatcher65]

We were just in St. Maarten on 11/23/2018 -- Great Bay Beach was still flattened from last year's hurricane.  We drove by it and there was nothing but sand and fences.  Maybe it was better at the other end where the stores are on Front St.  But, I recommend Divi Little Bay (not far from Great Bay).  Our second time there. Divi Resort is there.  No day pass charge.  Chairs and umbrellas (might ask to pay a fee to use), they rebuilt the big outside bar (great drinks and food), nice clean beach, no vendors bugging you, calm pretty water.  For at least a few more months, there's beach service - will take food and drink orders at your beach chair!  Have a guavaberry colada and enjoy!