must do things in st martin

[bill jacobs]

i am looking for help , we are going to be in st martin over spring break and will be looking for the best beach , we like to snorkle have some frozen drinks and eat so a beach that has all would be great.

[sunsurf]

In my opinion....the best beach is Orient Beach. Absolutley stunning!! Water so warm and sand so white!!!

[bill jacobs]

is the beach access at orient free or is there a charge to go on the beach , are the restraunts and bars right on the beach where a person can eat and get some frozen drinks.

[SunshineToGo]

Top things to do:

 

Our first trip, drove around the island and stop off at the various beaches. If you're into shopping, Front St. and the open air market in Marigot, if you like to gamble, Princess Port de Plaissaince, Casino Royale in Maho, Atlantis over in Mullett. If you're into sailing, the 12 metre challenge in Phillipsburg. Other points of interest are the Zoo, Butterfly Farm, Zip lines. and yes Orient has many bars w/frozen drinks, lots of watersports and during Spring break will probably be verrry crowded.

[wants2fly]

For me, go to Maho beach watching the airplanes is one of the must do things on my list. Maho beach has it all and it is not your everday beach experience!

 

Wants2fly

[beachchick]

is the beach access at orient free or is there a charge to go on the beach , are the restraunts and bars right on the beach where a person can eat and get some frozen drinks.

 

Yes, it's a free public beach. Yes, there are restaurants and bars all along the beach. There are named "areas" associated with the various restaurants/bars/shops (e.g., Pedro's, Baywatch, Bikini, etc.). Just wander until you find an area that appeals to you. Most of the restaurants/bars also rent lounges and umbrellas for a fairly nominal charge (and usually one drink per person is included with the rental). Baywatch has excellent food; the Perch Bar at Club Orient (the fully clothing optional resort at the far right end of the beach, facing the water) is good, but be aware that you will likely see fully nude people (sitting on towels, not bare bottomed), and they have a happy hour midday, the drinks we've had there have been very good; Pedro's is a great area and our favorite for renting loungers, but the food isn't our favorite (it's not bad, just not our fave). Swimming at that end of the beach is good. Be aware that topless sunbathing is allowed along the entire length of the beach and on all beaches on the French side of the island.

 

I would skip the snorkeling on St. Martin. It's not known for it's great snorkeling, and we've never had any reason to believe otherwise. We leave our gear on the ship and make a beach day out of it. If you're determined to snorkel, we've heard that there is some marginally okay snorkeling down on the far right of the Club Orient area. Orient is wonderful; it can get somewhat crowded, but we've never felt overwhelmed. (BTW, no cameras are allowed in the Club Orient area.)

 

Maho is cool if you want to watch the planes take off and land, but Orient is our pick for all-around best beach on St. Martin and one of our faves in the eastern Caribbean (granted that we do not have super extensive experience with eastern Caribbean beaches and really like the French atmosphere--toplessnes is a wonderful thing for us ladies to enjoy, especially swimming). If you decide to check out Maho, be aware that the planes really are right there and very loud. If anyone in your party has hearing issues or trouble with loud noises, be cautious. I recently had surgery to correct a congenital near-deafness in one ear and am a real fanatic about protecting hearing (especially because I'm probably going to have to have the surgery in my other ear some time down the road; sigh). Believe me, you don't want to have permanent damage just so you can say that a plane landed right over your head. (End of little lecture.)

 

Grab a taxi and enjoy a day at Orient!:D

 

beachchick

[kal]

...Orient is our pick for all-around best beach on St. Martin and one of our faves in the eastern Caribbean (granted that we do not have super extensive experience with eastern Caribbean beaches and really like the French atmosphere--toplessness is a wonderful thing for us ladies to enjoy, especially swimming)....

beachchick

 

The beachchick sees Orient like an Airline Flight Attendant:

 

"Your [******] can be used for flotation, and in the event of a water landing...."

 

She won't say it, but she doesn't even need to know how to swim. The wonders of bouyancy! I've got to find that chick and buy her lots of drinks!! :D

[beachchick]

The beachchick sees Orient like an Airline Flight Attendant:

 

"Your [******] can be used for flotation, and in the event of a water landing...."

 

She won't say it, but she doesn't even need to know how to swim. The wonders of bouyancy! I've got to find that chick and buy her lots of drinks!! :D

 

:D Oh, that's a good one. But, I must declare that I'm actually part mermaid and spent the better part of my younger years on our school swim team. From the minute my mother basically threw me into the water at the age of 4, I was hooked. Growing up near the coast, we all learned to swim at an early age. Now, the bouyancy factor has definitely become a benefit in my "later" years (and would probably prove quite handy in case of a water landing if I'm ever in a plane crash).:p Brings back the old "Mae West" nickname for life vests. I can just see my DH saying, "Let me hang on..." (not that I'd ever complain).;)

 

beachchick

 

p.s., I'll take you up on those drinks any day of the week. Just have to get ourselves back to Orient first!

[kal]

Ahhhh yes, a MERMAID!