Orient to Maho (or look at another beach?)

[lynnquenby]

We know when we're on St Maarten we definietly want to go to Maho beach and from what I've read the chance of seeing the big planes is better in the afternoon(1pm onwards).

 

We were thinking of maybe going over to Orient Beach in the morning (probably by taxi?? sure I've seen on here it's ony $6 pp) then over to Maho for lunch and the afternoon but I am wondering how easy it will be to get to Maho from Orient ? :confused: or would be better looking at the beaches on the same coast as Maho??

 

Should we be booking transport beforehand? We've had a quote from Bernard who's saying $140 for the round trip :eek: - which seems quite expensive to me?

 

Anyone with recent experience of maybe doing the same or who can advise which would be best - I would appreciate your replies.

 

Thanks :)

[bubbles1209]

Below is a clip from my Valor review where we went to St. Maarten last June. We did a horseback riding excursion at 10:45 am, and got back to the ship around 12 to shower & change. Around 12:30 or so we headed out to the pier all set to go to Maho beach & Orient.

 

We put on dry clothes & headed back to the pier to

grab a cab to Orient beach. We wanted to go to Orient beach, Maho beach, and back to the ship. We were told

place to place we would spend around $85.00 between all of the cabs. We got a cab & the driver took us from

the ship to Orient Beach, waited for us--DH wanted to go skinny dipping in the Caribbean . He did, I held his clothes

while the full moon rose on Orient Beach in the day time. He swam about for a few minutes, came back, got

dressed, and we left. Orient is beautiful, we're going back in Feb. We headed to Maho beach, about a 30

minute drive. Got us a drink, got pics & video of the planes coming in while the cab driver waited. Spent 30 minutes

or so there. We left at 4:00 to avoid the traffic rush, We shared our cab with a couple that we met at our CC meet &

greet. Got back to the pier around 4:30. For the whole day the ship to orient, orient to maho, and maho to the ship,

the driver who waited for us while we did what we wanted charged $70 for the day. We did some shopping, and

was back on board before 5:30. We did everything we wanted to do at this port. Got all we could out of it.

We were exhausted, but it was well worth it.

 

Doing both beaches after 12 was rushed to say the least. At Orient, we literally were only there maybe 10 minutes before we were off to Maho. You can do both, and if both of those beaches are all you have planned for the entire day you should be ok. We did both after a morning excursion, and yes it was rushed, but we did everything we wanted. If you talk to the cab drivers they'll "cut you a deal" at least with us he did.

[lynnquenby]

Thanks Bubbles for reply. least we know it's do-able!

[judyf]

Below is a clip from my Valor review where we went to St. Maarten last June. We did a horseback riding excursion at 10:45 am, and got back to the ship around 12 to shower & change. Around 12:30 or so we headed out to the pier all set to go to Maho beach & Orient.

 

We put on dry clothes & headed back to the pier to

grab a cab to Orient beach. We wanted to go to Orient beach, Maho beach, and back to the ship. We were told

place to place we would spend around $85.00 between all of the cabs. We got a cab & the driver took us from

the ship to Orient Beach, waited for us--DH wanted to go skinny dipping in the Caribbean . He did, I held his clothes

while the full moon rose on Orient Beach in the day time. He swam about for a few minutes, came back, got

dressed, and we left. Orient is beautiful, we're going back in Feb. We headed to Maho beach, about a 30

minute drive. Got us a drink, got pics & video of the planes coming in while the cab driver waited. Spent 30 minutes

or so there. We left at 4:00 to avoid the traffic rush, We shared our cab with a couple that we met at our CC meet &

greet. Got back to the pier around 4:30. For the whole day the ship to orient, orient to maho, and maho to the ship,

the driver who waited for us while we did what we wanted charged $70 for the day. We did some shopping, and

was back on board before 5:30. We did everything we wanted to do at this port. Got all we could out of it.

We were exhausted, but it was well worth it.

 

Doing both beaches after 12 was rushed to say the least. At Orient, we literally were only there maybe 10 minutes before we were off to Maho. You can do both, and if both of those beaches are all you have planned for the entire day you should be ok. We did both after a morning excursion, and yes it was rushed, but we did everything we wanted. If you talk to the cab drivers they'll "cut you a deal" at least with us he did.

 

If you had to pick one or the other which would you pick?

 

We're on the Explorer and only there 3-11:30pm so we need to pick one.

 

I'm thinking Maho and we will go straight there from the ship.

 

Not sure what to do after that any suggestions?

[bubbles1209]

If you had to pick one or the other which would you pick?

 

We're on the Explorer and only there 3-11:30pm so we need to pick one.

 

I'm thinking Maho and we will go straight there from the ship.

 

Not sure what to do after that any suggestions?

 

 

ommmmmmmm..............I loved them both:o If I had to pick one, as rushed as our last visit was, I would pick Orient. Just for the fact that we were there literally long enough for my SO to strip, run in the ocean, enjoy it for a minute, run out, get dressed and us leave. He wanted to be able to say he went skinny dipping in the Caribbean, now he can.:p We spent way more time at Maho watching the planes, and that is a must do.

Matter of fact, we are leaving in 2 weeks:D and guess where we are spending the day in St.Maarten? Orient for the day. I still would like to go back to Maho beach one day because we saw planes come in, but no big ones:( just the smaller ones. There are pics in my signature. Not sure what to tell you to do afterwards, unless you want to split your time between the 2. Our visit was rushed because of the horseback riding excursion we had booked earlier that morning, had it not been for that we may have stayed at Orient & enjoyed the beach a little more, or went exploring. I broke my neck to see those 2 beaches because at the time I wasn't sure I would make it back to visit them, but limited time at Orient gave me a good excuse to find an itenerary that included it with 2 more ports that I really want to see.;) Whatever you decide, have fun and enjoy, and maybe you guys will discover something you can come back and tell me to try, I'm always looking for an excuse to book another cruise!

[Nesheim1]

We were on Freedom of the Seas in January and I went horseback riding at Bayside Stables while my DH went to Orient Beach to check out the topless beach.

 

Bayside Stables is just across the bay from Orient Beach, so we took the same taxi - dropped me off at the stables, then he went to the beach. he got a taxi at the beach, picked me up at the stables after my ride, then to the ship.

 

Am planning on doing it again in December when we're there on Explorer of the Seas.

[chrissycat2]

This is exactly what my family is doing, going from Orient in the morning to Maho, shop and back on the ship...has anyone done this recently...can you share your experience including how long it took and prices?

 

Thanks! :)

[4Suzyq]

We have done both beaches in the past. There are a couple of things to keep in mind. We have been told that the traffic gets backed up in the afternoon leaving Maho beach for the port. Be sure you leave yourself plenty of time. The last time we were there, there weren't any taxis at the Sunset Bar and we had to walk to find one. You may want to arrange for a ride when you are dropped off. I don't believe that taxi drivers like to make the drive from Orient to Maho, but if you have a full cab you may have a deal. Look at the flight schedule for the day you are in port. I hear that the flights have been cut back and most of the larger planes arrive in the late afternoon. If the timing is right, it is well worth the trip!

[ellbon]

I plan on getting a taxi who will take me to both and then back to the ship.

 

alos there are many great place to eat. Best St Martin Restaurants and St Maarten Restaurants

 

this should help!!

[CaribbeanBound]

Orient Beach is a very good choice...

St. Maarten / St. Martin

This island half owned by the French and half owned by the Dutch. We dock on the southern Dutch side. The northern French side (actually a little more than half) is named St. Martin. We shared a taxi ($6.00 per person when you have at least 6 people) from the pier to Orient Beach. Hint: if you only have 2 people, wait a few minutes for someone else to join you. We got dropped off at Pedro's Bar which was empty upon our arrival at 9:30 am but standing room only when we left the beach at 2:30 pm. Hint: tell your driver when you wish to leave and he’ll be waiting for you at the prearranged time. After walking the beach we settled in at The Pirate Beach Bar and Grill. We got two lounge chairs on the waterfront with a 3-inch-thick white chair pad, an umbrella, and two drinks for $14.00. Service was great. They would check on us and reposition our umbrella to allow for more shade or sun as desired. Orient Beach is a beautiful white sand beach with blue and green waters which appeared clearer than Coki Beach on St. Thomas. This is a clothing-optional beach, and yes, folks exercising this option do walk the length of the beach or sunbathe along the beach. This beach had everything available for a price: jet ski, parasail, windsurfing, and more. To our surprise, we discovered that Orient Beach also has some good snorkeling. Head for the dark reef area to the right of Pedro's (as you face the ocean) in front of the nude beach area. Schools of fish and a ray could be spotted.

 

The cab ride from the Dutch side to the French side, past the official border marker monument to Orient Beach, is rather interesting. We saw a large herd of feral goats, a couple of fighting rooster coops, a cockfighting ring, and two bordellos. (We weren't looking for the later. They were pointed out by our driver). Cockfighting is apparently legal on the French side, while the Dutch side has casinos.

 

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