It's so Stressful!!! Need Help deciding on Beaches!

[pixiedust519]

Hi everyone...
We're planning on renting a car in St. Maarten and St. Thomas and doing our own excursions. I have been trying to find all of the "best places" to visit on the islands but I'm having a hard time deciding on which beach is the best. There's so many on St. Maarten that are listed as having nudity on the beaches! We might go to several beaches but primarly want a beautiful beach to relax on and maybe do some snorkeling. Any ideas??

PixieDust

[mom2grace]

Go to St. John on St. Thomas day. It is east to do on your own. You could even take a cab to Red Hook, ferry to St. John, cab to the beach. We recommend Hawksnest bay.

If you want to explore, rent a jeep on St. John (or St. Thomas for that matter) and hit a few beaches. It is safe and easy on St. John even though they drive on the left, the speed limit is about 30 since it is so hilly and windy.

Have a great trip!

Susan

[Joan S.]

WE have decided to try Dawns Beach in ST. Martin. I have read a lot of goods things on this board about it and it is on the Dutch side so no nudity is what I have read also. A family of four took a cab recently and it costs $20. each way , they aso rented beach umbrella and 2 chairs for $12. Joan S.

[badger5]

My recommendations for beaches would be Dawn Beach on St. Martin - It is a beautiful beach with a couple places to get food - you can rent umbrellas and have a blast. Our kids loved it. No nudity and there is snorkling if the surf is not to rough. We rented a car to get there, but you could cab.

My St. John recommendation would be Cinnamon Bay. It is incredibly beautiful- with snorkling and a small snack shop. No entrance fee either.

We have three kids ages 8, 7, and 2. These are the beaches we did on our January cruise.

Patty

[kplatt]

For info on St. Thomas/St John beaches go to www.vinow.com. Click on "Explore St. Thomas" I think, for detailed info and photo of many of the beaches. You can also find out how many ships will be in port on any given day.

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Wonder 11/02

[Wonderwoman1982]

We did the same thing last year.. ( rented a car in St. Thomas) I HIGHLY recommend it. It was the best thing we did. We went to Megans Bay which was pretty and all, but afterwards, we took a CAR FERRY to St. John. It cost us $27 round trip. We went to Trunk Bay in St. John, and I fell in LOVE with that place. It was SO gorgeous. And the snorkeling! Wow. So, if I had it to do all over again, I'd skip Megans Bay and go straight to St. John.

[pixiedust519]

Thanks for all the info!!! We're definitely doing Magens Bay I think. Has anyone been to Paradise Point or Coki Beach? How are those two places? If we do shopping, Magens Bay, and either Paradise Point or Coki beach all in a rental car, will we still have time to go to St. John's??? I love the idea of taking a car ferry over there and seeing Trunk Bay. But I also don't want to run out of time and miss the boat!!! :(

PixieDust

[lindalee27]

have you tried WWW.mrstmarten.com great virtural tour of beaches.

[lindalee27]

Sorry that site was WWW.mrstm.com

[pal2pluto]

We went to Coki.....it was picture perfect....but try to get there early so you can pick where to sit. We got there around noon and had to sit pushed up against the snorkel shack....not a pretty place. The public bathroom is very scary ....dirty...and all clogged and overflowing......But the beach is beautiful, the water is perfect.

[pixiedust519]

Does anyone know of a good car rental place on either St. Maarten or St. Thomas that has good rates and can provide a vehicle that carries seven people??

PixieDust

[lindalee27]

try the web site that kplatt posted, it has great info on rentals and everyting.

[Wonderwoman1982]

YES!! In St. Thomas, rent from Avis. It's right across the street from the Havensight Dock Mall. Online, that location is called the Dockside Mall Information Booth or something like that. When you check rates or book through them, use a discount code and save ALOT! The code is a Costco code, and you don't need to have a coupon. Its #A108300... I THINK you put that in when it asks you for an AWD #... I can't tell you about St. Marten, since we missed it when we went, BUT I do know they also have an Avis there. Use the same discount code, and you won't find a better rate. OH, and I know it's your trip and you have your own ideas, BUT just in my honest opinion, if you're going to choose between Megans Bay and Trunk Bay, SKIP Megans Bay. As "pretty" as it is, it doesn't even COMPARE to Trunk Bay.

[reggie92762]

This beach on St. Thomas is goregous. It is a bit of a drive maybe 25 minutes away from the dock, but well worth the trip. Because It is not closer to the docks it is a great place for couples and kids without the crowds of Meagans Bay but just as beautiful!!!!!

The internet site listed above has Secret Harbor on it on Page 4 of the beaches....Take a look.....

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by pixiedust519

Does anyone know of a good car rental place on either St. Maarten or St. Thomas that has good rates and can provide a vehicle that carries seven people?

There's an Avis within walking distance of the dock in St Maarten at the Great Bay Marina.

There's a Budget within walking distance of the dock at St Thomas (www.budgetstt.com/html/havensight.html).