St. Maarten Experts Please help me...

[ctkmom3kidz]

My DH and my DS are taking the Regetta excursion while we are in port in St. Maartan. I would like to take my two younger kids 6 and 8 to a beach to spend the day. Is there a wonderful beach I could easily take the kids to-that may not be "clothing optional"??? I guess that I could take a Disney excusion, however from what I read it is gone all day (8am-4pm) and I only get a hour and 1/2 on the beach??? Any suggestions???
Maureen

[mmouse37]

You go to a very nice beach just a short water taxi ride away from the ship. I believe the cost of the water taxi is about $5.00 per person all day and includes roundtrip. I also think you can rent chairs and umbrellas if needed once your on the beach. The beach is called Great Bay Beach and you can see a photo of it on Dave website www.dcltribute.com

All you do is get off the ship and walk down a ways to the water taxi station on the left side of the dock. Buy your tickets and you are all set!

We always go to Orient Beach by taxi, but many people like Great Bay.

MJ

[Dave_from_Marietta]

It's possible to see topless females on just about any beach on St Maarten. The beach where you're <i>most</i> likely to see full nudity is Orient Beach. The beach where you're <i>least</i> likely to see nudity or toplessness is Great Bay Beach, near the ship. But I have seen reports of toplessness there as well.

[ctkmom3kidz]

Thanks for the info...
Is the water taxi to Great Bay Beach really close to the ship or do I need to take a taxi to reach it?? Remember I will be with 2 small kids that may be tired especially on the way home.
I don't want to look like a ignorant tourist (which I am-but I don't want to look like one :rolleyes: . Do I have a long walk to the beach and where do I rent beach chairs and an umbrella??? I assume that there is a place to eat close by???
THANKS
mAUREEN

[pixiedust519]

If you're wanting to avoid nudity, be sure to STAY AWAY from Orient Bay Beach. We were there for only 20 minutes or so because we heard there was a lot of activities to do there so we wanted to check it out. In our 20 minutes we probably saw at least 20-25 topless women (and most of them were also wearing thongs) and we even saw a completely naked man who was probably around 70 years old. Yikes!!! :eek: We did go to Dawn Beach and never had a problem. I believe that is on the Dutch side and the majority of the nude/topless beaches are on the French side. (such as Orient Bay Beach)

Hope this helps!

Alyssa :wave:

[pal2pluto]

The water taxi is just a stone's throw away.....it's about the first thing you walk past when you get off the dock. The water taxi will stop at 2 places, old town and the shopping district. Both stops are a short walk (for an adult) apart from each other. We got off at the shopping district. The beach is right beside the dock. Or you can check out the restaurants on the main street. Once you get to the main street that parallels the beach, go either left or right. There are plenty of accesses to the beach from the restaurants.

[RellingTwin]

Another vote for Dawn beach. Just walk down the peir, you will find
the taxies all lined up with signs saying where each go. Tell the driver what time you wish to be picked up and he will come back for you. Dawn Beach was very nice. My DD9 and DS8 had a very nice time.

[badger5]

My DH and I took our three children (ages, 8, 7, and 2 yo) to Dawn Beach when we cruised in January. I would highly recommend this beach. There was no nudity. We rented two beach chairs with an umbrella for 10.00. We had lunch right on the beach at a place called Ms. B's. It was very good. My kids had a ball playing in the waves - even my 2yo. The sand is beautiful. There were several walking venders but they were really very nice. If you didnt want them to stop just say no thank you. Taxis can easily take you both ways.

Patty