Beach Day in St. Maarteen

[danjrmom]

We want to a beach day, the excursion to Orient Beach is 5 hours long, wway too long for a special need kid. Are there taxis available there to take you back to the ship? Or should we just stay at the beach by the ship?? Any suggestions? Should we just do it on our own???Is there really a Mc Donalds there and how far is it from the ship???

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

We went to Orient Beach on our own while in St. Maarten. There are taxis waiting as you get off the ship in the morning and, when we were at Orient, there are also taxis waiting at Orient Beach to take people back to the port. There are also several places who could call for a taxi if one wasn't available when you needed it.

If you want easy access to the ship, you can take the water taxi from the port to Great Bay beach. You can buy a pass and ride the water taxi back and forth as often as you like. We didn't visit Great Bay, but others have said it was very enjoyable.

Sorry - don't know about the McDonald's.

 

[NJ Cruisers]

In November and again in March, we went to Great Bay beach - right at the port. Our DS4 loves it and so do we. We take the water taxi ($5/day/adult) and rent 2 chairs and and umbrella ($10).It's great - no hassle of taxis or long trips to the beach.

Diane

 

[mickeyboat]

We also went to Great Bay Beach. There is a water trampoline there and jet skis for rent. You are very close to town so you can do some shopping, and close to the ship should you want to return for something you forgot or for lunch.

Denae

 

[tinksmom]

On our first cruise we just stayed in the area around the ship, it was fun and easy to get back and forth.

This year, after reading a great trip report, we've decided to rent a Jeep. That way we can see as much of the island as we want, spend time on the beach and shop at leisure.

tenya

 

[dis4me]

there was definitely a Burger King in Philipsburg I don't remember a Mc Donald's though.
Great Bay Beach is very convenient.You could even go back to the ship to eat and be there within 10 minutes.The water ferry is fantastic.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

There's a McDonald's on Front St, along with a BK, right near where the water taxi drops you off:

 

[Jennifer Coghlan]

Are the beaches in St. Maarten as nice as St. John's Trunk Bay?

 

[mickeyboat]

Can't speak for all the beaches on St. Maarten, but there is no comparison between Great Bay Beach and Trunk Bay. Trunk Bay has got to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen on earth. It has a great little snorkeling trail too. Great Bay is very commercialized, Trunk Bay (and most of the other beaches on St. John) is very natural.

Denae

 

[musicgirl]

Great Bay Beach looked great 2 weeks ago. We had planned to go after our snorkeling adventure to Dawn Beach, but we were all tired and wanted to get in a little shopping after lunch.

We used the water taxis which were great, close, and quick.

The beach looked great and I kept going back and forth whether or not to go. There was hardly anybody there!!! A beach right there and I wanted to go!!!

Mind you, we were the only ones in port.


http://groups.msn.com/WhatIdidonMySummerVacation/magic2004.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=434

There is another picture on page 8 and through out.
Lorie

 

[chinamom3]

We also did Great Bay beach on our June12-19 Eastern cruise with our 8 year old, since we, too, did not want to take any taxi time. One hint, though, which might be helpful. After you get off the water taxi, if you go to the left side of the dock, you will notice several yellow water markers in three different areas. Although you will immediately be accosted by "get your two chairs, umbrellas, and 2 drinks for $20 here" speech, GO ON down the beach to the biggest area that is ringed by the buoys.
That is the area you can swim in. We made the mistake of taking the very first area of chairs, only to find out that the water in front of that area is marked off for the water taxis, and the area next to it for the sea doos. Just keep going a little farther before you get your chairs. (We still had a GREAT time, though- we just stayed on the sand and in the water!)

 

[ClarabelleCow]

heres a pic of my favorite beach on St. maarten, Mullet Bay Beach, on the Dutch side.

 

[NJ Cruisers]

ClarabelleCow - we used to love Mullet Bay also. That was our St Maarten beach stop when we cruised. Have you been there lately? Do they have chairs, umbrellas and drinks? The Beach Club was destroyed during a hurricane a few years ago and I heard the beach wasn't so hot anymore. But I would love to go back if they have built it up again.

Thanks,
Diane

 

[ClarabelleCow]

the resort was wiped out in 1995 by Hurricane Luis and then again by Lenny (not sure the correct order), we have been ging every year and staying at our timeshare on the grounds, we love the beach, especially now because no one goes there!!! They have two BBQ stands that set up, they will rent you chairs and umbrellas, there is still a bathroom, nothing fancy. You still park in the main parking area. I go for 2 weeks in the spring and then for a long weekend in October, absolutely love the place.

I don't know why I can't make these bigger??

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I posted these links awhile ago, here are a bunch of pics I have on the net of pictures taken in St. Maarten, if you have any questions, ask away, this is one topic I know!! Been going every year since 1983

St. maarten Pictures

Album #2

this album contains old pics and an old Mullet Bay Resort & Casino brochure