Great Bay Beach - St. Martin

[dthogue]

We were thinking of visiting Great Bay Beach in St. Martin. Looking for tips/recommendations on what is available, costs and how to get there? Is the downtown shops within walking distance? How hard would it be to get back to the ship for lunch? Mornings or afternoons better time to visit? Can we rent jet skis?

Thanks,

 

[woody64]

Great Bay couldn't be easier. You get off the ship, walk to the water taxi($5 one time for all day adults, kids free) and a short 5 minute ride and your there. Once you exit water taxi go right or left to the beach. My DS's loved it and it was very easy to get get there.

 

[logan1_2000]

When you are on Great Bay Beach, you are about half a block from front street. The buildings that line the beach are facing Front Street on the opposite side of the building away from the beach. The ship is right there in sight. Honestly not sure about Jet Skis, because I'm not a Jet Ski kinda guy, but there seems to be a pretty full range of rentables available. Someone will know. Only downside--learn to politely but firmly say "No thank you, not interested" and mean it many times when a friendly person strolls up and wants to sell you something. Not pushy like in Nassau, but there are many of them and you will be asked.

 

[ljql_5969]

Thanks for this info!!

 

[cwf1028]

This is our back up plan if we don't feel like straying too far but want to spend a couple of hours on the beach with the kids. I assume there are chairs and umbrellas to rent? Is it a good beach for little kids? Any info would be great.

 

[mickeyboat]

We spent the day at Great Bay Beach and had a nice time. We rented two chairs with an umbrella for the day for $10. It came with two free drinks and use of the restroom at the bar (which was nasty, BTW).

The water at the beach was relatively calm and shallow. The kids had a great time playing in the sand. The chairs are pretty close to the edge of the water so we could sit there and watch the kids play.

There were jet ski rentals right there and a water trampoline. I think it was $5 for a bracelet to use it for the day. (My kids were too little).

Getting back to the ship was a breeze! The water taxi is very convenient. We met some other people from the ship on the beach who sent one person from their family to the ship to bring back lunch.

Short rain showers are common during the day. We had a short one right as we disembarked and one early afternoon.

Shopping is convenient as well. I left DH and one kid on the beach and took the other into town with me. We switched off later. There is a really cute boutique on the left right as you get into town that has adorable tropical wear. I bought dresses for my girls with matching pony tail holders for $10 each.

There are a lot of people selling their wares and trying to braid your hair who walk up and down the beach. A firm "no thank you" will have them on their way, but they same person will come back on her way back down the beach. It is a littl annoying, but not enough to spoil your day.

Hope you have a great time.

Denae

 

[TheWog]

We did this for our day in St. Maarten. We took the water taxi over ($5 all day/kids free) and rented 2 chairs w/umbrella ($10 for 2), water trampoline ($5) and jet ski ($40 per 1/2 hour) for $45.00 January 2004. We then went back to the ship to shower, change and eat lunch, then returned to do some shopping. It was a great day. Have fun.