Magic-East-Beaches on your own

[Evans Family]

I need some advice for my cruise that leaves Saturday 3/6!!!!
I think it is crazy for my family of 4 to pay almost $200 to go to the beach on St. Thomas and St. Martin through the Disney escursions. I'm thinking about doing it on our own. Any suggestions on where we should go? I have a DH, DS 3-1/2, DS 6-1/2. We will probably need a bathroom and access to food and drink. Also, it needs to be safe. Will we be bothered by people selling things? Is the $200 worth it to book through Disney?
From reading the boards it sounds like transportation is not an issue...there are plenty of cabs to take you and bring you back.

Any help will be appeciated.

Thanks!!!!!!

 

[mickeyboat]

Evans Family -

We are in the same boat (ship) you are - literally and figuratively. We are planning on doing St. John on our own but are up in the air about what we want to do on St. Maarten. I hope you get some good advice. Maybe we could hook up and share a cab to go to a beach. See you soon!

Denae

 

[aaronamy]

Rent a car in St. Maarten and go to the beach. We have done this twice. Its easy to get around the tiny island and a lot of fun. This last time we went to Dawn beach at the suggestion of an Islander. It was not crowded at all, there were beach chairs and umbrellas to rent, very few venders and they really never bothered us(my daughter had her hair braided by one, cheap). There was a little hut on the beach that sold drinks and some food and next to that was a woman (originally from CA.) smoking meat and selling it. It was very tasty and cheap. And yes there were bathrooms. We hung out there most of the day and then did a little sight seeing in our car and some shopping! I love the beaches in St. Maarten!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Dawn Beach is my favorite on St. Maarten. If you don't want to rent a car, it's a fairly cheap cab ride. You can grab a cab at the base of the cruise ship pier. You can arrange for the cab to come get you at a specific time, or ask them to call you a cab from the restaurant.

On St. Thomas, I'd recommend Coki Beach. It's also a quick cab ride from the pier. Coral World is right next door to Coki, your kids will probably enjoy that.

You're correct that you can do it on your own cheaper than through the ship. If all you want is a beach day, I think this is the way to go. This way you get to keep your own schedule, rather than the excursion's. As long as you're mindful of the time, it's really no problem to get back to the ship on time.

 

[TarraLee]

Evansfam and Mickeyboat,
We're on the boat too! We booked horseback riding on the beach for St Martin (non-Disney, bayside riding club), but are hoping to do St Thomas/St John on our own... have heard that the beach by Coki/Coral World is beautiful and has food/chairs/etc.

bumping this up in hopes of more info...
Tarralee

 

[klStacker]

Does anyone know how much it costs to rent a car there? Do you need to reserve the rental in advance, or can you do it when you get off the ship? Do they only rent small cars? We have six in out group and I'm wondering if they have rentals to fit all of us and if it would be cheaper to rent rather than paying for a cab.

 

[4nana]

We saved big bucks and lots of time by doing excursions on our own! The cabs will be ready, willing, able and lined up at the pier.
You can do an internet search for things to do, places of interest and tours.

Previous to cruise, via internet, we arranged for someone to give us a tour St. Thomas. We preplanned a trip to 'Coral World' for the kiddos, while the men went parasailing nx door at Caribbean Water Sports. Later we met up for a picnic at adj. Coki Beach. The night before we called room service and had sandwiches delivered, plus got goodies at breakfast for our picnic using our cooler. With Coral World adm. you get a wrist band that allows you to use the bathrooms, showers, etc. We thought Coki was absolutely beautiful!! It was a wonderful day making many special memories.

We did not prepare as well for St. Mateen. Last minute plans was a taxi at $10pp going to Dawn Beach for a few hrs. for a swim.

Have fun!
~ Sandie

 

[muntzfab4]

We are planning to do our own excursions on the eastern this summer. I will probably pack a lunch based on advice from these boards. To do this, order sandwiches and snacks from room service, pack them in a soft cooler bag, get ice from the room steward and put in ziploc bags to keep everything cold and have fun!

 

[lotsofboys]

klStacker......... we rented a 7 passenger minivan in St Maarten for $59 by just walking off the ship and up to the rental counter. No reservation, very quick, very easy, there are several rental car agencies right on the dock.

 

[jrabbit]

If you believe that you will be renting a car while on the cruise, you should check with your insurance agent before leaving and letting them know what you are going to do, where you will be doing it so they can help you be sure you are covered in case of an accident.

On St. Maarten, we took a cab to Orient Beach. The area is beautiful, the water and beach were very nice and had facilities. The "issue" with Orient, is that it is a clothing optional beach. With the ages of the OP's kids it really shouldn't be an issue (we've taken kids ages 8-14 and it hasn't been an issue). Its a great beach!!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Orient is a great beach, but way to over populated for my tastes, we go once or twice during our 2 week stay. My favorite is Mullet Bay Beach, they have a usable bathroom, nothing wonderful, and 2 lolo's (bbq's), that sell chicken, dogs, ribs, salads and drinks, you can rent chairs and umbrellas, its the best!!! My other favorites are Dawn and Friars Bay Beach. Just higher a taxi, have them drop you off and give them a time to pick you up. Or rent a car, alot of fun. If you have other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Nesnboy]

Definitely do Coki Beach. We rented a car from Budget for $52... very nice Nissan... and drove over. Coral World is right there and with admission you can use their showers after the beach. You can get discount coupons for Coral World at the Havensite Mall info booth. Coki Beach was absolutely beautiful, a little crowded (not bad). Rented a couple of beach chairs and an umbrella for $15. Gret snorkeling right off the beach in calm and crystal clear water. It was the highlight of our cruise.

 

[dtuleya]

Bump, any more suggestions?

 

[PoohJen]

Yes, great suggestions! About how much can I expect for a cab for 5 to/from Coki?

And TaraLee, I can't wait to hear about your horseback riding excursion when you get back!

Has anyone tried Megan's Bay? Heard that was a nice one too.

Oh, one more thing...if you rent a car, how is parking at the beaches (or even port, if you want to come back for lunch)?

Thanks!

 

[musicgirl]

We went to Dawn Beach on our own in June. For the three of us, rountrip is was $42. We arranged for him to pick us up at a certain time. Double check when they pick you us as to wear your exact destination is. We didn't and he took us into downtown. It was suppose to be $36. The beach is beautiful, take snokel equipment if you have it.


Don't forget Great Bay Beach which is basically right at the pier at St. Martin. It looked beautiful. We were the only ones in port that day, and the beach was deserted. We wished we had gone to it because it was so convenient. You simply use the water taxi for $5 unlimited rides through the day. We were doing this already to shop.

Don't get me wrong, Dawn Beach is beautiful. However, we could have done the entire day for $15. We went back to the ship for lunch/clean up in between Dawn Beach and shopping.

Lorie

 

[musicgirl]

For other taxi rates on St. Martin go to

www.sxmtaxi.com/rate.htm

It also has a guide to what is at each beach.

Rates are one way.

 

[TaraBelle1069]

Originally posted by musicgirl
For other taxi rates on St. Martin go to

www.sxmtaxi.com/rate.htm

It also has a guide to what is at each beach.

Rates are one way.

This is excellent! Thanks. I love the chart that shows what is available at each beach (all have white sand and clear waters!)

 

[TinkHappy]

Musicgirl!!!! Excellent help, thank you so much for posting this!!

 

[dtuleya]

Someone listed this site on another thread and said they were very happy with the company. There are places on the site where you can check out Coki and Magens Bay Beach.

http://godfreytoursvi.com/

 

[mmouse37]

Another beautiful beach (and it is the same place the DCL excursion takes you) is Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas. It is a 20 min. cab ride and has bathrooms, food and a built in pool.

We have done Sapphire beach a few times and really enjoyed it.

There are chairs (but no umbrellas) but did have some shady spots.

MJ