St. Maartern Beach at the Port

[PiperG]

Thanks everyone for the posts. It sounds like we will have fun at the port beach, but need to keep our eyes out!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Great Bay Beach is great because it's so easy to get there!

 

[PiperG]

O.k. . . I am confused.

Is Great Bay Beach the same as the port beach

 

[TheWog]

Yes it is. No worries, you will love it.

 

[PiperG]

Thanks Everyone. I have learned a lot with this thread. Now I just need the countdown clock to tick down to 0!

 

[abitjaded]

In January of 2004 we rented chairs to the right as you exited the water taxi. There is a lot of new construction. There are some nice new restaurants, we rented in front of a bright lime green one that I lost the name of. It was brand new. The guy who rented the chairs in front of this was very nice, very attentive. The restaurant let us use their restrooms, which were large and clean, enough room to use as a dressing room. Good food, nice service. they didn't mind the sand we strewed everywhere. We left about 2:00 and did not see anything such as others had. The hurricane years ago did some pretty extensive damage on St Maarten, but the island is undergoing a real change. You will not be sorry. The right side was better for us because there is a wide paved promenade right on the beach that made it easy to move our wheelchair rider.

A previous trip to Dawn Beach was also nice, a local couple run a beach restaurant and there are also chairs, etc., too. Snorkeling is the draw here, but is not much to speak of.

Carla

 

[anlashokna]

I'm a first time cruiser too. After reading the posts on the beach topics the best advise I can give having been raised as a military brat, spending several years living in european countries with my parents is this:

Treat each new country / island you encounter as though its a large city with the crime rate too boot. Be on your guard, be aware of your surroundings, keep your children near you, avoid venturing out late day and evenings. Crowds can be your friend, however watch out for pickpockets. Don't flash money or valuables. Be aware that a fairly secluded beach could be a bad thing: muggings,robberies. If something doesn't feel right normally it isn't, avoid it. Travelling by myself I'll probably stick with excursions or extremely populated areas till I know the lay of the land. Smartest tact.

Don't forget to have fun..just be careful.

Stacey

 

[clori]

What is a water trampoline? Would it be appropriate for a 4 1/2 year old wearing a life jacket? I've never seen one so I'm not familiar with it but it sounds like something my dd would like. Any idea on the approximate cost of renting one? Is it by the hour? Thanks!

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Originally posted by clori
What is a water trampoline?

Hi Clori,

Here's a picture of the water trampoline.
http://www.members.cox.net/disneyfreaks/4- St Maarten/slides/2_a028_24a.html

 

[PiperG]

Originally posted by clori
What is a water trampoline? Would it be appropriate for a 4 1/2 year old wearing a life jacket? I've never seen one so I'm not familiar with it but it sounds like something my dd would like. Any idea on the approximate cost of renting one? Is it by the hour? Thanks!

I think the pics in bassongirl's links show the water trampoline. We are definitely planning to do Great Bay Beach. It sounds really convenient and we can go back to the ship easily.

I do appreciate the feedbak from anlashokna about being in a foreign country. We try to be careful wherever we go, even CC. The most important thing we take with us is the digital camera, and I would be devestated if that was stolen. I am a scrapbooker and all our memories are housed in that camera, so I gaurd it with my life.

 

[mmouse37]

Just so people know....the port beach/Great Bay Beach is not right by the ship. You must take a water taxi across the bay to get there. It is very convenient, but when reading the threads it sounds like the beach is right there when you get off the ship. It is not.

We also had an unpleasant experience in St. Maarten a few years. I would highly suggest not walking the local streets after 5:00 pm...all the cruise people are heading back to the ships and all the locals are coming out. We witnessed a few very heated arguments and were very uncomfortable. Our teens were offered every drug imaginable...with us there...while walking down the street back to the water taxi....as I said...this was late afternoon. We never had any problems during the earlier part of the day.

MJ

 

[TheWog]

clori -

the water trampoline costs $5 to rent and they give you a wristband (essentially a hairband) and you can use it all day. If you bargain it into the chair rental and jet skis they will throw it in as part of the deal. The water gets pretty deep, pretty quick. So just be aware. My son was 6 and he loved it.

 

[princessdaisy]

My two year old has one from our trip last January. I can send it to you, if you like. We are going again in April and I can replace it then...my son won't miss it. Let me know if I can help...just send me a pm. I live in San Diego so it should get to you real soon.

Stephanie