st. martin/ st. thomas best beaches?

[sitchu2]

What can you all recommend on st. martin, st thomas, and st john as the best "dream beaches"

we are going in july, and I think it will be to hot to do anything else but swim.

Im looking for a real blue water soft white sand beach experience for a family.

I will probably book what most of you suggest here so thanks in advance.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

We went to Orient beach in St. Martin and went to Trunk Bay on St. John when in St. Thomas. Both beaches had beautiful white sand and clear turquoise water. Trunk Bay was what I think of as a the "dream" Caribbean beach. I've heard that other beaches on St. John are equally as beautiful and unspoiled.

 

[woody64]

I agree about St. John and trunk Bay. It was the most beautiful beach we have ever been at. We also love Magens Bay in St. Thomas. They both have facilities, rentals, etc. St. John is a boat ride away where as Megans Bay is an awesome cab ride over the tp of the island with some spectacular views. I wuld highly recommend both.

In St. Maarten we just go to Great Bay Beach as its easy and the kids love it.

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

We loved Megans Bay in St. Thomas. Much better than Saphirre Beach.

In St. Martin, we chartered our own cigarette boat this year and spent the day in Anguilla. It was beautiful. The most isolated, whitest beaches I'd ever seen. Check out www.offshoresunsations.com . Click on testimonials. We're the family from Iowa.

 

[videoman]

There is nothing in this world like Trunk Bay in St. John's

 

[mmorizio]

We had a wonderful time at Megans Bay in St. Thomas. We took a cab from Charlotte Amalie, and the driver asked us about what time we thought we'd be heading back. we said about 1:30, and he was waiting there when we were ready to leave.

 

[jrydberg]

Nothing beats the north shore beaches on St. John. Personally I like Hawksnest better than Trunk, but I don't think that's an option for cruisers. The only negative I'd say about Trunk is that it can get crowded at times. But as to the beach itself, it's fantastic. Nothing on St. Thomas compares. Never been to St. Maarten, so can't speak to that, but I have a hard time believing anything would be better.

 

[sitchu2]

Appreciate all the input. So far it looks like the Trunk excursion will be a must.

Does anyone else know how Orient and Great Bay on St. Martin compare?

 

[Van Helsing]

Thanks everyone i'm going on a RC cruise later in the year and we're calling at st thomas

 

[mickeyworld]

Did you take a lunch re: room service or did youget your food,etc. at the beach? Can't wait !

 

[jlawall]

St. John has the best beaches - don't miss Trunk Bay!

 

[Kimnicki]

We went to Great Bay on St. Martin's and I didn't think it was much of a big deal. The plus was that it was a short ferry ride from the ship and the shopping is right there as well. I would've rather gone to the other side of the island, where I hear it's beautiful, but my DH was sick on the ship and I didn't want to travel too far away with my DS and DD.


Kim

 

[sitchu2]

Ok, looks like Orient would be the dream beach for st. martin. Thanks so much.

 

[jrabbit]

Ok, looks like Orient would be the dream beach for st. martin.

I've spent time on both and prefer Orient over Great. Great Bay the water was absolutly calm. On Orient there were small waves and it was a lot of fun. You get to see Great Bay from the ship so going over to Orient gave us other views (some not so nice - the island is very poor). The view of Orient from the hill top was spectacular and so was being on the beach.

Orient in St. Maarten and Trunk Bay on St. John's are two very good options.

You can save a ton of money by doing these beach days on your own than through the DCL sponsored excursions. It'll be easier on St. Maarten because you don't have to deal with a ferry and only one taxi, but both are doable.

 

[sitchu2]

Anybody up for describing exactly how you would do trunk bay on your own.

ie:simple directions how to proceed once debarking the ship????

Ive only done 2 official excursions on the past 5 cruises ive been on, but ive never been to the eastern caribbean. Your input here is greatly appreciated.

 

[jrydberg]

Get a taxi from the dock in Charlotte Amalie to Red Hook (may take 30 mins or so).

Take the ferry over to Cruz Bay, St. John (runs every 20 mins or so and takes about 20 mins to get there).

Get a taxi to Trunk Bay (10 mins or so).

Relax and enjoy.

Repeat in reverse.

Just a word of caution on doing it yourself. Plan conservatively on the time.

The other option is to take the downtown ferry (Charlotte Amalie to St. John), but that doesn't run as often.

 

[sitchu2]

Thank You

 

[momto2dkids]

jrydberg-
how do you get to the downtown Charlotte Amalie ferry dock?
Does this ferry go directly to Cruz Bay?
What times do the first ferries leave?
And how often does it run as opposed to the Red Hook ferry?

Sorry, lots of ???, but really want to try Trunk Bay. My DH, however, is worried about doing any unofficial excursions for fear of missing the boat. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jrydberg]

The downtown ferry docks right by the main shopping area in Charlotte Amalie. I've never cruised to St. Thomas, always flown in, so I'm not as well versed on the cruise dock and how far that is, but I'd say it's a long walk/short ride. Probably could get one of those open air taxis to give you a ride there for a couple bucks.
The ferry goes directly to Cruz Bay, same dock as the Red Hook ferry.

As for schedules it's not as often as the Red Hook ferry. Check http://www.stjohnusvi.com/ferry.html That should have schedules for all the ferries.

I'd highly recommend St. John. As long as you are conservative on your time estimates (give yourself plenty of time to get back), I don't think you'd be disappointed.

 

[momto2dkids]

jrydberg- Thanks so much for all the great information! The link was perfect, I've saved it for our next cruise.