St. Maarten beach and Marigot - need help

Lou · #1 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 07:35 AM

We're going to be in St. Maarten from the Mariner in two weeks.

I was thinking of taking a cab to the French side for shopping
and lunch, then a cab back to beach near shp terminal.

Any thoughts on this?

Previously in St. Maarten we did a Pinel Island excursion.

Dave the Wave · #2 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 09:56 AM

Would like to hear about it when you get back Lou. Doing this cruise in the Spring. 8)

Trip · #3 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 11:40 AM

You can get off the ship and arrange with a cabby for a full day tour. Make sure you tell him exactly what you want and he can wait for you, wherever you want to stop, or come back for you as I have seen done too. There really is not a great beach, close to the port, if memory serves me right. But discuss this all with the cabby, and he will steer you in the right direction.

The French side has beautiful bistro's and shops, right by the water, and it's lovely to stop there and have a bite! Enjoy!

Kuki · #4 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 12:13 PM

St Maarten is actually a good stop to rent your own vehicle and set out to explore. It's an easy island to find your way around, with a number of nice beaches to stop at. Traffic is a bit heavy, but it doesnt take much more than an hour to get around the entire island if you didn't stop, so timing isn't much of an issue either.

Lou · #5 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 02:36 PM

DTW: I'll let you know w/fresh opinions, as we did the Mariner
about two years ago. Loved everything about the ship (but
loved the Freedom, too).

Tks for all the suggestions, Trip and Kuki.

Still would like to know if anyone found a good beach fairly
close to the ship.

ragtiki2005 · #6 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 04:17 PM

Just got back from visiting St. Marten on the AOS. Rented a car and stopped at Friars Beach on the French side. Nice beautiful quiet beach, not many people were there. About a 20 to 25 minute ride. On the way back, we were told to take the long way around the island to advoid the traffic and were back at the ship in about 25 minutes. Bob

subtropic · #7 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2007, 07:09 PM

I can personally recommend Friar's, Grand Case, and Cupecoy beaches.

lks1165 · #8 (**permalink**) October 3rd, 2007, 07:37 AM

You may also want to try Mullet, Not busy like Orient. i don't know of a bad beach in St. Martin so what ever you choose will be great. I anice spot is Sunset beach bar right near the airport, you can see all the jets land (they are close too) You can check out the sunset beach on their webcam www.sunsetbeachbar.com and then click on live cams- there are all different angles.
Enjoy!!!

Bikinipro · #9 (**permalink**) October 3rd, 2007, 02:07 PM

Don't forget to go to Orient beach and see the nudies!!!
It's quite a scene.

DocB · #10 (**permalink**) October 4th, 2007, 09:11 AM

It's very easy to grab a cab at the pier and head to the beach,I prefer Orient Beach. When you're done there are cabs there that you can grab for the short ride to Marigot. Great place for a lunch of french cuisine as well as shopping and an outdoor market. There is a cab stand there where you can grab a cab back to Phillipsburg. All in all a great day that is easily doable on your own. Enjoy!!

Lou · #11 (**permalink**) October 4th, 2007, 09:20 AM

Souinds like a "doable" island on our own, and I guess
we'll have to do the famous Orient beach. Sounds like
cabs are plentiful at both Orient beach and Marigot?

Bikinipro · #12 (**permalink**) October 4th, 2007, 10:47 AM

Lou...you'll get a cab....no problem
Don't forget....look for the yellow umbrellas!

Lou · #13 (**permalink**) October 4th, 2007, 10:56 AM

Yellow umbrellas?????