BrianAlt Posted January 11, 2022 Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 For anyone that has recently traveled to St. Maarten, what do you recommend for the day on the island? St. Maarten is one of our favorite places to visit. We've been there more than a half dozen times. We did Bernard's Tour our last time there and really enjoyed that. But that was mainly because we were with a large group, some with mobility issues. Usually we will just taxi to Marigot, do some shopping and some pastry eating and then head to Orient Beach for the rest of the day. Then taxi back to the ship. Is this still a viable plan in the COVID era? Would it be better to book a ship tour? Or another organized tour? We're going in April, if that makes a difference. Thanks for any advice you might have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 11, 2022 Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 Can I ask how you did that? Are taxis readily available and easy to find? Adding that the ONLY ship excursion listed is the Regatta. No other options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 32 minutes ago, Pooch said: Can I ask how you did that? Are taxis readily available and easy to find? Adding that the ONLY ship excursion listed is the Regatta. No other options. How I did what? Find a taxi? There's a well staffed taxi stand near the front of the port. You just walk out there and stand in one of the 4-5 lines for a taxi. I'm on a Celebrity cruise in April and there are 6 excursions listed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggbert Posted January 11, 2022 Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 Captain Bob, speedboat and snorkeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 29 minutes ago, Eggbert said: Captain Bob, speedboat and snorkeling. Have you done it post restart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 11, 2022 Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 2 hours ago, BrianAlt said: How I did what? Find a taxi? There's a well staffed taxi stand near the front of the port. You just walk out there and stand in one of the 4-5 lines for a taxi. I'm on a Celebrity cruise in April and there are 6 excursions listed... St Maarten was a sub for St John’s Antigua a couple of months ago. Since then, there has only been one excursion listed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 7 minutes ago, Pooch said: St Maarten was a sub for St John’s Antigua a couple of months ago. Since then, there has only been one excursion listed. That's on your cruise, not mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 11, 2022 Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 Yes I know. But this is why I’m looking for alternatives. Thank you the information on the taxis. Sorry if I bothered you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 11, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2022 11 minutes ago, Pooch said: Sorry if I bothered you. Not a bother. Just trying to understand. Good luck with your cruise. Try Bernards Tours if you've never been to St. Maarten. https://bernardstours.com/ Shay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggbert Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 6 hours ago, BrianAlt said: Have you done it post restart? Did it last week (Jan. 5). Had a great time. Two snorkel stops - Marine park and Tintamere Island (turtles). Snorkeling wasnt as good as our first time due to silty water and the hurricane a few years ago but was still enjoyable. Also had three beach stops and some nice speedboating. Ended up watching some planes come in at 3:30 as well as watching the Delta takeoff at that time. Lunch (sandwiches, chips, all you want to drink included). BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisellama Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 Anyone visit the "Yoda Guy" in St. Maarten? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 Brian, We did this a few years ago, which was not an excursion. Booked it directly with the Random Wind folks. A lot of fun and scenic. Here's the link:Sailing Charter in St Maarten | Random Wind Charters Best wishes! cruisellama and BrianAlt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 1 hour ago, Eggbert said: Did it last week (Jan. 5). Had a great time. Two snorkel stops - Marine park and Tintamere Island (turtles). Snorkeling wasnt as good as our first time due to silty water and the hurricane a few years ago but was still enjoyable. Also had three beach stops and some nice speedboating. Ended up watching some planes come in at 3:30 as well as watching the Delta takeoff at that time. Lunch (sandwiches, chips, all you want to drink included). I’ll likely do this as it was on my radar in the past. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 10 minutes ago, BrianAlt said: I’ll likely do this as it was on my radar in the past. Thanks! You're welcome, enjoy! BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted January 12, 2022 Report Share Posted January 12, 2022 1 hour ago, cruisellama said: Anyone visit the "Yoda Guy" in St. Maarten? I did NYE 2019! Haven't been since the pandemic. If you're a Star Wars fan it's a pretty neat little place to tour. cruisellama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 On 1/11/2022 at 7:37 PM, cruisellama said: Anyone visit the "Yoda Guy" in St. Maarten? Yes! Very neat for Star Wars (or movie fans in general!) He's collected a lot of memorabilia over the years so there's a neat little museum that you can walk through (I think it's $12 that you'll get back as a discount on shop purchases?) I'm looking forward to returning because I absolutely regret not buying one of the framed script pages from one of my favorite scenes in Return of the Jedi. Big regret, hope to go back in May! I also recommend taking the walk there on foot from the port to the downtown area (rather than a water taxi) and stopping by the cheese shop on your way for some gouda! cruisellama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafarer Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 Toes in the water, beer in my hand and planes overhead! Live webcam http://sunsetsxm.com/plane-info/ EmptyNestTravels, WAAAYTOOO, rjweber3 and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scary43 Posted January 13, 2022 Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 Did Maho Beach the week of Dec 5. Great fun and easy to get to. We booked a ship excursion but decided we would try public transportation next time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2022 Been to Maho Beach a couple of times. Definitely a fun thing to do during a visit. EmptyNestTravels 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shay Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 Do you all have a preference of the two: Maho Beach vs Great Bay Beach? I'm looking for a low cost beach excursion that included a complimentary beach chair and access to purchase local foods Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 5 minutes ago, Shay said: Do you all have a preference of the two: Maho Beach vs Great Bay Beach? I'm looking for a low cost beach excursion that included a complimentary beach chair and access to purchase local foods Thanks I think Great Bay Beach would be the way to go then - it's along a strip of shops downtown and it's easily walkable from the port or accessible via Water Taxi. While Maho Beach is a unique experience, I found it to be touristy. EmptyNestTravels 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shay Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 3 hours ago, KLA said: I think Great Bay Beach would be the way to go then - it's along a strip of shops downtown and it's easily walkable from the port or accessible via Water Taxi. While Maho Beach is a unique experience, I found it to be touristy. Do you know the price range of the water taxi? We planned to book through RC. Thanks so much for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 24 minutes ago, Shay said: Do you know the price range of the water taxi? We planned to book through RC. Thanks so much for your help I can't provide the latest updates since it's been a few years, but I believe it's $5 one way or $7 all day (per person) and the entrance is nearby the cruise port. You can get deals with beach chairs, drinks, and wifi all along the restaurants at the beach for anywhere from $15-$24. Here's a post from this board discussing this: Pooch and Shay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shay Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 Thanks KLA this is very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 Just to add on further - my husband and I really enjoyed the walk from the port to the downtown beach area when we were last there. It's only about a 10 minute walk with a neat little Gouda shop along the way. Swar, EmptyNestTravels and Shay 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 I agree with @KLA. Great Bay beach is an inexpensive way to do a DIY beach day in St. Maarten. You can buy a single trip on the water taxi to get over to the dock there or you can buy the wristband for unlimited rides back and forth. You can also walk there along the main road. It's about maybe a 15-20 minute walk. There are restaurants and places that line the main boardwalk that runs along the beach. They all offer different specials and will sell you chairs and umbrellas, drinks and food. One block up parallel to the main beach front road is where most of the local shopping area is located. If you go out to Maho Beach you are really stuck with only the Sunset Bar right there and things are priced there because they recognize that. I don't think they even offers chairs and umbrellas because the blast from the airplanes would send them flying! Pooch and Shay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 14, 2022 Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 This sounds perfect to me! Hubby & I like to walk so a 15-20 minute walk is great. Beach, restaurants, an area to do some local browsing & I am a happy camper! Thanks for the tip! KLA and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2022 7 hours ago, Shay said: Do you all have a preference of the two: Maho Beach vs Great Bay Beach? I'm looking for a low cost beach excursion that included a complimentary beach chair and access to purchase local foods Thanks Maho is more about watching the planes, not so much about enjoying the beach. Shay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 3 hours ago, BrianAlt said: Maho is more about watching the planes, not so much about enjoying the beach Amen! BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafarer Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 21 hours ago, AshleyDillo said: I agree with @KLA. Great Bay beach is an inexpensive way to do a DIY beach day in St. Maarten. You can buy a single trip on the water taxi to get over to the dock there or you can buy the wristband for unlimited rides back and forth. You can also walk there along the main road. It's about maybe a 15-20 minute walk. There are restaurants and places that line the main boardwalk that runs along the beach. They all offer different specials and will sell you chairs and umbrellas, drinks and food. One block up parallel to the main beach front road is where most of the local shopping area is located. If you go out to Maho Beach you are really stuck with only the Sunset Bar right there and things are priced there because they recognize that. I don't think they even offers chairs and umbrellas because the blast from the airplanes would send them flying! My son and I rented beach chairs and an umbrella from SB in May 2019. They set them up next to the bar. The only thing getting knocked around from the jet blasts are the knuckleheads who grab on to the chain link fence and get slammed onto the road. AshleyDillo and Pooch 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fa-li Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 We plan to do the art walk when we’re there https://bethechangesxm.com/colormesxm/ It’s nothing formal but seems like a fun way to wander the little downtown area. BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 We were there Dec 23/21 and did the Maho Beach Plane Spotting excursion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shay Posted January 29, 2022 Report Share Posted January 29, 2022 How far are the water taxis from the port? Is it a short walk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted January 29, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2022 23 hours ago, Shay said: How far are the water taxis from the port? Is it a short walk? The water taxi is about a 5 minute walk. Less than 10 for sure. Shay and Pooch 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Steinkamp Posted January 30, 2022 Report Share Posted January 30, 2022 On 1/11/2022 at 2:41 PM, BrianAlt said: That's on your cruise, not mine. do you know why the switch of islands was made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted January 30, 2022 Report Share Posted January 30, 2022 I believe the problem had to do with work being done (or needing to be done) at the Antigua pier that was not going to be completed in time. Although I have heard other ships may be docking, it may be smaller ships. It was NOT covid related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennaRCB Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 I really enjoyed a beach called Friar's Bay Beach when I cycled around the island last week. It was on the French side kind of near Marigot, wasn't crowded, and had some food and drinks available. The water was gorgeous there! BrianAlt and kadmgs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 We've been to Maho a couple of times and I agree with all of them ^ - it's a tourist trap and crowded! The beach in the flight path is tiny and full of people. When we head to SXM next month, I think we might just hang out in Phillipsburg or grab a taxi - maybe to Orient but it's not the same as it was pre-Irma. BTW - if you're looking for a great, insightful youtube blog about St. Maarten, check out The Travelling Island Girl. I just found her last month and her vlogs are great. She also gives guided tours when she's there but I'm afraid she will be too expensive for just the two of us. Here's one of her videos: BrianAlt, Shay and USCG Teacher 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 On 1/11/2022 at 1:02 PM, BrianAlt said: Have you done it post restart? We just went out with Captain Bob’s two days ago. We had a great day and will go again the next time we are in St Maarten. There were quite a few people in the group who were repeat customers. BrianAlt and USCG Teacher 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianAlt Posted February 6, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 Thanks everyone. You’ve convinced me. I’m going to book Captain Bob’s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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